A celebration of birding and natural history, generally within a 10 mile radius of Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, UK. It would be great if you wanted to share your Ely 10 birding news, experiences, photos, art and video through this blog. Please contact hairyfolkster@gmail.com with your post or to join the authorship, I'll get you on the list quicker than a fly over Alpine Swift.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
arrival.
A flock of over a hundred Golden Plover dropped in through the dissipating mist as I arrived at Welney yesterday morning, nervously quivering as they settled on the muddy pool. they had circled on stiff wings five or six times, gradually getting lower and lower until they were sure it was safe to alight. Once grounded they jostled and shuffled until each bird had found its place, and then, while some watched, others splashed and bustled in the shallow water. All around them loafed the brown forms of wigeon, shoveler and teal; arranged in rows and huddles like so many stones placed by an ancient people to mark the place for a forgotten reason.