I've heard back from Matt Bruce at the RSPB Wildlife Crime Unit. He is of the opinion that the guy we filmed at Morton Bagot is probably not an egg-collector caught in the act of searching for nests. I've also heard from Sam MacVie of HOEF who comments that he may have been training a dog, but that in any case he should not have been doing it on their land and particularly not in that field.
As there appeared to be no prospect of taking the matter any further, I was going to post some video of the incident, but computer says no. Here are some stills instead. The chap was frequently peering into the sedge before joining his partner with the other dog. I also wonder why he had a little knapsack slung over his shoulder.
Earlier today I explored Sheltwood Farm near Bank's Green west of Redditch. Many of the fields were devoted to cattle, and as I'm a bit nervous of the beasts I didn't stay long. Other fields were planted with cereal crops, but I didn't hear any Quail or very much at all.
At the place where I'd parked my car I could hear a sylvia warbler tacking agitatedly at my presence. It obviously had recently fledged young nearby, but I couldn't decide what species was involved. I decided to reinstate my Merlin app to see if it knew.
Unfortunately by the time I'd got the app loaded the calling had stopped, so I was none the wiser. (Probably a Blackcap, but Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler not eliminated).
I walked down the road to a small copse where I was greeted by another agitated warbler, this time going "hooweet" and often "hweet". I knew what I thought it was, but Merlin disagreed. "Willow Warbler" it said. I thought I'd better see the bird, and soon clapped eyes on what looked to me like a Chiffchaff. I checked Merlin. It was now suggesting Redstart and also Curlew! The Chiffchaff started to sing. Merlin and I finally agreed.
On balance, out of the two of us, Merlin had had a much more fruitful morning.
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