There are two maxims in birding. One is that migrants are punctual, and therefore predictable. The other is almost the exact opposite. A rarity can turn up anywhere....but probably won't. These conflicting sentiments are what drives the patch birder onwards, and his partner to distraction.
This afternoon, after waiting in for someone to come and fix something, I took the first opportunity to test the first of these maxims.
I thought there must be a Little Ringed Plover at Mappleborough Green flash by now. Just half an hour later I was proved right.
The site is perfect for them, as Morton Bagot once was. The only downside was that the light was pretty poor, and not wanting to disturb my subject I settled for a record shot.
The second law of birding also came true. Anything rare might have turned up, but didn't. Instead I counted at least 32 Teal and a Green Sandpiper before returning home for another night staring at the gogglebox.
Birding is better.
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