Sunday 30th March 2008

It is the first day of the week (Monday is the second day), and what a way to start off my final week of being 13!
I was at my local patch, the River Crouch, and I was left speechless at the amount of new birds I saw, and the amount of things that were there.
To start off, I brought along some bread to feed the Mute Swans, and I was literally crouching about 10cm away from a Swan, as they all cautiously took bread from my hand! That was a nice way to start off the ride.
Next, I saw lots of little birds flying around in a tree, and they turned out to be 20-30 Goldfinches! A very CHARMing sight (get it?)
Next up was a Redshank fishing in the water right in front of me, and I was having a chat with another birdwatcher that was going in the opposite direction to me.
As I cycled on, I was greeted by the charming tinkering call of 3 Skylarks in the air! I was like, WOW!
I then cycled on further, and sat down for a bit, when a starling sized bird flew right past me, one I have never really seen before. I must admit, I said to myself “What the F@#* is that!?” As the bird flew past me, it soon became clear what it was…….. A KINGFISHER! My first 100% definite sighting in my life!
By this point, I thought to myself, this bike ride can’t get any better, when, right in front of me; a PEREGRINE FALCON was chasing Woodpigeons around the barns of Marsh Farm. At this point, I just couldn’t stand up I was so thrilled!
As I carried on, starting to head off home, 5 GREAT CRESTED GREBES were fishing In the water next to me! I just couldn’t believe my luck!
Near the end of the bike ride, I saw two unidentified birds. I have put an Identification thread on the website: http://www.wildlifeuk.net/two-birds-for-identification-t-936.html.
All in all, it was one of the best bike rides of my entire life!