Mid-summer moments of magic

Local birding has been especially hard of late, with the weather being more spring-like than summery. Most days have seen temperature struggle to get above about 15˚ and we’ve also had long periods of rain. A brief spell of evening birding at the local patch once again failed to yield Grasshopper Warbler, but consolation came in the form of distant views of squabbling Cuckoos, a female Marsh Harrier (perched on one of the fence posts, then in flight), Barn Owl briefly hunting along the footpath, and good views of roding Woodcock (2).

I was pleased to capture the last of these on camera, although at 128000 ISO (occasionally less than this), the quality of the image was never going to be anything special. (still, I’m not sure I’ve got many/any photos of Woodcock in flight.) The following day, a return visit to the Lakes produced, as anticipated, Common Redstart and Tree Pipit, although neither proved easy to photograph, preferring the highest branches of tall trees, which are never conducive to good images. Patience paid off with the latter, which eventually came down to something approaching eye level, but the former was stubbornly faithful to the canopy (or dense foliage at level elevations). It was also hot and exhausting work, stumbling uphill and downhill, over boggy tussocks on a grassy slope, but I did get some satisfactory images in the end. I also got really nice views of Willow Warbler with food, posing nicely at lower levels, and these proved much easier subjects.

On 19th-20th June, further afield, I stumbled across a county rarity. At 10.30pm, whilst watching other night birds and the full moon rising into a clear night’s sky, I was convinced I heard a distinctive whirring, churring sound… Surly not! (I assumed that the bird that others had reported had long since moved on, having paid just a brief migratory visit.) But I definitely heard it just now, albeit briefly and singing from distance on the other side of the road. Running along the footpath, I got closer and closer… and eventually, between 10.45pm and 11.15pm, I not only heard it but I also caught glimpses of the bird in flight against the sunset – a Cumbrian Nightjar - amazing! The following night I returned, knowing exactly where it was likely to be, and this time, unbelievably, I managed to capture it on digital film… at 3200 ISO, 1/20th of a second, hand-held! (I would have pushed the ISO more but was worried about grain.)

Anticipating where it might be singing from, I got lucky, very lucky, as the bird (one of two, of that I am almost certain) perched openly, against a clear backdrop, and sang its heart out… Wow! According to the county reports, this was the first time this species had been back in the county for two decades! This was also the first time I had managed to capture this species on film – ever! (Sadly, flight shots proved impossible.) I spent my time listening to the most amazing sounds, not just of it singing but also wing-clapping – and with a second bird in the distance. Extra-ordinary! Other sounds of the night included Woodcock, a distant Tawny Owl, two or three Cuckoos (earlier in the evening), barking Roe Deer…and midges galore! Apart from the last of these, which I was fortunately well prepared for having covered myself with repellent, they all added to the very special atmosphere. What an evening! I walked back to the car as quietly as possible, and could still hear the Nightjars churring away even from the road. Needless to say, I drove home a tired but happy man.