We have visited Venus Pool nearly every week for the past few months - we are not so good at identifiying ducks and waders (not experts on anything else) but these are our special weakness! We have met some wonderful people in the hides who have spent a lot of time helping to sort all the birds out. One week the lake was massed with ducks all had been moulting and we were at a loss to identify them - a very kind gentleman went through them all and we discovered six or seven different species. He would point to a small blue feather just appearing and that would tell him what it was - he was terrific! We now know a green sandpiper from a common sandpiper - really know it and he pointed out the call of the water rail and on another visit actually spotted one for us. We can now find snipe no matter how well hidden they are too! The one to one tuition we have 'accidentally' received from members of the society has been great - we don't know who these individuals are but we are very greatful to them for making the last few months of birdwatching so much more interesting.
That's good to know Lucy! I have also benefited greatly from other people's help & advice in the hides at Venus!! I had one very patient person help me for about 20 mins trying to spot a snipe!!! I'm better at it now though!
Actually I miss going 3 or 4 times a week as I was in the summer with the longer daylight hours! Now it's restricted to mornings before work and weekends! What days do you go on?
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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It sounds as if the people at Venus are a fantastic group. I have alwayys found that fellow bird watchers are one of the most friendly and generous with their knowledge of birds and equipment to buy and use. Sounds as if you two could meet up at Venus.
Hi Marjus - we used to go in the evening earlier in the year but now go mid morning and there always seems to be someone there on hand to help! I hate it when everyone else can see it but you! My husband can't walk too far so we usually go in the hide by the disabled carpark but we did go in the new hide close by last time which is great with a lovely expanse of lake.
Brenda - you are so right we have had some great help from birdwatchers - my husband was taken ill in a hide earlier this year and a gentleman there was so kind and helpful but I did smile to myself because in between giving advice he was telling us of some good birdwatching sights to visit as well!
Hi Lucybob
How good it is to read that people are friendly, helpful and willing to share their knowledge. It does sound an ideal place to visit - I just wish it was nearer to us as it's definitely not the sort of journey we can do in a day. Maybe one day we will holiday somewhere near that location as I know there are many other good places for wildlife around there as well.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Lucy, I am sure you were grateful that the gentleman was of some help to you, but other bird sites were not your priority at the time. Great you can see the funny side of the situation. I can remember offering our scope to a woman who was unable to spot a Water Rail. She was so excited, she then invited all around her to have a look. They in turn, thanked her for letting them have a look, which took quite some time! She then walked away without saying a word to me. Regular Birders around me just couldn't stop laughing. Haven't met anyone like her again, thank goodness.
hi LucyBob
Venus pool souds a super place to visit. It takes a while to learn all your bird species. There is always another question to be asked and more to find out. Even the more advanced people struggle too. Simply a dull day can put a whole new meaning looking at a bird species.
I really like it when there is a shared interested amongst other birders in bird hides. We have our Scope with us as much as we can, and we do not mind sharing it with others - if they only have binoculars. Just a polite gesture to others.
Sorry to hear about your husband - not so good
MarJus: Great to hear that you have seen a Snipe. They are unmistakable to see. Just the shape of the bird is like not other one. It is a shame that that word 'work' gets in the way of a good birding session or two.
Squirrel: Like you have said in your own words people are very friendly while using reserves/birdhides, and you have many a good old natter with anyone about wildlife in general. Titchwell has some volunters that are willing to help you if you are stuck.
Brenda: The woman who was over the moon seeing the birds through the scope - I coudl just imagine what she sounded like - over the moon no doubt.
It just shows the power of having a scope it places a new meaning on birdwatching as you can get a better positive ID.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Brenda - I did laugh at that lady - as they say it takes all sorts to make a world! We have great fun in the hides sometimes - my husband has short term memory loss and uses his own words for certains things such as lavender is lilac - common sandpiper is - otler - shoveler - big beak duck - kingfisher - blue darty thing - bushes - round lumps (green or brown depending on the season) streaky shoots - reeds - we both know exactly what he means and carry on our conversation and then I take a peak at other folk in the hide and I just burst out laughing as their faces are a picture.
Squirrel - yes it is lovely in Shropshire I have spent the biggest part of my life here but would like to have access to something like saltmarshes or something similar because the problem is when don't see certain types of birds very often you more or less have to start from scratch each time you see them!
Blackbird - we don't have a scope - see now that's two things on my Christmas list - new camera because I'm envious of everyones lovely photographs and now a scope - joining this forum may become expensive!