I really like watching birds through my little telescope, I see so much that I’d otherwise miss. I felt like I was in some kind of nature documentary on Saturday, at Conder Green on the Lune estuary, watching a flock of lovely eider duck paddle around a fishing heron and a feeding swan, while the occasional lapwing pootered by, and a pair of herring gulls had a violent fight over a crab. This was only about 100m away from the footpath, but I’d not really have seen any details at all without the scope. It also means I can draw more easily, with my hands free, unlike when you’re using binoculars. The wind was blowing the heron’s tufts the wrong way, making it look like a bit like it had a mohawk.
I love the noise the male eider make. They sound like they’re going “Oooh! OOOH!” like they’re constantly finding something exciting! You can listen to them here on the RSPB website.
