Saturday 25th October

A thoroughly frustrating day today....and proof that kids and birding do not mix. I heard mid-week that a Red-backed Shrike had been found just up the road in Halling. A ten minute drive away. I was hoping that it would stick around for the weekend. Time as always was short and I shot out at 8am for a 45minute shot at the bird. It was hand dumbingly cold and a whistle stop search for the Shrike only revealed a few Meadow Pipits and Green Woodpecker. No sooner was I home than I was texted that the bird had been found. I knew I would be lucky to get back today but at 5pm as the light was fading I had a chance to go out but had to take my 4 month and 2 and half year old sons. I arrived at just before half 5 and a combination of crying baby and fading light meant I stood no chance........a Kingfisher across the Medway was my only sighting of note after I gave up after 10 minutes.....

Off to Scotland on holiday for a week from tomorrow morning so gutted that I will not see the Red-backed shrike..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Whinge over!