Sunday 29 November 2009

STITHIANS RESERVOIR AND THE B.H.G.D.C.

Rather a dreary start to yesterday morning but at least it was dry and overcast , so decided to make an overdue visit to Stithians Res. Started off at the Golden Lion Cutoff and not a lot happening, just a few Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Teal and Grey Heron.
It was then on to the Southern Cutoff hide where there was plenty of activity around the feeders (The warden Simon Taylor keeps a superb feeding station), Species seen Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tit, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, Robin. On the water just a few Widgeon, Coot and a Grey Heron.
So then it was over to the Southern hide on the main Res, Opened the door, dropped the gear sat down and lifted one of the flaps.The place was full of Black Headed Gulls but why? Then it dawned on me the last Saturday in November is the Date for

THE BLACK HEADED GULL DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS.





ABOVE IS THE AJUDICATOR A RATHER STRICT NO NONSENSE FELLOW.



FIRST UP WERE THE NOVICES JUST SETTING OUT ON THE ROAD TO FAME.



THEN CAME THE INTERMEDIATES MAKING QUITE A SPLASH BUT NOT GETTING IT QUITE RIGHT.



THE SUPPORTERS WERE A ROWDY BUNCH VERY VOCAL IN SHOUTING FOR THEIR FAVOURITES.



FINALLY THE OVERALL CHAMPION WHO'S PERFORMANCE OF PRECISION AND SKILL LEFT EVERYONE SCREAMING AND FLAPPING THEIR WINGS IN A FRENZY OF APPRECIATION.

5 comments:

  1. Now this made us both smile Monty.
    I give the contestant a SEVEN but the photographer gets....a TEN.

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  2. Great pictures and a great naration for it. Gulls are so fun to watch. Thanks for the humor.

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  3. Now that is really clever Monty! It has put a big smile on my face and brightened up another very dull and dreary day, great photos. The adjudicator looks very stern, I wouldn't want to argue with him! And the winner couldn't have been bettered, a balletic performance!!

    Well done Monty...a row of tens! :)

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  4. I can`t say anything that hasn`t already been said, Monty. A great & original post.

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  5. Ha ha funny. I'm impressed by the winner's skill.

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