There was some real success and excitement at the caravan hide this morning. I was up very early, I just couldn’t sleep, a combination of worry about my eyes, disappointment because of the shooting of foxes and of course the anticipation that the trail camera may have recorded something good.

I walked to the caravan just a fraction after 8 – very early for me – and immediately disturbed a Buzzard that was sat on the gate…..bingo as they say.  I quickly retrieved the SD card and went inside the van to check what I had captured on film. The trail camera had been set to record a combination of stills and 30 second movie clips, another great bit of equipment for less than £70! 

The first image showed a Jay feeding on the bait, that was very good to see and it was a very pleasant surprise. I am glad that Jays are still around because they are very photogenic and I love to see them, however they are, in truth, a murderous species with an obvious fondness for meat – carrion, young birds and mammals and the like as well as nuts.  Then as I watched the video clip, the Jay became agitated and quickly left the gate to be replaced seconds later by a glorious Buzzard that landed on to the gate with a clonk.  The video, not of good quality I might add, showed the bird of prey alighting on the gate,  it’s talons hitting the galvanised metalwork.  It quickly made it’s way to what remained of the bait and tucked in.  It held down the morsels with it’s talons and systematically ate what was left.  Then, as I walked up towards the gate unknowingly,  I obviously disturbed it. I replenished the feeding station with more in the hope that it would return later while I was still there and I hoped I would be able to get the glorious shots that I am after.  Thank heavens for the “sweet” sound that the camera makes when the auto focus locks on because my eyes are so bad now that I was seeing double through the viewfinder!!  Literally 2 hours after I arrived and several cups of coffee later, still no returning birds.  It’s a patience thing and eventually I will have some real success with the good photographic equipment.  So, it’s been a good morning really, I have learnt some interesting things.  It’s obvious why the jays are not coming down as often as I thought they might, or as often as they have in previous years.  They are definitely frightened of the Buzzard and it was interesting to see how quickly the Jay scarpered when the Buzzard turned up. I wouldn’t have thought that the jay would be quite so wary and would have expected it to stand its ground but obviously not and something worthy of note. I have learnt that the disturbance of the field cropping has not disturbed the Buzzards too much and I am chuffed that things have returned to normal.  I now know that the birds come in to feed at around 8ish because they have been recorded on the trail camera now on three occasions at roughly this time of day.  I know that the Buzzards – or buzzard to be more accurate – has discovered a good source of regular food and one at least will probably return regularly to look for it.  All very good developments. Finally I have learnt that I would rather be sitting there, listening to Classic FM – quietly of course – drinking coffee and waiting for the next exciting encounter than anywhere else at the moment.  I could have been playing at the Nation Brass Band Championship finals today but as they say, "been there and done that".  This is much more fun, on my own in the peace and quiet and solitude.