The Hills have I's

Well the sandwiches were retrieved from the back of the fridge (they were for Monday!!) flask prepped I was of and for a change took a friend.

The day promised a lot as we travelled out to the wilds of the Shropshire hills, in particular the Black hill!! and it was! It seemed as if the sunshine was reserved for the north of the county in the main?

The track up into the forest was a little steeper than expected, puff! pant! a lot. Especially carrying all the equipment, you know the important stuff like flask, sarnies etc.

There were so many distractions on the way up it took a real long time, fungi, birds, trees and the lichens and moss were brill.

The forest is divided into two areas, the Forestry Commission and private area belonging to Lord Sainsbury!

The hills really did have I's like I's Knackered, I's to hot, I's to cold etc.etc. all in gest of course.

The target bind for the trip was to see and if possible photograph the Great grey shrike, well it did eventually appear and made sure it stayed at a distance no matter what ploy was try'd, so it was enough just to watch this magnificent bird as it hunted small insects from various vantage points around the clearing.

The only bird of note with lens range was a small group of Crossbill, it was worth the trip for both of course.

Not exactly a good shot but a record for my Shropshire tally at least.

And that was about it for the day out, not mind blowing but well good, Oh! the Brambling are still at the Pole cottage feeding with the Chaffinch's sadly no sign of the female Black redstart today.

See you all again

Paul