Rough justice

Post date: Feb 04, 2010 10:29:11 AM

Had the good fortune to have an appointment in Beccles yesterday so was able to drop in on the Rough-leg(s) on the way back for tea break. When I arrived, an initial scan soon found said raptor sitting on gate post at a fair distance (nothing wrong with that, Rough-leg at any distance is always a treat!) I then noticed a bird-spotter at about quarter of a mile away turn from what I assume is the public path, and head over the grazing marsh, head down, towards the bird. Now, my aging eyesight and interpretation of body language is undoubtedly not as keen as a young bold Rough-leg, but even I could foresee what was occurring here, and to coin a phrase from popular ITV show ' I really think you've got the Tw*t Factor!' At this point I should concede that he was possibly doing a grazing marsh grass survey or merely looking for Chinese water deer pooh, but I'm not sure what the spotting scope would have been for! (by the way, he was NOT donning a cruise-missile sized lens and camera!) Any way, I digress, obviously the Rough-leg saw this coming, quite literally a mile away, took to the wingm, high and wide and pushed off with an entourage of corvids. By this time responsible birders had turned up to stare at a birdless gate post and Rough-leg free sky. I watched as said explorer then looked up and scanned, bemused at every blank post within a half mile. As I say I may be doing somebody a mis-service, they may have been walking home! If so I will retract my mumbled statement at the time....'what a ******* ****!'