Lockdown memories
The renewed lockdown has given me time to catch up on some reading, including the autumn Bird Watching edition. The Go Birding article about Thorney Island brought back distant memories, when as a teenager I would go birding there. My first trip (circa 1967) was as a member of the YOC, led by the local Portsmouth group leader (Steve Burkinshaw?) a jolly chap, who included wrestling as one of his hobbies!
As I grew into my midteens, I made trips under my own steam, either cycling or by bus to Southbourne and walking onto Thorney. In those far-off days, the island was a RAF base for Hercules transport aircraft but there was virtually no security. I recall one occasion, walking towards West Thorney from the base area.
As I was crossing a runway, I heard a voice right behind me, it caught me by surprise, as absolutely no one was in sight and it made me duck with fright! I then heard the voice again and realised it was coming from a loud speaker positioned just off the runway. I was being told by the control tower to get a move on, as a Hercules was coming into land! I looked up to see the plane about half a mile away – Yep, I ran! On reaching the sea wall at West Thorney, I was treated to my first ever views of Eiders in Thorney Channel. So, worth the fright. David Cleal
Wrong birds!
The brilliant western
The Sisters Brothers was set in North American but filmed in Spain. So, there was Swift, Nightingale and Wood Lark heard in the background on occasion. Ruined the film for me!
Ed Hutchings
n The editor says: Any other films or TV productions been ruined for you for similar reasons?
Well done, Bo!
May I congratulate Bo on another superb article. He conjures lovely, provocative thoughts, mixed delicately with humour. Tinged with the fact that some humans should be picked and put down!
G R Clifford
Egret delight
Just finished reading in
Bird Watching about how Great White Egrets are starting to come over. Went for a walk, and for the first time spotted one on the local creek. Photos were taken at Dodnor Creek, Isle of Wight. I also got very lucky getting both the Great White and the Little Egret in the same shot. Steve Deans