Belated Bewicks - Church Lawford 12th January 2010

(More images on my website - see link opposite)

I had not seen Bewicks Swan for well over five years and not in Warwickshire. As fate dealt its card, I was travelling from Coventry to Rugby on Monday afternoon but chose the A45 route. Had I taken my normal route along the A428, I would have stumbled across John J & Colin P observing at least 17 Bewicks Swans in the fields near Church Lawford.

Not to miss this opportunity, I was out at Church Lawford this morning before first light in the hope that they would still be there. The A428 is not a road to be complacent with, very busy and few safe parking spots. As light improved, the only swan movements were Mute and no sign of any Bewicks, having searched both sides of the River Avon. I returned to the A428 where I met Pete H and Tim M who were not having any better luck. We left at about 0845, slightly disappointed.

Not long after I got home, RBA informed of two Bewicks Swans within the Mute Swan group. I was due at work at 1200, so a quick wash and shave and I was back at Church Lawford. Ironically, the same three of us had returned and soon located the swans. As we watched and took a few pictures, we were drawn to a female Merlin trying its luck with the finch flocks.

Most of the images above were taken with my own camera lens set up. Pete H was kind enough to allow me use of his ?800mm lens. I will let you decide which images were taken with which lens!

RBA later reported the return of 17 Bewicks, nice, but I am happy with my two!