And (and, and) you put the load right on me

 OK. I'm getting old.

Not past it yet, but getting there.

I went out early this morning in the dark, fog and rain to see if the Bewick's Swans that were sighted yesterday evening were still around. As they were last seen over the north side against the reed bed I took the scope as the only place to see them from is the south side.

Off I went in waterproofs, Muck boots, bins round my neck, rucksack with DSLR camera on my back, tripod with scope over my shoulder - feeling a bit weighed down.

My normal, unladen weight is about 12 stone (76 kg).

My Weight with carrying this lot was 14 stone (89 kg) - I know because when I got home I asked Lin to bring the scales into the garage so I could weigh myself before and after I'd divested myself of all the stuff 🤣😂 no wonder I felt my age today! Some of the weight was rain of course but the rest was clothing and gear.

Did I get a result from all this Sherpa-like activity? What do you think...

Poor visibility to say the least at the Mere today

I stayed with Jon for a while hoping things would improve, and they did for about 2 minutes when we could at least see our feet, but then it closed in again. I wandered off to the hide, hoping against hope that by the time I got there visibility would have got better - it didn't though. At least I saw a few Mallard, Coot, Goldeneye, Tufties, Wigeon and Mute Swans within about 70 yards of the hide, which is more than I saw on the south side.

On the way I saw a flock of birds get up from the stubble and land in a hedgerow. Through the murk I made out they were Redwing (with a few Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting too), so I took a few photos for the record. I counted them when I came back an hour later as they left a tree in dribs and drabs and got 59. Two Mistle Thrush as well, but no Fieldfare though.

Misty Redwing in the hedgerow

Not such a good image - but when you clean it up it's not as bad.

Redwing, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch

Wider angle of same hedgerow

I will certainly be looking into getting a lighter camera rig and possibly a lighter scope in the new year. I'd already sort of decided a smaller camera was on the cards but today has decided me. Anyone want a Canon 7DMkII with Sigma 150-600mm lens 😢