So far I, Paul and Helen have been down to Quatre Bras and Ligny and made a circuit of the centre and Western side of Waterloo battlefield as well as visiting the museum and ascending the Lion Mound. We had 3 other areas to visit and we fitted these in between the battlefield walk and Quatre Bras.

First up, the far left flank of Wellington’s line. This area, which mainly includes the farms of Papelotte and La Haye is not the best known part of the battle for the simple fact that the fighting here didn’t include any British troops, except for British Hussars that were in support some distance behind the area, but didn’t get involved with the fighting and were eventually ordered east to support the centre. The area was held by a Brigade of Nassau Troops, a small German state, under Prince Saxe-Weimar. Like other continental troops in Wellington’s army, these troops had fought for Napoleon until 1814, some in the Peninsular War and had probably been engaged with some of the troops they were now Allied with. Warfare is a strange thing.

The fighting here doesn’t fit with our conception of the classic Napoleonic battle due to the nature of the terrain and to me that what makes it really interesting.

To reach the left flank it is possible to walk along the Ohain Road but we chose to drive down as it’s quite walk with little of interest on the way, except of course for the fact that for part of the way you are passing the frontage of Picton’s division that faced D’erlons attack. The road, which was partly sunken near to the crossroads isn’t now but looking to the left you can see how the ridge line rises beyond the road so you can imagine the shock the French columns got as the British infantry and Heavy cavalry appeared over the crest. Furthermore, the hedges that lined this road no longer exist so the area has changed since 1815, though not as much as the Western battlefield. There are also a few houses on the ridge that are contemporary to 1815.

What is interesting and somewhat uncomfortable is the fact that the road is still surfaced with Belgian Pave which undulates quite a bit and makes for a bone rattling drive, even in a modern car.

The thing that is immediately apparent as you deviate from the British frontage and head South-East towards Papelotte is that you are dropping down the front of the ridge but, more importantly, you are dropping below the level of the surrounding terrain. This area of the battlefield is one of narrow sunken lanes, steep banks and hedgerows. Couple this with strong farm complexes and you have a very difficult terrain to fight over. Traditional formations are of no use here and the fighting is of a much more confused nature.

You can see from the photos how different from the rest of the battlefield the nature of the ground is in this area.

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The first farm you see when reaching the lowest point at a crossroads is Papelotte up on the left. It has changed substantially since the battle but its commanding position can be swiftly ascertained. It’s strength and position enabled it to hold out against strong attacks throughout the day by Durutte’s Division of D’erlon’s Corp.

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We walked the lane opposite Papelotte and emerged out in the fields which the French advanced through to attack the area and this showed just how the ground would break up the French formations as the R/H photo shows.

Parking up below Papelotte, Paul and I walked further on round the corner passing a few modern houses and reached La Haye, again tucked in it’s sunken lane. This farm doesn’t look to have changed much and as with La Haye Sainte it is still a working farm.

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Beyond La Haye the lane continues and is one of the routes by which the first Prussian troops entered the battle. Initially causing some friendly fire casualties amongst the Nassau troops, which given the restricted visibility and the smoke of battle, which will have settled in this low ground and added to the confusion, and the similarity of Nassau uniforms to those of the French is hardly surprising.

I was really happy that we had taken the time to visit this part of the battlefield because it revealed a lesser known perspective of the battle. Like I have said earlier reading accounts and viewing maps cannot give a proper idea of what the battlefield is really like.

Of course to complete the battlefield experience one has to visit Plancenoit. This village was where the bulk of the Prussian forces entered the battle against the French. It’s position on Napoleon’s Right rear constituted a grave threat and it soaked up valuable troops that Napoleon could have more usefully employed against Wellington. Some Authors say that Waterloo was really a Prussian victory and there is some doubt in my mind that Wellington may not have held his position if Napoleon had not had to allocate troops to this flank quite early on in the afternoon as the Prussians were noticed on the heights to the East. Lobau’s small VI Corps, The Young Guard and the Senior Battalions of the Old Guard, the 1st Grenadiers were sucked into combat in and around the village. The fighting within was very bitter and it changed hands a few times. The Grenadiers of the Old Guard actually swept the Prussians from the village at Bayonet point.

I don’t like What Ifs, but if these troops had been available for use against Wellington, especially if they had been included in the attack of the Guard I do wonder what the result would have been.

Plancenoit is a pretty and a tidy village, but was like a ghost town. We saw almost no body and it reminded us of one of these Mexican villages in cowboy films where people look nervously out of their doors before calling their kids in off the street and slamming their doors!! Being such a peaceful place it is hard to imagine the charging back and forth and house to house fighting that took place here.

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With the actual battlefield covered we also took the time to visit the rear area, specifically Mont st Jean Farm and the Wellington Museum in Waterloo itself. In 1815 the area North of the battlefield was countryside with scattered hamlets and the large Forest of Soignes. Part of the forest still stands though it doesn’t cover the approach to Brussels as it did in 1815 and he small hamlet of Waterloo is now swallowed up by the expansion of Brussels. Indeed Brussels now stretches up to Mont st Jean itself. I suspect only the presence of the battlefield has retarded its growth southwards.

Mont st Jean Farm stands at the bottom of the reverse slope of the Allied ridge and was used as a hospital during the battle. I believe it did suffer some damage from overshooting cannonballs but of course no healthy Frenchman ever reached it in anger. Today it is a Brewery and you can take a tour around. We walked down from the hotel to it following the journey many a badly wounded soldier would taken, together with a couple of his colleagues supporting him; happy to be out of the battle for how ever long they could avoid it.

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What is readily apparent is the size of this farm, it is massive in scale. it dwarfs anything else in the surrounding area, La Haye Sainte is tiny in comparison. From the rear of the farm it is interesting to look back to the ridge and imagine the formations of Heavy Cavalry and Picton’s infantry lined up awaiting the order to move forward to sweep the French back across the valley. It is now that you can really appreciate the genius of Wellington and his reverse slope tactics.

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It would of course have been remiss of us not to visit the house Wellington spent the night before and after the battle; it helps complete the picture. Now the Wellington Museum and situated 2 miles North of the battlefield in the now very busy suburb of Waterloo, it is well worth the visit once you’ve found somewhere to park. I like driving in Europe on the big roads, it gets a bit more confusing once you are in a busy town and not sure of your way. We did have a funny incident on the way back out; somewhere between Ligny and our hotel I lost my rear number plate. Instead of being drilled and screwed it was held on by 2 sticky pads. Possibly it became loosened by the Pave down to Papelotte! It then became rather a standing joke among us about the propensity of Fiat Cars to fall apart in the past. Anyway, whilst sat at traffic lights, a French lady driver pulled up at the side of the car and got my attention. ‘why are you black at the back?’ she asked. Well, how do you explain that in a few seconds? so I just said ‘it’s a Fiat!’ Nuff said!

So, the museum. Like I said well worth a visit. A nice French cannon out the back which also has a small outhouse where Lord Uxbridge’s leg is interred. He was struck by a cannonball, possibly one of the last fired, at the end of the battle and had his right leg amputated. Uxbridge survived his wound, unlike another officer intimately connected with the museum. Alexander Gordon, one of Wellington’s Staff Officers and whose memorial is located up the ridge from La Haye Sainte, was wounded whilst rallying a Brunswick battalion. He also needed his leg amputating. to recover he was taken here and placed in Wellingtons own camp bed. During the night, while wellington was writing his dispatch of the battle in an adjoining room, he died of his injuries. When told of Gordon’s death Wellington uttered possibly one of the most moving sentiments in history. ‘Well, thank god, I don’t know what it is to lose a battle; but certainly nothing can be more painful than to gain one with the loss of so many of one’s friends.

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Across the road is the church of Saint Joseph of Waterloo whose walls are adorned with memorials to units and individuals that took part in the battle.

We had certainly packed in a huge amount in the few days we spent at Hotel 1815 and I would go back in a heartbeat. There is still so much more I would want to spent further time researching, visiting and experiencing: More of the Ligny battlefield, Wavre and the Prussian route to the battle, a closer inspection of La Haye Sainte, following specific incidents within the battle and discovering them on the field, as well as spending time just sitting and taking in the atmosphere of this famous ground.

I am forever fortunate to have picked up that first book on Waterloo at Primary School and then read Jac Weller’s ‘Wellington at Waterloo’. The photos contained within of the battlefield in the 1960s have been a real inspiration to discover those sights for myself. It may have taken 40 years to realise the dream but I am extremely happy to have finally faced my Waterloo.

So, following lunch, we continued our circuit of the west side of the battlefield by taking the track that cuts across from La Belle Alliance to the ridge above Hougoumont. This track crosses the ground traversed by the French Cavalry charges and the later attack of the Old Guard. It also the area of the battlefield that is the most altered. The Lion Mound up on the ridge was constructed from soil scraped up from this area which thus changed the contours of the land, making the slopes much shallower than originally. Also looking left over the ground to the South of Hougoumont this area which is now fields. In 1815 this was a huge wood which stretched from Hougoumont to 300yds short of the French held ridge of La Belle Alliance.

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We were passed by cyclists and a battlefield tour group along the track. How they learnt anything on this part of their tour is beyond me as they were well strung out. Later, from the top of the Mound we saw them walking from the position of the Grand Battery through the fields towards the Allied ridge following the route of D’erlon’s Corps, again really strung out. Seems an odd way to conduct a tour to my eyes.

The Eastern perimeter wall of the gardens of Hougoumont could be seen over to the left and ‘Protected Way’ North of it that allowed Wellington to send ammunition and supports for the garrison.

On reaching the end of the track we read the interpretation board that explained the fighting on this flank before walking down the lane to Hougoumont. this lane circles around the chateau complex and ends North-West of the buildings. There is actually a shuttle bus that brings visitors down to the chateau from the Museum complex at the Mound, we chose to walk down but took the shuttle back up as we’d been walking all day. Another interpretation board is located where the shuttle drops off so we read this too before walking down to the back gates.

I really appreciate how Hougoumont is being Preserved at presented. Unlike La Haye Sainte, the Chateau is a proper tourist attraction. The shattered remains of the chapel have been conserved and acts as a memorial. You can actually stay on site as there are 2, I think, Gites available within the farmhouse. a memorial to the famous incident of the closing of the gates against French infantry is located just inside those gates. The Gates themselves have been renewed and they are quite massive. the walls to either side though are not tall enough except at the gate, I could climb over them easily, but maybe these will be restored.

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We had a good look around the courtyard and sat through the audio visual experience in the barn, which is absolutely awesome and cutting edge and I would recommend everyone sees it. we walked round to the front of the chateau, The area struck by French attacks throughout the day of the battle. What is a testament to the skill and tenacity of the defenders and the failings of the French is that the chateau held the attention of almost the entire left wing of the French line infantry and defied them all day. it was literally a thorn in Napoleon’s side.

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As with La Haye Sainte, visiting here was an absolute thrill, seeing in person an iconic building I’d spent hours reading about and absorbing photos of, was mind blowing.

With the afternoon wearing on we took the last shuttle of the day back up to the Mound. We actually almost missed it as paul and I were photographing some Musket ball riddled trees, survivors of the battle.

Back up at the Mound area we visited the Museum, Cyclorama and Lion Mound. The Museum is located underground which lessons its impact as the mound, cyclorama and restaurants already dominate this area. It’s cleverly done, the Museum leads you to the Cyclorama which then leads you outside and up the mound. There is a very good selection of reproduced uniforms of the combatants presented in the museum but looking around the shop you would think Napoleon won, so much merch is devoted to him.

I really liked the Cyclorama, so large in scale and a mix of painting and models giving it a 3d effect. it’s so impressive and, to me, the fact it’s still contained within its original building was the right choice.

Despite the damage done to the battlefield for it’s construction, climbing it’s 225 very steep steps is a must. From the top the entire battlefield is laid out below you. I know Helen really struggles with heights and she did exceptionally well to make it up there and back down again. I don’t think she would want to do it a second time.

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Two of the photos I’ve posted in this blog of the Lion Mound actually inspired me to start painting again after not really picking up a paint brush since leaving my twenties.

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What is fascinating about walking this battlefield and viewing it from so high is that you get to see all the undulations of the ground. Contoured maps just can’t convey this properly. You read accounts of cavalry hiding in dead ground and charging on exposed infantry unexpectedly. On so compact a battlefield this seems impossible, but its only when you stand here that you can see how it is possible. This battlefield is not a flat plain between 2 ridges, its a whole series of ridges and dips. When I detail our visit to Wellington’s Left flank you will see an entirely different battlefield to what you see here.

I had hoped to make this a 3 part blog, but time has defeated me, so i’m going leave it here and return in Part 4 for the conclusion of this dream visit.

‘A damn near run thing’ and it could almost have been as I came off the Brussels bypass at the wrong exit on the drive from the ferry and then I got super stressed as I ended up somewhere to the west of the battlefield. Getting back on track took a bit of time and I’m not one to calm down quickly so I was very pleased when we finally got to the junction in Mont St Jean, turned south on the Genappe road, left at the top of the ridge and into the hotel car park….and….relax!!

After researching the various hotels in the area, the one I picked couldn’t have been better. it wasn’t the cheapest but its location is unmatched in my opinion. Hotel 1815 sits on Wellington’s front line on the Ohain Road. It is 100yds from the site of Wellingtons Elm at the crossroads and 400yds from the lion mound. Looking out the windows at breakfast or sitting out drinking tea in the seating area you see the French lines and La Belle Alliance across the valley. You can almost imagine the bearskins of the Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard appearing over the crest in front of you, forcing back Colin Halkett’s 4 British Battalions, before Detmer’s Dutch-Belgian infantry and artillery crushed the 2 French battalions and threw them back. Sitting outside and looking right the Lion Mound and the museum area could be seen. What a fantastic location for the next few days. The topography of this part of the battlefield was dramatically altered by the ground being scraped up to construct the Lion Mound, so the flat road in front of the hotel was sunken at the time of the battle and the steepness of the slope reduced. The ground to the East of the Genappe road is much more as it was.

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At night the view is just as awesome!

I would heartily recommend Hotel 1815 to anyone wanting to visit the battlefield. After a good continental breakfast it was time to do the longest walk of our visit. Granted we had wandered down to La Haye Sainte the evening before cos it was hard to contain the excitement, but this was a full circuit of the western side of the battlefield; down the Genappe road past La Haye Sainte, up to La Belle Alliance, across to Hougoumont and back up to the Lion Mound and Cyclorama. The weather was hot and sunny, couldn’t have been better, but maybe not the most ideal for walking a good few miles. What has to be remembered that compared to the other Napoleonic battle sites, Waterloo is very compact for a confrontation of such huge armies. The area of fighting covers about 2 miles by 1 mile.

We headed down from the crossroads, passing rude graffiti in green paint at the picnic area, the Gordon and KGL monuments and the site of the Sandpit occupied by the 95th Rifles just up from La Haye Sainte and then spent some time admiring the farm. In many ways it is just a typical walled farm of the area but finally I was standing in a place I have wished to visit all my life. This farm had loomed large in my formative years. Airfix produced a model of it in the 1960s and, although somewhat inaccurate, especially the gatehouse, it was something I played with for years. Armies of Airfix Napoleonics fought time and again for it…Aaah happy memories! So you can imagine my joy at being here, standing in front of an iconic symbol of my life. Well I photographed it and then had to touch it. What an absolute thrill. I even climbed a pile of muck to peer into the courtyard. Its still a private farm so you can’t wander inside, mores the pity. I would say it needs tidying up and re-painting but that’s by the by.

It doesn’t look like its changed much at all. There are a few modern sheds round the back and a road leading down to it that wasn’t there in 1815. Never even thought to walk down it to see the back of the farm compound! The Orchard that spread south from the large barn walls has gone since the 1960s, but looks like its being re-established. In the defence of the farm it was important to the garrisons skirmishers in delaying the French advance up to the buildings. A barricade had also been thrown across the road. Of course the farm eventually fell to the French in the evening prior to the Imperial Guards assault due to the garrison of Kings German Legion running out of ammunition. The scenes within the compound must have been horrific, with the buildings burning and men fighting hand to hand as they sought to withdraw out the back door of the farmhouse and up the ridge to the main line. Of the 370 men of the 2nd KGL Light Battalion sent to garrison the farm only around 45 escaped.

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Walking beyond the farm southwards the next historic site was a bit of farmland. The houses between La Haye Sainte and the French ridge didn’t exist during in 1815 so can be ignored. But Farmland? you say! What’s special about that? Well even if people don’t know the full story of Waterloo, most everyone will have heard of the charge of the Scots Greys. The second act of the battle was a mass infantry advance by D’erlon’s 1st Corp against the British left on the ridge. This advance was broken by musketry and charges by the British Heavy Cavalry. The Scot’s Grey famously lost all control and charged on and into the French Grand Battery before being virtually wiped out by French Lancers.

The site of the Grand Battery was where we were going next. It really is just a field but it’s the appreciation of its location and the topography of the ground that is important, at least to me. The closeness to La Haye Sainte and the distance from La Belle Alliance is most surprising, its basically in the centre of the 2 armies. Around 80 Cannon, many the heavy 12pdrs of the Guard Foot Artillery (Napoleon’s ‘Beautiful Daughters’) were placed along this intermediate ridge only 700yds from the Wellington’s infantry. Most of it was out of site behind the ridge but accounts mention a Dutch-Belgian Brigade being left exposed on the forward slope and being broken by the power of this Grand Battery before the French infantry assault was launched

I’ve read many accounts of the battle and the location of the Grand battery was always confusing so it was nice to stand here and confirm the location rather than relying on maps in books.

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The furthest South we walked were the environs of La Belle Alliance. This inn stands at the centre of the French Line. It was used as a field hospital during the battle and is Famous as being where Wellington and the Prussian commander, Blucher, met in the evening as their forces routed the French army. Wellington advancing South and Blucher coming in from the East. Napoleons Command Post was to the East of the Inn along the Plancenoit road. Other than having an extension fitted to the Northern end, if you compare period drawings like we did, it is still very recognisable. Beyond the Inn is an impressive monument to the Grande Armee. It was here where we stopped for some lunch and where I’m going to leave it. Part 3 will detail Hougoumont, Wellingtons far left flank and Mont St Jean farm. So plenty more to come.

The 204th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo is upon us in a couple of days and realising this got me thinking about 2 things: The importance of this battle in kicking off my interest in Military History and my first visit to the Battlefield in Aug 2015, some 40 years after first reading about it.

I clearly remember my first exposure to Waterloo. I was 10 and at Primary School. There was a library in the main corridor where we could go and select a book to read and on this particular day I picked out a book with some fantastically colourful illustrations in it. Like most young boys of my age at that time I played with toys soldiers and made Airfix Models, but I never thought of reading about the actual military facts behind my games, this book changed all that. For the life of me I can’t remember the title but I can still see those illustrations.

The book was about the Battle of Waterloo and it absolutely captivated me in all respects, the colourful uniforms, the weapons and the story of the battle. For years following this first exposure I soaked up as much information as I could and I can honestly say I was totally obsessed with everything Waterloo. The very first history I bought, after lending it so many times from the local library, was Wellington at Waterloo by Jac Weller. Published at the end of the 1960s it is still on my shelves and despite the fact that the battle has undergone many revisionist treatments since then, down playing the importance of the British army in the victory and emphasising the role played by the many German and Dutch-Belgian contingents, it is always a book I go back to time and time again. It’s a great read and explains the battle really well.

As I left my teens behind my interests widened to the entire Napoleonic Wars, the 2 World Wars and the American Civil War, but the passion for Waterloo never really left me. I became interested in wargaming and naturally I started building up a couple of armies based around Waterloo. I still have them but my eyes are not up to addong to thos collection of 10mm figures.

When it came to choosing a degree to pursue, this interest, nay passion, made my decision for me and I gained a BA Hons in Contemporary Military and International History in 2004. I in no way class myself as an expert, but an enthusiastic hobbyist.

Although I’ve read widely, I always maintain there is no substitute for actually visiting the ground that was fought over. Being there gives one a real appreciation of the terrain and the tactical advantages and disadvantages that reading just can’t convey. So over the years I have visited a few battle sites in Europe, Areas of the Western Front, in particular Ypres and Vimy Ridge. All the Normandy landing beaches and battle sites inland. I’ve even visited the site of Crecy. But, if there was one place I had always longed to go to, it was Waterloo.

In 2015 this dream, this passion, came true. With my financial situation healthy at that time, following an acrimonious divorce in 2014, I determined to go. Initially I was going to tour the battlefield alone but when I mentioned it to my best friends, Paul and Helen, both of whom are historical performers and in the case of Paul, a man after my own heart with the same love of Military History, it was decided we would go over together. Possibly the best decision I’ve ever made!

Not wanting to visit whilst the Waterloo 200 celebrations were happening due to how busy it would be, we chose to go in August which would enable us to walk the ground without the huge crowds.

We spent a lot of time on the field of Waterloo itself but did get down to the battlefields of Quatre Bras and Ligny that were fought on the 16th June and which helped shape the coming victory for the Allies.

There isn’t too much to see at Quatre Bras. The Bois du Bossu, the large wood that covered the Western flank of the battlefield was removed many years ago. Gemioncourt farm still exists in pretty much it’s original form but unless you’re prepared to do a lot of walking that’s about it really. It is what it always was, farmland and a small village on a crossroads. We drove to Ligny and visited the museum there and had a walk through the village. The museum is well presented with a replica artillery battery in the grounds. It was a pleasant surprise as we didn’t know there was a museum in the village.

The battle of Ligny was a much bigger affair than Quatre Bras and encompassed quite a few hamlets along Ligny brook.

A full day here would be needed to get a full appreciation of this battle between the French and Prussians. It was a hard fought see-saw battle with hamlets changing hands more than once.

Quatre Bras looks modern and rather shabby, there really isnt much to it to say it sits on a busy intersection but ligny, although it has obviously expanded has retained much of its rural charm. Bit of a beggar to get to though when you haven’t properly planned out ones visit!

But we really came for Waterloo and that’s where we put our energy into. I will detail our experience in part 2.

And Oh Boy! did it!

This is my 2nd ever blog, I hope you enjoy it. Best to say the title in an Australian accent btw 😉

I’m now into my 5th day since leaving English Heritage after eight and a half years. With nothing yet to move onto I’ve been concentrating on sorting things in my flat, painting and also getting in as much Bird and Butterfly watching as I can. This helps occupy my mind and stops the depression and bitterness taking hold.

Today was my first visit this week away from what I would call my local patch, Brodsworth Pit Top. It’s been great up there what with Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting and Willow Warbler singing away and my first Dingy Skipper butterfly of the year.

Old Moor RSPB Reserve was the venue today and the target birds: Mediterrean Gull, Arctic Tern, Swift, Hobby (not seen) and Black-Tailed Godwit.

Having recently signed up to Twitter in the advice of my great birding buddy, Steve Gregory, I am able to keep a watch on local rarities and respond when able. I’m not a Twitcher per we but, as with Steve, I’m building as big a year list as is practically and financially feasible.

Despite the big change in the weather from spring like to autumn like over a matter of days it was well worth the visit.

I arrived first around 1.30pm and headed for the Family hide over looking the mere, passing 2 singing Reed Warblers on the way. Amongst the huge numbers of Black-headed Gulls I quickly picked out the 2 Med Gulls on one of the islands and 2 Arctic Terns swooping gracefully over the water…absolute result! An Oystercatcher was picking it’s way along the shoreline below the hide and offered a good photo opportunity.

I spent sometime here before heading to the Field Pool West hide. This is where the Godwits were said to have been seen from. Well I got Gulls, Coot, Shoveler, a Mallard family, Swifts, Swallows, House Martins, a Little Egret and Redshank, but no Godwits. After half an hour Steve rang to say he was on his way and I thought I’d pop out and meet him as I was confident I’d seen all that was to be seen from this hide. I decided to give it a couple more minutes and then Steve walks in…”no sign of Godwits” says I. “What, that Godwit” comes the reply. Unbelievable!! Out there in front of the hide across the water were 2 B-T Godwits. Where the hell had they appeared from in the last 20 seconds!!?? I had scanned constantly the whole pool. They must have Hyper-spaced in like the Millenium Falcon as Steve entered.

Anyway after the shock and ridicule had abated I got some good photos of both types of plumage. The Summer plumage is spectacular! I must remember to set camera to sports mode to freeze the birds motion as it was probing the mud continuously and it’s head and beak aren’t as sharp as is like. I so glad Steve walked in when he did or is have missed them. It certainly does pay to wader couple of minutes!

With the wind turning arctic it was time to leave, well satisfied with the visit. The day wasn’t done for me though as I decided to call in at Adwick Washlands, a satellite reserve of Old Moor a couple of miles further along the River Dearne. I was looking specifically for the reported Wood Sandpiper, a wader species I’ve not seen for probably 20 years.

Adwick always pleases, it’s home to the delicate Avocet and Grey Partridge are guaranteed ( a species whose common farmland status has been usurped by the introduced Red Legged Partridge these days).

Under lowering skies and the threat of getting drenched I made my way to flooded field where the Sandpiper has been reported (in fact 3 had been seen).

I’m a bit of a beggar when I’m on a mission, I tend to get the blinkers on and go straight for the main attraction , but today I took time to listen to the many Whitethroats singing and photograph an Avocet. My luck was in and I dropped straight onto the Wood Sandpiper and took some photos of it. A couple of Swallows got envious and did a bit of photobombing!

With the clouds getting darker and with the first drops of rain at my back I quickly made for the car and then home.

What an absolute cracker of a day. With these ticks my year list is now up to 123.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton