Joyce’s Creek – 19th February 2011

Had an email from Martin during the week regarding a guided flight by the Blackwater Wildfowling Association. One of the members, Colin offered to take me out on the Saturday morning. We rendezvoued at 5:00am and I followed him to Limbourne. Side lights only as we approached the farm house; bit nervy as I didn’t know if I was surrounded by marsh and one wheel off the track could mean having to be dragged out. Quick change of plan required when Colin realised he’d left his waders at home. So off, via Maldon, to Joyce’s Creek on the north side of the Blackwater.

We parked up at the farm and sneeked along the sea wall, dropping down to the water side base and out to the end of a short spit. I set up a little hide with Colin just behind me so he could let me know what was legal quarry. Apart from a Cormorant that flew over, there were no bird sightings for the first 45 minutes (we could hear plenty though, either over the wall or farther out in the creek).
As the light improved a dog walker, passing along the sea wall, pushed up three birds. “You can shoot those” came from behind, I dropped the rear bird and Colin’s black labrador made a quick retrieve. A nice Hen Mallard, my first wildfowling prize.

After a further 30 minutes of watching birds flying across the sea wall 200 yrds away, from Osea Island to the pond, we decided to move up and setup a hide on the shingle. Immediately Colin bagged a female Mallard that dropped behind the sea wall, followed by two Wigeon. The shooting had pushed the birds out into the estuary and after a while, every now and then a few birds would fly back in over the wall to the pond.

The Teal would scream along, very low and just hop up over the wall at the last minute. Very exciting, but frustrating. They were over the wall before you had a chance to raise a gun. I had more chance with the other dabbling ducks that flew higher. After missing one and a little wait, I got a male Shoveler slowing him with the first barrel and making sure with the second.  Despite the rain, it was a great morning.

A real big thanks due to Colin and his dog for generously taking me out on my first Wildfowling flight.