Winsford Soul

Thanks Neil. . I'm lucky enough to have seen a few Bitterns over the years at I think 3 different places. Even been lucky enough to hear one Booming. Sounds like blowing across the top of a milk bottle really does. I think Norfolk / Suffolk will be the closest place to you mate to see / hear them. Lot easy to see in the winter when more turn up from Europe to escape the bad Winters .

I hope that everyone who has enjoyed the virtual nighter will be tuning in for the penultimate chatroom banter on Saturday night on Radioking and the very last night next Saturday before the loop is closed. Once again massive thanks to everyone. Mods. Not sure what section this should be in so please feel free to move if deemed necessary. Thanks

Yesterday evening i was busy watching three Marsh Harrier young in the distance getting there wings so to speak as they flapped about awkwardly when i noticed something move out the corner of my eye. One of the UK rarest birds took off from the reed bed and flew away from near where i was. I managed a few pictures then moments later it gave a distant fly past. a Bittern Red Deer Hind and Fawn

I will be attending the Kings Hall in Stoke on the 24th as its the first available nighter. Not been for about 15 years but heard good things about the 2nd room . Mixture of Rare, crossover and modern will do for me. Then it's just see what's on

Great pictures Dave. And yes always have a spare memory card . Regarding the Bearded tits. Not far from you at RSPB Leighton Moss 1 hrs or so. If you go at the end of September, early October they will be so easy to see mate. They change the diet from insects to seeds and they eat grit from the path or from the trays that are out out for them. You don't even need to be a RSPB member. About 200 yards past the main carpark on storrs Lane you will see a track on your right hand side. Park in the small lay-by type thing just past the track then walk down the track about 400 yards until you see a fenced area on your r/ h side. The Bearded tits will be there or there about. It's on a public footpath .

It's a tough one Russ.

Larry Santos. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum. Much prefer the issue and its probably the rarest version ... On discogs for £500 .

Hi Neil. Thank you for your kind words. Really appreciated . Yes mate the Harrier was from there. Just for you and your daughter in case you didn't manage any photographs. Male and female Bearded Tits at Leighton Moss.

Dells. Their one and only UK appearance at Trentham Gardens nighter in July 1999 must be up there with key landmark moments. And due to the recent Covid pandemic. BVAN the virtual nighter that for the last 16 months has been a sanity saver. Surely the start of it it will go down as a landmark moment

Dave and its the 25th anniversary in a few weeks time. Omg where did that quarter of a century go.

Yeah. Keith was a resident at Morecambe for Shaun. Still miss spending time with him. Rest in peace my friend

Thanks Andy ☺. Linnet are stunning birds especially the male in breeding plumage and great singers . They used to be fairly common farmland birds especially around the mosses near you mate. Hardly see any around here now.

Another Leighton Moss picture Male Marsh Harrier flying in heavy rain with its eyes almost closed and a water droplet on its beak, again heavily cropped and the original to show how far away in actually was and its taken with the 500mm lens

Last week at Leighton Moss i had a encounter with one of the Uk most secretive birds . The Water Rail and for the very first time in my 50 odd years spent outside fishing, walking, taking pictures or just mooching i actually seen four young Water Rails , never ever seen the young before so i was gobsmacked to get to see them with a Adult crossing a track about 60 yards away at dusk. Managed to capture two of them together in this heavily cropped picture, pure black balls of fluff on legs

Only had had a US one, hadn't realised it got re activated at the 100 club. Mr M,s tune for me. Keith Brady spin. Great record and about £15 on US Atlantic

Cant remember if i,ve posted these. Young Swallows in the nest and a Linnet

Great picture of a tough fighting fish. Love Mullet, seen a few a couple of weeks ago at Newquay in Wales staying right close to the breakwater rocks where the hunting Dolphins could,nt get them

Martin. It will be gloves off before August if we get chance to meet up. Can't have a drink together wearing gloves my friend. I noticed that you have rsvp to King's Hall. I will be there in the rare/ crossover room . Not been for god knows how long. Anyway back on topic. All of the above is so true BVAN has been the highlight of the week, every week. And it's built up into a special company of like minded souls with a proper spirit that sometimes is lost in this frenetic world.

Had a top guy from Tokyo called Simon listening not sure via what media though

There is a Bogota soul club in Colombia, looks interesting on my Instagram account. Could call there first mate

Mick. I'm sure we had a guy in the chatroom a few times from Uruguay or Peru now that must be the most obscure country, anyone think off anywhere else that is slightly of the normal northern radar. We also had Cher from Canada. Martin L from Leeds another strange place

I will be with you guys in spirit. Love it up on Kinder but there's no way my asthma would let me do it these days . Karl. Looking forward to the pictures mate. Stay safe up there. Possible idea is for Len to play a top 500 oldies set

I used to meet a guy from Wigan in the Swan pub at Winwick when I lived in Widnes. It was half way between the two. Bit of business .

Great picture. Whitworth Street is barely recognisable from before all the high rise apartments went up. Had some fantastic times at the Ritz. Neil Rushton dayers in the 70,s through to the fantastic nighters including the rarest of the rare one's until they ended .