Thursday 22 November 2012

Africa IV - Toto IV

Soon to be departing and by definition some socialising to be done, I didn't baulk at the fact that there was a chance to meet John Gifford and his sister Maggie for a pint at lunch time at the Coach & Horses in Winterbourne Abbas. Walking to town to get the bus, I was amazed at the number of small birds in attendance given the overnight 'storm force' wind and torrential rain, as even the humans were waterlogged!
Goldcrests still abound in the cemetery while on Pottery Lane a pair of STONECHAT, absent hereabouts for a couple of ;years now, were showing well along with a good number of Log-tailed Tits.
A close encounter with a CORMORANT at the Westham Bridge sluices
made for good copy before boarding the bus for Broadwey.
There I met Leslie and John Gifford then headed off to meet his sister at the afore mentioned pub. Before galloping off on the 4th African visit, I can recommend to the readership this pub where service is paramount, beverages are 'kept' at their very best and the food is gastronomic - pay a visit soon!
"I bless the rains down in AFRICA"
GREY-HEADED BUSH-SHRIKE
JACKASS PENGUIN
NORTHERN BLACK KORAN
adult OSTRICH
juvenile OSTRICH
RED-BILLED TEAL (with Black-winged Stilt)
SPECKLED PIGEON
WATER DIKKOP
adult HARTLAUB'S GULL
second winter HARTLAUB'S GULL
There you are John, posted before 18:00 as predicted - see you soon!