The main teething problem with the first post was the addition of the
correct date only indicated by a stream of admirers pointing out the error.
2½ hours later, no flies on this kid, the problem was
resolved with thanks to the vigilant few!
With the Strange Rover still banged up in the Sick Bay until late afternoon yesterday we have been a little restricted in our ability to manoeuvre, so not a lot from the local surrounds. What have been notable are the numerous and seemingly ever vocal
SONG THRUSH
performing both day and night
with in this case a descanting Great Tit lending a helping hand.
Additionally, there have also been decent numbers of
BLACKBIRD
drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few each of Redwing and Fieldfare, Tawney Owls singing/calling throughout the nights while unusually a Coal Tit has taken up residence in the garden.
Although the year is still very young we have already deployed a couple of
Moth Traps
close to the homestead, more in hope than ambition, but have already captured c4
CHESTNUT
and a rather underwhelming
WINTER MOTH
Otherwise, from the morning stroll it was noted that the presumed breeding
KESTRALs
of last year have returned and although a little camera shy are already displaying.
The waters of the
River Stour
have dropped back somewhat there are still pockets of
FLOODING
but nothing to effect local residents and while familiar with most of the domesticated animals hereabouts
Ol' Blue Eye
(singular) has never been noticed before, the other one is brown.
With the
now discharged from the Sick Bay and looking spick and span
(and me over a £GRAND lighter in the pocket) it is predicted it won't be that
shiny and clean this time tomorrow.
As for the Hasienda, we are still snuggled up on the
Lord of the Manors Lawn
onboard
SLIGHT RETURN II
( a tribute to the Jimi Hendrix hit song of the same name, enjoying the life of a
FREEBIRD
while dreaming of those heady days in
KASHMIR
with my Shipmate and dear friend Jim the Medic
with more Hendrix tributes
s'cuse me while I kiss the sky - from Purple Haze
While back to the recent weekend in Norfolk where we were gunwhals under with dozen upon dozen of
Wild Swans
and the weather was not conducive with good photographs
(always get the excuses in before the complaints start arriving)
Bewick's Swan (left) Whooper Swan (right)
Then onward to the East Coast where it was a case of
"I must go down to the sea again to the loanly sea and the sky,
I left my socks and knickers there I wonder if they're dry"?
The irrepressible Spike Milligan
While there were other species added to the Year List most, such as Red-throated Diver, Common Scotter, Sanderling, Meditteranian Gull et al
there were also good numbers of rather large
ATLANTIC GREY SEALS
but most attention was turned to finding and obtaining excellent views of the 80 strong flock of delightful
SNOW BUNTING
all extremely flighty and rangey
but hadn't accounted for Mr Foot's stratagy of
'Letting the Mountain come to Mohamed'
only a short wait and they were landing all around us.
Additionally and finally there were some lovely people strolling the sands including one of the Lady Seal Wardens, a young Seychellois gentleman with his English wife and young son and these 3
young Japanese Taxi Drivers from Kyoto here to learn the English language.
There can be little better than being able to warmly welcome to your own country those of a nation that has so warmly welcomed you - job done!
I would take the opportunity to thank all of the people we met, who had my Link forced upon them, but most particularly Dave Foot who it is always a Great Pleasure to be alongside.
