tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80392224579733455652024-03-13T16:30:22.092-07:00Seri saysKevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-69518593947794898542019-09-22T10:51:00.002-07:002019-09-22T10:53:09.820-07:00Moving houseFor technical reasons my blog will be housed on Wordpress for the time being/<br />
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Please visit me here <a href="https://serisays.wordpress.com/">https://serisays.wordpress.com/</a> :-)Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-32870146448333004152019-07-11T13:08:00.001-07:002019-07-11T13:54:38.811-07:00December's wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer's memory...*<p align="justify">December started with the after effects of Storm Diana which had brought with it freezing fog and 80mph gales. The Met Office had issued several severe weather warnings for areas including the North West and South West of England as well as West Midlands and Scotland. Diana was not on the list of the Met Office's official storm names for this winter, and was given its title by the Portuguese authorities. Although the storm had quite an impact on the islands in the Atlantic, thankfully it weakened as it travelled towards the UK.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlgoukT3TwbeYAk6zFHssuxZ7ilpx4v1Bf8Ad7B7azkG8bhZHAcYqa68puI1W8MokT5OSM8qJ71ixGfng7ViMgDOK_gc3y2qxBiJ_X_O0ZiJIRkZ6X9gOvHjIcGZnM9uUcvbAow3SAsG_/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++01-12-2018+14-17-09.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlgoukT3TwbeYAk6zFHssuxZ7ilpx4v1Bf8Ad7B7azkG8bhZHAcYqa68puI1W8MokT5OSM8qJ71ixGfng7ViMgDOK_gc3y2qxBiJ_X_O0ZiJIRkZ6X9gOvHjIcGZnM9uUcvbAow3SAsG_/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++01-12-2018+14-17-09.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
As usual, we were out and about regardless of the weather. We checked out our favourite playground and came across a carcass on the bank of Grebe Pool. We thought it might be a Mute Swan. We always report any sightings to the Trust and in turn hopefully report it to Defra. As winter approaches, there was going to be an increasing risk from avian flu from migrating birds. Thankfully, the Robins looked very healthy and was demanding to be fed. They trained us so well...</p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2AAdE95el62AsPA-g_whjEKMpxCaURRH1ekhN2YcrTRHsqd7pZSwtmg2CV003KFK83OQf68omEzo0qGfGfjjXzvNhecO5Ig8FgTvt5SEALN0Bo7wYi9uD2gK9Pptw0Llssyw7uWgJGMO/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++01-12-2018+14-20-48.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2AAdE95el62AsPA-g_whjEKMpxCaURRH1ekhN2YcrTRHsqd7pZSwtmg2CV003KFK83OQf68omEzo0qGfGfjjXzvNhecO5Ig8FgTvt5SEALN0Bo7wYi9uD2gK9Pptw0Llssyw7uWgJGMO/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++01-12-2018+14-20-48.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div><p align="justify"><br>
The female Golden Eye was still around when we stopped at Baldwin Hide. We continued on to East Marsh Hide and was chuffed to see a very handsome male Goosander swimming past the hide. We scanned the water for the females but they were fast asleep behind the reed-beds. The streamlined duck was a great fisher using its long, serrated bill to catch and hold its prey. It dived and went to join its harem, hidden behind the reed-beds.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQB4oy0zy_nnj9M-Bu-LMJURkxFtt6zHSBLH-csGTH4mE3u922zPj1YiOIGpJ9HN6UXCcbORGM1JJbJaw6TjF57WYe3K9lJ8I_QzfhwKg7Q9ObAgBBvJYqn5AdCELLAPUY1jeCl44EtfR/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++10-12-2018+14-19-034.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQB4oy0zy_nnj9M-Bu-LMJURkxFtt6zHSBLH-csGTH4mE3u922zPj1YiOIGpJ9HN6UXCcbORGM1JJbJaw6TjF57WYe3K9lJ8I_QzfhwKg7Q9ObAgBBvJYqn5AdCELLAPUY1jeCl44EtfR/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++10-12-2018+14-19-034.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1070"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
We spotted a Buzzard on the ground near Wigeon bank. It kept on flying to and fro from the ground to its favourite perching branch. At first, we thought it was foraging for worms but later realised that it was feeding on a carcass. Oh god, not another dead bird. 2 in one day. Something needed to be done and we hoped that someone had reported it and the Trust was aware of it. And we reported it before we left.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOsif5-9CPPz9A-27iHFR6YyEr_MWrBj8oTPqCHEYVbJb9Up9J9LCMgf6lmm_kJzPRGxRM9NgDvnBviceUXq3u2FvsJArdM0RAj9L5OyfT-u-gxKAStMBo4X7_cO-AvZFVNpBlkn0F6iL/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++14-12-2018+14-34-051.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOsif5-9CPPz9A-27iHFR6YyEr_MWrBj8oTPqCHEYVbJb9Up9J9LCMgf6lmm_kJzPRGxRM9NgDvnBviceUXq3u2FvsJArdM0RAj9L5OyfT-u-gxKAStMBo4X7_cO-AvZFVNpBlkn0F6iL/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++14-12-2018+14-34-051.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1070"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
We were about to leave when somone shouted 'ghost birds flying in'. We quickly looked out the window and saw 7 white birds flying onto the lake and as soon as they landed, formed into 2 separate groups. They consisted of 4 Whooper Swans and 3 Bewick Swans. Whoop...whoop. All you could hear were the cameras rattling away. They must have been feeding on the fields that surrounded the reserve and flew in to chill out and roost.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMJgKMWZqPuJ3uMOzPgc7vGcCc0qeNtqFhefC-1EjOFSIsxmVzi5VK8kYEeRH1Ce43HF2RyQ7EtxETduLHZ6RZroThMMxXnvnPT9CS368A3Rxu6yA2YX1UsQgJYh1_3KrumJg1n08RtSV/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMJgKMWZqPuJ3uMOzPgc7vGcCc0qeNtqFhefC-1EjOFSIsxmVzi5VK8kYEeRH1Ce43HF2RyQ7EtxETduLHZ6RZroThMMxXnvnPT9CS368A3Rxu6yA2YX1UsQgJYh1_3KrumJg1n08RtSV/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-08.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
These wild swans were winter visitors, with Whoopers present mainly from late September to April and Bewick’s from October to March. Small numbers of Whoopers stayed all year and sometimes bred in northern Scotland. Bewick’s was the smallest of our swans and, at about four feet in length, it was about four-fifths the size of Whooper. Bewick’s was also only about two-thirds the weight of Whooper.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgYnRVd_4sUjB0BxhOGHH3hO9wWrhiVVQdGJuSBPr_8jSkm88SfKk-VmLRrk6PsMsXjN6LHCloxUF_wjZ15t4p9DM_WC7VCYSYjChPD4I2a3f4OE8qXi8V41vOFKbbObdfpeaVVIDv0kw/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-022.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgYnRVd_4sUjB0BxhOGHH3hO9wWrhiVVQdGJuSBPr_8jSkm88SfKk-VmLRrk6PsMsXjN6LHCloxUF_wjZ15t4p9DM_WC7VCYSYjChPD4I2a3f4OE8qXi8V41vOFKbbObdfpeaVVIDv0kw/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-022.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
Bewick’s being smaller, was slighter, shorter-necked, rounder-headed, more manoeuvrable and rather more goose-like. Meanwhile, the Whooper was more more majestic, long-necked with a longer, more wedge-shaped head and bill profile and a more prominently bulging breast. Whooper had a long, pointed wedge of yellow extending about three-quarters of the way onto the bill tip so that, at any distance, the majority of the bill looks yellow. Bewick’s had a shorter bill with a more rounded or squarer patch of yellow that covers just the basal half of the bill and also faster wingbeats. </p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqabK_aQ9T8Cqjra6UmfKgtEiz2ltA3exKO7N_B6TkJ9ld1GJOdKbLR7LhMYsiyxdDyyh8fJnZ8BNyAFvRVzeALDQJHKjpgsYq2kwoYD9ZYJCgVI_Ob01MrXNFsVZsAhpjaW4vckAjmJC/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-58-030.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqabK_aQ9T8Cqjra6UmfKgtEiz2ltA3exKO7N_B6TkJ9ld1GJOdKbLR7LhMYsiyxdDyyh8fJnZ8BNyAFvRVzeALDQJHKjpgsYq2kwoYD9ZYJCgVI_Ob01MrXNFsVZsAhpjaW4vckAjmJC/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-58-030.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
It was strange to see them flying in together but became 2 separate groups when they landed . The Bewicks continued paddling around the lake, splashing about and having a drink. The Whoppers waddled to the main island among the gulls and started preening. There was no interaction at all between the two species. When we left, both families had gone to sleep.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpa9QRmJl7KXYkZb4_kVmoGsSSNhyASn3OauE1S2HBdR2F9f2JU6jEi3dKw3Ltv7ErDHNkOZFGFcReXyJyU8xzhsKxmDVRtCZMcAb5sdm90-_4Xy_cJd5tJXP1STest5w5pZndqxMVdaa/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-50.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpa9QRmJl7KXYkZb4_kVmoGsSSNhyASn3OauE1S2HBdR2F9f2JU6jEi3dKw3Ltv7ErDHNkOZFGFcReXyJyU8xzhsKxmDVRtCZMcAb5sdm90-_4Xy_cJd5tJXP1STest5w5pZndqxMVdaa/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-36-50.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN9JmnTS6qEonyKDddX2pIR-sOTD1rh24yE78uWFdqYA1SC41gRt6yACBiZameHgiw_pnevgJMz2m92BV2bbpUe8E8SF2rutEUmULe_dQtg-niMwI_US5SZTR4HgcxuBS2XJvYbmMFN4k/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-40-025.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN9JmnTS6qEonyKDddX2pIR-sOTD1rh24yE78uWFdqYA1SC41gRt6yACBiZameHgiw_pnevgJMz2m92BV2bbpUe8E8SF2rutEUmULe_dQtg-niMwI_US5SZTR4HgcxuBS2XJvYbmMFN4k/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-40-025.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a><br>
</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmR0bLhUmHGFe8WweXrG35zpfNNQ51QPCft8_o5WJSsn0i0m4HsICrBtat-RbEX402izaiI9RJy4WSnW7VJxAjzk0IAo2ffMpCON_5unpD7Wdkv-UIcEVZHwCOihn_wO-TVqR7i84wLST/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-55-057.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmR0bLhUmHGFe8WweXrG35zpfNNQ51QPCft8_o5WJSsn0i0m4HsICrBtat-RbEX402izaiI9RJy4WSnW7VJxAjzk0IAo2ffMpCON_5unpD7Wdkv-UIcEVZHwCOihn_wO-TVqR7i84wLST/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++01-12-2018+15-55-057.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVCT0zp5WxeVQ5gVXYwocn2P0k3wFO959Yvv_d7Ql3IgTnESBeT50uqMnGBmrWAxPGQk528hIxa3pm_1EdPx3GxCJtln-cRgRwqZGSZdZ4b7fEP8ZWyUyzOVmCYdKyf_WGJCgR4ajBqol/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++03-12-2018+14-59-14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVCT0zp5WxeVQ5gVXYwocn2P0k3wFO959Yvv_d7Ql3IgTnESBeT50uqMnGBmrWAxPGQk528hIxa3pm_1EdPx3GxCJtln-cRgRwqZGSZdZ4b7fEP8ZWyUyzOVmCYdKyf_WGJCgR4ajBqol/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++03-12-2018+14-59-14.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></p><p align="justify">We also popped into the city centre to get my Xmas present. I had chosen a rose gold finish bangle with Swarovski crystals from Warren James. Babe had a camouflaged jacket from Decathlon for his. The city-centre was buzzing with Xmas shoppers and every corner we turned, there were music blaring adding a very carnival atmosphere to the festive season. There were buskers, choir groups and this fabulous steel band. I couldn't help swaying to them. We didn't stay long as it was getting too crowded.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpME9CEFMaLRZwbZB-hwwz5oLupdc2ZaGeRfJgpLIDA1X_8PCjvCMlhdwsXaDMV7eQpEjhVXSFg5QV5D11pF23ZIYoRCVgtgXLCoojx0MhhIf-Etn_wgIch62B4tNBsEO36aP1hoEZcDw/s1600/Coventry+S40++05-12-2018+16-01-54.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpME9CEFMaLRZwbZB-hwwz5oLupdc2ZaGeRfJgpLIDA1X_8PCjvCMlhdwsXaDMV7eQpEjhVXSFg5QV5D11pF23ZIYoRCVgtgXLCoojx0MhhIf-Etn_wgIch62B4tNBsEO36aP1hoEZcDw/s1600/Coventry+S40++05-12-2018+16-01-54.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
Back home, I spent the whole day in the kitchen using the pumpkins that we'd bought during Halloween which was 2 months ago. Even then, I only used 2 and still had 2 left. Properly stored, pumpkins were 'long keepers". I made a huge pot of spicy Thai soup, a pie and 2 loaves of bread. I froze half of the soup and one loaf. That was my lunch sorted for the week.<br><font size="5"><strong>
</strong></font></p><p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>Spicy Thai pumpkin soup</strong></font><br> </p><p align="center"> 1½ kg pumpkin peeled and roughly chopped<br> 4 tsp sunflower oil<br> 1 onion, sliced<br> 1 tbsp grated ginger<br> 1 lemongrass, bashed a little<br> 3-4 tbsp Thai red curry paste<br> 400ml can coconut milk<br> 850ml vegetable stock<br> lime juice and sugar, for seasoning</p><p align="justify">Heat oven to 180C. Toss the pumpkin or squash in a roasting tin with half the oil and seasoning, then roast for 30 mins until golden and tender. Meanwhile, put the remaining oil in a pan with the onion, ginger and lemongrass. </p><p align="justify">Gently cook for 8-10 mins until softened. Stir in the curry paste for 1 min, followed by the roasted pumpkin, all but 3 tbsp of the coconut milk and the stock. Bring to a simmer, cook for 5 mins, then fish out the lemongrass. </p><p align="justify">Cool for a few mins, then whizz until smooth with a hand blender, or in a large blender in batches. Return to the pan to heat through, seasoning with salt, pepper, lime juice and sugar, if it needs it. Serve drizzled with the remaining coconut milk.</p><p align="center"><br><font size="4"><strong> Pumpkin pie</strong></font><br> 750g pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks<br> 350g sweet shortcrust pastry<br> plain flour, for dusting<br> 140g caster sugar<br> ½ tsp salt<br> ½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated<br> 1 tsp cinnamon<br> 2 eggs, beaten<br> 25g butter, melted<br> 175ml milk<br> 1 tbsp icing sugar</p><p align="justify"><br>
Place the pumpkin in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain pumpkin; let cool. Heat oven to 180C. </p><p align="justify">Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, and cook for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. </p><p align="justify">Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Increase oven to 220C. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Mix in the beaten eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and stir to combine. </p><p align="justify">Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C. Continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set. Leave to cool, then remove the pie from the tin. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie. Serve chilled<br><font size="4"><strong>
</strong></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Pumpkin bread</strong></font><br> 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off<br> 1/2 teaspoon salt<br> 1 teaspoon baking soda<br> 1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br> 1 teaspoon ground cloves<br> 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br> 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br> 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened<br> 2 cups sugar<br> 2 large eggs<br>
2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree</p><p align="justify">Preheat the oven to 325°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Generously grease two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans with butter and dust with flour. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until well combined; set aside.</p><p align="justify"><br>
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until just blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until very light and fluffy, a few minutes. Beat in the pumpkin. The mixture might look grainy and curdled.</p><p align="justify"><br>Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined. Turn the batter into the prepared pans, dividing evenly, and bake for 65 – 75 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the centre comes out cleanly. Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.</p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VN1TymTMJoayxcmOnHhNZY4DdfzpXXQRub8YqFeKYlpws2949uKufEa7G0rlE_-Kh3TvGg9iXpYLAqbK6ASyFudIl2ixt0jZPM7ICNG5DaoDG80C2hpP3cOzr5LxS4SXIOnYaNaiSKKX/s1600/Coventry+S40++06-12-2018+21-55-02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VN1TymTMJoayxcmOnHhNZY4DdfzpXXQRub8YqFeKYlpws2949uKufEa7G0rlE_-Kh3TvGg9iXpYLAqbK6ASyFudIl2ixt0jZPM7ICNG5DaoDG80C2hpP3cOzr5LxS4SXIOnYaNaiSKKX/s1600/Coventry+S40++06-12-2018+21-55-02.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p><p align="justify"><br> <br>
The festive season started early at work. First was the infamous office Secret Santa. Each year, my colleagues and I pulled a name out of a hat, saddling ourselves with the anxiety-inducing task of buying a Xmas present for a co-worker we (in all likelihood) barely knew. Each department had their own and as usual ours was amongst those who worked on the ground floor. Early during the month, each of us had picked a name, bought the £5 gift and deposited it in Santa’s bag. Then it was time for Santa’s Elf to distribute the gift and we watched the public reaction of the receiver to the gift. Off course, all were received graciously. Then we’d nibbles which all of us contributed and quizzes. Secret Santa was always a great idea when you were high on festive cheer. We also contributed £5 each to a homeless charity. </p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaN9zA-IjodQWji8cFA86tv5S_uPzZSntYVitmCZOoDPM0HEMEuBTWCoHHKuVmkFeEHg-xDfKfZqvkuleu0x8UPjasjQNshiHRNUqQUyJvBA-xReURLXDWSH-7cQFV0SOKL5_nubsOQOl/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++08-12-2018+15-15-16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaN9zA-IjodQWji8cFA86tv5S_uPzZSntYVitmCZOoDPM0HEMEuBTWCoHHKuVmkFeEHg-xDfKfZqvkuleu0x8UPjasjQNshiHRNUqQUyJvBA-xReURLXDWSH-7cQFV0SOKL5_nubsOQOl/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++08-12-2018+15-15-16.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
Next was the Xmas lunch which was held at Scarman and we trekked there in our fineries on a bright, sunny afternoon. After being seated with a glass of fresh orange juice for moi and bubbly for others, we pulled the crackers, donned the party hats and cracked at the silly jokes. It was hilarious. The hall began to fill up as colleagues from other department turned up.<br>
Then we joined the long queue for the starters. As usual, I headed for the seafood which luckily for me wasn’t busy. For the main course, I’d another fish course, baked sole with a lemon sauce and the trimmings with new potatoes, carrots and peas. At the table, we checked each other’s loaded plates. Conversations and laughters flowed easily. Dessert was limited for me because I don’t want anything with gelatine or alcohol. That left me with creme brulee which was yummy. After the long lunch, we headed to the sitting room for coffee and mince pies. I’d hot chocolate and cookies. Then it was a slow dawdle back to the office where we sat quietly to digest our food.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3SIa7ILNKsZTTWctH4pxcENM_UVWek9IwhclaCd5dRM7rKTTdgvuJWs07W0MPQQ0SOCKQ_Uf9upnUfEKm_hhv-EkLpr7cgXpIiwBwyHfcig8GEbjUeS56S1zT9crm58tJea4dL25XqMV/s1600/Warwick+University+D3100a++19-12-2018+14-39-15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3SIa7ILNKsZTTWctH4pxcENM_UVWek9IwhclaCd5dRM7rKTTdgvuJWs07W0MPQQ0SOCKQ_Uf9upnUfEKm_hhv-EkLpr7cgXpIiwBwyHfcig8GEbjUeS56S1zT9crm58tJea4dL25XqMV/s1600/Warwick+University+D3100a++19-12-2018+14-39-15.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqlPr3Vs_-AXWFELI-57Xdt0sdrFvKHs5AjLmLqViTcGn_LU7QUEgnayhg5ztTg8kbhSRofNA5mEH8z-g9e8sgFY-f_MleJcE2c2g962iiUflHW5s5BVqU2D29_ExdIaHzw5rS7e7ygq-/s1600/Warwick+University+D3100a++19-12-2018+15-00-40.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqlPr3Vs_-AXWFELI-57Xdt0sdrFvKHs5AjLmLqViTcGn_LU7QUEgnayhg5ztTg8kbhSRofNA5mEH8z-g9e8sgFY-f_MleJcE2c2g962iiUflHW5s5BVqU2D29_ExdIaHzw5rS7e7ygq-/s1600/Warwick+University+D3100a++19-12-2018+15-00-40.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
</p><p align="justify">We also attended a University Xmas spread at The Slate conference centre, overlooking the ‘nursery’ lake. When we arrived, the party was in full swing with an orchestra playing in the background. There were plenty of mince pies and finger-food to keep us going. The drinks corner was very popular but I stuck to non-alcoholic mulled wine. What a pity there was no sing-along session which we'd last year. It really brought everyone together. Instead everyone just huddled together in their own departmental groups making small talk.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKuFALZlEP7K3BGdHiXaHes_WiVD2006rKHkAiPR1IyoZ0xUtSjwWXr40XePRvu0onrAg-eVHobLR5pnuI5Fwy34Np_DHjpHQ2ebN8ZWkvfUhEnxbbAEr3tNWSDShuSytJ1YMG3WCqPK/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++11-12-2018+17-01-46.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKuFALZlEP7K3BGdHiXaHes_WiVD2006rKHkAiPR1IyoZ0xUtSjwWXr40XePRvu0onrAg-eVHobLR5pnuI5Fwy34Np_DHjpHQ2ebN8ZWkvfUhEnxbbAEr3tNWSDShuSytJ1YMG3WCqPK/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++11-12-2018+17-01-46.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
I ended my working week before the long Xmas break (11 days off..whoop...whoop) by checking out two installation billboards outside the Warwick Arts Centre. It was a poignant poem, Paper Peace, by Robert Montgomery, which was created by Emergency Exit Arts and supported by Arts Council England and the National Lottery. The 14ft illuminated peace poem was for the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.</p><p align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOwEJtqbTqISzpQh1mSU9Qa0s0JfjLZhE4VjMB6qFXwL1kfZStUvJxxeaW6pH55hLV-SdQ9aT842U9ZiUXSENTGqWz9AByibgOMpVgvbvEMJY9eOFFtybndXb6Wc1p1MW-fuZHtectKbH/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++07-12-2018+19-03-18.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOwEJtqbTqISzpQh1mSU9Qa0s0JfjLZhE4VjMB6qFXwL1kfZStUvJxxeaW6pH55hLV-SdQ9aT842U9ZiUXSENTGqWz9AByibgOMpVgvbvEMJY9eOFFtybndXb6Wc1p1MW-fuZHtectKbH/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++07-12-2018+19-03-18.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p><p align="justify"><br>
In its first major campaign since the Coventry 2021 title win, the City of Culture Trust had launched #HumansOfCov as world nations commemorated the anniversary of the declaration, which was signed on December 10, 1948, and honoured around the world. The campaign both highlighted the everyday heroes in Coventry’s communities and the grassroots activism of the city, as well as opening a conversation about human rights and what they meant for a modern and diverse city in the 21st century. The mobile had toured to different parts of the city and I was so glad that it made a pit stop here in the university.<br>
*John Geddes 'A familiar rain'<br>
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<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8va18bjp3lxdZFgznXNE0u0TBW3ivaLEmEH6liBNss3CLkCpe4I4bzXxPXB2j95y6Cak6hR1QRsCZC5j4AYG08u9MxsmEhIglzPQY4X8SN4jIbgu6WWWdBghAXby7-3J9sJkhUab5v8x/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++07-12-2018+19-01-53.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="798" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8va18bjp3lxdZFgznXNE0u0TBW3ivaLEmEH6liBNss3CLkCpe4I4bzXxPXB2j95y6Cak6hR1QRsCZC5j4AYG08u9MxsmEhIglzPQY4X8SN4jIbgu6WWWdBghAXby7-3J9sJkhUab5v8x/s1600/Warwick+University+S40++07-12-2018+19-01-53.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a></p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><br></div>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-82769328529931010752019-03-31T04:20:00.001-07:002019-03-31T05:24:04.286-07:00Now in November nearer comes the sun down the abandoned heaven*<div align="justify">
<br></div><div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQaNM6zBr7vAY42Tj6uAvrllO2ek7kWXPbBtMdtiaj5JsfH15AKa6P3-9zmBd4tUNHyY9NXzVkq286WM578JRPFFP1f7WMTFY62LPUfI8cgNMuZtV8RB4FfrZz5ldWt0UgWV3o8kfq1zs/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D800+DX++18-11-2018+16-59-009.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="800" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQaNM6zBr7vAY42Tj6uAvrllO2ek7kWXPbBtMdtiaj5JsfH15AKa6P3-9zmBd4tUNHyY9NXzVkq286WM578JRPFFP1f7WMTFY62LPUfI8cgNMuZtV8RB4FfrZz5ldWt0UgWV3o8kfq1zs/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D800+DX++18-11-2018+16-59-009.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div><div align="justify"><br></div><div align="justify">I popped into the city centre for a few bits and pieces. When I walked through Broadgate, the place was getting ready for the Xmas light switch-on which took place the following Wednesday. As the festive season approached, the city centre came to life with twinkling lights and decorations adorning shops and buildings. At the flick of a switch, a magical winter wonderland appeared. Late-night shopping began shortly after the lights were switched on, where shoppers enjoyed a glass of mulled wine and something delicious to eat before buying their Christmas gifts. There were plenty of festive cheer, including music, street theatre, fairground rides plus a busy food and gift market. I am sure everyone embraced the Christmas spirit on the night.</div>
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<div align="justify" class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;">Although we looked forward to the festive season, it was a bit early for us to think of Xmas. We chilled out at our favourite playground to see what the natives were up to. Earlier in the week, Babe was here when he photographed a Peregrine Falcon hunting over the reserve. TO BE UPDATED</div><div align="justify"><br></div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd1y8KAJFDuSwozVt_-N4ssC-dv4qC11464gEh7F1GVADRiKvzR84HmYOVz6uN0teKemoQddZ3XyCpBVpQmVOgMqKnNvaDhqxxxnRyhXLZ5P5ERh1jJd_NB30bmnquRr-aInKdDKXTDCL/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++13-11-2018+13-18-045.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd1y8KAJFDuSwozVt_-N4ssC-dv4qC11464gEh7F1GVADRiKvzR84HmYOVz6uN0teKemoQddZ3XyCpBVpQmVOgMqKnNvaDhqxxxnRyhXLZ5P5ERh1jJd_NB30bmnquRr-aInKdDKXTDCL/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++13-11-2018+13-18-045.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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Thankfully, the Black Swan was still hanging around with the juvenile Mute swans. I was at work earlier in the week, when Babe called me to say that he'd seen this beauty feeding in the reserve and I hoped that it would stay until the weekend. Black Swans were native to Australia and were the state bird of Western Australia. They were brought to the UK as ornamental birds and like many other captive birds , they occasionally found their way into the wild. They were similar in size to their closely related Mute Swans. They appeared all black when swimming but had white primary wing feathers, which could be seen in flight. The bill was red with a broad white band on the tip, while the legs and feet were greyish black. They'd the longest neck among the swans and curved in an S shape. When swimming, they held their necks arched or erect and often carried their feathers or wings raised in an aggressive display. We watched this beauty upending in the deeper part of the lake for aquatic and marshland plants.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG9tJhzVIPtYU9DW1J5lu5vPyEI-Lkvl1ohmJe9a-ECjIfsTC5UaagIN0dwYs857mqzmzM1H8CvU4JSKI9IQ-31OSVVPLhyphenhyphenxN9WrGV672ZZRmew6jBF9_nc_LUY7sJYQQB5v_3Upf0wFc/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++15-11-2018+16-18-49.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG9tJhzVIPtYU9DW1J5lu5vPyEI-Lkvl1ohmJe9a-ECjIfsTC5UaagIN0dwYs857mqzmzM1H8CvU4JSKI9IQ-31OSVVPLhyphenhyphenxN9WrGV672ZZRmew6jBF9_nc_LUY7sJYQQB5v_3Upf0wFc/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++15-11-2018+16-18-49.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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We were suddenly interrupted by a twitcher who said that he'd spotted a Jack Snipe at Teal Pool. We followed him and scanned the reed-beds at the further end of the pond, nearer to River Pool hide. We sighted a Snipe skulking in the reeds at the top end but unfortunately, it wasn't a Jack Snipe. One of the main characteristic of a Jack Snipe was it had a much shorter bill than a Common Snipe. We'd been trying to find one for ages but so far, we'd never seen one. One day....</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNHYT4NT90krxr4GIUMepD_c9PQJ-8Rtvjnm-3r6E4tc2fYX36bv8ZoXpuR9KdGwTIzL42edjdcm4ETsmvry8iSZrt2nk7sWUFKwEyYSVmdV3HQDUz2pChFF-gjiuY7Badw8-4kdOFXgF/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++14-11-2018+14-54-27.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNHYT4NT90krxr4GIUMepD_c9PQJ-8Rtvjnm-3r6E4tc2fYX36bv8ZoXpuR9KdGwTIzL42edjdcm4ETsmvry8iSZrt2nk7sWUFKwEyYSVmdV3HQDUz2pChFF-gjiuY7Badw8-4kdOFXgF/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++14-11-2018+14-54-27.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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We returned back to our seat and the black beauty had swam right to the end of the lake. The long staying Whooper Swans had woken up and started preening and then went back to sleep again. After flying all the way from Iceland to escape the harsh winters, they needed all the sleep they could get. From what we found out, they flew off immediately after sunrise to feed. Nobody knows where but there were plenty of wheat and potato fields in the surrounding area. The crops had already been harvested and they fed on the leftover grains and potatoes left in the fields. After grazing for a couple of hours, they flew back here to rest and roost.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVrqVImJypyleSlkCS8I1vCrFsfzh8vUEqjYzVHrPetbsUgJCQ6PI2QA1qwdGxDrzp6Ux9J4fH99gpITcKpyQ-MFdGFJ1MWAWiTZTUEc7bmOSX9lv4y_vkQlRhcYiB2tgd3-LWD74sRVX/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++19-11-2018+15-07-008.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVrqVImJypyleSlkCS8I1vCrFsfzh8vUEqjYzVHrPetbsUgJCQ6PI2QA1qwdGxDrzp6Ux9J4fH99gpITcKpyQ-MFdGFJ1MWAWiTZTUEc7bmOSX9lv4y_vkQlRhcYiB2tgd3-LWD74sRVX/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++19-11-2018+15-07-008.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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There were also hundreds of Greylags present on the lake. Some were having a leisure swim, others were splashing about in the water, a few preening but a majority were grazing on Wigeon Bank. Mainly vegetarian, they fed on various plant items such as grasses, leaves, roots, stems, fruits and sprouts of numerous plants’ species. I bet the Widgeons weren't happy. Greylags were listed in Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, meaning they could be killed or taken outside of the close season. They uttered flight-calls such as loud, honking series of notes with repeated deep “aahng-ahng-ung”. When in flocks, the noise was audible at some distance. They foraged by grazing on the ground or in water where they performed “upending” like the ducks.</div>
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In the water, a Pintail was dabbling for plant food. There was a discussion whether it was a male or female and Babe pointed out that it was an eclipsed male. Pintails were easily distinguished by their long, pointed tail feathers and long, graceful necks. Males had a chestnut-coloured head, white neck and grey body, while females were mottled brown with smaller, pointed tails. After breeding, they moulted, replacing the old, worn-out feathers with new ones. Eclipse plumage was temporary or transition plumage. For about a month, they couldn't fly and were vulnerable to predators. To provide protection, the bright body feathers were replaced by dowdy brown ones, making them look much like the females. Once the flight feathers had regrown, they moulted again, and the full colours were back and easily recognisable once more.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6PBMGDyhMzMUJM826omKuLkc7SJy-Yv0v3lrjsae1cVoyXNELvj6yZ2Kf6rPtOmUUBQWWiaVPqYXtFY1dmJE5WGipAG-Ve3Guu-EATQEHb_RknoemKovN8U5BIpP3gNkUgMi2py2KE5G/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++17-11-2018+15-29-51.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6PBMGDyhMzMUJM826omKuLkc7SJy-Yv0v3lrjsae1cVoyXNELvj6yZ2Kf6rPtOmUUBQWWiaVPqYXtFY1dmJE5WGipAG-Ve3Guu-EATQEHb_RknoemKovN8U5BIpP3gNkUgMi2py2KE5G/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++17-11-2018+15-29-51.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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We then waited for the sun to set before we left the reserve. As the days grew shorter, the skies at sunset glowed with the most spectacular hues, blooming with pinks, reds and oranges. And as the nights drew in and the sun was setting earlier, it was the perfect opportunity to see these beautiful colours lighting up the evening sky. Throughout the month we had been treated to some spectacular scenes and with the nights pulling in, the sun had been drifting out of sight as early as 4 pm.</div>
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The sun seemed to personify a Dylan Thomas poem:</font> <br>
</font></div><div align="center"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><br></font></div><div align="center"><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">Do not go gentle into that good night ...<br> Rage, rage against the dying of the light.</font></div>
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We parked by the roadside and watched this spectacular sight. By the time we saw the sunset, the sun had actually already gone. This was because a true sunset occurred a minute or so before the sun disappeared. What was seen was a kind of mirage as the light was getting bent around the horizon by the effect of refraction. It was also magical that we only noticed the silhouette of the birds when Babe loaded the photographs onto the computer.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hi-sFCgOv4sAdtfEWb8EKVNSvV8hmHVPcWKq3bgboL9zLIcU2DjElkLvKwFjyrij2dTcLUoyIIeBqlLcTqXwTtsi-PnYWWeVnl9TlHZvgQkOdeeoPMJ0uX1shTaCvEBZpvlYOG_Aprew/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D800+DX++18-11-2018+17-02-055.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hi-sFCgOv4sAdtfEWb8EKVNSvV8hmHVPcWKq3bgboL9zLIcU2DjElkLvKwFjyrij2dTcLUoyIIeBqlLcTqXwTtsi-PnYWWeVnl9TlHZvgQkOdeeoPMJ0uX1shTaCvEBZpvlYOG_Aprew/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D800+DX++18-11-2018+17-02-055.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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We also made our final trip to Donna Nook. We'd been keeping an eye on the seal counts to decide on which day to go. We left at 8.04 am on a cold, dark gloomy morning with the mercury reaching 3.5C. We timed the traffic perfectly and managed to avoid the morning queues. Unfortunately, at Ingsy Lane, the road was closed and we followed the diversions on very tight country lanes. We arrived a bit later than expected but thankfully, still managed to find a parking space at the Stonebridge car-park. It was nearly 11 am and the place was already buzzing.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf_UflMdIW_YwyyJhXCGCMV-iYUfKmG8H6GbWBHrof5se1h1S222zwCPbRoiKnvxhWzZ6GBOLV9edYIhZCcqAGOK6CD0D0_tmFJlZBLGnvNjI5SFaN8VS1E6KU14HOOQaMy5exNTPs_1d/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+13-23-08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf_UflMdIW_YwyyJhXCGCMV-iYUfKmG8H6GbWBHrof5se1h1S222zwCPbRoiKnvxhWzZ6GBOLV9edYIhZCcqAGOK6CD0D0_tmFJlZBLGnvNjI5SFaN8VS1E6KU14HOOQaMy5exNTPs_1d/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+13-23-08.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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After parking and wrapping up very warm, we waddled our way to the viewing point. It was freezing and the high winds didn’t helped either. The seals were now well spread out and there were at least a dozen on the sandy beaches by the entrance. We walked along the chestnut-paling fence that ran the entire length of the viewing area, and more fluffy pups of different stages of growth with their protective mothers scattered along the beach, among the sand-dunes and reed-beds. Their whimpering cries were echoing around us. </div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubmrvjU0WuTo5zVCkF0CG0HDec3We0wbj4ZZSmk8O3a5wNx5CX8ECWsQzq3dWe9q2przzcZNTRmYyO0ghiqp0yDGpnTiIjjI7doMJh5RcQCxw5qP2vAyI2gmkYT68OxZcdB46nwM3NQPi/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-46-043.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubmrvjU0WuTo5zVCkF0CG0HDec3We0wbj4ZZSmk8O3a5wNx5CX8ECWsQzq3dWe9q2przzcZNTRmYyO0ghiqp0yDGpnTiIjjI7doMJh5RcQCxw5qP2vAyI2gmkYT68OxZcdB46nwM3NQPi/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-46-043.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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There were plenty of heart warming scenes where mothers were nursing their pups. Females were the sole providers of care for their pups while the males provided no parental care. It was lovely watching the intimate interactions between them. A bond was formed between mother and pup at birth, and she could recognised her pup from its call and smell. Pups with their mournful cries were often heard calling to their mothers. Mothers were encouraging the pups to feed by scratching their faces. Pups suckled for 3 weeks during which their weight increased as much as 30kg in 2 weeks. In the meantime, the mothers lost up to 65 kg during lactation as they weren’t feeding.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nusKKpdvLltR6_3d2P_SJ-P2JpaJjo970gxfiP5drpOzOSA5KvVdlHnc6AWZf62O-wO-XbIXdKr-mi6lLY9sgXABhCbMqk6jmUWU_YOeUj6pN17yEaoVWziUHsDZMSLcS98pPd5E9U_/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-32-25.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nusKKpdvLltR6_3d2P_SJ-P2JpaJjo970gxfiP5drpOzOSA5KvVdlHnc6AWZf62O-wO-XbIXdKr-mi6lLY9sgXABhCbMqk6jmUWU_YOeUj6pN17yEaoVWziUHsDZMSLcS98pPd5E9U_/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-32-25.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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Each pup I encountered was cuter than the one before, looking at me with their glossy black eyes like coal, lolling on the tussocky sand. Appearing in fluffy, white fur when born, called languno, kept them warm until they developed an insulating layer of blubber from their mother’s milk. They kept this distinct white coat for two weeks + when the fur darkened and began to shed as they matured. After 16+ days, at the weaning stage, the pups lost their white coat and had the unique grey/dark grey pelage and patterning that remained the same through adulthood. A few pups were very close to the fence, checking out the visitors who were busy checking them out, under the watchful eyes of their possessive mothers. If anyone got too close, the warning hisses, growls and waving flippers were issued.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vyVW3kn53TRVtNrMzQrxQmnPA9mEbfKE8UlO_cjYGnVAsgtvAh3I2zqAM0Y2o4PQ7wnG9U_3-qKyZMpHNGqGTIIc1O-I3mQonPvOJ3jTM94lbCExfdF3_b6RtVjWWBCt6bMjWhrmRDS/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-44-042.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vyVW3kn53TRVtNrMzQrxQmnPA9mEbfKE8UlO_cjYGnVAsgtvAh3I2zqAM0Y2o4PQ7wnG9U_3-qKyZMpHNGqGTIIc1O-I3mQonPvOJ3jTM94lbCExfdF3_b6RtVjWWBCt6bMjWhrmRDS/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-44-042.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We had missed out on the bulls fighting as most of the territories had been staked out by now. The males tended to be darker than females and had the noticeably arched ‘Roman‘ nose and thickset shoulders, wrinkled appearances and very dark, finely mottled coats. When the females were ready, their uterus developed a fluid-filled sack containing an egg and hormonal changes made her receptive to the advances made by the males. At the onset of the breeding season, the male hormone levels changed. When they arrived on the colony, they competed for space nearest to the cows. It was a long continuous battle to keep the other males away. There were scraps when another male trespassed their territory. There were plenty of body slapping on the mud. A bull can’t risk going to feed, because if he does, he might not be able to re-establish himself again.</div><div align="justify"><br></div>
<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mMygwmXnXNoV0gkJBAmoFYntar9NJES2zwakuiLBhLhyg-8clBhC-yr4TT6mI-voyfo98AeI6UiTUinjrTrVoTOyI3CNJ09Wa6h-t1kQEmlx-3CGdFVM096oSRLHa1oZKGGPeSkOe9Np/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-39-26.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mMygwmXnXNoV0gkJBAmoFYntar9NJES2zwakuiLBhLhyg-8clBhC-yr4TT6mI-voyfo98AeI6UiTUinjrTrVoTOyI3CNJ09Wa6h-t1kQEmlx-3CGdFVM096oSRLHa1oZKGGPeSkOe9Np/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+12-39-26.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We continued walking on towards the end of the viewing area. We saw a crowd and checked out what they were looking at. It was a black seal pup. Black seal pups were uncommon but not unusual. A few were born every year but they were not seen by visitors because they weren’t seen nearer to the fence. Black pups were born with the same white ‘lanugo’ coat as all the other pups. The black colouration became visible at the first moult when the pup was 2-3 weeks old. The cause was most likely to be genetic, similar to the black rabbits. </div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WfCgCRL3ecuYF-3FoyDm0XKzAG4kpifi3jLUZy5a5MwpulyT2LkvzMVpYzHq1unIH5bDiS7_RKAuemGz_fMA-2AUJLNXoiGzUxsLddMixdO7QH_GjILhuKLswHEr7qCzwNwp4k5o8M5/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+13-03-051.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WfCgCRL3ecuYF-3FoyDm0XKzAG4kpifi3jLUZy5a5MwpulyT2LkvzMVpYzHq1unIH5bDiS7_RKAuemGz_fMA-2AUJLNXoiGzUxsLddMixdO7QH_GjILhuKLswHEr7qCzwNwp4k5o8M5/s1600/Donna+Nook+D800++23-11-2018+13-03-051.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We checked out the board and there were now 334 bulls, 1058 cows and 943 pups. Then it was a slow walk back to the car. We were chuffed when we spotted our favourite Ropeneck with her new born. A well-known seal, she was named by wardens who found her in 2000 entangled in discarded netting and was clearly in distressed. The netting had cut a very deep wound in her neck which was still visible even today. It seemed that a lot of seals had encountered the same predicament judging by the numbers we came across with scars around their necks.</div><div align="justify"><br></div><div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFLyZncEtoJyII0n1nc6QoRHiKSNoYQkVd8CEDWAktDlvlscDHEHnBf3C-uexx0Ryp1ubSI5alEX_-wmt84Gxx6EcB101Nr54NWHfhf3xfpq1j6Q1rMND-oJMhHhRo9TnyRAWvEkHy16i/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+X14+C13++23-11-2018+12-48-020.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFLyZncEtoJyII0n1nc6QoRHiKSNoYQkVd8CEDWAktDlvlscDHEHnBf3C-uexx0Ryp1ubSI5alEX_-wmt84Gxx6EcB101Nr54NWHfhf3xfpq1j6Q1rMND-oJMhHhRo9TnyRAWvEkHy16i/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+X14+C13++23-11-2018+12-48-020.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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A slumber did my spirit seal;<br>
I had no human fears:<br>
She seemed a thing that could not feel<br>
The touch of earthly years.<br>
No motion has she now, no force;<br>
She neither hears nor sees;<br>
Rolled round in earth's diurnal course,<br>
With rocks, and stones, and trees.</font> <br>
~William Wordsworth~</div>
<div align="justify"><br></div><div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G4F4b-dfpZ8ZIkf3AknngWfgT-WRTgzSLbRqHbnS4lalNzXf8U1DvJdQqCzjRQbPaSMaEOEoZfkKZxgDvKjqY9vj-UP-7E5PT9fT1FDdFMYrbetdwfEZ6KLdtEVUqOHj8fBoiL4UenPG/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++23-11-2018+13-39-35.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G4F4b-dfpZ8ZIkf3AknngWfgT-WRTgzSLbRqHbnS4lalNzXf8U1DvJdQqCzjRQbPaSMaEOEoZfkKZxgDvKjqY9vj-UP-7E5PT9fT1FDdFMYrbetdwfEZ6KLdtEVUqOHj8fBoiL4UenPG/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++23-11-2018+13-39-35.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We stopped and took hundreds more photographs which was a challenge because more people were pouring into the reserve. I couldn’t imagine how busy it was in the weekend when the narrow lanes, car park and viewing area became very congested. We said our good-byes to the seals as this was our last trip for 2018. By January, the viewing area will be empty as all the seal pups had returned to the North Sea. We wished them a safe journey and hoped to see them again, same time next year, insyallah.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMP5BFuOJ746L9AAisHF4IbsL47giRqCEB0dXtMA8WBni3A2kOGK_X9EATVOMM3re1vCRCHXjhyFAVWoMYSOfqIzR-cCZ8JWnrMJgyIugM9SpQy23y_mFnpqapP-myqqbuPGAY19qevka/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++23-11-2018+13-12-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMP5BFuOJ746L9AAisHF4IbsL47giRqCEB0dXtMA8WBni3A2kOGK_X9EATVOMM3re1vCRCHXjhyFAVWoMYSOfqIzR-cCZ8JWnrMJgyIugM9SpQy23y_mFnpqapP-myqqbuPGAY19qevka/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++23-11-2018+13-12-17.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We then stretched our legs with a trip to Slimbridge WWT. We must be loco but it was something we enjoyed doing. We left the casa quite late at 11 am on a gloomy, cloudy and rainy day. There was quite a lot of traffic on the road, especially on the exit roads to Birmingham which was most probably heading for the German Xmas market. My colleagues and I also planned to pay a visit to the market in mid-December.</div>
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There was a long queue into the Slimbridge reception as there were plenty of families bringing their children to take advantage of the many Christmas activities that was laid out. We often found it ridiculous that as members we still had to queue among the paying visitors. We took the usual route and was greeted by this adorable Grey wagtail feeding in the Caribbean flamingo enclosure. The long tail gave it an elegant profile and it was continually active, pumping its tail up and down. It kept on wagging its tail whilst walking or running briskly, foraging for aquatic insects and invertebrates.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lCP_JkFa9XBWhaXkKPPeVfLAnjZQaYQXmYCGprAttQmNffMOLZkQ1gV0emmdh6wf17AhayW4zqN3GfXKe9qLcWZvDqeAdHP_XJf6Fdw1XayUL2xs5jdUZpBR88u8nYhhIr1im4aUwNnM/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-45-07.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lCP_JkFa9XBWhaXkKPPeVfLAnjZQaYQXmYCGprAttQmNffMOLZkQ1gV0emmdh6wf17AhayW4zqN3GfXKe9qLcWZvDqeAdHP_XJf6Fdw1XayUL2xs5jdUZpBR88u8nYhhIr1im4aUwNnM/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-45-07.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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The first hide we stopped was the Rushy Hide where we were greeted by this Bewick Swan feeding near the drains. It was surrounded by Coots, Pochards and Tufted Ducks who were waiting to feed on whatever that had been stirred up. It used its strong webbed feet to dig into submerged mud and tipped up, plunging the head and neck underwater, exposing and feeding on roots, shoots and tubers. This then stirred up invertebrates and aquatic vegetation which were quickly snapped up by the ducks and Coots.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_2aotwlH9qow8-NcD7neA8myRaLZ0qUTmaeUChE8zIGDPuqo71WX5x3m3w_GhKKczgACw0v6vFYHuMOdThNjvaNw1_DYZ-aMH9E_G8GKFDi7IxhIBNMx8UJPY1zKzrWX3KWfTd35WVJF/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-50-16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_2aotwlH9qow8-NcD7neA8myRaLZ0qUTmaeUChE8zIGDPuqo71WX5x3m3w_GhKKczgACw0v6vFYHuMOdThNjvaNw1_DYZ-aMH9E_G8GKFDi7IxhIBNMx8UJPY1zKzrWX3KWfTd35WVJF/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-50-16.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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A family of Bewick’s Swan flew in to join their family members on the water. Loud excited high-pitched honking calls echoed around us as those in the water greeted them. They had finished feeding on the nearby fields before flying in to roost on the open water. They had a slow, steady flight with their legs dangling as they were about to land, dropping onto the water at steeper angles as if bracing themselves for a mighty crash. They were honking away as they were about to land, a warning sign to those in the water to give them space. They then sailed down and water skied to a halt that ended with a belly-flop.</div>
<div align="justify">They were greeted warmly by the family group members. The communicative behaviour increased with density which included head-bobs, vocalizations and displays. It was noisy, with constant low babbling in the water and indulging in greeting displays, reminiscent of excited dogs. Pairs and families formed particularly coherent units during aggressive encounters involving displays such as bugling and neck-stretching. There were families with yearlings and cygnets, pairs and singles. They then flapped their wings with more musical yapping. After calming down, they began either preening or feeding.</div>
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Each year these extraordinary birds battled their way over thousands of kilometres of desolate tundra, wooded wilderness and vast lakes and seas to escape the icy grip of the Arctic winter after spending the summer on the Russian tundra to feed and breed. These birds were magnificent visitors to our skies. Some had returned to Slimbridge for 28 years, totalling over 140,000 miles over their lifetimes. But each year fewer and fewer were returning, and it was the same across Europe. It was suspected that they were being affected by habitat and climate changes on their breeding grounds. Other known causes included the presence of wind turbines and power pylons in their flight path, lead poisoning and illegal hunting.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEiMbQHBGygr73nIC0jHY5ovLka0IbXcUAsRm3gnOo4j4DE-ZEFADAXYjBeXMjmAD32kzahPOun4pgjbGzsEUDrQAwk-M_LReooSnZtznAIcKUkFLIfjJq7C18dFNejdKslmCfIk3_9bT/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+15-09-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEiMbQHBGygr73nIC0jHY5ovLka0IbXcUAsRm3gnOo4j4DE-ZEFADAXYjBeXMjmAD32kzahPOun4pgjbGzsEUDrQAwk-M_LReooSnZtznAIcKUkFLIfjJq7C18dFNejdKslmCfIk3_9bT/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+15-09-01.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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Bewick’s swans cared for their offspring for a relatively long time. Cygnets remained with their parents throughout their first winter, staying within calling distance as they were guided along their first migration. They arrived in the UK from mid-October, wintering here until the following March before migrating once again to their breeding grounds on the Russian tundra. The arrival of the Bewicks causes much debate because folklore suggested that it could predict whether we were set to face a cold winter. If they arrived early then it could meant a harsh winter – or even a white Christmas - but later touchdowns indicated a milder few months. </div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB6WHleCUuuWkb_AvVEBwK0X93IjYsGy2cXAWVq63FH5ZNG2le3uoRv3rm9WlASreCI4BnYLN2lEaQ-RDriMB4ug9TVRk59mk7H5NVXsHe7psCfHmycHPrAvULaRk1r1ruJ7-cSAB2MF-/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+15-14-002.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB6WHleCUuuWkb_AvVEBwK0X93IjYsGy2cXAWVq63FH5ZNG2le3uoRv3rm9WlASreCI4BnYLN2lEaQ-RDriMB4ug9TVRk59mk7H5NVXsHe7psCfHmycHPrAvULaRk1r1ruJ7-cSAB2MF-/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+15-14-002.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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The first Bewick's, named Indri, had arrived here in Slimbridge on 30th October. With each bird having a unique bill pattern, experts could identify and record the individual birds from their beaks. Indri had surfed the first blast of winter winds from the Arctic which heralded the arrival of winter. Up to 200 Bewick's overwinter from late October to Early March, and her appearance was the 3rd visit to the reserve after arriving as a cygnet in 2016.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e3rhRGLxOb6WI6ErA08BFGgjHOvLk7Li01FJJYwBtWruaHam4BiE5cEYMlDfEeLjX4jtYdrjXOFEIdTdn9lgM32n3V60p5hI2B9rmK0RqgaWRQkM2ROopnMIRw4o5E5S36f97Mbe-9eo/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X++24-11-2018+16-16-56.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e3rhRGLxOb6WI6ErA08BFGgjHOvLk7Li01FJJYwBtWruaHam4BiE5cEYMlDfEeLjX4jtYdrjXOFEIdTdn9lgM32n3V60p5hI2B9rmK0RqgaWRQkM2ROopnMIRw4o5E5S36f97Mbe-9eo/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X++24-11-2018+16-16-56.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></div>
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Then we headed to Martin Smith hide to see if the Jack Snipe was out and about. There were several sightings but not today. Thankfully, a large flock of Wigeon grazing very close to the hide kept us occupied. It appeared that a large arrival had arrived overnight and they were feeding in their distinctive carpet formation. They ate primarily plants, both aquatic and terrestrial. They grazed on the plants and seeds using their short bills. These ducks were once known as 'Baldplate' because of their white crown.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UsCJ3K1NWr1_xcSbycEMSmWhPgF9nSfeRWgdDnttk44jJ54pi7I6zhyphenhyphenidDpWJ7snrWJCMn2hR6bqwfOgrbKwovJkazPa1QW4OyUsZuclnwpVHWoa5u4JJKtnaljrHeEGP7g-u5jG9Zoj/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-55-055.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UsCJ3K1NWr1_xcSbycEMSmWhPgF9nSfeRWgdDnttk44jJ54pi7I6zhyphenhyphenidDpWJ7snrWJCMn2hR6bqwfOgrbKwovJkazPa1QW4OyUsZuclnwpVHWoa5u4JJKtnaljrHeEGP7g-u5jG9Zoj/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+13-55-055.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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We continued on and checked out Willow Hide to see if the Water rail was around. We don’t have to wait long when the star attraction turned up. Water-rail was supposed to be secretive and shy, often heard than seen with their loud squealing and snorting noises emerging from the dense reed-beds. But not this bird with its chestnut-brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black-and white barred flacks, a long red bill and tiny cocked tail. It came strutting out probing with its bill on the seeds that had fallen from the bird-feeder. </div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATMU1jjjXP-yu3C40CNv0tNEu_hHEjyraxXkqIpbTuxoP_tLc1qoH5ZtURL7YQ4_uQ_PdTFmdGuuRsuBfdegcDABKyqEfz3MPWhP1EwOG03MGx73y0pN5c8tyqgDzjlKHws2t8Lq4yWx5/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+14-13-004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATMU1jjjXP-yu3C40CNv0tNEu_hHEjyraxXkqIpbTuxoP_tLc1qoH5ZtURL7YQ4_uQ_PdTFmdGuuRsuBfdegcDABKyqEfz3MPWhP1EwOG03MGx73y0pN5c8tyqgDzjlKHws2t8Lq4yWx5/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+X+C13++24-11-2018+14-13-004.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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We then made a very brief visit to the rest of the hides as there was nothing much about. On the way back, we made another stop at Rushy Hide where the Pintails had woken up and were wandering around in pairs. Drake pintails were stunning. They were sleek and slender, with long protruding tail feathers which gave them their common name. They appeared pale grey overall, but sported a lovely chocolate-coloured head with a white stripe extending up from breast to behind each eye. Under their tails, they were black and cream, and in flight a white, black and rufous bar was revealed on each wing. The females were mottled tan overall, but still appeared to be sleeker and more pointed than other female ducks. In flight, they showed a brown wing bar edged with white. Both had blue-grey bills. </div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJDqjc5EgZAUz7YvJEfZ6-pa3yKoptX3Nvo6wkP7iEtbnZQNIyq7OuiTHAQXu5qpfxekyUHNyDHtPD5vmG5BVC9XCYcMlbLgTZGco4UmP4Dfp5vshqOk-hEZe1llZV9ooUHuZqcKiY9h/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D800+DX++24-11-2018+15-10-31.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJDqjc5EgZAUz7YvJEfZ6-pa3yKoptX3Nvo6wkP7iEtbnZQNIyq7OuiTHAQXu5qpfxekyUHNyDHtPD5vmG5BVC9XCYcMlbLgTZGco4UmP4Dfp5vshqOk-hEZe1llZV9ooUHuZqcKiY9h/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D800+DX++24-11-2018+15-10-31.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We ended the month with a visit to our favourite playground again. As usual when we walked past the SAGA sign, we were bombarded by the Robins. I always carried a small container of mealworms and started hand feeding them. At first, they glowered at me from their perch, trying to make up their mind before swooping down to accept my offerings. They were very quick, snatching a juicy mealworm before flying back into the undergrowth to feed. There was something very special about the impossibly light bundle of energy that stood a few seconds on my hand. It was definitely a grin-inducing moment of wildlife connection.</div><div align="justify"><br></div>
<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ68W1aMwa6xjPl4mLqZBDZM-QHNp8o5ZHIaqCH961I0HEQQSayxRECKxD77rqwANLTPRv0xpX73pzmuwlsth4w-IzXJ403VZLGnlrZZOKDAyXSO74QZyLKo1q-5gsaEhevghNqKHTcp-F/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+14-53-059.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ68W1aMwa6xjPl4mLqZBDZM-QHNp8o5ZHIaqCH961I0HEQQSayxRECKxD77rqwANLTPRv0xpX73pzmuwlsth4w-IzXJ403VZLGnlrZZOKDAyXSO74QZyLKo1q-5gsaEhevghNqKHTcp-F/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+14-53-059.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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We stopped at Baldwin Hide where a female Golden Eye was swimming quite close to the hide. Unlike the male which was black and white with a greenish black head and a circular white patch in front of the yellow eye, she was smaller and mottled grey with a chocolate brown head. Goldeneyes were diving ducks with streamlined bodies and short tails. They foraged mostly under water for small aquatic animals such as crabs, crayfish, snails, clams, insects, small fishes and bits of vegetation. They dived for these and ate them while underwater.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRRpkfqbbkmfd28rZXHG0AY4bgcvQJsuEnuzCZ7O72p2ZnkdZon50YGHl6qWa_574xSmH-_2VNIEgHOP1Sap8uDcxbkI4AEs9BUTkqJT3XPAEQHAhjUBXUj4cdbEl9sU7aI16W_SZlLox/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+15-14-035.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRRpkfqbbkmfd28rZXHG0AY4bgcvQJsuEnuzCZ7O72p2ZnkdZon50YGHl6qWa_574xSmH-_2VNIEgHOP1Sap8uDcxbkI4AEs9BUTkqJT3XPAEQHAhjUBXUj4cdbEl9sU7aI16W_SZlLox/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+15-14-035.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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The pontoon was full of resting Cormorants. These large, black, long-necked swimmers and divers were easily recognised by their crucifix- like stance. The bodies upright, wings held partly outstretched. They struck an eerie pose as they spread their wings to enable their plumage to dry and retained the natural oils. Cormorants lacked the water resistant properties that many other aquatic birds possessed, and must dry their wings. It required large amounts of energy for a Cormorant to regulate its body temperature in order to dry its wings and had used nature’s hand-drier – the wind. </div>
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<div align="justify"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWPg1YEOfXSMOqOFNyDOkzJmiur9-zue8Ksz9J7FegOz2iYOFpaA0js8TFw8eF3JTioood3tZ3NXIqTvhNI0a48d38D6OeM4Za5fJlFeFSUjoa2VJtkx__y65eirH8EQwYsdk1-bsT7NG/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+15-04-056.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="429" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWPg1YEOfXSMOqOFNyDOkzJmiur9-zue8Ksz9J7FegOz2iYOFpaA0js8TFw8eF3JTioood3tZ3NXIqTvhNI0a48d38D6OeM4Za5fJlFeFSUjoa2VJtkx__y65eirH8EQwYsdk1-bsT7NG/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X+C13++25-11-2018+15-04-056.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a></div>
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The hide was getting busier and from Baldwin Hide we saw that East Marsh Hide was also packed. We decided not to go further and headed home. November had often been written off as the holding month between Halloween and Christmas when very little happened but not for us. Autumn was at its best, before the rain or snow fell, the skies were bright blue and the leaves were still orange and totally kickable. The promise of Xmas was more exciting in November as it was tantalising close but no one was stressed out yet.</div>
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<div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiQuOWY7gIt6TwR0QKU7ihh9u9K5ooH20arwwX8nTHAQL_S_6T3LsztWdJvD8U6mrO4BuKGDFujeS8jQ4J6hRhMCV4QVCaCW6Rant_zHl3xTtcnJAqE4a1uPpGJpwGEjb7R0hQOjAVeb0/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++17-11-2018+14-36-13.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiQuOWY7gIt6TwR0QKU7ihh9u9K5ooH20arwwX8nTHAQL_S_6T3LsztWdJvD8U6mrO4BuKGDFujeS8jQ4J6hRhMCV4QVCaCW6Rant_zHl3xTtcnJAqE4a1uPpGJpwGEjb7R0hQOjAVeb0/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D3100b++17-11-2018+14-36-13.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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#D. H. Lawrence</div>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-18479460980111227812019-02-23T13:03:00.001-08:002019-02-23T14:43:08.107-08:00The month of November makes me feel<div align="center">
<b><i>“The month of November makes me feel that life is passing more quickly. In an effort to slow it down, I try to fill the hours more meaningfully.”</i></b></div>
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<b><i>~Henry Rollins~</i></b></div><p>
My colleagues and I attended a brief introduction to an Information security, records management and data protection workshop during our lunch break. I found it ridiculous that such an important issue was slotted for only an hour and not made compulsory for all staff to attend. I wished that they had given us links to the websites to be read first before we attended. This was because they showed us the links, gave a very brief introduction and asked us if there were any questions????? when we weren’t given any chance to read. Most of us highlighted that in the feedback form.</p><p><br>
On the weekend, it was my annual trip to London to catch up with a bit of urban busyness, culture and off course friends. HI, SP and I had been planning this trip since June (?) but we just couldn’t confirmed the date where we could make it. It was a huge relief when we finally agreed on this date. We had an early start from Coventry with a huge mug of hot tea and cookies for HI and hot chocolate for me. We were so busy yakking that we didn’t realise that we’d arrived in London. SP was already there and after the obligatory hugging, we started our adventure.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;">We walked past the British Museum where a large crowd was gathering for the demo and rally for public libraries. As the crisis in our public library service deepened and central Government slashed local council budgets, UNISON called a National Demonstration in support of Libraries, Museums and Culture. Several hundred people, from library workers to users, readers to writers, from young to old, had gathered and they marched to Parliament Square, to protest against the crippling underfunding of the country’s arts and culture. Since 2010, more than 500 public libraries have been closed across England, Scotland and Wales and, despite the Chancellor’s claimed that austerity had ended, they continued to be hit by crippling budget cuts. I would love to join them but unfortunately, we’d other plans. We wished them all the best.</div><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGYtROPzMjOldbylGbjgog3wm2IAOxEPlZTTtbEtUbPxpLaXJ4oEz8k8ArH9cgSxs__bhOh23qR191QtIlbai1yW73xuxj0nuK2SEC2soVswroAK0NCivWmOgIouEsNk16oOaiFSYlRgY/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+12-30-33.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGYtROPzMjOldbylGbjgog3wm2IAOxEPlZTTtbEtUbPxpLaXJ4oEz8k8ArH9cgSxs__bhOh23qR191QtIlbai1yW73xuxj0nuK2SEC2soVswroAK0NCivWmOgIouEsNk16oOaiFSYlRgY/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+12-30-33.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
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<b><i>“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”<br>~Walter Cronkite~</i></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;">We continued our adventure and took the bus to Oxford Circus. From here, we’d a leisurely stroll along the pedestrianised Regent Street which was closed for traffic for the annual Regent Street Motor show. Rather excitingly, the theme of this year’s showcase was centred on America’s high profile Route 66. Route 66 began in Illinois and the Motor Show was paying homage to one of the world’s best-loved roads. Elements of Route 66 – such as the globally recognised signs and vintage cars – could be spotted along the Regent Street’s curve. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENpD-T4CiNcwSAHwHs1lhI7c-xhnn2bYVLeBp3sf1ZGXEUfn3EmB3uzPKpEJEY838QInspfIOc67txEcCDpqt4SmbW1lyz2bE0ZPuBXuwGRPTneGyigGBcgQ96HpREdjqLjusGYleQgp-/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-30-58.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENpD-T4CiNcwSAHwHs1lhI7c-xhnn2bYVLeBp3sf1ZGXEUfn3EmB3uzPKpEJEY838QInspfIOc67txEcCDpqt4SmbW1lyz2bE0ZPuBXuwGRPTneGyigGBcgQ96HpREdjqLjusGYleQgp-/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-30-58.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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<b><i>“Highway 1 could be today’s Route 66 with a view”</i></b></div>
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<b><i>~Diana Hollingsworth-Gessler~</i></b></div><div align="center"><strong><em><br></em></strong></div><div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uAyeNkpRES2X7dnosm8IOduv-tgHKNl_Z1lTvrZV-N0Ct4tVej5C_mzu7db3ptXzj37kiDov-NuClePATcSxapr9M6OtDfvx60PX_bf8SXDQHGjTEPiTBzKYh2GKD_NlBUz4NBASo3nQ/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-34-08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uAyeNkpRES2X7dnosm8IOduv-tgHKNl_Z1lTvrZV-N0Ct4tVej5C_mzu7db3ptXzj37kiDov-NuClePATcSxapr9M6OtDfvx60PX_bf8SXDQHGjTEPiTBzKYh2GKD_NlBUz4NBASo3nQ/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-34-08.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div><div align="center"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQwbbtZKkqS3CeK-RPHPR4cHYWu0XBdiYAOq7cnvO-xmhHMZl2RFlwwYY0wNp0j-WtZEM_a0RlvrOLvdGZdfK6Zi9me5V4hlLmvnmfj6RSCbp_06qgLoT4ytrJovGMkalTJKKJn62xyJP/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-36-15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQwbbtZKkqS3CeK-RPHPR4cHYWu0XBdiYAOq7cnvO-xmhHMZl2RFlwwYY0wNp0j-WtZEM_a0RlvrOLvdGZdfK6Zi9me5V4hlLmvnmfj6RSCbp_06qgLoT4ytrJovGMkalTJKKJn62xyJP/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-36-15.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div>
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There was 125 years of motoring prowess with a fantastic display of vintage, veteran, classic and modern cars. Among the displays was more than 100 horseless carriages from the turn of the 20th century which took part in the annual Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance. They were very popular with the spectators especially when the drivers and passengers were in period dress. All my photographs were photo-bombed. There was interactive displays, hourly performances of automotive-themed songs from the West End Kids and a chance to try the Top Gear Experience. When compared to Coventry MotorFest, I think Coventry was thousand times better.</div><div align="left"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQgkDhSa7gn49xyhBYIe5_VRnCMrk8OhGbL7pRFmPKOXE8YFup-Pd0hqyObryRYTP7WTX2k5JSPx_5MnLhBbgynSHcj-yXnDGav0f1ONUwGXS_X8j9gd0rbKDlC-d-8pbPni5Y91-9yZJ/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-40-19.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQgkDhSa7gn49xyhBYIe5_VRnCMrk8OhGbL7pRFmPKOXE8YFup-Pd0hqyObryRYTP7WTX2k5JSPx_5MnLhBbgynSHcj-yXnDGav0f1ONUwGXS_X8j9gd0rbKDlC-d-8pbPni5Y91-9yZJ/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-40-19.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br></div>
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;">An hour later, we arrived at SP’s library and we were given our own personal library tour. The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), was founded in 1820, for the encouragement and promotion of the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. From its earliest days the Society had started to accumulate books, manuscripts, instruments and other memorabilia, and these formed the basis of the Library and Archives, which were maintained today. The current Library collection included about 35,000 bound items, including about 14,000 open-shelf books published after 1850, about 3,500 before that date, and the remainder bound journals, together with a large collection of unbound pamphlets. Entering the 21st century the Society continued to carry out its three main functions of maintaining a Library, organizing scientific meetings, and publishing journals, and other functions in pursuit of its goals of the encouragement and promotion of astronomy and geophysics.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCQIJhDtYKmt0_5cZzJoF4Op_sV9c8yWGDgetztEPH0k_Xfzo70vxXN4dTi6sULgb-XauDPHyX9bFRRg_Ehv0NTA3eNqHgZvvh25i5lliiYuCkOI66G0aCFb1Nvty_26EyGOas3FoJOYg/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-48-16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCQIJhDtYKmt0_5cZzJoF4Op_sV9c8yWGDgetztEPH0k_Xfzo70vxXN4dTi6sULgb-XauDPHyX9bFRRg_Ehv0NTA3eNqHgZvvh25i5lliiYuCkOI66G0aCFb1Nvty_26EyGOas3FoJOYg/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-48-16.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><br>
We later freshened up and got ready to check out ‘Oceania’ an exhibition that explored the art past and present of the Pacific Islands at the Royal Academy which was just next door. We were so grateful that SP managed to get a pair of complimentary tickets for us. The exhibition marked 250 years since the British explorer Captain James Cook first journeyed to the region and it coincided with the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy. Oceania was the first ever major survey of Oceanic art held in the UK. <br>
The Royal Academy’s exhibition <i>Oceania</i> presented the region’s distinctive landscape as a vital and deeply interconnected highway that linked Pacific peoples together in a network of dynamic exchange and encounter. It included an astonishing array of some 200 artworks, ranging from 14th-century carving to 21st-century painting. The show was structured around three key themes that guided the visitor and reinforced the close conceptual underpinnings that connected what appeared to be radically distinct art traditions. “Voyaging” evoked the extraordinary story of navigation across this vast landscape, presenting the arts associated with ocean travel: decorated paddles and immaculately executed fishhooks were accorded ritual, as well as practical, purpose; exquisitely carved canoe sterns and highly embellished prow figures from the Solomon Islands were inlaid with sections of shell designed to catch the light.<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNYRNE3E_PF0cIm0Mt7Mdofk4rh5BQ8WlHMqJS5rXEPQIZc79F-YwnVCuiHcIUDTTWr_dhkk3eAMd16J8BwAtdPkhQOizJwdH9OaGaPw2tWKJ6KuqiyK7XdROM2bIIMlW4xcL_UFcZT9P/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-57-10.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNYRNE3E_PF0cIm0Mt7Mdofk4rh5BQ8WlHMqJS5rXEPQIZc79F-YwnVCuiHcIUDTTWr_dhkk3eAMd16J8BwAtdPkhQOizJwdH9OaGaPw2tWKJ6KuqiyK7XdROM2bIIMlW4xcL_UFcZT9P/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-57-10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNYRNE3E_PF0cIm0Mt7Mdofk4rh5BQ8WlHMqJS5rXEPQIZc79F-YwnVCuiHcIUDTTWr_dhkk3eAMd16J8BwAtdPkhQOizJwdH9OaGaPw2tWKJ6KuqiyK7XdROM2bIIMlW4xcL_UFcZT9P/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-57-10.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
A second theme – “Making Place” – explored the extraordinarily innovative ways in which Islanders created and inhabited homelands in these vastly distinctive geographies, establishing dwellings on sacred sites where they might interact with their gods in the strip of existence afforded them between ocean and sky. The artworks in this section told a multitude of stories relating to origins, ancestral power, performance, secrecy and initiation. They included some of the great masterpieces of Oceanic art, such as carved and elaborately painted façades of ceremonial houses, crocodile reliquaries from the Sepik region of New Guinea and spectacular turtle shell masks from the Torres Strait Islands. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0N7-FPF5E_maOqpHaVRwz55Lh35-Jkq2NhiRTF5u4QLuQayWCGxhA7zkwhwbQNSUjkkGnQHJ-3a30G1KUMJ8kmneFwvdyLsun_GV-EetXtO2Hl4Rfy3Lk_4Si-Icpf4cY0P0IKWgPxSe/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-57-37.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0N7-FPF5E_maOqpHaVRwz55Lh35-Jkq2NhiRTF5u4QLuQayWCGxhA7zkwhwbQNSUjkkGnQHJ-3a30G1KUMJ8kmneFwvdyLsun_GV-EetXtO2Hl4Rfy3Lk_4Si-Icpf4cY0P0IKWgPxSe/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-57-37.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
The final theme – “Encounter” – explored a range of defining moments grounded in early indigenous encounters that consumed rival clans in inter-island warfare and localised raids that sought to settle disputes and restore cosmological balance. The Enlightenment era of scientific exploration, which began in earnest with Captain Cook’s first voyage to the Pacific region in 1768– the year in which the Royal Academy of Arts was founded by Royal Charter – launched a dramatic new epoch of encounter between the Oceanic cultures now long-established in the region and the emerging European nations whose tall-masted ships now ventured into the maritime theatre of the Pacific. This colonial encounter was seismic in scale, and its reeling effects are still being processed by indigenous peoples today – it kick-started an era marked as much by misunderstanding, violence and tragedy as by the sharing and mutual curiosity of “discovery”. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40CrB7t_c8l-7nIzIN5E-klUfBsiLJ8x6H3kPHhc3zAG90ZWL2HdOt1DqO_qp40yTqX0VDwnSFfgmT-i0RaORFTDiYH8LqGPlAUJgFS2LCyi9seOMjNr1nqm28sGIEqDh3fkeK3tPrNpE/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-06-45.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40CrB7t_c8l-7nIzIN5E-klUfBsiLJ8x6H3kPHhc3zAG90ZWL2HdOt1DqO_qp40yTqX0VDwnSFfgmT-i0RaORFTDiYH8LqGPlAUJgFS2LCyi9seOMjNr1nqm28sGIEqDh3fkeK3tPrNpE/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-06-45.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
Pacific artworks remained a vital cultural resource for both sides of this extraordinary and entangled era of encounter. Expansive in its vision, <i>Oceania</i> gave visitors a strong sense of the range of values that have been imposed over time upon these singularly impressive objects. Those brought back to England by early explorers such as Cook lined the shelves of 18th-century cabinets, as specimens of intellectual curiosity. Other works on view became salvaged trophies that gauged the successes of English evangelicals from the London Missionary Society, who were active in the region from 1797 onwards.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-40h5HSsz5Pecv-epSbXiph2MGwX59CErlu3iMIoFRQ2J3a-vN_HJXKzpfcIIhakr7aCA_Qfcn4I1er8mM7V9Fa3IC1rJczEiLjICtAppAu5n9BH2j5_51kfq1peqBFzJVRySMOOxXdb/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-10-12.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-40h5HSsz5Pecv-epSbXiph2MGwX59CErlu3iMIoFRQ2J3a-vN_HJXKzpfcIIhakr7aCA_Qfcn4I1er8mM7V9Fa3IC1rJczEiLjICtAppAu5n9BH2j5_51kfq1peqBFzJVRySMOOxXdb/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-10-12.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
Customary traditions and protocol remained alive in the Pacific region. Many of the major loans for <i>Oceania</i> were accompanied by tribal elders who had been overseeing appropriate cultural protocols for these ancestral treasures when they were installed. These treasured heirlooms were not valued simply because they survive from an earlier era; they were understood as vectors of spiritual power, or <i>mana</i>. As remnants of the past, they bore the traces of the ancestral hands that fashioned them. Yet they were understood as not just made by ancestors – they were ancestors. Ritual protocols included the rhythmic and steady recitation of chants by elders skilled in the arts of oratory, and served to animate and activate ongoing relationships between the living and the dead, with those who have gone before but who were recognised as continuously present in the cultural heirlooms and artworks on display. Pacific artworks was understood as having agency; bridging the past with the present, they actively engaged the community with its past, channelling and invigorating ancestral relations at appropriate times. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOptS_RbNI3Wh6DYt97T3Eco60j-AcTFHbAoJfyheUf4HZy_Y9idx3WAtVHgA5yLABG18VsiIfvlKkANz4VjJq415TPzsF2t4STu7uL21Vjr0rO6eu2qJFftIYQDBmV9SmLAoEZKebzS/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-11-02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOptS_RbNI3Wh6DYt97T3Eco60j-AcTFHbAoJfyheUf4HZy_Y9idx3WAtVHgA5yLABG18VsiIfvlKkANz4VjJq415TPzsF2t4STu7uL21Vjr0rO6eu2qJFftIYQDBmV9SmLAoEZKebzS/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-11-02.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
It was a huge exhibition and there was so much to absorb. It was also the first exhibition I attended that photography was encouraged. Unfortunately due to poor lighting and the large number of people, I wasn’t able to take as many photographs as I liked. This was especially so when you needed to be quite a distance away from the objects and there were people photobombing. Another thing which I found lacking was was that was no one around to answer any questions. You have to rely on the notes that accompanied each object. All in all it was a wonderful experience.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYKFvSVHpvqUj5AktL38mGJ9V60cxuqLBeRs6NLmbXa_4gjs_a9CSISmZ8zsX9YO6nbE31fsYsY4EsdDXXekCr_gliKp-5sbJtbdC6I6WTe-usgLOdlqqI2oID3mxDphvX8FE0ccoD2WD/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-47-16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYKFvSVHpvqUj5AktL38mGJ9V60cxuqLBeRs6NLmbXa_4gjs_a9CSISmZ8zsX9YO6nbE31fsYsY4EsdDXXekCr_gliKp-5sbJtbdC6I6WTe-usgLOdlqqI2oID3mxDphvX8FE0ccoD2WD/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-47-16.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1TEgfSAdCHaZL3MOOSr_HPE0iVolwLXOtfYZxxb5GUQ1IEPJkq3sZP5V7UHZExhZNx7UTqE-vhf-UEafOT7o84XwBjaBlR7rS9c4wYgmSWuZGFAcqPOuKutn6_Y4Nb1sOgrc7RwFl8Gw/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-55-49.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1TEgfSAdCHaZL3MOOSr_HPE0iVolwLXOtfYZxxb5GUQ1IEPJkq3sZP5V7UHZExhZNx7UTqE-vhf-UEafOT7o84XwBjaBlR7rS9c4wYgmSWuZGFAcqPOuKutn6_Y4Nb1sOgrc7RwFl8Gw/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+15-55-49.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
After about 2 hours, our tummies were rumbling and it was time for a late lunch. As we walked out of the neoclassic building into the Annenberg Courtyard, we were greeted by an eerie surprise. Cornelia Parker’s Psycho Barn was inspired by the quaint, yet deeply unsettling homestead from Alfred’s Hitchcock classic Psycho and Edward Hopper’s 1925 painting, House by the Railroad. The 30-foot tall installation wasn’t a real house. It was a scaled-down facade, made from repurposed strips of wood from an American Red Barn. According to the artist, it confronted the polarities of good and evil. The installation first appeared on top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC in 2016. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZOQwgi4J_ZWHzIP8N-xGE3YJIM_TzHESdO0eOS8GH8EV-3jXRPojEyD0d2qLFNsngyzjx8Tng1fXD_D7Qgnrfel6L274vy6qp5pHkucvx2HdgRiU3pShA3KDOit2maFWQtvKAfIH9Sz3/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-46-22.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZOQwgi4J_ZWHzIP8N-xGE3YJIM_TzHESdO0eOS8GH8EV-3jXRPojEyD0d2qLFNsngyzjx8Tng1fXD_D7Qgnrfel6L274vy6qp5pHkucvx2HdgRiU3pShA3KDOit2maFWQtvKAfIH9Sz3/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+16-46-22.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We found it surprisingly hard to find a place to eat which wasn’t a fast-food restaurant and within our pocket range. Some were either full and some had ran out of food. Finally, we found a quirky, hipster, vegan cafe tucked in a corner. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name and what I ate. I think it was a quesadilla washed down with a hot lemon grass tea. We didn’t stay long because we’d a train to catch. On the way to Euston, we walked past Liberty and we just had to stop and had a quick browse. The place was packed and beautifully decorated for Christmas. I bought a very expensive Xmas bauble as a momento to be added to our tree. Then it was a brisk walk to the station. We’d a lovely time in London with SP and made promises to do it again next year.<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWW7-3u6S9V_WNWVR-_e1fL8CDywsz_Xyr1EIe28yXYW2wJmu4mxnbfhfzQVhuAH_4Hpvzt3ShpMWmTg78ICEFz0OXXfjo6aDLG88hmPKAQ8hEeb623pv0ZB5cKrv0V7AUxAtb23eiiTx/s1600/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-13-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWW7-3u6S9V_WNWVR-_e1fL8CDywsz_Xyr1EIe28yXYW2wJmu4mxnbfhfzQVhuAH_4Hpvzt3ShpMWmTg78ICEFz0OXXfjo6aDLG88hmPKAQ8hEeb623pv0ZB5cKrv0V7AUxAtb23eiiTx/s640/London+D3100a++03-11-2018+13-13-17.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
When I was away in London, Babe was at our favourite playground where he photographed this handsome fox on Wigeon bank. The natives in the reserve used this bank as a highway to move from one end to another. As it walked across, it stopped to survey the ground. Foxes ate virtually everything, from rodents to amphibians, insects, earthworms, fruits, berries to leftovers scavenged from humans. They played an important role in our ecosystem, primarily through the control of rodent and rabbit population which could decimate our crops and plantations.<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOg8_Y0PabTGLTJGttAXOWscyEvImjsvxYygih8MToWr19oCpOin634DrNpdzYCGT7T3kaSqYqNM9TZW-4JXpFXANW9riuMpXII2O5uAV_2qkcYyUluClHBJCIZrlRLlsw2UxeKB6Kk9B/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+13-59-09.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOg8_Y0PabTGLTJGttAXOWscyEvImjsvxYygih8MToWr19oCpOin634DrNpdzYCGT7T3kaSqYqNM9TZW-4JXpFXANW9riuMpXII2O5uAV_2qkcYyUluClHBJCIZrlRLlsw2UxeKB6Kk9B/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+13-59-09.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="427" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOg8_Y0PabTGLTJGttAXOWscyEvImjsvxYygih8MToWr19oCpOin634DrNpdzYCGT7T3kaSqYqNM9TZW-4JXpFXANW9riuMpXII2O5uAV_2qkcYyUluClHBJCIZrlRLlsw2UxeKB6Kk9B/s640/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+13-59-09.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a> <br>
He was looking magnificent with his reddish-brown fur, a white chest and a bushy, white-tipped tail called a brush. Foxes were primarily crepuscular, meaning usually active at dusk and during the night, searching alone for food. We were very lucky to have foxes visiting our semi-rural garden. We also often put dog food out and the bones from our roast for them, if the neighbourhood cats don’t get them first. From time to time,during the cold winter nights, an eerie screeching sound echoed around us. A vixen was signalling to the males that she was ready to mate.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm1GZyozihIUIh2fgg53G4ws8GcpDfg2wg_hi73VuyvBXCKxlNLyHLm8EKH0eoFeaortKokQ4kFwlcww7mmVZUvmGH7l1IrFfnzZQsAUY96TwRCIs_Hcml8Z2I9vGVdXAqTRa6BFVZ7Pg/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+14-04-052.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="426" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm1GZyozihIUIh2fgg53G4ws8GcpDfg2wg_hi73VuyvBXCKxlNLyHLm8EKH0eoFeaortKokQ4kFwlcww7mmVZUvmGH7l1IrFfnzZQsAUY96TwRCIs_Hcml8Z2I9vGVdXAqTRa6BFVZ7Pg/s640/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+14-04-052.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1069"></a><br>
Babe had also photographed a Little Grebe swimming past the Baldwin hide. Also known as Dabchick, it was UK smallest grebe. It was now in its dull brown winter colour with a pale and fluffy rear. The lack of a tail made it buoyant and usually swam with the undertail feathers fluffed up. A great diver and readily dived when disturbed, surfacing unseen some distance away. Little Grebes were solitary feeders but formed small groups when foraging for food in the winter. Their diet was mainly small fishes, insects, crustaceans, frogs and shellfish. I was pleased to see them again as I’ve not seen them in the reserve for some time.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju5qmgBe2XnQriAy8THr-trr3tham2t_o0wp1ZWHNJA8rDlrXtzb3vsYyajGCBYQYWJXrk55NU9c3Ur-jwVFvuLBYSgm2ghTcCuV_lJ9cP8mnBRYCB5R5UDWU65NG-OOxRU6GKpZcIUeJ/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+16-17-53.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju5qmgBe2XnQriAy8THr-trr3tham2t_o0wp1ZWHNJA8rDlrXtzb3vsYyajGCBYQYWJXrk55NU9c3Ur-jwVFvuLBYSgm2ghTcCuV_lJ9cP8mnBRYCB5R5UDWU65NG-OOxRU6GKpZcIUeJ/s640/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+BB+C13++02-11-2018+16-17-53.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We made our first trip to Donna Nook this year. We’d been diligently checking the weather forecasts, the seal count board and the RAF planes scheduled for their target practice. It was a 3 hour drive and we wanted to make maximum use of it. The first pup was born on 22nd October and from the Twitter feed, more had been born and more people had been visiting them. I took Friday off to avoid the weekend congestion at the site. We left early at 7 am so that we could get a parking space at the Stonebridge car-park. It was 8.4C and the sun was slowly rising. We saw skeins of Canada geese flying over us at Newark. We hit the 8.30am rush hour traffic at Lincoln and drove past Lincoln Cathedral shrouded in the haze. We stopped at Wragby for a comfort break and had coffee to warm up because it was freezing.</p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxENCU8ROBMcGfhJfN2veLlZU3wQeTedzg2HGGNA9yYXD_Cd72M9iSJvKoLsQIxoSHDMdKj22OJS4VdKTAzpu_3Or3VlvEVrOXSZ5_W1BQmeQzoKbQIONg1WAgACkKYrD5c9C44iBzx-ma/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-03-59.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxENCU8ROBMcGfhJfN2veLlZU3wQeTedzg2HGGNA9yYXD_Cd72M9iSJvKoLsQIxoSHDMdKj22OJS4VdKTAzpu_3Or3VlvEVrOXSZ5_W1BQmeQzoKbQIONg1WAgACkKYrD5c9C44iBzx-ma/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-03-59.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We arrived at the car-park at 9.45am and it was nearly full!!! After parking and wrapping up very warm, we finally waddled our way to the viewing point. It was freezing and the high winds didn’t helped either. Babe was very lucky to have spotted and photographed this cute Gold Crest flitting among the foliage, foraging for food when we walked past the bramble bushes. It was UK’s smallest bird, and was characterised by its yellow-orange crest. It was hunting for tiny morsels like spiders, moth eggs and other smaller insects.<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkUVxDI6POmGLRNXrAFrmTPQU1U0biNkjaKFQ57Wb_buKsyTPXRSwnDWRGe1M8CWsaJ_ybDO88xXsUM08S9wQWiuNdV3SSn3MZUXCuFkK0IPsIzh4nlmYc13hOvKFLPDMfbYlhMzd4ule/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+10-50-048.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkUVxDI6POmGLRNXrAFrmTPQU1U0biNkjaKFQ57Wb_buKsyTPXRSwnDWRGe1M8CWsaJ_ybDO88xXsUM08S9wQWiuNdV3SSn3MZUXCuFkK0IPsIzh4nlmYc13hOvKFLPDMfbYlhMzd4ule/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+10-50-048.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkUVxDI6POmGLRNXrAFrmTPQU1U0biNkjaKFQ57Wb_buKsyTPXRSwnDWRGe1M8CWsaJ_ybDO88xXsUM08S9wQWiuNdV3SSn3MZUXCuFkK0IPsIzh4nlmYc13hOvKFLPDMfbYlhMzd4ule/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+10-50-048.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1073"></a><br>
As we trekked along the chestnut-paling fence that ran the entire length of the viewing area, pups of different stages of growth with their protective mothers were scattered along the beach, among the sand-dunes and reed-beds. Their whimpering cries were echoing around us. We checked out the board and there were 415 pups born so far, along with 652 cows and 284 bulls. It was still early in the season and the number changes every day with new cows and pups arriving.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL6pu1vQ6hDaks88VsdSK_Mi5LoB428HDysi9XoGL_1Ew5AFAuG-Sc3T7uB9PDVf3ooDw4SsEzUQhyphenhyphenI41BYbm6qwRAtM0_WJaj6TfC812ACCFgJLphiH23V8Ccab2Q5VM7ZWkk-ZWeDWk/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-22-25.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL6pu1vQ6hDaks88VsdSK_Mi5LoB428HDysi9XoGL_1Ew5AFAuG-Sc3T7uB9PDVf3ooDw4SsEzUQhyphenhyphenI41BYbm6qwRAtM0_WJaj6TfC812ACCFgJLphiH23V8Ccab2Q5VM7ZWkk-ZWeDWk/s640/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-22-25.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
There were plenty of heart warming scenes where mothers were nursing their pups. Females were the sole providers of care for their pups while the males provided no parental care. It was lovely watching the intimate interactions between them. A bond was formed between mother and pup at birth, and she could recognised her pup from its call and smell. Pups with their mournful cries were often heard calling to their mothers. Mothers were encouraging the pups to feed by scratching their faces. Pups suckled for 3 weeks during which their weight tripled and gradually lost their pale coat. In the meantime, the mothers lost half of their body fat during lactation as they weren’t feeding.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKujGn9twTXmavHqUvgR8Xg0L1t97bEx5GChilysiS2iQIxNXvBlbVyjtCXWHXD0ynadPPozs1TjZzN6U4Z_XiX7FLRO39tNavEnPfRZ8OZP9IrCFCmkEVQRCP7yCxYWQIECnkWpW-9q0/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-26-024.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKujGn9twTXmavHqUvgR8Xg0L1t97bEx5GChilysiS2iQIxNXvBlbVyjtCXWHXD0ynadPPozs1TjZzN6U4Z_XiX7FLRO39tNavEnPfRZ8OZP9IrCFCmkEVQRCP7yCxYWQIECnkWpW-9q0/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-26-024.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
Each pup we encountered was cuter than the one before, looking at us with their glossy black eyes like coal, lolling on the tussocky sand. Appearing in shining white colour when born, called languno, kept them warm until they developed an insulating layer of blubber from their mother’s milk. They kept this distinct white coat for two weeks + when the fur darkened and began to shed as they matured. After 16+ days, at the weaning stage, the pups lost their white coat and had the unique grey/dark grey pelage and patterning that remained the same through adulthood. These adorable pups were very close to the fence, checking out the visitors who were busy checking them out, under the watchful eyes of their possessive mothers. If anyone got too close, the warning hisses, growls and waving flippers were issued.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO12Q5JCemqvEfCAbgoctnC94DoAkPw0h8CaNu1gS1OIW_8rLw5L4fs-aouLy8-WQXkWY9xhlz-VrNPD_sFk5Tpac1JKkwsNdNM9OhtPK3WLWA6uuLbvN7EUfGSWCLpXgZKnbFq8EQ-SPL/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-25-33.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO12Q5JCemqvEfCAbgoctnC94DoAkPw0h8CaNu1gS1OIW_8rLw5L4fs-aouLy8-WQXkWY9xhlz-VrNPD_sFk5Tpac1JKkwsNdNM9OhtPK3WLWA6uuLbvN7EUfGSWCLpXgZKnbFq8EQ-SPL/s640/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-25-33.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We had missed out on the bulls fighting as most of the territories had been staked out by now. The males tended to be darker than females and had the noticeably arched ‘Roman‘ nose and thickset shoulders, wrinkled appearances and very dark, finely mottled coats. When the females were ready, their uterus developed a fluid-filled sack containing an egg and hormonal changes made her receptive to the advances made by the males. Grey seals were ‘capital breeders’. This was a term which meant that not only do they spent a short time with their offspring before weaning, but also that during their stay on the colony, both males and females fasted, obtaining all their energetic requirements from the metabolism of fat reserves or blubber. Their fast could be more than 20 days for females and over 50 days for males. </p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K5mccMvQnfPgLXCBf6dc-IiEjxO6SBgSKX4KXork9pqLpAfuBWvIZSmURkcq0NntDJV4z6wfHOIc-2xk1NHXKP06-QIkevswGQLEX-yjSx6TEAkFqAYSMj7n56Jm61XZS7AjdGxyMkq0/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-21-014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K5mccMvQnfPgLXCBf6dc-IiEjxO6SBgSKX4KXork9pqLpAfuBWvIZSmURkcq0NntDJV4z6wfHOIc-2xk1NHXKP06-QIkevswGQLEX-yjSx6TEAkFqAYSMj7n56Jm61XZS7AjdGxyMkq0/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-21-014.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
From time to time, skeins of Pink-footed geese flew overhead in their characteristic V-formation. As they flew in and out of the mud-flats, we could hear their loud, honking calls.These geese were winter visitors to the UK, feeding on the nearby farmland, selecting stubbles, managed grasslands, cereals and root crops. They then flew back to the sheltered coastal bays to roost. They flew here from Greenland and Iceland in October to spend the winter, and returning back in April for their breeding season.<p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_-ZGfYNLSsVp-3zGmnjRGY-RnqP5nTTtZC9UC0OFC2ugnpOSpGTaO4sXDHcGYHVTUFYR7JxiHQbR0JJoK_A7UxZcaWKmg1djTJhw04uaV17aYYeC2omzxN9W0K0v9w1UIvHMvEH2wpeZ/s1600/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-26-50.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_-ZGfYNLSsVp-3zGmnjRGY-RnqP5nTTtZC9UC0OFC2ugnpOSpGTaO4sXDHcGYHVTUFYR7JxiHQbR0JJoK_A7UxZcaWKmg1djTJhw04uaV17aYYeC2omzxN9W0K0v9w1UIvHMvEH2wpeZ/s640/Donna+Nook+D3100b++09-11-2018+11-26-50.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a></p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yl2b5ZBTiDtOAA8t_Ta1V_qMuolTG9GCM7rzgVX73oPVmh70AWPomOW58jEuyF2yTg8MrAHtUHfZCb9UMmpvG-aAqGi7-kqOzAIosgonS5FfLK1prF_lNu6TojfBsHGfBQYLflZNfyKD/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-21-070.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yl2b5ZBTiDtOAA8t_Ta1V_qMuolTG9GCM7rzgVX73oPVmh70AWPomOW58jEuyF2yTg8MrAHtUHfZCb9UMmpvG-aAqGi7-kqOzAIosgonS5FfLK1prF_lNu6TojfBsHGfBQYLflZNfyKD/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+11-21-070.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a><br>
The radio scanner crackled and we could hear some loud rumblings high up in the sky. We scanned the sky above us but we couldn’t see any aircraft. Whatever military craft was flying was doing its practice run in the sea. The wildlife were unfazed by the planes. They were used to it as Donna Nook was an active military range since WWW1 and was established as a protection point from Zeppelins trying to enter the Humber area. The seals didn’t bat an eyelid. The waders and wildfowls were much more aware of raptors such as Merlins, Marsh Harriers and Kestrels flushing them up into the air. Large charm of colourful Goldfinches were busy feeding on the teasels and orange sea buckthorn on the dunes. <p><br>
Then it was a slow walk back to the car. We stopped and took hundreds more photographs which was a challenge because more people were pouring in. I couldn’t imagine the numbers on the weekend when the narrow lanes, car park and viewing area became very congested. As we walked past the bushes, we spotted this Red Admiral enjoying the late autumn sunshine. We’d a picnic in the car before heading home. When we drove past the farmer’s land which was used as a car-park, the parking charge had risen to £4!!!. What. That will be a nightmare for the Trust as visitors would start parking on the very narrow lanes, blocking exits and entrances. </p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLycxse3stTAnXLT2tQbLxNBQX1JI5xqvVz1NbRSOR8-2hjDu4ZqWIFg5vFaZTGzgVr3LMCWaXq9nbCrSPr8-AppMRbQpP8fc8G2gign0byYLh9akVE_aK5NqITZ78yys9eHQ6xa_6PQM/s1600/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+12-38-54.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLycxse3stTAnXLT2tQbLxNBQX1JI5xqvVz1NbRSOR8-2hjDu4ZqWIFg5vFaZTGzgVr3LMCWaXq9nbCrSPr8-AppMRbQpP8fc8G2gign0byYLh9akVE_aK5NqITZ78yys9eHQ6xa_6PQM/s640/Donna+Nook+D7200+C13++09-11-2018+12-38-54.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
The next day, we stretched our legs with a visit to Slimbridge WWT. We must be loco after yesterday’s long distance drive. We left the casa at 9 am and the mercury was at 8.5C. It was bright and sunny, a lovely day to be out and about. We headed straight to Rushy Hide where hundreds of Northern Pintails greeted us. The Pintail was nicknamed “the Greyhound of the Air” due to their swift & elegant appearance in flight. Male ducks, known as drakes, were due to their long tapering tails, which have central feathers. Drakes had beautiful breeding plumage, with chocolate brown heads and white stripes draping each side of their neck extending into a white patch on their breast. Their backs and sides were grey, with black stripes on their wings and shoulders. Their bills and legs were bluish grey in colour. Females had a brownish colour and a uniformly grey head, and their tail feathers were significantly shorter.<a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6o9BAIeaa_juDY-yj6gbW2JmEMPwaDWLnzU35dkY6iUzb0Y6aBtRUvFk4KByWjgCBl1oKzh3i-W3wpkVL8tQtLGfVf5aWMGdufu8BH-LG5f_-sPCcg_XiII7HfFgKIRzJxsFrVis7-t7/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-55-12.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6o9BAIeaa_juDY-yj6gbW2JmEMPwaDWLnzU35dkY6iUzb0Y6aBtRUvFk4KByWjgCBl1oKzh3i-W3wpkVL8tQtLGfVf5aWMGdufu8BH-LG5f_-sPCcg_XiII7HfFgKIRzJxsFrVis7-t7/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-55-12.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><p>It was unthinkable that Pintails were a 'quarry' species, meaning that they could be legally shot in winter. They were not very vocal most of the time, but when they were the females vocalization was a hoarse “quack”, while the males was a whistle-like “kwee” sound. They were usually among the first birds to begin migrating in the fall and spring. Northern Pintails were enduring fliers and were known to make trans-Atlantic flights, as birds tagged on the east coast of North America had been found days later in Europe. They were dabbling ducks, primarily feeding on grasses, aquatic plants, and plant seeds, and also eat invertebrates, crustaceans, insects, frogs, and small fish.. The long neck allowed it to dabble for food that may be up to 1 foot under water, which is beyond the range of several other dabbling ducks, like the Mallards and the Pochards.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgv9lM_IS3YP34LbG8WWCio1hhij_0iH9GLkdQ9P74af-J_9mgKKGuvRCZ0zMfExJsZJ75wybwWDgzV-IiRBwuphrQUQ0wPk2s81Cyhr1CmG5Oz4SHR0F2xIG2ZAch39ZlqU4iV8FEta9/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-55-40.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgv9lM_IS3YP34LbG8WWCio1hhij_0iH9GLkdQ9P74af-J_9mgKKGuvRCZ0zMfExJsZJ75wybwWDgzV-IiRBwuphrQUQ0wPk2s81Cyhr1CmG5Oz4SHR0F2xIG2ZAch39ZlqU4iV8FEta9/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-55-40.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
I was so pleased to see about half a dozen Pochards foraging nearby. We’d not seen them for ages. Most of the birds in the UK came from northern and eastern Europe for the winter, with just a few pairs staying to nest. The males were very distinctive with bright reddish-brown head, a black breast and tail and a pale grey body. Females were more easily confused with other species; they were brown with a greyish body and pale cheeks.Females gave hoarse growls. Males had whistles cut off by a final nasal note <i>aaoo-oo-haa</i>. They fed mainly by diving or dabbling for aquatic plants with molluscs, aquatic insects and small fishes. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdnaU1VGi6QrdCOvoRhSVrKVGBZzaqNfHu1Uwmhp9onwWwSTdIp_DZO9DWsaJgVQuBdpa3s66CuwVE5ugpOx4UOfckXK3VxZMcQ48kR2yxFSKm7jbXafkIrEV3REtgE7U2JS34wup_C2w/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-57-27.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdnaU1VGi6QrdCOvoRhSVrKVGBZzaqNfHu1Uwmhp9onwWwSTdIp_DZO9DWsaJgVQuBdpa3s66CuwVE5ugpOx4UOfckXK3VxZMcQ48kR2yxFSKm7jbXafkIrEV3REtgE7U2JS34wup_C2w/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-57-27.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a></p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGI_q7kGtFv5P1bFwt16XAK5gyzEZGGwUyzFYp0pJ6ADJ1kJg-tfgj2_3RMH9e6kSvHAZie8n2hfnNl5WQyKaVO0XFXRtc7kzREzqAKK9TV4D0svjZpJlb-Q5bCJ3_xbfuwgaRPg-xkNB/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-56-26.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGI_q7kGtFv5P1bFwt16XAK5gyzEZGGwUyzFYp0pJ6ADJ1kJg-tfgj2_3RMH9e6kSvHAZie8n2hfnNl5WQyKaVO0XFXRtc7kzREzqAKK9TV4D0svjZpJlb-Q5bCJ3_xbfuwgaRPg-xkNB/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+11-56-26.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We then checked the rest of the hides but there was nothing much about on the tack field except for the usual Lapwings, Pintails, Canada Geese, Teals and Tufted ducks. The tide must be out and most of the natives were feeding on the mudflats. We checked Willow Hide and wasn’t disappointed when the usually secretive and shy Water rail turned up. At first, it was extremely hard to see, preferring to stay hidden in thick vegetation. It foraged for food by wading through shallows in and among tall reeds, occasionally appearing at the edge. The long, red bill probed the soft ground or shallow water for insects and seeds from the bird-feeder. Suddenly, it disappeared once more into the sanctuary of the reed-bed, showing off the white flash beneath the cocked tail, before the bird disappeared once more into the sanctuary of the reed-bed.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J-sRk-Vm-ywlQt59PTgqsLXV3TvhPW70ZDsnKheRvmMmfqAkMWZqQ0XrgaH2fO0PI5b-n1fORxjxjKY1QzLHKPjxY4-Jz3ZHgeFMv175ACnFoCEDeiWeo0CvpOQwn6_3tCMQ7fO5QpZ3/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+12-13-048.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J-sRk-Vm-ywlQt59PTgqsLXV3TvhPW70ZDsnKheRvmMmfqAkMWZqQ0XrgaH2fO0PI5b-n1fORxjxjKY1QzLHKPjxY4-Jz3ZHgeFMv175ACnFoCEDeiWeo0CvpOQwn6_3tCMQ7fO5QpZ3/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D7200+C13++10-11-2018+12-13-048.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
We headed back to Rushy Hide to see if anything turned up. The Pintails, Shelducks, Pochards, Teals and Gulls were having a siesta. A Redhank was busy foraging along the water’s sedge, hunting for insects, earthworms, molluscs and crustaceans by probing its bill into the soil and mud. As its name suggested, Redshanks' most distinctive features were their bright orange-red legs. They had a medium-length bill with an orange base to match, brown speckled back and wings and paler belly. Large numbers of Redshank fly here from Iceland to spend the winter around our coasts.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4nRx2mXT4HKrw498lkpV97dGKov2S6QWj2icz0nw8r66Qc01HYqUMDvztaOMKqUQSBiNWjHEZ6r5kyK9LJJT7iTSlRLvKv5oueDhmq2AKaAp2VCSNqFKoudIDwLXRrbUsDL5FUvpG4PY/s1600/Slimbridge+WWT+D3100b++10-11-2018+14-46-51.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4nRx2mXT4HKrw498lkpV97dGKov2S6QWj2icz0nw8r66Qc01HYqUMDvztaOMKqUQSBiNWjHEZ6r5kyK9LJJT7iTSlRLvKv5oueDhmq2AKaAp2VCSNqFKoudIDwLXRrbUsDL5FUvpG4PY/s640/Slimbridge+WWT+D3100b++10-11-2018+14-46-51.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1071"></a><br>
After a picnic in the car-park, we made our way home. As soon as we drove across the Patch Bridge that crossed over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, we came across a very long, line of cars parked on both sides of the road. We crawled slowly and suddenly nearing the village, there was a massive gridlock. No one was moving. After about 20 minutes, we began to move very s-l-o-w-l-y. As we drove past the St John the Evangelist Church, I noticed "Ghostlike" sculptures in the churchyard. Since the traffic was stalled, I quickly ran out with my camera and snapped a sculpture standing silently, outside the village hall.</p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8qhoDbXT4MUVj_tdP70l7pPk3dX8iHgxy0poX7tibOSHj5Bd4lwn4-YU3Eeq3N44sgTpf3B5vyXzFts8HfQxt93MvY9SiHuIyFmhmvzozUIeFfYpLMZ242c3wT649YX65_LDk0SiHZ9_/s1600/Slimbridge+D3100b++10-11-2018+15-34-35.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="428" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8qhoDbXT4MUVj_tdP70l7pPk3dX8iHgxy0poX7tibOSHj5Bd4lwn4-YU3Eeq3N44sgTpf3B5vyXzFts8HfQxt93MvY9SiHuIyFmhmvzozUIeFfYpLMZ242c3wT649YX65_LDk0SiHZ9_/s640/Slimbridge+D3100b++10-11-2018+15-34-35.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1072"></a><br>
How I wished I’d seen these sculptures on the drive up but I guess, it hadn’t been installed yet. They were sculptures of life-size figures of 11 soldiers who died in World War One. Sculptor Jackie Lantelli had created them out of chicken wire, looking like ghosts and were positioned at the foot of graves of the fallen. The art installation had caught the public's imagination with its simple power, and people had flocked to the village church to see it. What a poignant tribute to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war for the Armistice Commemoration. There were 11 soldiers for the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th hour. </p><p><br>
We also attended Coventry Lord Mayor's Annual Peace Lecture given by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown at the 14th century St. Mary’s Guildhall. Located in the city's historic Cathedral Quarter, the magnificent medieval interiors and fine artworks offered a window into Coventry's glorious past, where we joined Mary, Queen of Scots, and Shakespeare on the long list of visitors to have passed through its doors. But we weren’t here to admire the surroundings. We were entertained by the Worldsong Choir as the audience took their seats. It was nearly 8 pm when the lecture started. Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,<b> </b>a renowned journalist and author and a well-known commentator on immigration, diversity, and multiculturalism issues. She gave a good lecture and also was marketing her latest book. We didn’t stay for coffee because it had been a long day for me. </p><p><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA_mYXFki0Yw1wP5B3eRDBYi5-TdhxJfNycyLf-WZSN47f83NT0UhrNQsAGp1DGJ8WhYFhZOX-Z8nWw2IMxwIUic-5FLs8Hjdj3wImPDfeFm0pcSfESBFWk3vIiDvYZGoEMCVsp8_yO4v/s1600/Coventry+S40++10-11-2018+22-11-39.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img width="640" height="480" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA_mYXFki0Yw1wP5B3eRDBYi5-TdhxJfNycyLf-WZSN47f83NT0UhrNQsAGp1DGJ8WhYFhZOX-Z8nWw2IMxwIUic-5FLs8Hjdj3wImPDfeFm0pcSfESBFWk3vIiDvYZGoEMCVsp8_yO4v/s640/Coventry+S40++10-11-2018+22-11-39.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1204"></a><br>
</p><div align="center">
<b><i>The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>~Gandhi~</i></b></div>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-3041455825917299552019-01-09T13:50:00.001-08:002019-01-09T13:50:48.360-08:00Those Last Warm Days in October<p>After a summer heatwave, the UK was hammered by torrential rainfall from Storms Ali and Bronagh. Next, the British Isles experienced a very warm and settled autumn, a phenomenon known as an Indian Summer. An Indian Summer was defined as a warm, calm spell of weather occurring after the first frost in Autumn, especially in October and November. A large area of high pressure had brought plenty of dry and fine weather with sizzling temperatures. What a sunny, warm welcome for the students to the start of the new academic year.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FAjaAw36yNI/XDZrXu1ZhbI/AAAAAAAA0hI/ElWVrBTMRo8UNvM2kYB6UmTkTfxI5dbawCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-20-20%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-20-20" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-20-20" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8LZiKVE6AiM/XDZrYckTn5I/AAAAAAAA0hM/o8tUGiJiLuAaC4tCcBhZWslYN_AHHLrUACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-20-20?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy the fine weather. I started October being off work for 3 days. I even had to re-schedule my flu jab appointment. I was furious with some of my colleagues who came to work spluttering, coughing and sneezing their heads off. Why oh why??? For the sake of their own health and everyone in the office, it was best if they called in sick and just stayed home. I followed my own advice and stayed at home armed with cough syrup, Paracetamol and vapour rub. I’d a Great Spotted Woodpecker drilling in my head. It was that bad. I spent the whole day in Babe’s reclining chair with the patio door open to let in some fresh air. Even the birds weren’t at the feeder cos they don’t want to catch anything from me<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NAQ2xnCGE4Y/XDZrZFwaM0I/AAAAAAAA0hQ/7aNT4DINxV8bbbQFYjmac3R54rpJQql2ACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q04OcMicquQ/XDZrZ3nK7BI/AAAAAAAA0hU/SlyQmWd9ipAlDq_fduo4BTLiobFMp7MQgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--02-10-2018-14-49-5%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Coventry D800 DX 02-10-2018 14-49-55" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D800 DX 02-10-2018 14-49-55" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-daXCRBt-SQQ/XDZraucS9PI/AAAAAAAA0hY/UnZllxgb45UGDkbpXQu-Rb4PNE22oc_JgCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--02-10-2018-14-49-5?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Once I got my mojo back, we went for a very long walk at Bradgate Park, just in time for the rutting season. October was always the most exciting time of the year to watch the deer as they engaged in fierce mating battles. As the foliage changed colour into the russets, oranges and yellows of autumn, the sounds of amorous males could be heard. It was interesting to watch them because their behaviour changes as the rut progressed. With testosterone coursing through every vein, the male deer jostled for position and display their virility to set about bagging themselves a harem.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-umWoiUDm7VY/XDZrbdHmTCI/AAAAAAAA0hc/SwKSjrpfoBEYmo5DUA1Umi_xIC9u8WPYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-52-057" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-52-057" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IvGbzF6DDp0/XDZrcFkMdvI/AAAAAAAA0hg/bosHpPOa0qM6BLxjXSwkjCK022AOANnhQCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The male Fallow deer was known as a buck, the female was a doe, and the young a fawn. Starting in early October, the Fallow deer rut lasted for 3-4 weeks, although bucks’ rutting physique started to develop earlier when velvet, the layer of initially soft, hairy skin that covered the growing antlers, died back and was rubbed off as the bone hardened ready for the battles ahead. Their Adam’s apples began to bulge and bulk increased, particularly around the neck and shoulders with rutting odours developing.. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3LyjjfsNQ0I/XDZrc9dsHeI/AAAAAAAA0hk/zpnMCYHBEesrCsmsBLD3TMI0kLz0UGS-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 07-10-2018 14-18-055" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 07-10-2018 14-18-055" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XL8rHy1tM5o/XDZrdUh-DeI/AAAAAAAA0ho/BO4q1ZFxq7AA4QE123zcVc84N1ug0lC_wCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In early September, Fallow bucks re-appeared in traditional rutting areas, having spent the preceding months in bachelor parties, separate from the does. The bucks remained for a while in each others company, but increasingly prepared for action. Play fights developed; rutting postures were intermittently assumed; vegetation was thrashed; antlers became burnished; and scrapes and wallows were made in which the bucks churned the ground, urinated in the quagmire and rolled in the resultant mess. It apparently made them more attractive to the ladies!!!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QU79Jg8JuDA/XDZreTdhzXI/AAAAAAAA0hs/0KDHWcB23hc2Tve2-fm2xRY5gAXMwR0OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park - October" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - October" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UW_djUtfmbA/XDZrfErtNWI/AAAAAAAA0hw/9CxP_Bb1AFcnz1zg3CDjxS1pI71DRO-nQCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Outside the rut, bucks lived in small bachelor herds, separately from the does and fawns. Only bucks have antlers, which were broad and shovel-shaped. In the first two years, the antler was a single spike. The Fallow was the only British deer with palmate antlers. These increased in size with age reaching up to 70cm long when the adult was 3 - 4 years old. It was found that males with larger antlers had higher mating success, while asymmetrical antlers did not. Large bucks may stop feeding completely during the rut and lose condition as a result, whereas younger bucks hanging around on the fringes continued to eat as normal.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CCH5paae-Yw/XDZrf-cG64I/AAAAAAAA0h0/PD0sqd7sdr8BsMh1_xjS1Mh4yKOuOdD5wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-31-14" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-31-14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cis67sqNLvI/XDZrgxf9JOI/AAAAAAAA0h4/Icf7UpYI3HYw-s2UHHx1sO-puNn5VoMfgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Groaning - the Fallow buck’s mating call – was best described as a cross between a loud belch, a groan, a snore, a snort and a growl. It was used to attract the does for, unlike Red deer stags, Fallow bucks generally do not actively round-up and maintain a harem. They depended for courtship success upon the attractions of their groan! With head held not much above the horizontal, lips curled back and pursed, the primeval sound seemed to come from deep within the animal's very being. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-H2I49U1GM/XDZrhsHm8vI/AAAAAAAA0h8/tae9EEl0-Ak4ul66hBylaGvdUvhW6lpGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X--19-10-2018-15"><img width="615" height="484" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X 19-10-2018 15-30-007" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X 19-10-2018 15-30-007" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0nOG580XtR4/XDZrihu8F0I/AAAAAAAA0iA/q7CxKSTcfdcut9UCjXXOli8D9GRCzlSSgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X--19-10-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Noise and posturing was often enough to settle disputes, but when rival bucks were evenly matched and equally belligerent, battle royals occurred. Then the woods reverberated to the sound of bone striking bone as fights commenced. But combatants don’t just stand head-to-head, trading blows – these contests were really battles of strength as, heads down, antlers locked, the deer pushed and shoved, using every straining muscle to gain advantage. It would be lovely to see this but not today.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h6EHtU1RvN0/XDZrjgRk2cI/AAAAAAAA0iE/Oor7VPrG2jMer2FTB-LiLBveC2o7B6oTgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--13-10-2018-14-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D3100b 13-10-2018 14-55-57" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D3100b 13-10-2018 14-55-57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tbja5Np7jI8/XDZrk3hbsSI/AAAAAAAA0iI/wG6q2_Z7F5kqj1HilwtjM-Ko0EruOsqbACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--13-10-2018-14-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Rutting activity generally quietened by mid-morning. Then the resident buck sat down in the midst of the stand, whilst does and younger bucks settled around the edge, or feeding nearby. For the bucks, the rut was an incredibly tiring time. By the end of the process, they had lost weight and exhausted, ready to slip into the background where they blended well with the leaves and bracken whilst trying to regain back their health before the onset of winter.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NTzqXJ6pHOo/XDZrlpnADFI/AAAAAAAA0iM/WGlZovNk774TGjcjn--eW7M3Vpd-CYdKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--07-10-2018-14-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park - October" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - October" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbITJ6lOfXg/XDZrmbTER0I/AAAAAAAA0iQ/E54jsbkoaisBoxaYgMMB2AjzvwHg0705ACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--07-10-2018-14-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Red deer were usually content to stand and stare whilst visitors walked by, before casually wandering away. But early on autumnal mornings, during the annual rut, testosterone charged stags with thickened manes made a fearsome sight as, muscles rippling, flanks caked in mud, breath billowing white against the darker heather, they were a sight to behold. The biggest stags had the finest antlers, or heads, as they were often known, with as many as 20 sharp, burnished points. Each was a potential weapon in the fight for supremacy, the battle for mating with the hinds. Fights between stags were infrequently witnessed. More often sound, display, posture and chase were sufficient to settle disputes.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YkVfjOKpJwU/XDZrnGXDsCI/AAAAAAAA0iU/Ja26NplmMk4kaRlCGjVSbW0CMdcgTs7dgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park - October" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - October" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZqC15WPVQxI/XDZroMq8YeI/AAAAAAAA0iY/eQT9Hs8YJjAih3Eg-8uh9IdWqszsLC_1ACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were walking to one of our favourite corner of the park, when we heard the familiar roars and grunts that sounded like ‘a cross between a chainsaw and a burp’ and something thrashing the branches. We walked slowly and quietly towards the noise. We hid behind a tree and watched this handsome stag having a go at the branches. We stood there watching him doing his neck exercises, full of testosterones coursing through every vein. Although a small stream divided, we kept a very safe distance, still behind a tree watching this spectacular behaviour. We’d to be extra careful as stags were aggressive during the rutting season. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vQbtWqcXrkQ/XDZrpN6pTRI/AAAAAAAA0ig/X_Gq2OGXpV0DPz_psuG7R5lC2icpD3aWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 07-10-2018 15-19-049" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 07-10-2018 15-19-049" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSuStvR1xaU/XDZrqIaFBBI/AAAAAAAA0ik/J3WgRq-qdX4QJ7gSXLxnKIJSBZ-oClTVgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--07-10-201%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it crossed the river and trotted off towards the hills. It stopped in the middle of the field and threw back its head to roar and showed off the thick neck and manes to its best advantage. The main vocalisation was bellowing, often several times a minute, combined with low grunts. These deep, guttural bellowing weren’t war cries but were seduction calls to the hinds. The sounds was suppose to bring the viable hinds into heat in readiness for mating. In the world of the Red deer, the most attractive stags were the ones that roared the loudest and the most often. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W0tPkcRYUsk/XDZrrMzN1sI/AAAAAAAA0io/9VW9AsOpFpsjl3oLE18F6WaKES8EXyaxQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X--07-10-2018-15"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X 07-10-2018 15-27-056" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X 07-10-2018 15-27-056" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-13tF8s1rsNM/XDZrr2G7ZJI/AAAAAAAA0is/avTNcFa6kAwuAmek2YQGpLGNsp-gebUFACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X--07-10-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>He kept on calling and calling, while marking his territory, creating rutting stand and thrashing the grass, before making his way up the hills. We also watched another stag thrashing the ground so that the vegetation was caught up in his antlers and made them looked larger. He seemed content to do his work sitting down, allowing his heavy bellows to announce his presence. After more bellowing, he went off to sleep. What an anti-climax.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xc-PgFne3V8/XDZrspgasgI/AAAAAAAA0iw/UV6Y3N1y5mcEpKwDrutdl-PE2xzZ1xq-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 15-44-52" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 15-44-52" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3eQwcfaIbjI/XDZrtdFu5RI/AAAAAAAA0i0/FVeK5t6OB3gFLj7oZFnggv9Wc4XLYlNIACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Unlike Fallow bucks that try to attract females to a rutting stand, Red deer stags had less allegiance to a piece of ground, much preferring to try to control the movements of a chosen group of hinds. When engaged in this high energy task, the stags were rarely still, sometimes running, sometimes walking, often slowly, deliberately pacing, but always with obvious intent – to bring wandering hinds back into the fold, and drive off competitors.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y8WNbm21mxo/XDZruEegcII/AAAAAAAA0i8/5x1vEm7Z5sUH4_V3hO2xcvo8cXoqt3YHACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-55-026" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D7200 X C13 19-10-2018 14-55-026" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PDFfOJfYStY/XDZru7nIKGI/AAAAAAAA0jA/RBCG8MMkddUZe05su8Io8mgt28dDgkPbACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-X-C13--19-10-201%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Yearling stags, those with single spikes for antlers, often hang around the edge of the group, jousting amongst themselves, preparing for the day when they too will hold a group of hinds. Providing that they do not get too close, their presence was often tolerated, but encroaching animals were chased away, only to return a little later when the resident, mature stag’s back was turned. By mid to late-morning, rutting activity quietened, and the deer settled in the field content to lie-up for the remainder of the day. On the way back, we spotted these ladies having a quiet moment in the sun.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YmRGH0MsNWU/XDZrvssMPxI/AAAAAAAA0jE/jLgGyqakbsQaeouMMREIqSz3xtr-8bIygCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--07-10-2018-14-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D3100b 07-10-2018 14-29-16" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D3100b 07-10-2018 14-29-16" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPD_P4bNlnY/XDZrwSiPLyI/AAAAAAAA0jI/ua5ZLNGE7UwTzEQZyHrGpoEW28DWORZYgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--07-10-2018-14-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>There was also wedding celebration being held at Lady Jane’s Grey chapel. Bradgate Park wasn’t licensed for weddings but The Trust worked with a celebrant company that could write and conduct a ceremony. The well-dressed guests walked for about 20 minutes towards the Chapel while the beautiful bride was cycled in a well-decorated rickshaw. This was the first time we saw a wedding being held here. The 16th century Bradgate House was a ruin but the chapel was still intact, containing a tomb effigy to Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford and his wife. We wished the couple a lifetime of love and happiness.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XwoVxaNBuFk/XDZrxZJk--I/AAAAAAAA0jM/dMBaRRRi02YsNAGVHywvX0_INRwZm-JngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--13-10-2018-13-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park D3100b 13-10-2018 13-14-01" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park D3100b 13-10-2018 13-14-01" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cG_6pC-Nrlc/XDZryFH14hI/AAAAAAAA0jQ/2Yy0A6Ho3Nwx7KTOALdq7wuSCcla0em7wCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--13-10-2018-13-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I took a day off work to go fungi hunting. Autumn was the season to be amazed by the myriad of fungal fruiting bodies that were on show. We were lucky that our favourite playground had erupted and came alive with these fantastic fungi and I do not want to miss any sightings of them. No matter what the season, dry conditions were not good times for fruiting fungus. Most mushrooms appeared soon after rain. The moist condition quickly triggered the fruiting process and that was why so many seemed to ‘pop up’ overnight. The reserve was buzzing when someone had found Earthstar in the grounds.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kxmRoJ9vpM/XDZrzPi3oNI/AAAAAAAA0jU/hjhjc_S2Y_gqhtmvRKnczDhApxhegq2UACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100a--19-10-2018-11-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D3100a 19-10-2018 11-59-08" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D3100a 19-10-2018 11-59-08" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z0WxLT11kUU/XDZrz7WMBfI/AAAAAAAA0jY/ItoAfCipcqo6voUBHu13RXZBZSRe6IscQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100a--19-10-2018-11-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe went looking for it and called me to find out where it was located. Via the Twitter feed, I was able to assist him to the exact location. Whoop…whoop. When he showed me the photograph that he’d taken, I really wanted to see it before the news got around. It was quite hard to spot because it was well camouflaged among the fallen leaves. But once seen, it was easy to see the distinct, star-like appearance. It was an interesting fungus that sat on a platform consisting of four to ten plump, pointed plants that gave them the star-shaped features. The central puffball or sac, was smooth, while the pointy arms had a crackled appearance.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXtoP6l_Z6A/XDZr00whPEI/AAAAAAAA0jc/UnUvtlxaSZ4CSt1NLZAzpF0RPpOfEoknwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-50-050" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-50-050" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BI3FF92ZCnQ/XDZr14x60SI/AAAAAAAA0jg/k-hR1AzBzz0WR_akyrMZARdMtWIPAVCCACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>While searching for fungi, Babe had spotted a whole field of my favourite fungi, the Fly Agaric, popping along the damp banks of the ditches. Even Babe was impressed at the stunning display as either side of the mossy bank was sploshed with scarlet. We’d never seen so many Fly Agarics in one place. It was more magical of the sight of them, nestling amid the dead leaves, caught in the shaft of autumnal sunshine, smouldering in all its scarlet beauty.They were the quintessential fairy tale toadstool, a home for woodland sprites and we were surrounded by them. It was indeed, magical.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2TrritjHeK8/XDZr3Efkx5I/AAAAAAAA0jk/oYJOE0lWFnEehCKND-n2kcEfVPW9EnR_gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100a--19-10-2018-12-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D3100a 19-10-2018 12-13-45" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D3100a 19-10-2018 12-13-45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7pE43WW4SsQ/XDZr4O6C8SI/AAAAAAAA0jo/BD4oNnzSYBMC3gNhV7VWoBmmKTsIhoVvwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100a--19-10-2018-12-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmmGKYnx8dQ/XDZr42CMXdI/AAAAAAAA0js/ySp0_52uGyAG_kuYkOPC8LDZhkbqmCl6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--20-10-2018-13-59"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 20-10-2018 13-59-17" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 20-10-2018 13-59-17" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gEWt_8EC1jg/XDZr52lGZQI/AAAAAAAA0jw/zc-5ieNgeAsSrd1WQh40K1rT20Vxj46kgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--20-10-2018-13-59%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>There were many fully formed caps with the bright red and white spots in variable size and forms. Some picture-book perfect hemispheres, others were ranging from golf balls to dinner plates, a few inverted into bowls. The scarlet caps were speckled with flakes of popcorn, the remnants of the universal veil, a membrane that covered the fruiting body as it emerged from the ground looking like white eggs. As it grew, the red colour appeared through the broken skin and the warts became less prominent. They do not change in size, but were reduced relative to the expanding skin area. The cap changed from globose to hemispherical, and finally to plate-like and flat in mature specimens. Fully grown, the bright red cap was usually around 8–20 cm in diameter. The red colour faded after rain and in older mushrooms. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ob5s6-rDVZE/XDZr6kRFQlI/AAAAAAAA0j0/gb_jrI-TT_EITRRdqi4aV6nYwY6mGUICwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--19-10-2018-12-08%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 19-10-2018 12-08-22" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 19-10-2018 12-08-22" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dSxCBFC8iSQ/XDZr7WVecDI/AAAAAAAA0j4/LHUxBoBMxdoDdxWUsc0QqUWUL-4Y7lt7gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--19-10-2018-12-08?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lmy9sLLHZHE/XDZr8XT_bYI/AAAAAAAA0kA/ZKh_NiONR7gHEq7y4hCfCxm0253aWgE6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--18-10-2018-16-18%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 18-10-2018 16-18-018" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 18-10-2018 16-18-018" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFyaUwIbV5Y/XDZr8z-Sg7I/AAAAAAAA0kE/Hfb2IzV_1DwlbaUyJ7YjjXhFgvKA62cwACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--18-10-2018-16-18?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It had been a glorious autumn for fungi hunting as we went round in search for more. A hot summer, followed by a mild, moist autumn had helped to usher in a bumper crop. The forest had played host to a diverse fungal flora because they needed moist and shady environments due to their simple vasculature system. It smelled deliciously damp and decaying that you could hear everything recycling itself. Nutrients returning to the soil, bacterial activity busy at work. There was a substantial body of evidence that fungi were fruiting earlier as a result of climate change. Various reasons had been suggested, including one that mycorrhizal fungi which formed symbiotic links with tree roots were receiving more nutrients from the host trees that had a longer growing season. Another was that decay rates in forest soils were increasing as the average temperature rose.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YTEfT4eszdM/XDZr-DkOarI/AAAAAAAA0kI/mPjAbajYqzc-bA077Qe4nMZPrzKFWgcagCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--15-10-2018-13-27"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 15-10-2018 13-27-38" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 15-10-2018 13-27-38" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vND9QBDN6Ro/XDZr-1r1lkI/AAAAAAAA0kM/i0WjM3v5s5w36T9_s7XEqqEiRFt69lpFwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--15-10-2018-13-27%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants - <br>At Evening, it is not <br>At Morning, in a Truffled Hut <br>It stop opon a Spot </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dKxVnTauiJY/XDZr_yeRK_I/AAAAAAAA0kQ/FJibwuOFQxUe_-ybJk65QJjJ3x0UYJMhQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--20-10-2018-13-39%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 20-10-2018 13-39-08" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 20-10-2018 13-39-08" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sLwmZBZRdEw/XDZsArumoAI/AAAAAAAA0kU/Al7YCCCG-fk3HT_-EuGqBPCgIfpmA3b7gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--20-10-2018-13-39%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>As if it tarried always <br>And yet it's whole Career <br>Is shorter than a Snake's Delay - <br>And fleeter than a Tare - </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OogPYndwqDo/XDZsBmnCUyI/AAAAAAAA0kY/r0gpRe-SlJsVTaPujyW49CJeXWWTLJn9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--15-10-2018-15%255B2%255D"><img width="613" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 15-10-2018 15-49-037" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 15-10-2018 15-49-037" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cvWPL0eMZyA/XDZsCh2fvGI/AAAAAAAA0kc/DS-7SsPHbBwNhyHElaJCLAJ8pVjOQL7ZwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--15-10-2018-15?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>'Tis Vegetation's Juggler - <br>The Germ of Alibi - <br>Doth like a Bubble antedate <br>And like a Bubble, hie - </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R5wQyuniHbs/XDZsDazfinI/AAAAAAAA0kg/vm4VCUkFi2wv6t0rA0oKmzEswDQdW1_uQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-00-22" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-00-22" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vWvfG_40X4Y/XDZsExceY9I/AAAAAAAA0kk/mgZt_f36RrUEVlIdy0UkLg0OxTlUNJGdACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>I feel as if the Grass was pleased <br>To have it intermit - <br>This surreptitious Scion <br>Of Summer's circumspect. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LcwqXRMqGaU/XDZsFgYp27I/AAAAAAAA0ko/fGW6E_dKVqYG89JIUf9GPl-ThL5d-4xdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-10-059" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-10-059" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AbJljJXydKk/XDZsGne60NI/AAAAAAAA0ks/T4-6FbsWlOE_jMqawSPp04Lz0VLb2GTggCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>Had Nature any supple Face <br>Or could she one contemn - <br>Had Nature an Apostate - <br>That Mushroom - it is Him!</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A5tY7HRGOEo/XDZsHozje1I/AAAAAAAA0kw/128yh0QcQ4gZ6nJQ1s8ycG_QLMtMktNFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-13-034" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-13-034" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VIWQxjz5Nuw/XDZsI2BS0XI/AAAAAAAA0k4/L65RYXX9YxQFvhp6t_fUCycrdZn8XapqQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Emily Dickinson ‘The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants’~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3r2Ores5IKA/XDZsKHnHq3I/AAAAAAAA0k8/eY0ygjB1im8HzCSWUvtVRqhPww7MK6kcQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-27-05" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 18-10-2018 15-27-05" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVGZPKKY4lQ/XDZsLRm_8GI/AAAAAAAA0lA/Y0SlpGIHgZgvZnUcXgi4UXJkBqfDqZfjgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-10-2018-15%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="left">We also checked out the hides to see what the natives were up to. At Baldwin Hide, we noticed this pair of Mute Swan was displaying the classic image of devotion, with their curved necks entwined in a perfect love heart. This was part of a courtship ritual, in which pairs faced each other and, with a ruffle of feathers and lifted wings, bow gracefully. Their courtship "dance" was accompanied by a range of hissing and grunting sounds. Once courtship was completed, the pair were bonded for life.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SPK5xd0iEc/XDZsMb3jFwI/AAAAAAAA0lI/BNbSo0Zi3IQzKA8qjmh4d4Cnk8Sd_m__gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-10-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 05-10-2018 15-16-041" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 05-10-2018 15-16-041" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mktdv_EGm4g/XDZsNYFfToI/AAAAAAAA0lM/V-oPHhVi8swzBoraY_LUICxTB7cKin3KwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-10-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We also watched a swim of Cormorant fishing together in the corner of the lake. They looked a bit eerie as they adopted a communal feeding strategy. They herded shoals of fishes, forming a broad front to drive them into the corner, catching them by diving from the surface, chasing their prey underwater and seizing them with their hooked bills. After diving for food, they flew back to the posts and island to dry their plumage. The Cormorant’s feather had absorbed the water and they all adopted an outstretched wings posture.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QPu5sbJKagk/XDZsOoKqsmI/AAAAAAAA0lU/yCaqd0zaRK0w0C2052zYD6xfa5FnjQWbQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-57-043" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-57-043" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ni7VlqCaxOY/XDZsP7MMk6I/AAAAAAAA0lY/m4rVNLfVxvoyEX6K19bgr4-OmiGPPmw-QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Then we headed to the very busy East Marsh Hide. As soon as we sat down, a Water rail was dashing across the reed-bed. The chestnut brown and black upperparts with black-and-white barred flanks were visible as it whizzed past on its long powerful legs. They were highly secretive inhabitants of freshwater wetlands, more often heard than seen with their wide range of loud and snorting calls, traditionally known as ‘sharming’. They were omnivorous, mainly feeding on small fishes, snails and insects.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNawlyVUdgA/XDZsQwqdyOI/AAAAAAAA0lc/qkDRgM-tjCk1ccACZ3oykZmGlwkvcP6yQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--05-10-201"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 05-10-2018 13-52-051" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 05-10-2018 13-52-051" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KGXhqo8_sBc/XDZsRlgPoOI/AAAAAAAA0lg/LigGOggYiFccuasjjkNEWr4TeGnjGy16ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--05-10-201%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">In the water, a single female pintail was busy dabbling and upending to feed on the seeds and nutlets of moist-soil and aquatic plants along the shallower edges of the lake. Unlike the male with a signature white stripe down their chocolate-coloured necks, she was intricately patterned and pale-faced with a dark-brown upper body with a buff head and lower body. The bill was blue-gray blotched with black, and the legs and feet were slate-grey.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yIAFxpwfxxI/XDZsSmIyZlI/AAAAAAAA0lk/RUNiTjOA_5MXTZUj0evrLBOV5T3UBx7pQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-10-2"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-10-2018 14-08-07" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-10-2018 14-08-07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hD6aHeq3BEs/XDZsTUUVzpI/AAAAAAAA0lo/3VOeGJJ41zouxQfR5UFhOi-j2-ROT5YcgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-10-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Then a Muntjac walked along Wigeon bank. This path was the super highway for these animals as they moved from one end of the reserve to another. The Muntjac was the smallest deer found in Britain but it wasn’t a native species as it originated from China and India. Active by day or night, they were mostly seen at dusk, but we often see them using this path at any time of the day. They were notorious browsers, munching on the grass as they walked past as well as eating the shoots from shrubs, saplings and Brambles.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qi0tX4Dnw44/XDZsUyBg97I/AAAAAAAA0ls/2kd-fbpvlrMwWCHalbmT03wtWJiSe2CggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--17-10-2018-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 C13 17-10-2018 15-37-44" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 C13 17-10-2018 15-37-44" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zt_aIJsls7s/XDZsWGNZKZI/AAAAAAAA0lw/SrxwgG8epiga7nE3OxFFCyot0-vV1y55QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--17-10-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Muntjac were generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding does not occur. Bucks defend small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does' territories overlap with each other and with several bucks. Bucks had short (10 cm) antlers growing from long pedicles. Antlers were usually unbranched but a very short brow tine was occasionally found in old bucks. They had visible upper canines (tusks) suggesting that they were primitive species. Muntjac had two pairs of large glands on the face. The upper pair were the frontal glands, whilst the lower glands, below the eyes, were called sub-orbitals. Both glands were used to mark territories and boundaries. They had a ginger forehead with pronounced black lines running up the pedicles in bucks, and a dark diamond shape on does. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LfBkh3jArmc/XDZsX5sTTII/AAAAAAAA0l0/F_f1qxBUnJUJKgg9D_2cZmn2eCoYKhNPgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--17-10-2018-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 C13 17-10-2018 15-39-012" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 C13 17-10-2018 15-39-012" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GSfsWRlDa38/XDZsZEn2A2I/AAAAAAAA0l4/Caml3H2fOt8DbY_nJx1EwsgjyS0xeo2IQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--17-10-2018-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Babe had photographed a Hobby dashing across the sky chasing after grasshoppers and other large insects, earlier in the week. It looked like a giant swift with its long swept back, scythe-like wings and square tipped tail. It was capable of high speed manoeuvres and accelerating rapidly in flight. The Hobby had a dark eye ring and moustache stretching below the beak and a white throat leading down to bold dark streaks on the breast, the back was dark grey. On closer inspection the adults could be seen to have brick red ‘trousers’ and undertail (vent) – a feature that was missing on the juveniles.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d4vp6Sn3XCI/XDZsZkzacyI/AAAAAAAA0l8/8SeFtUf47LUQ6F60uz2bMiYGmXcaoY1sQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-49-03" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-49-03" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5h_X0DJIJfA/XDZsaUNI1yI/AAAAAAAA0mA/cGrJ_Yx5TDwsLWaLXvTXoOp4VqtlMUbxACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Preys were caught in their talons and ate in flight, passing the food from the talons to their beak while still in the air. Soon these summer visitors will be flying off for its autumn migration, as it was the only British falcon that spent the winter months south of the Sahara Desert. Their main prey here were the flying termites. Hobbies were listed as a Schedule 1 bird on The Wildlife and Countryside Act. I kept on scanning the skies but I guess, they’d already flown back to their wintering grounds.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZMXWcwizL_c/XDZsaxgrUkI/AAAAAAAA0mE/PIFujOQT1L8RP6zCrpLwDfq2u7bMOt0tgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-13-027" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X C13 09-10-2018 12-13-027" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFjCEY6oeAU/XDZsbjeYQHI/AAAAAAAA0mI/9fxqWVPSlOAeh4GOmtMy1V3VcN0VWOeRgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--09-10-201%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We also made a trip to Slimbridge WWT to celebrate Babe’s birthday and also to see what the natives were up to. The place was buzzing with the opening of a new attraction, a giant Bionic bug trail. The trail offered visitors to get up close to a host of 6 gigantic bugs that included a 6-foot long dragonfly, 4-foot buzzing bee, 6-foot wingspan butterfly and a 6-foot long hopping grasshopper. They were brought to life with state-of-the-art animatronics and incredible sound effects which was a hit with the kids. There were also themed activities such as pond-dipping, minibeast hunts and making a mini bug house. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5sm4DYraPbU/XDZsccSSqZI/AAAAAAAA0mM/6WGrgoRWt3shvGiHEyPERSMitRymifXEgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200--26-10-2018-11-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D7200 26-10-2018 11-52-26" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D7200 26-10-2018 11-52-26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y3aSOVFfd5A/XDZsdfHMDfI/AAAAAAAA0mQ/Y4O-OzL8LVkY6mSB2y1P7H3BS2GX6kMGACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200--26-10-2018-11-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Clutching their free bug book, the young and not-so-young went hunting for these bugs which they couldn’t miss because they were huge and then received a sticker for each one they found. They explored The Spinney and North American zone to see what was hiding, peered under branches, through leaves and down murky holes to see these creatures up close. It was a n interesting way for the visitors to find out fascinating facts about the minibeasts that inhabited our wetland world. Meanwhile, we preferred keeping our eyes peeled to the ground and snapping the real-life bugs as we did our usual walkabout.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yk_OyDsi66M/XDZseebYHDI/AAAAAAAA0mU/PLzaP04TKz04EC8b2hD-Lye0d62kWqOSwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 13-17-12" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 13-17-12" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-foxD-eDY2Y4/XDZsfc9tTZI/AAAAAAAA0mY/rWAa1Rjt9u8QxcFwZ0MImntS4KXv_yuxgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Out first pit-stop was Rushy Hide which was very quiet. The highly gregarious Northern Pintail were fast asleep by the shore of the lake. They were all winter visitors, flying from the more northern and eastern breeding areas in Scandinavia and countries bordering the North Sea. They must be resting after the long journey or had just been feeding. Their winter diet was mainly plant material including seeds and rhizomes of aquatic plants. I found it ridiculous that these elegant masters of the air were ‘quarry’ species which meant that they could be legally shot in winter. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uCYRGrI3e_g/XDZsgLdp3rI/AAAAAAAA0mc/dFQZG6qRTc8YJ2ygohxHjjq48vYbU0ASwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-11%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 11-58-24" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 11-58-24" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f9KkFlffU40/XDZsg1Mz9TI/AAAAAAAA0mg/bVN3EsXKXKYcKUJTljHXvFBPfapYXoQCQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-11?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the water, the handsome males were happily dabbling away, feeding at the water’s surface. They looked stunning with a chocolate brown coloured head and a thin white stripe running down from the back of its head to its neck. They had black stripes on their backs, a blue-grey bill, grey legs and feet. Another striking feature was the long tapering tail. The females were more subtle and subdued with drab mottled light brown feathers. The males call had been described as a tooting two-toned whistle while the females had a Mallard-like nasal quack. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9vYFKEgWf5c/XDZshlpY4JI/AAAAAAAA0mk/uID2QqRj8WI3osfJsUbd0iTBXV750c-cACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-12"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 12-01-039" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D3100b 26-10-2018 12-01-039" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zScw5ODckB4/XDZsiOlJxtI/AAAAAAAA0ms/wEFx89aJmoMNa2w7iWbNO_DXpvFDQUCjgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--26-10-2018-12%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>From here we checked out the next hides but didn’t stay long as there was nothing much about. Even the water-rail didn’t make an appearance at Willow Hide. It was that quiet. Thankfully, these family of White-fronted goose kept us occupied at Robbie Garnett Hide. These Geese that winter in Britain were from the Baltic/North Sea population which bred in European Arctic Russia and northwest Siberia, and winter predominately in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Britain was on the very western edge of the population’s wintering range hence only small numbers were seen. The adults had a large white patch at the front of the head around the beak and bold black bars on the belly. The legs were orange and Siberian birds had pink bills, while Greenland birds had orange bills. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XTJhsOluJdM/XDZsjYJedjI/AAAAAAAA0mw/GbG56b8at-UQoAfKvgBFv7d1E9i5yniRACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--26-10-2018"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D7200 C13 26-10-2018 12-11-055" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D7200 C13 26-10-2018 12-11-055" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rBwr_s6ESMI/XDZskMOpwyI/AAAAAAAA0m0/pPVFCeycmzcBNmVEEc3EHZpNTU9x9rN4gCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--26-10-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We walked back into the grounds and headed straight to Hogarth Hide which was surprisingly busy. We waited for a few minutes to get an empty seat. Out in the dried mudflat, a pair of Common Crane was busy preening. The slate-grey plumage, enhanced with black or bluish-black on primary and secondary flight feathers, gave to them a proud pace. The fairly long feathers fell on the short tail, and “dance” while the birds were moving. Later, we found out that they were 5 year old Oakie and 4 year old Sherbert. In May this year, they’d successfully raised a chick together. Fingers-crossed, they do the same next year because the Common Crane were monogamous and pair bonds lasted for life.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1TZiqvU8Ug/XDZsk_S2TpI/AAAAAAAA0m4/zdW1jbHKZQoW4ot7Cb_DKp7YGyMHVdiRgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--26-10-2018%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D800 DX T 26-10-2018 14-14-054" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D800 DX T 26-10-2018 14-14-054" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1-Jg-WiuCPc/XDZslw-n7UI/AAAAAAAA0m8/KUgBmllQ-w8VKeYaYewTqREHFG6A7jZHgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--26-10-2018%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>While the Common Cranes continued on with their preening, Babe and I played counting the Common Snipes. They were skulking in the reed-beds, well camouflaged among the sleeping Teals. Both sexes were cryptically patterned mottled brown above, with paler buff stripes on the back, dark streaks on the chest and pale under part. They had a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below. They were usually shy and concealed themselves close to ground vegetation and flushed only when approached closely. When flushed, they uttered a sharp note that sounded like <i>scape, scape</i> and flew off in a series of aerial zig-zags to confuse predators. They foraged in the soft mud, probing or picking up food by sight, using their greatly elongated bills. We left when the Common Cranes flew off.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GyWp05M96ZM/XDZsmnmfjkI/AAAAAAAA0nE/OyeLG5rk9uU_DUUvVTLhltv1hDbH3sWTwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--26-10-2018"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT D800 DX T 26-10-2018 14-35-049" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT D800 DX T 26-10-2018 14-35-049" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S5vLol_GYqs/XDZsnznKBHI/AAAAAAAA0nM/LFxNbnKpGg0uIt1E0LPH5JvQDh---Qx7ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--26-10-2018%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I ended the month by taking part in a Halloween Scavenger hunt organised by Warwick Sports with my colleagues. It was a campus-wide hunt for about 10 pumpkins including a golden one that was hidden in different locations in the university grounds. We collected the map of where they might be hidden, with a unique challenge card. We walked for nearly 2 kilometres around the campus searching for the pumpkins and was chuffed that we managed to find all. We took turns to have a selfie with the pumpkins as proof that we have found them. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the main prize but we got loads of chocolates and sweets, instead.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTcgNwft-tU/XDZsopmrSdI/AAAAAAAA0nQ/NmoLjpPXIv8EYT_q87Gr0WakojcaAb6RwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-19-05-49"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 19-05-49" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 19-05-49" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-czfDgU_zabo/XDZspLaLuFI/AAAAAAAA0nU/wnuwGhj2Uf0wA_GsDkCP27HwECTm-5zSQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-19-05-49%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><h3 align="center"><a href="https://www.kidzsearch.com/questions/17762/kool-quotes-when-black-cats-prowl-and-pumpkins-gleam-may-luck-be-yours-on-halloween"><em>When black cats prowl, and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween</em></a></h3><p align="center"><strong><em>~- ~Author Unknown ~</em></strong></p><p align="left">Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people light bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. The day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. But, over the centuries, Halloween had transitioned from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for kids and adults. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mOaBZxbo4X0/XDZsp-U3nkI/AAAAAAAA0nc/MI1-YVUQuzkB8rsj2OurtrW-V9AXn8mVwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-22-23%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-22-23" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-22-23" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bkmSRFyDSyw/XDZsrT00OnI/AAAAAAAA0ng/ilh36WpOIms7JBr10qMJISxaypROd6FPgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-22-23?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In the United States, pumpkins go hand in hand with the fall holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin was used to make soups, desserts and breads, and many Americans included pumpkin pie in their Thanksgiving meals. Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns was a popular Halloween tradition that originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland. Back then, they were made out of turnips or potatoes. It wasn’t until the Irish immigrants arrived in America and discovered the pumpkin that a new Halloween ritual was born. We bought a lot of pumpkins because they were so cheap but not for carving. I have made soups, pie, bread, cupcakes and had them roasted. And there was still loads left. Thankfully, if stored properly, they lasted ages. Bon appetit.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-trG-CJPab-w/XDZssXyqRPI/AAAAAAAA0nk/FozUz52xWhgZ3CjzfMmXhtkpB4XV_l07QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-22-55"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-22-55" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 24-10-2018 18-22-55" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHePdiWGp4E/XDZstIFW-1I/AAAAAAAA0no/gvGvKOJQtc8Y0FAlRuKEbXLPApvLRWGJQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-18-22-55%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween."<br>- ~Author Unknown</em></strong> </p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTcgNwft-tU/XDZsopmrSdI/AAAAAAAA0nQ/NmoLjpPXIv8EYT_q87Gr0WakojcaAb6RwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--24-10-2018-19-05-49"><p><br></p></a>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-6715948299741354722018-12-26T03:04:00.001-08:002018-12-26T03:04:50.337-08:00Last of the Summer Shine<p><font size="3"><font size="4" style="font-weight: normal;">The weather took a turn when Storm Debby brought in days of torrential downpours and fierce winds, with forecast maps showing a wall of rain heading to Britain. The tail-end of the Storm swept in from the Atlantic, mixing with low-pressure, raising temperatures and causing heavy rain. Thunderstorms and torrential rain hit the country signalling an end to the heatwave that had gripped the country in recent weeks. </font><font style="font-weight: normal;">The continued rainfall and high tides brought risk of travel disruption and damage to family homes.<font size="4"></font></font></font><font size="4"></font></p><p>We kept an eye on the weather forecast as we’d a few things planned in our diary. Thankfully, there was a break in the storm and we managed to venture out. We checked out the Poppies: Weeping Window sculpture by the artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper. It was presented by Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and 14-18 NOW, the UK’s art programme for the First World War centenary, as part of the UK-wide tour of the iconic poppy sculptures, Wave and weeping Window. Middleport had been selected as one of only 16 locations featuring a ‘Weeping Window’ across the country. It was also the last tour venue for <em>Weeping Window</em> before it moved to its final presentation at Imperial War Museums in London. At the end of the tour, the sculpture, along with <em>Wave</em>, will become part of the Museums’ collection.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlaVS84nHSU/XCNfbqGTwkI/AAAAAAAA0cM/2HH-ol7CGsY0T5MFN_fcnfjVgVRVfsevwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-md0o277fZ1A/XCNfcvfYN2I/AAAAAAAA0cQ/kpjLtoY89QcIwDUI3uABZXlkTBfAyb9-ACHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As our timed visit was for 1 pm, we left the casa at 10.40 am. It was bright and sunny with the mercury reaching 18C. Thankfully not much traffic for a Saturday morning. There was no public parking at the venue but a temporary car-park was available for visitors. After paying £3, we had a 10 minute walk to the site. But as usual, it took longer for us as we stopped to take photographs of the old industrial buildings and warehouses that overlooked the Trent and Mersy Canal with its hump-back arched bridges. The route was also decorated with broken pieces of China that was assembled into the walls.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2m_quOpT5o/XCNfdk65J4I/AAAAAAAA0cU/a98wYbs0c8kcbuC2WpwPPf9dMh5AotRdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-13%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKRFQn5wxpw/XCNfeWVfn9I/AAAAAAAA0cY/93x7bRDaP_sjxIZzvUkl4PEULo2b-uxsgCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-13%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Finally, after about 30 minutes later, we arrived at the venue. Middleport Pottery’s historic Grade II* listed site was built in 1888 for a well-known local ceramics company, Burgess & Leigh Limited. It had maintained unbroken pottery production since its Victorian inception. In June 2011, The United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust (UKHBPT) stepped in to restore Middleport Pottery after the buildings had fallen into disrepair, and embarked on a £9 million, three-year project to regenerate and revitalise the site. In June 2014, HRH The Prince of Wales opened the refurbished Middleport Pottery, now containing the Burleigh factory, a visitor Centre, tea rooms, shop, activity areas and workshops and offices for creative businesses. Today, Middleport Pottery was a thriving visitor destination, and continued as the last working Victorian pottery in the United Kingdom.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E31nAwKPLZ8/XCNffaKOINI/AAAAAAAA0cc/3RzQDZ7lnQcmMpRjZQO3O9lcCGxYU66UACHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-13"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YWCQ3jRyV9M/XCNfgV-yLRI/AAAAAAAA0cg/rtkFbMG_s-MyMS6McybCnmm4QlWLNYA_QCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-13%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Stoke-on-Trent was officially recognised as the World Capital of Ceramics, and Middleport Pottery has been operating since 1889. During the First World War demand for the ceramics goods made in the area greatly increased. These included tableware for hospitals, homes and the military; propaganda-ware, including small ceramic tanks and battleships; plates with patriotic designs or messages on them; and ceramics to mark both the early stages of the war and the Armistice at the end.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xyIHbahMls8/XCNfhRhYlhI/AAAAAAAA0ck/nV39VbNuosUN4O67TR5r8KbKARORQrp5gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zrzo7Fz6npM/XCNfiSNhw6I/AAAAAAAA0co/POefFfVdGPwGbdPjRrFjziPgUUP3_UgXwCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was very busy as it was also the Heritage Open Day weekend. There were a few stalls, exhibitions and showrooms dotted about the place but we headed straight towards the sculpture, walking on the beautiful well-trodden cobbled streets. And when we turned a corner, we were met with a cascade consisting of eleven thousand handmade ceramic poppies were seen pouring from the heights of the Middleport Pottery's Grade II* listed Bottle Oven, to the ground directly below. The bottle oven was one of only 47 left in the Potteries. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V1PawdUswKA/XCNfjb20R6I/AAAAAAAA0cs/3XL25fb9lvcsZJXY76wvmkwmMqYW9mWBwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D800--15-09-2018-12-3%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KWPxp1Dt4sY/XCNfkT6yJ7I/AAAAAAAA0cw/yfsQZLnPhP4I2RipBBR082oqYpH-DGowQCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D800--15-09-2018-12-3%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It provided a wonderful setting for visitors to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This dazzling, reflective and nostalgic arrangement, was originally displayed at The Tower of London from August to November 2014 where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one for every British or Colonial life lost at the Front during the First World War. <em>Weeping Window</em> was from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces. Stoke-on-Trent was integral to the original installation where a locally based company Potclays provided the clay that the ceramic poppies were created from, and advised the artist on technical aspects of the clay. Johnson Tiles, who were also based in Stoke, were approached to assist and contracted to produce hundreds of thousands of the poppies.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jeM34pXzK6E/XCNflA6WEgI/AAAAAAAA0c0/AZJZUYzwQIo2bissWJnBQ98MaAwJW_pfwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B9%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9bzbDhUlDNA/XCNfmEaq8FI/AAAAAAAA0c4/b-iJwVDjj64TMT1YpomyY2LxMfkzkfiAgCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We waited patiently for the crowd to clear before we were able to creep closer to the installation. It was also a challenge to photograph due to shadows from the surrounding buildings and also the position of the sun. Thankfully, we managed to get the shots that we wanted. It was very poignant to think that each poppy represented someone who had died during WW1 and this year marked the centenary of the Armistice that brought the bloody conflict to an end. The cascading poppies were a tribute as we reflected, honoured and remembered the sacrifice of our nation’s servicemen.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hgi92RAnCIE/XCNfnEVGGLI/AAAAAAAA0c8/bOb9EWVxH6sNGOeJ-OzOqd6uVhyIcEwyACHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0S3h6bxyEcU/XCNfnz2WL6I/AAAAAAAA0dA/DFxQohOXlVAvV0wC3CBtAU7TjCDlPTvsQCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then two WW1 enactors dressed in military costumes turned up and posed in front of the sculpture. Quite a few visitors took turns to pose with them. We decided to explore Middleport Pottery in all its glory, especially when it was free for the Heritage Open Day event. We walked on the passageways that were just wide enough for a cart to get through. The historic buildings was filled with stunning original features. There were work rooms where visitors learnt about the history of ceramics and discovering the traditional craftsmanship used today to produce the potteries. We walked past a huge storehouse of mould that were used.for the potteries.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aO1PQ1QonEo/XCNfoxc9R1I/AAAAAAAA0dE/nSWoC2aqN-g7tyy3AkESH0ylvmbpgRHfgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D800--15-09-2018-12-3%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="369" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uFysv0hUjck/XCNfp0CZHLI/AAAAAAAA0dI/_T9G1LHgVpwyqoMADKJENSSrT27RMQgMQCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D800--15-09-2018-12-3?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbIRMhb0jV8/XCNfq_tlcMI/AAAAAAAA0dM/XFbF3t9eIzQAmqByu-SmBSTF6Gbwhes7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dY_WiivioKc/XCNfr0sXgqI/AAAAAAAA0dQ/a4AgOl67mGsFmSHNgDJj_5wFpiVuZP7twCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Middleport Pottery had been the Home of Burleigh since 1889. The brand was famous for its blue and white floral tableware, which was made by hand. We browsed the factory shop located in a 1930’s wing where the seconds and discontinued pottery were sold. I was hoping to purchase something as a souvenir but everything was so expensive. I just did a walkabout and drooled <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJCZP14SMLw/XCNfsiw2utI/AAAAAAAA0dU/Ry9DfS7iWRwFHGhMPFi__isMSbdoYQLDwCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">. In the end, I went out to one of the pop-up stalls and bought a lovely poppy shawl for only £5 which was usually retailed for £15. Then it was time to walk back to the car.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M32iANVz0lk/XCNftrWKV4I/AAAAAAAA0dY/2D5t3lazbvIoh0WiAwcLgj_MlejCxe1DgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Stoke on Trent - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Stoke on Trent - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoZ7QonVdSg/XCNfutqDWkI/AAAAAAAA0dc/dW_XrwpnkmkD2r2TMkX9mY-lmBGv6L7SQCHMYCw/Stoke-on-Trent-D3100a--15-09-2018-12%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Since we were already in Stoke, we decided to pop over to see the monkeys at Trentham Monkey Forest which was just 20 minutes away. We’d been here before in 2014 and it would be lovely to see them again. Set within 60 acres of the beautiful Staffordshire woodland, Monkey Forest was home to 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques. These species were upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--rPN6vK_x2g/XCNfvi7243I/AAAAAAAA0dg/O9b6Gc31bKYgMZbchZnzMci585zYbnlTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jy3wKLmk_CY/XCNfwiqSgnI/AAAAAAAA0dk/UzbktgjOzYYIBrE1lHJkv2n33MS90JGyQCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Opened in July 2005, it was the 4th park owned by the de Turckheim family. The other 3 parks were 2 in France and 1 in Germany. One of the aims of the parks was to raise public awareness on the plight of these macaques by creating and preserving an invaluable genetic pool with the population from these parks and strengthening the wild population by re-introducing entire groups of monkeys. Over 600 Barbary macaques (from the other three sister parks) had already been successfully re-introduced into their natural habitat in the Atlas mountains of Algeria and Morocco. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CxsUAjzlmUU/XCNfxjEz4uI/AAAAAAAA0do/EthqHcpAgiQxuOlQjWUu-T7Fzh-FKz0BwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fLssPHgGQCQ/XCNfySbfVNI/AAAAAAAA0ds/I72tajeoKJU3KvyV8Z--5-Bpv9W7NNZzQCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We weren’t surprised that the car-park was full. It was a lovely day to be out and about after the storms. After paying the entrance fees, we made our way through the turnstiles and then joined the queue to get into the fenced compound. Here we were given a short briefing of do’s and dont’s. Food and plastic bags weren’t allowed in and there were lockers where you can store them. As we entered the park, it felt like we were walking in the Atlas mountains of Algeria and Morocco, the setting where these macaques were familiar with, thick forests with pine, oak and cedar trees. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ihj1oMMM2fo/XCNfzrkuvII/AAAAAAAA0dw/qWgTwvC0vBIi1xJ6teSKmEqE7pScfHW-gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D3100a--15-09%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aaMgUh79F3o/XCNf0qX4EKI/AAAAAAAA0d0/sninpU_umlM8i4o9nmP-Z_r04Y3EIMT0gCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D3100a--15-09%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We adjusted our eyes to get used to the shady path, looking around us hoping to catch a glimpse. We didn’t have to wait long because they were everywhere, rustling in the trees and crashing through the branches. We followed the 3/4 mile winding forest path that took us through the woodlands where the monkeys lived. We came across an open field and there were monkeys roaming freely around us. We just don’t know where to point our cameras. They were swinging from the trees, lounging on the grass and combing the grass for food. Guides were situated along the path to explain the monkeys' behaviour.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9epFxuNlR-k/XCNf13iQpnI/AAAAAAAA0d8/XBFN573IX3gMz7BLBZlDf63R-Gbaus0hQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYLrK3fJzk4/XCNf3KJLAFI/AAAAAAAA0eA/RU2CoZsRBBkS6bKO6k2fOacodp5x74t6gCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I was hoping to see a few babies but unfortunately they’d grown up to be youngsters. They were already fully weaned at 6 months and were ready to face their first winter. A few were having a wonderful time having a tumble with their older siblings. Grooming sessions were dotted here and there. These activities kept them healthy as well as reinforced social structures and bonds. Usually, a lower ranked or younger individual was more likely to groom a higher-ranked individual and in return received protection and greater acceptance and standing in the group. Because all the grooming benefitted each individual and engendered bonding between individuals, it facilitated and mediated social interactions within the group, which allowed for the group to live together. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NUp6O8XV_oY/XCNf4Iv7YnI/AAAAAAAA0eE/XT1m1XTTMkQ9NdH8ths0wG9GOI6aL2qPACHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ueVteNtg1GY/XCNf5IojdyI/AAAAAAAA0eI/b0z-mx_TGFQI7f0noYDSMH2JzQcuCN1EACHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>There were plenty of guides about keeping an eye on the visitors if they get too close to these monkeys. Any contacts made them more aggressive and also stopped them engaging in grooming. Worse still, when visitors tried to interact or touch them, it really stressed them. No matter how close they were to us, we kept our distance. There were no fences in place to stop the monkeys from interacting with the visitors, and it was against park rules to touch the animals. The monkeys were provisioned each morning with a mixture of fruit, vegetables, wheat, sunflower seeds and primate pellets. There were hourly feeding sessions where seeds and fruits were scattered so that the monkeys come out into the open and made it easier for the visitors to see them. This also brought the ducks, pigeons and squirrels out for a slice of the action. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LV-FacMwaq8/XCNf6DjIvrI/AAAAAAAA0eM/sW8XP7x-HnAqwuGNu6_oXEWV30Px5q7yQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-67IxiA0JTco/XCNf607c82I/AAAAAAAA0eQ/-tHgTsanKgs4_aqXWeA1Jsput3VCL9PvwCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The macaques were all identified with a unique tattoo on the inner thigh and all demographics of each individual was known. In order to control the population size, a number of females received contraceptive implants so that a limited number of babies were born annually (5-15 at each site). It would be interesting to know how many babies were born this year. We continued walking where a second group were in residence. The woodland trail allowed visitors to walk amongst these monkeys and immersed in their everyday antics. But we didn’t venture further as it was beginning to rain and decided to call it a day. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NJ91TafHOBY/XCNf7zHg8EI/AAAAAAAA0eY/3trGzECTeFgLTrJcEZwkytp0HIHVWpgwwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Trentham Monkey Forest - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIp-KPI3NJQ/XCNf88uk2eI/AAAAAAAA0ec/Ieq0kqSCS_oFE89xRb5uxDPo37p8yiDQgCHMYCw/Trentham-Monkey-Forest-D7200-C13--15%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We stayed local as Storm Ali and Bronagh lashed the country with severe winds. Ali was the UK’s first named storm of the season. It brought widespread strong winds and heavy rains, with the strongest gusts being recorded in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. Coming hot on the heels of Storm Ali was Storm Bronagh, blowing in overnight with blustery winds and heavy rain resulting in gales that reached 76 mph. We checked out our favourite playground when there was a respite from the wet and windy conditions as the pressure began to build again.</p><p>I was so pleased that the natives weren’t blown away by the two aggressive storms. We spotted this Common Blue Male with its violet-blue upper wings and grey-beige undersides. This must be the second brood as they tend to lay eggs in June and then August/September. The caterpillars hibernated and pupated in April and May and became adults in May and June. It was basking in the sunshine, feeding on the nectar of the small, pink flower clusters of the aromatic Wild Majoram. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVFJ-BU4GHI/XCNf9og8SEI/AAAAAAAA0eg/brs9WtQplFwjGBlgdhx9PLMYIqtKyBHWwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--28-09-2018-15-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D3100b 28-09-2018 15-35-51" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D3100b 28-09-2018 15-35-51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fTacigl9rMI/XCNf-lfTOlI/AAAAAAAA0ek/NxBL3A63E3AtNBHU4I-Kb5liGOT3q0jcgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--28-09-2018-15-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued walking into the reserve and saw a few Common Darter basking on the sunny path, Further along the path, Babe spotted this handsome Southern hawker basking on the brambles. This large, inquisitive dragonfly was usually seen patrolling the waters and hawking through the reed-beds. Hawkers were the largest and fastest flying dragonflies, catching their insect-preys mid-air. They do this by hovering and also by flying backwards. They will still be on the wing through October. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hsp7RpPrqg4/XCNf_f5zcJI/AAAAAAAA0eo/l8JPAr_iI448Hp_2GQ8XOFB2lQ_HIJczQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--29-09-2018-16%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 29-09-2018 16-22-45" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D800 DX 29-09-2018 16-22-45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XwBqHZfN2A8/XCNgARZ1aOI/AAAAAAAA0es/N8fkz8cV27wyf4zwqBEdiy8BAUEaVe09QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--29-09-2018-16%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We stopped at Baldwin Hide and Babe a beeline for the corner near to the island on the left hand side. He slowly opened the shutter and sssshhhhh, a female Kingfisher was perched on one of the overhanging branches. All you could hear were our cameras rattling away. We were so close that we could see the stunning colours. The brightly coloured plumage of its orange underparts, turquoise blue wings and electric blue back and rump were unmistakable. Suddenly someone came in and closed the door with a bang. It startled the bird and immediately flew off, flying rapidly, low over the water before disappearing into the creek, a flash of electric blue in flight.</p><p align="center"><strong><em>... Under the bridge and gone</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>Yet bright as a bead behind the eye</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>The image blazes on</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Phoebe Hesketh~</em></strong><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcKXiQSqTDo/XCNgBKsPWuI/AAAAAAAA0ew/JnbvOdHZB8U1DOhYbHnrnhtvSV4L5WUUQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--16-09-2018-12-%255B2%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kaCBxPLfz1c/XCNgCBFbQrI/AAAAAAAA0e0/ckNgT8w47IQ-0jij6rsH78uvNzjSByF3gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-09-2"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 23-09-2018 13-15-022" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 23-09-2018 13-15-022" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TwjpYT0xfN4/XCNgDP9IX4I/AAAAAAAA0e4/vBNll1x2JQYgH5y3IgMMlb3mpbIPkyc7wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-09-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We left the Hide and headed to East Marsh. Halfway along the path, under the overhanging Ash branches, we heard loud, rapid series of piping notes "chit chit chit-chit". We looked up and saw this handsome Nuthatch foraging on the tree trunk. It climbed up, down and around the tree trunk and branches using its powerful toes. Nuthatches fed mainly on nuts and seeds, such as acorns and hazel nuts, in the autumn and winter, and insects, such as spiders and beetles in the summer. Then it flew right above our heads that we could see the black eye stripe, which gave it a bandit-like appearance. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KcKXiQSqTDo/XCNgBKsPWuI/AAAAAAAA0ew/JnbvOdHZB8U1DOhYbHnrnhtvSV4L5WUUQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--16-09-2018-12-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D3100b 16-09-2018 12-48-34" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D3100b 16-09-2018 12-48-34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_0I67GkwrQ/XCNgD3Bg4OI/AAAAAAAA0e8/IndRyLfyyLgfYHeycLn5yF_MP6pN6EGVQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--16-09-2018-12-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At East Marsh Hide, we made ourselves comfortable. I was hoping to see the Otter family which Babe had seen earlier during the week. Otters had been regularly spotted in the reserve but they didn’t get the memo when I was there. The otter was one of our top predators, feeding mainly on fish (particularly eels and salmonids), water-birds, amphibians and crustacean. The resurgence of the Otter, which was also on the top of the food chain in river environments, was an indicator that English rivers are at their healthiest for more than 20 years, according to the Environment Agency. Unfortunately, this news had not delighted everyone as anglers had reported Otters decimating stocks in fishing lakes</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vXE1jicWaQs/XCNgEtfSEgI/AAAAAAAA0fA/k3KlZJo-L94UloJQdwUwA46ytdrB0w08ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-09-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-09-2018 14-17-050 (2)" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-09-2018 14-17-050 (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kTCCjPsD51Y/XCNgFrC73DI/AAAAAAAA0fE/O70fBrR1YKoA3M3xgG1HK03f3VdyMGbQwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-09-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Suddenly, a Grey Heron flew past the hide with its slow-flapping wings and its long legs held out behind it and there was a fish in its beak. I wonder what the anglers thought when they saw this <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJCZP14SMLw/XCNfsiw2utI/AAAAAAAA0dU/Ry9DfS7iWRwFHGhMPFi__isMSbdoYQLDwCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> Apart from fishes, they also hunt small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles and amphibians. We watched it landing on the nearby island, dropped the wriggling fish before stabbing it with its sharp bill and swallowed in one piece. After the meal, it rest near the water with its head between its shoulder in an hunched up position.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YUADGnYITSA/XCNgGTdbSOI/AAAAAAAA0fI/kwnjUkFyAuMI5cOeV1wyE1d3sMZ4N9cdQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-09-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-09-2018 14-02-013 (3)" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 X14 C13 25-09-2018 14-02-013 (3)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2GPVc4eMxo/XCNgHFcPEEI/AAAAAAAA0fM/Y7aIlmKRD2YtY7fdEjRXqmzvaevsGVKOACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-09-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Meanwhile, a Mute Swan was chasing away a youngster around the lake. He was arching his wings over his back and charging at the poor youngster. Once the cygnets were old enough to look after themselves and fly off, the parents cut the parental ties with them and chased them away, sometimes quite aggressively, before the next breeding season began. The parents intentionally distance themselves from the offspring. This was done by swimming away from them and not beckoning them to follow, or, if the cygnets kept staying close to them, the parents started pecking them and approaching in a threat posture, with raised feathers and wings, like they dealt with intruders into their territory. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tRwUO8oMI_o/XCNgIOEmbtI/AAAAAAAA0fQ/VrfZARzfU-cfERAfm0IxuBFqtdw_MfobACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--29-09-20"><img width="644" height="408" title="Brandon Marsh - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_z91mO6N5n0/XCNgI9N63zI/AAAAAAAA0fU/CgTm74y1lS8zy6auXcHyu5BSMMkMVtvtgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--29-09-20%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At first, these ‘chasing off’ motions were gentle and un-sustained, but as time passed, the parents were more aggressive in their actions and the off-springs needed to get the message ASAP. Their time with the parents had ended and they needed to fly off. The reasons for the parents chasing off their offspring that they had cared lovingly for the past 6 months, was that spring was approaching and they needed space and resources to start the breeding cycle again. Also at this age, the youngster was a potential target for an aggressive cob wanting to clear the area of any other swan that wasn’t part of his family and attacked with the intention of killing youngsters from another family. Once they left, the youngsters normally joined the first flock of swans they encountered where they usually stayed until they mature. They then commenced their search for mates and the breeding cycle began.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GDznTNRyEKQ/XCNgKE001yI/AAAAAAAA0fY/AYFqvdVGXYI9qAM24QCJPu8tl0dMU69owCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--29-09-20%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh D7200 BB C13 29-09-2018 15-48-042" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh D7200 BB C13 29-09-2018 15-48-042" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3tmoghRuCM/XCNgK7zNWSI/AAAAAAAA0fc/l1UPzE742DkQ0SZj-lgYd2DhYFwHu5AYQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--29-09-20%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Autumnal Equinox brought with it a very nice surprise. It was the moment summer ended and autumn began in the Northern hemisphere, when the sun crossed the Earth’s equator from north to south. As well as signalling the start of a new season, the Autumn Equinox had a spiritual meaning for pagans as it was when day and night was most equal and the earth was balanced. After the equinox, the night became longer than the day and daylight hours shortening. Crowds flocked to Stonehenge to celebrate but twitchers, photographers and nature lovers flocked to a tiny reservoir in Warwickshire to catch a glimpse of a rare bird.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2EJtx1E-Ngg/XCNgL_s1TwI/AAAAAAAA0fg/1wGX3-ChIRw8CKVdvGyKfCXA4zAWtbBKgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-39-045" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-39-045" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g7lARJg2PMY/XCNgMwStbcI/AAAAAAAA0fk/t-IdZzf2r5Ia1479lKhFsnxYm9UhLKl9gCHMYCw/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A pair of Grey Phalarope had landed in Napton Reservoir and had been seen feeding for a couple of days on the mudflats. I kept my eye on my Twitter feed to make sure it was still around when we visited during the weekend. We’d been here once before and somehow, we drove past the entrance. We parked at the small car-park that was at the base of a steep embankment, beyond which, lay the reservoir itself. Thankfully, one of Brandon’s regular just walked down the steps and told us where it was. Whoop … whoop. Thank you, kind sir.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GpwPwXcyjSU/XCNgNj4MZjI/AAAAAAAA0fo/D_wTRUWb-JYM_LfFSOArM1x_ScAI79ddwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-39-082" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-39-082" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wopYs8u54fM/XCNgOp4zfPI/AAAAAAAA0fs/3CoAr43XqOcSunNZEXIYGxJ-1aHjMAdiQCHMYCw/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Unfortunately, it began to rain and we quickly walked along the embankment of the Southern Pool, with our eyes peeled on the waders by the reed-beds. We met a couple who was standing at the end of the foot-path and they told us where it was. One of the beauty was feeding right below us!!!! I couldn’t wipe the grin of my face. The little tinker was happily picking small prey items from just beneath the surface. It was such an active bird, bobbing up and down and rapidly changing directions. It was quite hard to photograph even when it was just below us as the weather was grey and miserable.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y1L39b9NY2Q/XCNgPQiGfrI/AAAAAAAA0fw/-cMXcK6wrPIEI5c1jdBFUx6_9tqUwAlnACHMYCw/s1600-h/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-45-021" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-45-021" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bx4-oREHjoY/XCNgQRyx6CI/AAAAAAAA0f0/9zupjLCnE6otIldUuYEir1sGaW5lshA7gCHMYCw/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Both birds were youngsters and in their first winter plumage with dark streaks across their backs, wings and caps. Their full grey plumage had yet to emerge and both birds possessed a light apricot buff on their necks and parts of their breast. Soon,they will moult into a full grey winter plumage before acquiring their spectacular red breeding plumage next spring, when they were back in the Arctic. These birds had flown all the way from Arctic Canada or Greenland and from their utter indifference to us, had probably never seen a human before. Soon they will head south, to overwinter off the coast of West Africa before heading back north. It was a privilege to have seen this beautiful bird.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g6WbZOOl1a8/XCNgRaJd5eI/AAAAAAAA0f4/BsuXH0IywwQmh9z_wkqLTaI3DvlAuanAgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-45-016" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Napton reservoir D7200 BB C13 22-09-2018 11-45-016" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ErRYH_FsB8U/XCNgScmJh0I/AAAAAAAA0f8/Hr9vijxj9KgbG1JPfH18LlQq-Sc4UPi1ACHMYCw/Napton-reservoir-D7200-BB-C13--22-09%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We ended the month by picking the last figs that had miraculously ripened all at once. It had been a bumper year for us as we’d been picking them on alternate days. We’d this tree for nearly 15 years and had moved with us from Wales, Scotland and now in Coventry. I am glad that I planted it in a huge pot. Although considered a fruit, the fig was actually a flower inverted into itself. Originally native from Turkey to northern India and the Mediterranean, it was amazing to see it doing so well in a grey and wet England. Bonn appetit.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0R47GFj3cT8/XCNgTJTF-pI/AAAAAAAA0gA/fWKAeAWdsyQesbQjQ6UyydJ9ZfXNYaKeQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D200--03-09-2018-18-56-554"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - September" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - September" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d1V4Zgg2GIs/XCNgT7jL5-I/AAAAAAAA0gE/m4qRMhEv98QlidIIXo2goVEOFThChvqXgCHMYCw/Coventry-D200--03-09-2018-18-56-55_t?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-7120762933003051112018-12-01T13:52:00.001-08:002018-12-06T03:23:05.294-08:00Not the way to AmarilloAutumn looked set to get off to a good start, with high temperatures dominating the weather, with warm, dry and sunny days in the beginning of September. The scorching summer had given way to an autumnal ‘above-average’ temperatures. Record heatwaves across the country, drought conditions and sporadic rain had hampered this year’s harvest, leaving farmers to count costs and consumers to count their pennies. There was a pause in the Indian summer as a low pressure swept in from the East of England, bringing 30 mph wind gusts and heavy rains. And conditions worsened when the remnants of tropical storm Florence hit the UK. While Florence wasn’t expected to pose any danger, hurricane Helen was swirling across the Atlantic, getting caught up in the jet stream which meant another wet and windy weather. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aQSfLmHBy8A/XAMA_hPuxII/AAAAAAAA0Mk/rQDcVxhy0K8Zw3aHHWAY-JuDsX4TyOtVgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B01-09-2018%2B16-08-42%255B4%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="484" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRR1UrTi8jU/XAMBAfdF2bI/AAAAAAAA0Mo/L1ktH2eqMusTTdtZrXTvVWBUVjH5CuuFQCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B01-09-2018%2B16-08-42_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="325" /></a><br />
We celebrated the meteorological autumn with a visit to Slimbridge WWT. For meteorologists, summer came to an end on August 31 and autumn began on September 1, running until Thursday, November 30. But for astronomers, summer ended on September 22 in the northern hemisphere and autumn began on Friday, September 23. According to the Met Office, the meteorological seasons consisted of splitting the seasons into four periods made up of three months each. These seasons are split to coincide with our Gregorian calendar making it easier for meteorological observing and forecasting to compare seasonal and monthly statistics. We headed straight to Rushy Hide where a Greenshank greeted us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZHsVd0FEeHzTY5uUiaBwgC1jmEsu0Fo1c9FC-mdz7jMsYn3Z1OnS8zbEOc53IF8bTqkEyUL16wdj4YcOJDx8Ix4NbypxxArey68i6rwwPy8tmR-kEkG_L-HShs0xbMj1lkTKIB-WwCG/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++09-08-2018+15-15-033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZHsVd0FEeHzTY5uUiaBwgC1jmEsu0Fo1c9FC-mdz7jMsYn3Z1OnS8zbEOc53IF8bTqkEyUL16wdj4YcOJDx8Ix4NbypxxArey68i6rwwPy8tmR-kEkG_L-HShs0xbMj1lkTKIB-WwCG/s640/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++09-08-2018+15-15-033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Greenshanks were medium-sized slim waders with olive-grey above and silvery-white below, with dark streaking on the breast. They’d long, slightly upturned grey bills with striking grey-green legs. They fed in the shallow water, pecking at the mud, water or vegetation as they walked and caught fish by using a dash-and-lunge technique. They were passage migrants and scarce winter visitors and tend to be solitary when feeding. They frequently bobbed up and down when standing and flew off in a low zig-zag pattern when disturbed, appearing dark above with a prominent white rump and contrasting black underwings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2J40rvEjT_QIvo61Wx2WCXrR14I_x7zIi2fKJIaR_MAQMJjEUGizOy9KCvC4gvbjY8sv_3xmLR3fNmrhRJ_UCzn931zfClKD1MpjFga7p9wT0JQSdCRUM8Cd84bRJ2atYzRz8YJrcSH/s1600/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++09-08-2018+15-15-036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2J40rvEjT_QIvo61Wx2WCXrR14I_x7zIi2fKJIaR_MAQMJjEUGizOy9KCvC4gvbjY8sv_3xmLR3fNmrhRJ_UCzn931zfClKD1MpjFga7p9wT0JQSdCRUM8Cd84bRJ2atYzRz8YJrcSH/s640/Brandon+Marsh+D7200+X14+C13++09-08-2018+15-15-036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We’d a fun time playing spotting the Common Snipes. These cryptically coloured waders were seen foraging in the vegetated fringes of the mudflats and skulking under the overhanging shrubs. These superbly camouflaged waders were seen probing under the moist substrate for insects, earthworms, crustaceans or spiders with their elongated bills. Food on the surface were located by sight and picked up, but prey under the mud was located using the touch-sensitive sensory pits at the tip of the flexible bill.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RqW10_cUzMQ/XAMBE-F2mCI/AAAAAAAA0M8/2s62RskbwosXU9XCTF7FD9YaNk8mespxwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B19%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNM69DGlP-g/XAMBF6UOlyI/AAAAAAAA0NA/_-82kMJaJoMK0B0zeTBkOmLksvogKRttQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We then checked out the rest of the hides. Unfortunately, the tack piece was empty except for a few sleeping Tufted ducks, Shelducks and Mallards. A large, inquisitive Southern hawker was patrolling the ponds and hawking. through the reed-beds. Hawkers were the largest and fastest flying dragonflies, catching their insect-preys mid air. They do this by hovering and also by flying backwards. They will still be on the wing through to October.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3AKryBTXt0/XAMBGunqYrI/AAAAAAAA0NE/qiOsJnHIt_kc6NohmVpcn8V4gnodo8YfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B4%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="431" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWMHn8gf5zE/XAMBHSAvEWI/AAAAAAAA0NI/dePcR7xFepoqams5hJyiS1AYnZ9O7CzEQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We then heard the bulging calls of the Common Cranes from the Dumbles. We headed for the multi-storey Holden tower overlooking the spectacular River Severn and saw a pair feeding on the mud-flats. There was also a Little Egret hunkering down in the reed-beds. Unfortunately, they were too far to photograph. Plenty of birds were seen flitting in and out of the trees. I was chuffed to see this adorable Chiffchaff moving restlessly through the foliage and sometimes briefly hovering over the branches for insects and spiders. It needed feeding continuously to put on extra fat for the long migration flight back to Africa.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5vaKvmkwSs/XAMBIXhWkpI/AAAAAAAA0NM/2admygBG1IUTAoyfuB0f2EXCo0leGVz9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-14"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8tq1bP50Hcg/XAMBJUNoLdI/AAAAAAAA0NQ/VXYyWIn6ztIB7_W9o7ViW9oPjtzMWgBBwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-14%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Then we walked back into the grounds walking through the boardwalk. We walked past the enclosure containing the Eider ducks with their flirtatious ‘whoa whoa’ calls. At the end of the lake, there was bedlam where a large gathering of Black headed gulls were scrambling over bird seeds that visitors had thrown in the lake. They had lost their chocolate-brown hood for winter, leaving just 2 dark spots. They were bold and opportunistic feeders and it was so noisy as they scrambled over each other for the food.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aKv8oD_zRNo/XAMBKu4cHYI/AAAAAAAA0NU/Gt6pCSKOEZY61Axwtk2Die7eomOdQGEgwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-T--01-09-2018-14"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5FsugCO4kI/XAMBLYkjskI/AAAAAAAA0NY/tY0HNBD_ngQ74ZQQe0seJerhC4CGBJwIACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-T--01-09-2018-14%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We left the bedlam and walked towards the very peaceful enclosure of the Andean flamingos. The ‘fostered’ chicks had grown successfully and were seen wandering around the sand pit. Their parents kept a close, protective watch on their chicks as they explored their habitat. The chicks began to grow their flight feathers after 11 weeks. At the same time, the bill began to hook, allowing the chicks to feed itself. They lose their juvenile grey or white colour gradually over 2-3 year period, at which time their pink feathers began to show.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z-yvNYx9XG4/XAMBMouhdgI/AAAAAAAA0Nc/iXs0WRSjuMIWgc9ryaO89oiLmLjdRsxXQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B6%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I2ALsvAE9sc/XAMBNXyFi2I/AAAAAAAA0Ng/hzXxWzEM3Yw979G4i7Wjc6mk9X6DLVr9gCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Then we checked out Hogarth Hide where a Ruff was feeding quite close to the hide. It was feeding on the soft mud, probing or searching by sight for edible items. It primarily fed on insects, especially in the breeding season, and consumed plant material, on migration and in winter. Virtually all wintering Ruffs in Britain were males as they were able to tolerate colder winter conditions because they were larger than females. They stored fat as a fuel and used lipids as the main energy source and kept warm by shivering.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xHk_CAWoMtc/XAMBObfASWI/AAAAAAAA0Nk/u7J9ZY9t3PYYy67Ts2rRQn4-WrLIv61iwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B23%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kpz40y5n-Wg/XAMBPAsRwxI/AAAAAAAA0No/GssT3-KNKyYkF0Zyq3YiFq2BybT8pbqNwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Nearby, a few dozen Black Tailed Godwits were also feeding in the shallow water.The black and white stripes on their wings were visible and now in their winter greyish-brown plumage. They were sociable birds, forming large flocks when feeding, probing the mud with their bill for shellfish, marine snails, worms and shrimps. The female’s beak was longer than the male’s which meant they don’t compete for the same food. Black Tailed Godwits were migratory and spent the non-breeding season in wetland sites in Spain, Portugal and West Africa.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lWYLoIy2Er0/XAMBP5lKVJI/AAAAAAAA0Ns/Mf-FmZ2pCd8QWJiQonwNEdLOan3SSGqaQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B7%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vgAwns4Q3WA/XAMBQtk7B9I/AAAAAAAA0Nw/22T3PmN2UQMFY9eBv3O3oCaStmsMD5Y7QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
I was chuffed to bits when we spotted the Crane family at the end of the reserve. We’d been following Bart and Ruby since April when she was seen incubating her eggs on the South Lake duck marsh reed-beds. The 2 eggs hatched around 26th May and the two chicks were often spotted around the lake as they foraged for food. Bart and Ruby had done well, protecting their chicks from predation and teaching them how to find the food they needed to grow. Common cranes foraged on land or in shallow water, probing around with their bills for any edible organisms. They were omnivorous largely eating plant matter and animal foods such as earthworms, insects, snails and rodents. They dug in the soil for food items and uprooted tufts of grass to access any invertebrates to feed on. Both juveniles were fledged by late August and their antics provided quite a show for the visitors.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XIPSYi5kiyg/XAMBR1n9doI/AAAAAAAA0N0/hCBiqDNTHrc5D6pccLsPC46phWPXuWKJQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-15%255B1%255D"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wskc6qPKF58/XAMBSs0ipxI/AAAAAAAA0N4/KbthIs8ynYwX3XFuy0GmrkHk3kWtAHoTQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-15?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We took the scenic route on the way out and was pleasantly surprised to see one of my favourite butterfly, the Painted Lady, feeding on the Buddleia. It was a long distance migrant which was the most spectacular butterfly migration observed in the UK. They don’t hibernate here and soon will be migrating back to Northern Africa as they couldn’t survived our winter. Although a bit tattered, its pale buffy-orange background colour to the upper wings was still vibrant. The underwing colouration and eyespots had amazing details which was visible from close quarters. On sunny days, they were very active feeding but as soon as the sun disappeared, individuals tended to leave the nectar source and find a bare patch of earth, stone or rock on which to bask and absorbed the heat with their wings spread wide open. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M9MgbK0PxmY/XAMBTYNjenI/AAAAAAAA0N8/2wQOeQC8Px42mF-L8HOYfEQLLXUu0ji_ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-16"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oG7cz9ZV6MA/XAMBUbE8qDI/AAAAAAAA0OA/XX8OPZXKhN4vCobxhaadjMF2k7Y1-mAngCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--01-09-2018-16%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We also came across the last of the new additions to the Giant Lego® Brick Animal Trail in the Puddleduck corner, being surrounded by real ducks. Skye the stork was one of the fourteen individually-designed 1.5m Lego® brick animals that formed a wild adventure trail for kids (and big kids) to inspire them to build a better future for nature. Each sculpture was built by professional Lego builders, taking hundreds of hours and using no less than 253,728 bricks and it took 6,328 bricks of those to build Skye. It was an amazing way of putting the spotlight on some really important species, many of which were endangered. We left Skye with her admirers and walked back to the car.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QgV1Sv4tfes/XAMBVSJNdyI/AAAAAAAA0OE/2jWOeJMGolU9A6J9JTQQov39v3_tFaqCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018"><img alt="Slimbridge WWT - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9k1O0nb5NtI/XAMBWhdFGcI/AAAAAAAA0OI/fL4OEeP1IDghLuDdnqXBnIUSKIuJL8bxACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--01-09-2018%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slimbridge WWT - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We also partied at the 20th anniversary of Europe's biggest free festival, the Godiva Festival 2018 which took place between Friday 31 August and Sunday 2 September. It was the largest family music festival in the UK, and was made up of two fields; a Main Field and a Family field, which each offer a different experience in the 12-acre site in Coventry's War Memorial Park. Other features of the festival included the Family Field, an Acoustic Stage, a Paradise Tent, food stalls, a Hilltop bar, craft stalls, an Urban Youth Tent, a vintage market and a fairground. In the Family Field, were attractions such as a petting farm, charity village, Community Stage, Lives and Times area, Greenspace area, Make Space tent, a funfair, cycle training, falconry and visits from local groups such as the Coventry Bears and the Fire Service, alongside displays from dozens of community groups, local scout groups and wildlife organizations.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CshhvzZJp90/XAMBXc0Rc0I/AAAAAAAA0OQ/aTlWvp7l8RUgIIxmfnXT8aLFI01aI7eVwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D3100a--02-"><b><img alt="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7mI36W7UMHw/XAMBYmcnR0I/AAAAAAAA0OU/PBObeGSUsKMwjW8vouI4_pWbRmjGHvSqACHMYCw/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D3100a--02-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" width="644" /></b></a><br />
Although it was a 3-day event, we only went on the Sunday. There was already a queue to get into the parking site and there was a large crowd lingering at the turnstiles. We were early as the gates were only opened at 12 pm. We also wondered whether we were allowed in as we brought along our DSLR cameras which was categorised as professional-looking. I did tweeted/emailed the organisers but I didn’t receive any reply.<b> </b>When the gates opened, we were allowed in, no questions asked. Phew…<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ejD1RRGlOfo/XAMBZZdoNaI/AAAAAAAA0OY/JFJdIDUy-S4TUYYG-v9DlROOq6kpWF6-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B9%255D"><b><img alt="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kGcdwXoGhI/XAMBaETanwI/AAAAAAAA0Oc/FW6jKEYI_ugoXLh7ZtjZhPFdqiCrpAHaACHMYCw/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" width="644" /></b></a><br />
The sun was shining throughout the afternoon keeping the crowds in good spirits. We headed for the Family field and made a pit stop at the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire stage which we thought was much smaller than before. The stage was dedicated to showing local and up-and-coming talents, demonstrating the Festival’s commitment to its home origins. The Notables was again present to accompany the performers with learning disabilities. These were professional musicians, formed in response to a request from learning disabled adults to make music as a group.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1IvN8u3URE/XAMBbCFyKxI/AAAAAAAA0Og/Q6hTuMmmMJUX2vlCyTFeLC1MfvXAsUL1wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B8%255D"><b><img alt="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iP9cVz1DVu8/XAMBb9Us4QI/AAAAAAAA0Ok/ph5tQxZ-7RQBY__sxi2z6E92sluMR5RIQCHMYCw/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" width="644" /></b></a><br />
The Hawkwise Falconry was back again and we managed to get close and personal to the various birds of prey. We then went into the Vintage tent which was heaving that we walked out again. The crowds were beginning to arrive that we decided to head to the main arena walking past a huge funfair with a range of rides for the thrill seekers. There were already hundreds of people milling about, staking their places, having picnics and enjoying the fantastic sunny weather and atmosphere. We cooled down in the Rhythem tent where the main theme was Bhangra to Bollywood: the sounds of South Asian Britain. Vocalist Abi Sampa was on stage<b> </b>with her own unique sound, combining Western popular music elements with qawwali, carnatic and Hindustani classical music.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rQk1x1cOBsU/XAMBcw43fVI/AAAAAAAA0Oo/Y6Spx-svgoU_y7u5cRdi44CMzQhmUjNJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B1%255D"><b><img alt="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-68SS1e3CBZE/XAMBdu1k5yI/AAAAAAAA0Os/jwOgnFnz3RQ9COQNzcjXQhY4dt9_2TB_wCHMYCw/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" width="644" /></b></a><br />
Then we headed to the Main Stage for the act I wanted to see, Tony Christie. I know there were amazing acts such as Professor Green, Gabrielle, Jonas Blue and Ronan Keating being headlined but somehow this silver-haired crooner took my fancy. I blamed it on Peter Kay <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VpfyvFEbem4/XAMBed2xdxI/AAAAAAAA0Ow/96dzGYo12d0wArKIbeVnzTddBlO8srf1ACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800" /> who was credited to the resurgence of the single ‘Is this the way to Amarillo’. The song was re-leased on March 14th 2005 to raise money for Comic Relief. There was a buzz when Christie went on stage and when he sang that song, everyone stood up and did the ‘walking on the spot’ scene, clapping and singing along. It was amazing. We left after his set was over as more people were coming in to see Ronan Keating, who was closing the show later that night. <br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n1Oy7g8SFmg/XAMBfXw8D9I/AAAAAAAA0O0/L_X_il15WR8831Js-tMpS-hPDT5O2O_iACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B7%255D"><img alt="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-L9rm5KSE4/XAMBgLPv76I/AAAAAAAA0O4/5UGkUHyqzQk1Ou79F1mxaIjA4FJi_1pkgCHMYCw/Coventry-Godiva-Festival-D7200--02-0%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Godiva Festival Coventry - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
I was still high with adrenalin when I got ready for my 3 day conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. My colleague and I flew via Fly-be but our flight was delayed due to the aftermath from Storm Florence that hit the area. The airport was closed causing travel chaos as the airport authority tried their best to clear the backlogs. It was chaos when we finally touchdown at the airport but I’m glad that we arrived safely, albeit 1.5 hours late. We took the taxi to the university and it was another slow ride as we encountered the rush hours. But what greeted us made up for it. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEcFb3Pt-JQ/XAMBhKCkk9I/AAAAAAAA0PA/KCTcrHyGCHUv9TAUCLwn4T52l3FZQdJ7QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-13%255B2%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FLCwrGTdjdY/XAMBh0lkUCI/AAAAAAAA0PE/MK11zr-VVX8TED05fL55bKa1hgfwXjEYQCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-13%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Unfortunately, this wasn’t our accommodation. I could just see Rapunzel letting her hair down for her Prince Charming from one of the towers. This was a mid-19th century St. Leonard’s Hall which could be hired for weddings. Our home-away from home was Chancellor’s Court, located at the foot of the Royal Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat. After dumping our luggage, we went for a short walk to check out the town. We’d coffee and cake at a very hipster coffee house and then went to the pre-conference meet-up in the Summerhall Bar. The cafe bar was once the Small Animal Hospital of the Dick Vet School and we were surrounded by an eclectic mix of wall decorations. Unfortunately, I left my camera in my room which was a shame. We introduced ourselves and joined in the fun. It was a fabulous way to break the ice and let our hair down before the conference began. <br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFVMqzci4z4/XAMBi2N8l0I/AAAAAAAA0PI/Kn101RLLpg8d_A362ilE6y5GuuCMfeJ5gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-13%255B1%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RIp3su7imNc/XAMBjmoVgUI/AAAAAAAA0PM/_q6dQzoVLTkxeFO05XHJ0W-KJQ8Ux0ztgCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-13%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
The Cataloguing and Indexing biennial conference was held at the John McIntyre Conference Centre. This year conference ‘Metadata : Create, Share and Enrich’ showcased the continued need for quality metadata in a data dominated world and those who created, shared , enriched and used it’. The first day was full on with presentations on collaborative cataloguing, metadata revolution, Dewey development, RDA, institutional repository, discoverability in archives, legacy data, metadata mapping, data migration and Marc Edit. There was so much to take and thankfully a lot of these wasn’t new to me. The break was a blessing for our brain to rest before the next assault.<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ETDTCwiX6-k/XAMBktskGeI/AAAAAAAA0PQ/0csGGm6c5W4u38cDo1xAy39c4uwV9VjBACHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-15%255B5%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9vZWKnfDWWI/XAMBlQ0nqpI/AAAAAAAA0PU/F0F7OZOP014coRWr5o7hc-PgjJyMymplwCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-15%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
A lot of us wasn’t happy with the seating arrangements because we were crammed so close together and there was no place to put our laptops. It was quite difficult to work without a table. By the end of the day, we made gaps between the chairs so that we could sit comfortably. After a long day, a few brave delegates including moi, decided to climb Arthur’s Seat which loomed behind our accommodation. My room faced the hill and I slept with my curtains opened. When I woke up at around 6.30 am, I saw quite a number of people up there waiting for the sun to rise. I was envious and wished I was up there with them.<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mH8_Te9Yv0k/XAMBmcSXm3I/AAAAAAAA0Pc/PfcotxSWDJI-Ihrea_qo1o5GR1LN9874wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B2%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v7SqU92F9Tg/XAMBnOGcO3I/AAAAAAAA0Pg/HpqHc_hAnWQ9Yburznw2b-4Z9JtfLiEZgCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
Arthurs Seat was the highest point, an ancient dormant that sat 251 metre above sea level with excellent views of the city. It was also the site of a large and well preserved 2000 year old hill fort with a diverse range of flora and geology making it a site of Special Scientific Interest. It was described by Robert Louis Stevenson as<br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>“a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design.”</i></b></div>
<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXwaPfcxwNU/XAMBoDlHx1I/AAAAAAAA0Pk/ryvQ_K1OOR0bUeBMO2UyZsZBHX5bwYeRgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B5%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jgc5EzsgZ3I/XAMBo3kpCHI/AAAAAAAA0Po/GUNJQM1KiRgOdA2A5DgyERjpGHox_EupACHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to climb up the hill. After about 10 minutes of walking up the very well trodden and eroded path through shrubs and gorses, I was breathless and decided not to continue. I asked the others to go ahead while I waited for them at the bottom. I spent the time people watching and from the edge, there were great views down over Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament, the white roof of Dynamic Earth, and further afield to Leith and the Firth of Forth. From time to time, I did looked up to see figures of the climbers at the top silhouetted against the skyline but I don’t know whether they were my mates. After about an hour, I heard and then saw them climbing down safely. From their photos, it really looked amazing up there.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-smh__Q9qpvc/XAMBpl54vUI/AAAAAAAA0Ps/4vrCET_5Z78iX-QeeP2UyO5yOqIgINOUwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B6%255D"><b><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jaR4fyuVz_M/XAMBqQS0PzI/AAAAAAAA0Pw/2-tXH6z6E848YEN-jt-SIcsSLdG5uqwewCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-17%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></b></a><br />
The 2nd day was the keynote address from Professor Melissa Terras on using library metadata as a discovery in publishing history. She highlighted this when she did a research for her book “Picture-book professors: academia and children’s literature”. After her very informative talk, it was back to cramming topics such as MARC, zine cataloguing, serials standards, World Cat, subject headings, NBK, metadata memory, cataloguing art objects, Linked Open Data and ethical issues in catalogue content standards from some very knowledgeable presenters . Some of these were new to me and it was something which I would like to learn more about.<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1gjCFi_jBc8/XAMBrX-F2TI/AAAAAAAA0P0/pKsogJxhgkkZIzGXu3Y7ppfHUIRI81MFgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-15%255B4%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-G6mscAeBU/XAMBsLCqTCI/AAAAAAAA0P4/oikHSg30_3c-FrzZgFlDUm8CTlpVxNg0wCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--05-09-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
The highlight of the conference was the dinner at The Caves. We dressed up in our party frocks and walked about 30 minutes into town. The Caves had been magnificently restored from its original 18th century stone vault storage complex, part of the legendary Edinburgh Vaults, a distinct series of chambers formed in the 19 arches of the South Bridge. It was an eerie venue, right under the bustling city of Edinburgh. When we arrived a glass of wine was freely available to everyone but those who don’t drink had to pay £3 for a glass of orange juice. I was furious and put that on my feedback form. Then we walked 3 floors underground for our 3-course meal. Since I opted for a vegetarian option, my starter was Roasted tomato soup which was ok. The main meal was beetroot with chickpeas and artichoke mush which was really a let down. It didn’t even come with any salad or roast potatoes. Pudding was a salted caramel torte which was so-so. I didn’t enjoy my meal but thankfully, the conversations and ambience made up for it,<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMzOgqPVSW0/XAMBtKwMtVI/AAAAAAAA0P8/JGBDvuIw52Mdk7Bm0wlA3u6Shxm4RUdbQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--06-09-2018-22%255B1%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ohyv0wvtNM/XAMBt5aBlSI/AAAAAAAA0QA/FbBZdfgrIGAFdqqkjP7g-KCGTRO7K2qJgCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--06-09-2018-22?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
The third and final day of the conference was the day that everyone was looking forward to. RDA Day covered the latest developments in the RDA cataloguing standard, providing a forum for discussion, learning and sharing. There was focus on the latest developments in the RDA standard and the Toolkit which unfortunately led to more questions than answers. We were lucky that our library was one of the first users of RDA when it was released in 2010 and felt sorry for fellow cataloguers who were just about to adopt it. It would take a lot of time and patience to get used to. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay till the end as we’d a plane to catch and we don’t want to get caught in the Friday evening rush hour. We arrived with plenty of time to spare. Kudos to the CIG committee members for a fantastic conference. <br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZA27qEaKdM/XAMBuli2jcI/AAAAAAAA0QE/4vQTnMYzD7kP54UnZBQ6azYTKyByfYewQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--07-09-2018-19%255B1%255D"><img alt="Edinburgh - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPywaiYA4aY/XAMBvQPUhoI/AAAAAAAA0QI/ztHKvEASmE0wAzcIeq_8YxN7z-T6yCZtgCHMYCw/Edinburgh-Trip-D3100a--07-09-2018-19%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Edinburgh - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
After a 3-day conference, I needed something relaxing to do. Babe suggested checking out the Midlands Air Museum which was just down the road. The Midland Air Museum was started in 1967 by a small group of local aircraft enthusiasts as the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS). In 1975 a lease was secured which laid the foundations for a permanent museum. MAPS changed its name in 1977 to Midland Air Museum (MAM) and became a Charitable Trust with Educational Charity status following in 1979. Following the arrival of the Vulcan bomber in 1983 and the Argosy freighter in 1987 the museum moved onto its present site and establishing the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre. MAM became one the first independent aviation museums to achieve the government's Museum and Galleries prestigious registration status in 1990.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VblQZR0Sbuk/XAMBwdhKTnI/AAAAAAAA0QQ/5oHBDU_QRd4X3pbBHJdFMxMdWzZsXQJFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-10-41%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q44n4e9cMj0/XAMBxPAKi3I/AAAAAAAA0QU/RtCft3z_MX4uCY94yhaY-IXMclwVkI1tACHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-10-41_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
After parking, we entered the reception area into the Sir Frank Whittle section where we learnt and absorbed the history of the jet engine and saw and touched examples of one of his early designs. We managed to watch a very cheesy propaganda film with him talking about how to apply for a patent of his invention. On leaving this area, we walked around inside the cramped hanger and climbed up the meteor cockpit and stuck our noses in to the Canberra cockpit. We also heard the typical start up and sortie in progress. We then wandered upstairs in to the gallery display area and checked out artifacts from WW1, WW2 to a full on Saphire jet engine. Although the place tiny, it was a maze of corridors to explore all packed with exhibits. On climbing down the stairs, via the display cabinets we read about the history of the RAF and its Coventry and Warwickshire associations plus a close up on some jet/rocket/piston engines. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SsJdSbOaq8o/XAMByOSixmI/AAAAAAAA0QY/inaP9_0De-MtBpXgVMiOrN0RpF5lBYTywCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-15-16%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fcCQ6oGvcHM/XAMBy9tjRjI/AAAAAAAA0Qc/anjBICMYqLoJ6SnrpQkQx3OXaoxHSdLJwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-15-16_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Local aviation history was strongly featured in the Wings Over Coventry gallery on the mezzanine floor of the main hangar, showcasing products from local manufacturers which included aircraft exhibits. Most obvious was the huge Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy which dominated the external display area and was the largest airframe; AWA also built many Meteors, Sea Hawks, Javelins and Hunters and an example of each was on display. Also in recognition of the local area's contribution to the war effort, there were WWII related exhibits which included a rare Bristol Beaufighter cockpit section (built locally) and a rear fuselage section from one of the more than 1,800 Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley bombers built here at Baginton. Unfortunately no complete Whitley airframe had survived which was a shame.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bgpl_5qaJUo/XAMBzy-vZvI/AAAAAAAA0Qg/GraZMDokSvw8njH8-pnLLZaoSg_LaETcwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-24-43%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXs1MA0MVAw/XAMB05OcVII/AAAAAAAA0Qk/xii8gsE1H9YvhMF9O7vUeWESQGHq7KywwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-24-43_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3uXRtVuV5bo/XAMB14kvImI/AAAAAAAA0Qo/4xlBICaVyWsAqK2IqYUU5xvY67IkZS19ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-25-33%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u3KmRjTNKnE/XAMB2_2nytI/AAAAAAAA0Qs/fa3Hz8OXY5gqaGDyH6pDfvuX0MkJBPxGgCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-25-33_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
From the hanger, we ventured outside, a field filled with aircraft. We headed straight to our favourite aircraft, the Avro Vulcan B.2. It was incredible to see the vast futuristic delta shaped design this close. I bravely climbed the steep steps into the cockpit of this classis V bomber where a very enthusiastic guide explained all of the interior and exterior details. The pilots seats weren’t open to visitors as they were very cramped and contained very fragile safety equipment but I was allowed to sit on the rear seats. It gave me the shivers as the guide relived the lives of those crews that flew it during the Cold War. It was hard to imagine how they sometimes spent nearly 20 hours flying the plane on long distance trips.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FdAfnee3VM8/XAMB3vUIosI/AAAAAAAA0Qw/8ovQ5mpkbqMcGab1TpAz51KF-c1ZKRhzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0%255B2%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VnJ6XQrT_74/XAMB4kWySPI/AAAAAAAA0Q0/zoQLpKd8zkMO5FS1lRUF76MweMybcmPUwCHMYCw/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Five people could fit in the tiny cramped space not much larger than a London taxi cab as the rest of the plane was dedicated to its war function. Protected under a metal panel was the switch that thankfully was never used to drop the nuclear bomb. While performing conventional combat missions, the Vulcan could carry up to 21 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs inside its bomb bay. From the 1960s, the various Vulcan squadrons would routinely conduct conventional training missions and the aircrews were expected to be able to perform conventional bombing missions in addition to the critical nuclear strike mission the Vulcan normally performed.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wg_fVH187SI/XAMB5taZA4I/AAAAAAAA0Q4/7JBDIirK8sY6iX_GODtgs10rdXmstWBFACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D3100a-"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UyESI13BTl8/XAMB6kZMwKI/AAAAAAAA0Q8/-vY8xOHbtsAsNh9eTjabyS9TYSWoKivKwCHMYCw/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D3100a-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
The Midland Air Museum's XL360 was the only preserved Vulcan with a name - City of Coventry. It was only given the name after it had left RAF service. Even when in service very few Vulcans were ever given names. She entered service with 617 squadron on the 1st of March 1962, then served with 35 squadron, 230 OCU and 44 squadron before being flown into retirement at Coventry airport on the 26th of January 1982. Although this one didn’t participate in that famous Black Buck raids, the fame of these astonishing machines were secured during the Falklands War.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2pjgb7kf5L8/XAMB7a6snWI/AAAAAAAA0RA/NsGYZn8H9yQjpFfQoY2Ht2QN7Bo8MzpFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="281" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2TaJvtuqqw0/XAMB8DSd8YI/AAAAAAAA0RI/sVANvhdWNzwb_1j8symWRA0swGqtjWl4gCHMYCw/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
After getting our fill of this fantastic machine, we got close and personal with the rest of the aircraft on display. From the Vulcan, our next largest aircraft was the locally built Armstrong Whitworth Argosy Freighter, the civil version with the nose door, as opposed to the RAF version, with rear clamshell doors. The main purpose of these doors was for quick loading and unloading. We climbed in the freight hold and moved forward in to the cockpit under the supervision of a guide, who explained the history of the aircraft.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwPzTouWnIw/XAMB9A7vhsI/AAAAAAAA0RM/ofBSD3hGjKMMo6jQD5lMNYJK85eMsdYpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0%255B8%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XZrMO1KthGQ/XAMB9m6i93I/AAAAAAAA0RQ/J10OIkadbmYCLld1BSpyrZJ3bibiR4eVQCHMYCw/Coventry-Midlands-Air-Museum-D800--0%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
On leaving the Argosy we wandered around the aircraft on display outside which was behind barriers. The only problem for us as photographers were that they were too close together that they photobombed each other in the photographs and the rope barriers was always in the way. The jet aircraft exhibits ranged from the rare Swedish SAAB J29 Tunnan which was the first post-war European swept-wing jet fighter and the only one in the UK; the Dassault Mystère IV A, a first French swept-wing fighter; the English Electric Lightning which was the only all-British Mach 2 fighter, and the mighty American McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II which was a genuine MiG-killer with combat history over Vietnam.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GdKYSsXoFR0/XAMB-rdX0WI/AAAAAAAA0RU/vh6krjF9YNgErLfrfoK9DVxu4yJRG6j5wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-43-026%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRgG34Yl2tQ/XAMB_Qvc-gI/AAAAAAAA0RY/-IzX6qVNGl8ttAZY3CehrK6g3XGK-lAIACHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-43-026_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
The incredible variety of designs produced by the British aircraft industry in the 1950s and 1960s was represented by an equally wide range of aircraft from carrier-borne types such as the Hawker Sea Hawk, de Havilland Sea Vixen, Fairey Gannet and Sea Harrier to RAF fighters such as the Vampire, Meteor, Hunter, Javelin and Lightning. The jet bomber force was represented by the English Electric Canberra and this was a rare reconnaissance version and the huge Avro Vulcan 4-engined nuclear bomber. There were also several military trainers including the American Lockheed T-33, the Polish PZL Iskra and the British Vampire T.11. At the back, we walked past more aircraft of a bygone era including two Lightnings and some American cold war aircraft. At the bottom of the site was Victor Nose section the Vickers Viscount aircraft and the Robin Hanger where restoration work was carried out.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6YrKzeMylE/XAMCCL1BwHI/AAAAAAAA0Rk/ppsoQ9E6o6gXzmLSS3bnLG-T1waTxpDTwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-43-045%255B9%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ROiohUPXAQk/XAMCC4kHzcI/AAAAAAAA0Ro/N8YlcfTJ4RkCulw4yOTLtvehwhjn1qF8gCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-43-045_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
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<b><i>And the Wright brothers said they thought they had invented<br />something that could make peace on earth<br />(if the wrong brothers didn’t get hold of it) </i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFTmhN-_f9A/XAMCDnFa9OI/AAAAAAAA0Rs/NNv3GYLY4egOivZ2BKZUkw8fE2vrLfJGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-44-10%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bIEXHj_LB9w/XAMCEtcyS7I/AAAAAAAA0R0/MMdVxVAHexE8Kp0Wbm8eYANtyBgqg-luwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-44-10_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />when their wonderful flying machine took off at Kitty Hawk<br />into the kingdom of birds but the parliament of birds was freaked out<br />by this man-made bird and fled to heaven</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AWLj0GbYqrU/XAMCFX394oI/AAAAAAAA0R4/SC2f7cWXqukRtPsA_KB-lpYpng_8NMR6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-49-021%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4_0CJT_EEo8/XAMCGE6YgGI/AAAAAAAA0SA/nJGvuo0Dm6k_z5B78xoHU0ZADtOYS_mdACHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-49-021_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />And then the famous Spirit of Saint Louis took off eastward and<br />flew across the Big Pond with Lindy at the controls in his leather<br />helmet and goggles hoping to sight the doves of peace but he did not</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDuSMQxgmpQ/XAMCHOdSSdI/AAAAAAAA0SE/WcDJ5NGx1Sw16shv1Z3RmZMymBIh9NDngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-49-45%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SVXsLtfHVhg/XAMCIDuqpeI/AAAAAAAA0SI/r3CyOzMaqLoEzZWEMk6dXzJc5g8EDIMeACHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-49-45_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />Even though he circled Versailles<br />And then the famous Yankee Clipper took off in the opposite<br />direction and flew across the terrific Pacific but the pacific doves</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DZzHsUbKFe4/XAMCJFsXLGI/AAAAAAAA0SM/4bvYefadWQsZeMYSsQklzuvPTnGUw1fEwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-51-16%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTJfmqt1xTY/XAMCJwzqKsI/AAAAAAAA0SQ/LzI3KVl7rVYK9fKC6L_p6sYJhQkYULTiQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-51-16_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />were frighted by this strange amphibious bird and hid in the orient sky<br />And then the famous Flying Fortress took off bristling with guns<br />and testosterone to make the world safe for peace and capitalism</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mcj36FMovy8/XAMCK0C7B7I/AAAAAAAA0SU/380XrLkGGcMYK9G2JwW9xFyeJOh7AQpZQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-51-30%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kJKLbtCD0zY/XAMCL4UZv6I/AAAAAAAA0SY/3vRZm8U6yAYPMd2FYGeRxUq2CB7RP0UvQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-51-30_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />but the birds of peace were nowhere to be found before or after Hiroshima<br />And so then clever men built bigger and faster flying machines and<br />these great man-made birds with jet plumage flew higher than any</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFAp5iYYe-I/XAMCMpxK8AI/AAAAAAAA0Sc/9aTaK1q-UVcFN9RneaGFHysZoTWHiyAkwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-52-007%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7v2OuKHgeZM/XAMCNtmdzpI/AAAAAAAA0Sg/vZDAYtX_pzo08OFG9U7Hi_bkQBETHMbggCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-52-007_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />real birds and seemed about to fly into the sun and melt their wings<br />and like Icarus crash to earth<br />And the Wright brothers were long forgotten in the high-flying</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DADJR9QWobw/XAMCORegVRI/AAAAAAAA0Sk/taBKBSQv92ERBm9lu3KMOB3XUWfqRrZ6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-07-055%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MhLWs7_Hvts/XAMCPI9h5gI/AAAAAAAA0So/AerokM7uBL0Tjdh-GshQDDBRFQwovQdegCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-07-055_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />bombers that now began to visit their blessings on various Third<br />Worlds all the while claiming they were searching for doves of<br />peace</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_wuoOwLUR0/XAMCQFt7WuI/AAAAAAAA0Ss/rMtj0TZUl-Qupgiqk_M7DX4nEIFV766mACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-09-015%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aX9vhpF-ioU/XAMCQ2aVxfI/AAAAAAAA0S0/mA6nIDbSdg8a7dViPozD57Av2wkmDEkTwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-09-015_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br />And they kept flying and flying until they flew right into the 21st<br />century and then one fine day a Third World struck back and<br />stormed the great planes and flew them straight into the beating</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AvkOYq7S3a8/XAMCRsAkeII/AAAAAAAA0S4/C3f3U1j-NQQRomsVV2f61ChkPypwdjMCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-16-004%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ZCJNgX8TS8/XAMCSZbftMI/AAAAAAAA0S8/3PYls5spXeM5crlVWBdMzeNwcw_bjFMmQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD800%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-16-004_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />heart of Skyscraper America where there were no aviaries and no<br />parliaments of doves and in a blinding flash America became a part<br />of the scorched earth of the world</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iv2rl76jsPU/XAMCTf5lbFI/AAAAAAAA0TA/srqtWYE3Oi0DvKHYob1e4hVYwSsZAbucQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-37-51%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCA_fTw--_w/XAMCUBHQG5I/AAAAAAAA0TE/040G9NMymeAZKpPfShi55vuFoRdPwZgIgCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-37-51_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />And a wind of ashes blows across the land<br />And for one long moment in eternity<br />There is chaos and despair</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zUmUocdtqMM/XAMCVU7chYI/AAAAAAAA0TI/H_ZE4DkYeHcqFNaLOZOAU6-tCbbsvAL7wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-44-52%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1KhSvmag0E/XAMCWdrWcHI/AAAAAAAA0TM/b6IqygH5p28yAkuZ7PBbter32vwmawOfQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-44-52_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />And buried loves and voices<br />Cries and whispers<br />Fill the air<br />Everywhere</i></b> </div>
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<b><i>~Lawrence Ferlinghetti ‘History of the Airplane”~</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pni3m2th8CI/XAMCXJg27AI/AAAAAAAA0TQ/-OnJ3LwrSjECbWwJfi5D55HrFmpm6iIWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-52-13%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SSm-IH1BI5k/XAMCYLzyCWI/AAAAAAAA0TY/gcaRxRNEy8Acpb-Hrb9GGeebkrsxpTICQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B14-52-13_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
Was it worth the £7 each fee entrance? We thought it was because you only needed to visit it once, unless a new amazing exhibit was added. It took us about 3 hours to do everything and we photographed all the planes there and took the time to listen to the very enthusiastic volunteers. This was a place where aircraft retired and then restored lovingly by enthusiasts. A lot of money, sweat and tears were poured into these old planes and the Museum had done well.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WBjtAdj1ie0/XAMCZbjcdrI/AAAAAAAA0Tc/3VtVeGxe0sES_O5NdS8VmJsrXL0g_mXhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-07-55%255B4%255D"><img alt="MIdlands Air Museum - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ClANYlCZZA/XAMCaO7aBcI/AAAAAAAA0Tg/-JcaktLC4hMWWqe30EoAZCQm2zDIuzKaQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BMidlands%2BAir%2BMuseum%2BD3100a%2B%2B09-09-2018%2B15-07-55_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIdlands Air Museum - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We also checked out Bradgate Park to see what the natives were up to. Bradgate Park was renowned for its fine herds of deer and was the only remaining enclosed medieval deer park in the East Midlands. The park was home to a large herd of Fallow deer and Red deer. Unfortunately when we were there, the Red deer was AWOL. As we walked through the park, we spotted small herds of Fallow deer dotted here and there. Some were chilling out under the shade, ruminating while chewing cud, watching the visitors checking them out. For most of the year, males and females were in separate single-sex groups, and large herds aggregated in open areas where there was plenty of food.<br />
<b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_T2PGEXWGGg/XAMCbe1uSNI/AAAAAAAA0Tk/HYE-_btfs4UMJaH7xicOWrc-6TeCiA1rwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B14%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JdXO3UPFw5Y/XAMCcOL0hGI/AAAAAAAA0To/RtVEcn0QQDclzKnT-plPqX1TQx-OjfsWgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a></b><br />
The fallow deer went extinct in Britain during the last Ice Age, and was re-established by the Normans for hunting in the 11th century. They subsequently escaped from deer parks and were today the most common deer in England. They were grazing animals and their preferred habitat was mixed woodland and open grassland. Throughout a large portion of the year the sexes remain separated and only congregated during the mating months. The male fallow deer was known as a buck, the female was a doe, and the young a fawn. The breeding season, or 'rut' occurred between October and November where the males made a loud belly belch to proclaim their territory and fight over the females.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d3agYPciuHo/XAMCdIVWrdI/AAAAAAAA0Ts/m6hp7nVsrcIYF1-JzkTd0Ou4tLA5wBREACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B2%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fxkXudHpiUw/XAMCeLR7yII/AAAAAAAA0Tw/M3hyLL0vT0QZwZt1rnnEp87wtkYsM-ougCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Outside the rut, bucks lived in small bachelor herds, separately from the does and fawns. Only bucks have antlers, which are broad and shovel-shaped (palmate). In the first two years, the antler was a single spike. The Fallow was the only British deer with palmate antlers. These increased in size with age reaching up to 70cm long when the adult was 3 - 4 years old. It was found that males with larger antlers had higher mating success, while asymmetrical antlers did not. Large bucks may stop feeding completely during the rut and lose condition as a result, whereas younger bucks hanging around on the fringes continued to eat as normal.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uubd5L0tVCs/XAMCfMUon2I/AAAAAAAA0T0/osVrdcs5ty4Q35prrZwhPrhmrxZyNy8igCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B1%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JzyCgDDqDiw/XAMCgIu09nI/AAAAAAAA0T4/vvjEW7bwLe4ofbt4DtCpGflyJX3rGNTswCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
The name Fallow was derived from the deer's pale brown colour. Much variation occurred in the coat colour, with four main variants: common, menil, melanistic, and leucistic – a genuine colour variety, not albinistic. The white was the lightest coloured, almost white; common and menil were darker, and melanistic was very dark, sometimes even black. In summer, their fur was usually reddish-brown, with lighter spots, while in winter it was thicker and greyer, with less distinct spots. A distinguishing feature of the Fallow deer was the tail area which showed a black border surrounding a very pale, almost white area of rump hair. The black often extended along the length of the tail. We spotted this pair in between feeding bouts, laying up in to ruminate and chewing the cud.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VZluIvzzAds/XAMChOxVCJI/AAAAAAAA0T8/da95hNQsyuswxnC7wJvB-M3zXHtJdicpACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B16%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QN9Bhqvg95o/XAMCh4ZozuI/AAAAAAAA0UA/xhZp_0zzYxkQbahIRpgCf-jthMBXVmsrQCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
We turned back after checking out the herd in the main field. It was a shame that Lady Jane Grey ruins wasn’t opened. We walked along the grassy path and was chuffed to see a Small Copper. A tiny but dazzling butterfly with bright orange forewings, dark brown spots and a thick, dark brown margin. It had dark brown hindwings that were banded with orange. Once-common butterfly, it joined a growing list of shrinking species, despite no discernible habitat loss in recent years, suggesting climate change was having greater impact than previously thought. This sun-loving butterfly was nectaring on the dandelions. It later basked on the bare ground absorbing the sun's rays. Due to the recent good summer, the Small Copper may have several generations between April and October, with the last generation overwintering as a caterpillar<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I0RCD19AfjY/XAMCizRcB4I/AAAAAAAA0UE/XKjEZiGja6888SH3tAalPantn5qqwpbRACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate%2BPark%2BD7200%2BC13%2B%2B10-09-2018%2B13-12-34%255B4%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9B_q7Cu6c0Q/XAMCjkN0C3I/AAAAAAAA0UI/T_idMFjJDM8PZwsgobIl7yqIcL25KIP_gCHMYCw/Bradgate%2BPark%2BD7200%2BC13%2B%2B10-09-2018%2B13-12-34_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
Along the River Lin that flowed through the middle of the Park, a Common Darter was also basking on the stone wall. A summer and autumn species, this dragonfly could be found well into November and may be one of the last on the wing in the UK. The Darter was a red, narrow-bodied dragonfly that hovered around all kinds of waterbodies, darting out to surprise its prey. As their name suggests, Common Darters darted forward suddenly from a hovering position to catch their insect-prey. They then take their catch to a favoured perch to eat it. It was able to remain active in lower temperatures than other species, partly by seeking out sunny spots to warm up in..<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MMfI6txH4oA/XAMCkdTocbI/AAAAAAAA0UM/Oo6KO72GUaMtsi8z5Xt3KC00ak_2XjDPwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B12%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FWRV_tze20g/XAMClDuK0xI/AAAAAAAA0UQ/lE6nvAI7fwo8aWt2fdnddWhoZu32D9itQCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
As soon as we reached the entrance, we spotted this pair stereotypical “spotty’ Fallow deer crossing the road. Everything stopped in their tracks to let them through. People were pointing their fingers and taking photographs via their telephones and cameras. All eyes were on them as they disappeared in search of food. The Fallow deer’s diet consisted of a range of vegetation and ground plants such as grass and heather. Fresh shoots of holly and bramble bushes were also eaten along with low hanging shoots of trees such as beech and oak. During the winter months when food was scarce they also fed on acorns, fallen nuts and fungi which were plentiful in the Park.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E2tjrqzXvvk/XAMCmCglThI/AAAAAAAA0UU/CuCXRVzbxqgSar45kLaE3pCz4TV0dWRGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B10%255D"><img alt="Bradgate Park - September" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9DuQrQ0uE7w/XAMCmzs6C-I/AAAAAAAA0UY/eT_10ykVlosw-AOkM9Q9NJS9s-05QCjhACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200-C13--10-09-2018-%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bradgate Park - September" width="644" /></a><br />
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Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-31027951719368166052018-11-01T14:56:00.001-07:002018-11-02T15:35:12.611-07:00ONCE UPON A LAMMAS MONTH<p align="center"><strong><em>“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris well when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often at night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone.”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Natalie Babbitt~</em></strong></p><p>The Celtic holiday of Lammas fell on the first of August and signalled the coming of autumn. Also known as Lughnasadh, the summer heatwave continued into August with the mercury remained well above the mid-20s. Now was the time to begin reaping what we had sown, and gathered up the first harvests of grain such as wheat, barley, rye and oats. It was a festival to mark the annual grain harvest, and was the first harvest festival of the year. Apart from the raspberries and some blueberries, we don’t have anything to harvest from our garden. We have lots of wild blackberries dotted around the garden which we left for our feathered friends but from time to time I do pick the biggest, juicest berry. There were also a few dozen figs on the tree but they hadn’t ripened yet.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EFArPbQwbWI/W9t1a_71fsI/AAAAAAAAz58/qYJN5ljNumQcJBrBp_BJc4UIwaLRUFHEQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--02-08-2018-13-24-3"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_FiebG2aNjU/W9t1bneLUcI/AAAAAAAAz6A/Ylxd72lsCGIC8jQU4dWkFyqBar8WAjdGACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--02-08-2018-13-24-3%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Because of the heat, our feathered friends have been enjoying having a drink and a bath from the bird-bath and a water tray. Watching them flying in and lining around the rim for a drink or having a good, splashy bath was a joyful experience. It beats watching television, Blackbirds and Starlings often took a dip while the Wood pigeons just sat in the water to cool down. Bathing kept their feathers in good condition and removed dust, loose feathers, parasites and other debris.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0OzXCScrkv0/W9t1cQwR7FI/AAAAAAAAz6E/ZIFR9Y4Aqk0wZfE74vkItR-UHjXgzO5QACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--01-08-2018-1"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bbDQP0eALXE/W9t1dffffNI/AAAAAAAAz6I/h_VNxxJqctE4Vr0Y39eL2tBSzC28Si2CwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--01-08-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Oh ‘blithe spirit’, you wing through space<br>In the far sky you are just a speck to trace<br>As you steer your way through the clouds high<br>I see your floating shape against the sky</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7EYN7FGl6go/W9t1eINRS2I/AAAAAAAAz6M/B-T8a4AK6EALAj2JEgoqrQn8gmgEG-xRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--13-08-2018-1%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1asgrD4Cyq8/W9t1e57fohI/AAAAAAAAz6Q/D3aOPQ-jsigN451EPQRgapYhKdPkITtmwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--13-08-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>Lowering your pinions down to alight the ground<br>I hear your warbled words closer all around<br>How your eyes spot the rain water puddle<br>And come hopping to have a dip in the muddle</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Qoeblape8I/W9t1geqF1tI/AAAAAAAAz6U/l5hQ-Kyw1V8Y2IgEPISBhpeqYNcqHd1OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--22-08-2018-16-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kon4qzEjqY4/W9t1g1qW_TI/AAAAAAAAz6Y/52UxeyDvXZYaQleHMrggwBmKr9Qm1ubOwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--22-08-2018-16-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>On this sultry summer afternoon<br>You are going to have a cool bath soon<br>You flap your wings in quick succession up and down<br>Spattering little muddy showers from your gown<br>You are so shy that you bathe with all clothing on</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--qZCGbP5X54/W9t1hiEK_eI/AAAAAAAAz6c/KSmD45csL-cFi3N8b-k2YbBtdKUMlInkACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--04-08-2018-1"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--pgb6KRY31A/W9t1iV_2frI/AAAAAAAAz6g/J9HdPCnv6JEcUtqUXAOtJKQJa6TaNtjCQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--04-08-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>That it takes time for you to feel dry and clean<br>So once your bath is over, you perch on a tree<br>Ruffling your feathers until they are moisture free<br>After preening every little feather to dry</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iOz6hnsD-o/W9t1jH8-vgI/AAAAAAAAz6k/Lu946YkhbCQle21bQSMID8yVXHxbSO0nQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-08-2018-11-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_gbzNri2Vg/W9t1jxjUkwI/AAAAAAAAz6o/Ud04l3cXluQtUjRFn9kNMxPLoZroJ6LtQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-08-2018-11-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>Refreshed and enlivened, off you fly, <br>Singing melodious tunes all your way<br>And drowning the valley with your sweet lay! </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Valsa George ‘Bird Bath~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W5-aySU-DBY/W9t1ki7pZoI/AAAAAAAAz6s/2sGQ_FHuRfAMwIz43xxNpNDyuLhSRiFAwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-08-2018-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xR1Qn-awtls/W9t1llu5VpI/AAAAAAAAz6w/J5dNummJGoYKKrKzqrrWAqo1XY3dR4gdwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-08-2018-1%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p>I noticed that the Blackbirds after having a bath might spread their wings to dry on the ground. And sometimes they’d a dust bath. Also known as dusting or sand bathing, it was part of a bird’s preening and plumage maintenance that kept their feathers in top condition. The dust that was worked into their feathers absorbed excess oil to help keep the feathers from becoming greasy or matted. The oil-soaked dust was then shed easily, keeping the plumage clean and flexible for a more aerodynamic flight and efficient insulation. This bird was in a trance-like state with his beak opened, rump feathers puffed up, wings spread white and tail fanned. After 5 minutes, he rose to his feet, shook his feathers into place and seemed to gain a new lease of life.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYgzJo5T7oY/W9t1mRVqE4I/AAAAAAAAz60/CfmIuLhwFIwQuYTGBpmMHzuo127p1AEQgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--03-08-2018-1"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ym0Y5ZLyES4/W9t1nY7r6QI/AAAAAAAAz64/emWW6RB4WGsfai5z-yztsEB2tx4_QDRKQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--03-08-2018-1%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The tiny bird-bath and water tray was like a watering hole for our feather friends. We kept ours cleaned and topped up as often as we could. But they were dirty little bu****s. The bird-feeder was also near the watering hole. Seeds and bits of fat-balls tend to fall in them and foul the water. We also have to make sure that it was at least a metre off the ground and out in the open so that they could see any of the neighbourhood’s cats coming. Birds were at their most vulnerable when drinking and feeding.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9uPM9zAh8EQ/W9t1ov7MbAI/AAAAAAAAz68/tXrt4cZb7uoJRwz5ihBzNOlPtSZSrPs3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--01-08-2018-13-41-404"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKNP0qneuc0/W9t1pX4ad_I/AAAAAAAAz7A/PMihJViBf1EWJtkx5JSfH91Z-waHZFg-ACHMYCw/Coventry-D800--01-08-2018-13-41-40_t?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One of our favourite birds to visit the garden was the Goldfinches. I think we have a pair that was nesting in the Leylandi trees that surrounded our garden. When we’d the rose arch, we hung a bird-feeder with niger seeds under it. I loved seeing them queuing, waiting for their turn. Unfortunately, the arch was blown down by a storm in late 2016 and we hung the feeder at the end of the feeding platform. Thankfully, the Goldfinches were the only one feeding on the niger seeds.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yhe2TRlpaGY/W9t1qPkvXdI/AAAAAAAAz7E/qz7IMWRAGrc8ZFKm4lE7lPlyLWAiv2vWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--03-08-2018-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y7CIURhd9E8/W9t1q-H6p-I/AAAAAAAAz7I/jI9m9bXeOg4uMgyzreFJ40LeRAMTPsilgCHMYCw/Coventry-D7000-X14-C13--03-08-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Goldfinches had a ‘golden year’ in the 2018 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch where sightings rose by 11% on 2017 figures and was at number 6 in the Top 20. In our garden, they gathered in ‘charms’, with bright red faces, biscuit-brown bodies and black wings with yellow wing bars. I could hear them even before I saw them. They’d a delightful liquid twittering songs and calls ‘tswitt-wit-witt’. Sounding something like a tinkling of bells had earned the Goldfinches the lovely collective noun, ‘charm’.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x-GIpkP1IPA/W9t1rsnAqtI/AAAAAAAAz7M/GHKPN21NP2YfWwQh6_WpyVURkFPk8CYLQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7000-X14--03-08-2018-13-49"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HPuSiigWo0Y/W9t1se1ExcI/AAAAAAAAz7Q/aT0HBJGLt1kDvnf45WualzX6ZOEJAwLFQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7000-X14--03-08-2018-13-49%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were always looking forward to early summer when the adults started bringing their young to the bird-feeder. After hatching, the chicks were fed predominantly on regurgitated seeds, The juveniles were less colourful with grey-brown spotted plumage and the lack of face markings helped them to avoid the attention of predators. The memorable, striking reds and yellows only surface after the first moult. Young Goldfinches were often known as grey pates.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5qUAS8l_deo/W9t1tRUK9aI/AAAAAAAAz7U/SwWzX6WDT4U-2ewSTrq_1qUBiSAO3UqAgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2018-1"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UmfiL1Ahtk/W9t1uOITCZI/AAAAAAAAz7Y/ooVIgtZW6RkH3fXECYY_f2UqHXqI_tGbACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also enjoyed the visits from the gregarious and noisy Long-tailed tits. They were easily recognisable with their distinctive colouring of patterned soft-pink plumage, a tail which was bigger than their body, and their undulating flight in small excitable party. Their fluffy pink, black and white plumage held in a layer of air, their appearance had been likened to a ball of cotton wool and given rise to the names ‘Muffin’ and ‘Mumruffin’. They were also known as the ‘the flying lollipop’ during flight. We enjoyed listening to their soft, bubbly contact calls that filled the air. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5CjpjU3vG2c/W9t1ui2h3OI/AAAAAAAAz7c/CZKQylu3x8ASUWO5cpczVQsV1CO4XgElACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-08-2018-1%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dha0SOHdyBY/W9t1vT4PGgI/AAAAAAAAz7g/GWYPESo-Pls6R6hTdOwUAJVUs_27x-vbQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-08-2018-1%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>From our window, we saw fluffy balls of these tumbling, see-sawing birds bouncing towards the bird-feeder, their high-pitched, rolling si-si-si-si-si calls, punctuated with percussive, clipped notes, announcing their arrival. They were always in flock for many reasons. The more eyes there were, the better the chance a predator will be spotted and also better chances of finding food. Their excitement at finding the fat-balls was revealed by their excited, high-pitched twitterings which usually alerted us to their presence. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H6f5-Q2m-Oo/W9t1wNJ6jWI/AAAAAAAAz7k/PBQUtQHzb_01AtIb5V28KDo1eLp6Pym8QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14--16-08-2018-12-50"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hay6nf10MMQ/W9t1wkXw6WI/AAAAAAAAz7o/y1e_pKsYyUEbzMm7CZ9tdwUmmwvA0VjtwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14--16-08-2018-12-50%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One of the most anticipated visitor to our garden was the striking black-and-white Great Spotted woodpecker. We always enjoyed their presence and find it hilarious that it was always trying to hide on the side of the fat-ball feeder away from our sight. This was a juvenile male with a red crown on the top of the head. It was less glossy than the adults and had a brown tinge to its upperparts and dirty white underparts. The markings were less well-defined and the lower belly was pink rather than red.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0bQq5rKV0gA/W9t1xv_V0HI/AAAAAAAAz7s/axjNkx6XAFcNUPCz94Wdi76RZmQ6IIGkACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14--C13--27-08-2018-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqWXOcHPAqQ/W9t1yeA8vuI/AAAAAAAAz7w/qbjYx61v5oA8oZ4itCy6H8g_rN2DTJMowCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14--C13--27-08-2018-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The juvenile was a lot bigger than the Long-tailed tits but that didn’t stop them sharing the fat-balls. The juvenile will be sexually mature when aged one year, and will start its courtship behaviour in the following December. After feeding, it flew off to the elderflower tree at the bottom of the garden with a very distinctive bouncing flight. I heard the ‘chick, chick’ contact calls and I wonder if there was another one nearby. Then it flew off into the scrubland behind the cul-de-sac.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kslUSVozTfs/W9t1zOW8ISI/AAAAAAAAz70/k-Zp4omt_p8lgvcec9gUNdDVQpVB9l3LQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14--C13--27-08-2018-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lj6OElzeLwM/W9t10Lan4iI/AAAAAAAAz74/_7ROTNP0d3cWmdR3qIhMPiKInvHxm3ckACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14--C13--27-08-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe was very thankful for the presence of these birds to our garden. It kept him company as he was convalescing from broken ribs. Earlier in the month, when we were at our favourite playground, one of the photographers fell to the floor in the hide and had an epileptic seizure. Unfortunately, he fell under the bench and was thrashing badly. Thankfully, Babe knew what to do and tried to help him onto his side. It was just unfortunate that Babe banged his ribs on the bench when he did that. Another photographer called for an ambulance while Babe tried to calm the sick man.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LnnGPKV1BNU/W9t11LuaK6I/AAAAAAAAz78/zrUR2KB9qjABbFd8ZtJ5rIfIjNOYr2GxQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B11-08-2018%2B13-06-040%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m0Ueyo0lU78/W9t11wM_cwI/AAAAAAAAz8A/ys6CvBQUIsERmHwdShorYLgMpUrX8tO8ACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B11-08-2018%2B13-06-040_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We waited for about an hour before the ambulance arrived. Thankfully, he was stable by this time and was aware of his surroundings. The paramedic had to walk in as the reserve was not accessible to vehicles. The sick guy was led to the ambulance and taken to hospital. In the mean time, Babe had just realised that he had broken his ribs. We left after that because Babe was feeling a bit rough. We didn’t go to the doctor as broken or bruised ribs needed no medical attention as they should heal by themselves within 3-6 weeks. But if he coughed up blood, he will go ASAP.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8S4W4xL01GM/W9t12ukLsAI/AAAAAAAAz8E/Y--pGaPkPDALpsJJSkP2H60t_WQ_m7PMgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B18-08-2018%2B14-00-50%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cbyk8U75PLg/W9t13R0kLaI/AAAAAAAAz8I/XVSXVG6xU4cTaD89G5jWj3bohpwB_iotQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B18-08-2018%2B14-00-50_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe later realised that there was no poster in the hides in case of emergencies. When we were there, the hide was quite full as there was about a dozen of us in it. If Babe was not there, the others would not know what to do. In this case, the first thing to do was to put him on his side and to make sure he did not swallow his tongue. Early interventions were important because it would take at least an hour before help arrived. Babe suggested to the Trust to put First-aid posters in all the hides and we were very pleased that they had taken the advice and the <a href="http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx">posters</a> were now up. We had no news from the photographer and hoped we will see him back to Brandon.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FnB-P4JOrEk/W9t14rlw9-I/AAAAAAAAz8M/lBKnvSUDYTU-7Fg32r_SbfJcj3h0zJQWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX%2BC13%2B%2B28-08-2018%2B10-59-54%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LkswUPZC66o/W9t15edyQAI/AAAAAAAAz8Q/kNwG3ZQUr64vBpOfVvQCa9wVP8-XVhtYACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX%2BC13%2B%2B28-08-2018%2B10-59-54_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Before the eventful episode, as soon as we arrived in the car-park, we were greeted by these swallows on the wire. After a summer of prolonged dry, hot spells, they were now gathering, twittering and chattering information about their upcoming long and arduous journey south to the African continent for the winter months. They were now taking short ‘test’ journeys and searching out safe communal roosts. The long journey over open seas, using the shortest possible route away from safe coast and timed their departure to coincide with a tail wind or ahead of a weather front. The return journey to Africa took about 6 weeks.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mBmFoBRPp1w/W9t15xGB3AI/AAAAAAAAz8U/ylld8U06uzwzy_MH7xNmnyInPsn08hxMgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--11-08-2018-12-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hvPJypgXP70/W9t16hqQ4XI/AAAAAAAAz8Y/paEccRJWWMUa0CHMKJzc7dCTrhVVCdTXwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--11-08-2018-12-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Since Swallows fed entirely on flying insects, they don’t need fattening up before leaving as they can snap up their food along the way. We had a nice surprise when we saw them hawking after insects on the lake outside Baldwin Hide. Enjoying their aerobatics, I marvelled at their ability to fly all the way to Africa, across the Sahara to overwinter as they weighed a little more than a pound coin. As I watched them wheeling and criss-crossing each other in flight, it seemed that a collision was inevitable, but they were masters of their flight.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y27o3hcXzo/W9t17ULQYoI/AAAAAAAAz8c/HjqH-bXWtREa67I46tgswHskjQ13axz4QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vyl-XCo7-XE/W9t18POYIGI/AAAAAAAAz8g/LvW0pdnGFkkeMQlqwlMHJQ5Z-K_4qSDVwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we headed straight for East Marsh Hide where the low water level had brought in a few rarities flying in to feed on the exposed mudflats. Last month, a Wood sandpiper had brought an influx of photographers, twitchers and visitors to the reserve. Earlier in the week, a Greenshank was spotted feeding and Babe was very fortunate to have seen it. As usual, I was late to the party and it was nowhere to be seen.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uYGVJv8JgBo/W9t185sRIZI/AAAAAAAAz8k/KLDNc6Xwla03sgsHBISmd0SXwlQ_sfV_gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PxzR6faLtw0/W9t19r42UeI/AAAAAAAAz8o/oKcfrSQYoxUaKC9Y-P8wqDKjdhp6qd6zACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Greenshanks were medium-sized slim waders with olive-grey above and silvery-white below, with dark streaking on the breast. They;d long, slightly upturned grey bills with striking grey-green legs. They fed in the shallow water, pecking at the mud, water or vegetation as they walked and caught fish by using a dash-and-lunge technique. They were passage migrants and scarce winter visitors.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mzKF6fGd_bA/W9t1-Jk5xiI/AAAAAAAAz8s/deLN16x1rAsUJ9RyRsGOBMQMvGlVLgYKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sKz7q9ExLoA/W9t1-yK8VDI/AAAAAAAAz80/vlIHHbIjbUcLvTXKByjfBKidgvCtuRYkACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were surprised when we spotted Common snipes feeding on the mudflats in the middle of the very shallow lake. Usually these cryptically coloured waders were only seen foraging in the vegetated fringes of the mudflats or skulking under the reeds. These superbly camouflaged waders were now out in the open, probing under the moist substrate for insects, earthworms, crustaceans or spiders with their elongated bills. Food on the surface were located by sight and picked up, but prey under the mud was located using the touch-sensitive sensory pits at the tip of the flexible bill.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n43GyKV0ydM/W9t1_e1UeII/AAAAAAAAz84/LmCIgNcWwwkPg3PkF3pm4zvKkh30XWl6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wo35bejxk1g/W9t2AZIGVhI/AAAAAAAAz88/01_Dl6aKPzsZXE-K4Y5qqK65_30JUIZtgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--09-08-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A pair of Little egrets flew in and joined the party. It was an adult with a juvenile. Usually, individual birds don’t tolerate others coming too close to their chosen feeding site. They were feeding on the shallow clear water whilst walking through and stabbing prey with their bills. Sometimes, they ran through the shallows, stirring up the fishes and then picking them off. They were highly dependant on visual clues when hunting and feeding was highly affected if the water wasn’t clear. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tU09vNh4qK0/W9t2BZTmQzI/AAAAAAAAz9A/1Nub7kguixI6YrgpincrP5Dntoe1_9tFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--11-08-20%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CFKQLVVPVkg/W9t2B-EvtCI/AAAAAAAAz9E/V2dhrDPE4TgxTY7AfJknSjcEumAC-H0nACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--11-08-20%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the main island, we spotted a Lapwing keeping an eye on three Little Ringed Plovers. Small and rotund waders, they blended nicely into the grey surroundings. They were busy foraging for invertebrates and crustaceans in a very distinct way; standing and watching, running forward, pecking, daintily picking up morsels of food then standing still again. It was quite cute to watch them scuttering across the mudflat, sometimes energetically trampling around on the sand to flush insects and aquatic invertebrates out of hiding places. In early autumn, they commenced a leisurely southward movement, wintering in the northern tropics of Africa.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pe97MUUzJvA/W9t2C01f4gI/AAAAAAAAz9I/R6D1BIiVG28ZD4SoPypx8qW53a4hdDFTwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--11-08-20%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ta5U2r2hndk/W9t2DlItipI/AAAAAAAAz9M/Jlku5GlFBMIhjiOEi7nRUZX1ZSKpftk9gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--11-08-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then between the two islands, a female Garganey emerged, skimming the water for plant materials and insects. It fed by filtering small particles from water that passed through its bill rather than tipping up. Unlike the striking male with its brown head and breast and a broad white crescent over the eye, the female was brown with pale eyebrow, dark eye line, pale lore spot bordered by a second dark line. A pale blue speculum or distinctive wing patch was visible when she was flapping her wings.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hghidZK3B4I/W9t2EeMzJXI/AAAAAAAAz9Q/QooFNpjI4pkyC2aYWNwhnylSmbrokwc-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--12-08-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oXBYPp0BRWw/W9t2FI-OmpI/AAAAAAAAz9U/qntVYrxlB-sspIhJUZB-AKvfyA6zNFV7QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--12-08-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We ended the afternoon with a glimpse of the elusive Water-rail making a mad dash through the reed-beds. This highly secretive inhabitant of freshwater wetlands was often heard than seen. Its main call was known as ‘sharming’ which was a series of grunts followed by a high-pitched piglet-like squeal and ending in more grunts. It was used as territorial calls, alarms and announcements. Water rails were extremely hard to see, as they preferred to stay hidden in the thick vegetation.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Gz3Iii9pOI/W9t2F3E0vsI/AAAAAAAAz9Y/o-ND5F4KBlgVsWlqOC94c0UAPCYACwKzwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUIo0yR7Ihg/W9t2GbEYsWI/AAAAAAAAz9c/z9CLq8KFzVMMFj12DLIAMT4GxIwF8txxgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-08-2%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>This year, the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslim adults who were able physically, mentally and financially to undertake the journey fell in August. The rites were performed over 5-6 days, beginning on the 8th and ending on the 13th day of Dzulhijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. I didn’t have the opportunity to join in the Eid prayers because it started very early at about 8 am. Instead, I left a few tins of cookies in the mosque for those who were there to enjoy. It was a co-incidence that on the same day, my department had our annual long lunch at the Farmhouse in Canley. </p><p>It was very busy as there were many tables joined together with families having their Eid celebratory meals. Thankfully, we’d made reservations and was seated in a nice corner. We have been here several times and I always chose the same menu which was the mixed Tandoori grill. The only difference was that the rice and nan bread were sold separately when in the previous visits, they were included in the meal. Service was quite slow due to the large number of people but thankfully, the food arrived at nearly the same time. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N9jkOzxEv3k/W9t2HVz8LzI/AAAAAAAAz9g/RzHBDiU4IBgxvdbZOVKgM455IzILN2xEQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--12-08-2018-15-43-264"><img width="642" height="484" title="Coventry - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQJvjQRpeq0/W9t2IVd8ufI/AAAAAAAAz9k/3MpIs3NdKXsPogCXbahIEzXulFUTdI4cwCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--12-08-2018-15-43-26_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A week later, my colleagues and I went to Creams, an ice-cream parlour, besides Swanswell Lake again. We needed something cooling to end the working week and also to start the weekend. Every visit was an indulgent adventure for the senses as we perused leisurely the decadent range of desserts, milkshakes and smoothies from the American-style parlour. Although the place was buzzing, we got seated straight away into the comfy booth. We went to the counter and ordered and it arrived in about 20 minutes. I chose the waffles with sliced fresh strawberry, drizzled with strawberry sauce. A pot of vanilla ice-cream was included. My oh my…it was so decadent and rich. Oh…my poor hips<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qfdmxpTStzY/W9t2IxzqgwI/AAAAAAAAz9o/z4Ea7_wsTlgXsYtASp5JRT_7fJIeHhp4wCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jTtPlrZLvJM/W9t2J_02c4I/AAAAAAAAz9s/OHLfpq1ptNAeNJlcNZODOJSTnpR-gmybgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--14-08-2018-19-54-544"><img width="642" height="484" title="Coventry - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XV6vR_xTylE/W9t2KcLCQhI/AAAAAAAAz9w/mCigeVD4Vuwsi8anF7yiNCfnDz_a_uilACHMYCw/Coventry-S40--14-08-2018-19-54-54_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It was also our 22nd wedding anniversary and we celebrated our beautiful day at one of our favourite place, in Slimbridge WWT. After nearly 2 weeks of being cooped up in the casa, Babe was having cabin fever and he badly needed some fresh air and exercises. His ribs was healing, albeit very slowly. Most days I’d to take the bus home so he would not exert himself driving during the rush hours. As soon as we entered the grounds of the reserve, there were a few school buses already parked. It was the school holidays and I guess it was going to be busy day.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hI2A0sQ4Zb0/W9t2Ld8_V0I/AAAAAAAAz94/pujE6rEt5e4udH7HCcuZ2M-1RuWvpf_mwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B25-08-2018%2B13-48-48%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-acEYdMwDg6Y/W9t2MRf8W0I/AAAAAAAAz98/tQvr2EudwrwcKKqoTHVRXFh2aixxL-M3ACHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B25-08-2018%2B13-48-48_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Giant Lego® Brick Animal Trail was also back to spend time with their real-life cousins. The ground had now been invaded by giant animals and excited school kids. Luckily these giants were a lot more static than the animals that lived here all year round, so they posed no threat. Visitors were able to enjoy fourteen individually-designed 1.5m Lego® brick animals that formed a wild adventure trail for kids (and big kids) to inspire them to build a better future for nature. It was an amazing way of putting the spotlight on some really important species, many of which were endangered.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KwTMmX7LbeY/W9t2NEUbOvI/AAAAAAAAz-A/9Ip_SV04aUMaFamASbFW4McG2uXRE1yJACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-14%255B2%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTKoEtxCZPQ/W9t2N1lYU2I/AAAAAAAAz-I/tAKgQoR16fMnFgnRgTD54JsqxNQLjoRFQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-14%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) had the summer long activity covering their many acres of ground all over England. From the 7th of July right through to the 23rd of September WWT sites were running these animal trails.. Each sculpture was built by professional Lego builders, taking hundreds of hours and using no less than 253,728 bricks! If meeting these giant animals weren’t exciting enough, the younger visitors could also build-their-own mini figures and booked onto one of the interactive LEGO<sup>®</sup> workshops. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GITNpiWuNvk/W9t2Op2vMfI/AAAAAAAAz-M/nfhbaK6fArID0IVbsqNO0zm97ZOHwIY8gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X--25-08-2018-1"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgi2uD8X2-k/W9t2Pm0AuNI/AAAAAAAAz-Q/w9NlAWLRrJott53xh0wFGhPmezzNtdnOQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X--25-08-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p> We didn’t go checking them out and only came across them when we wandered from one hide to another. But, I knew they were back with three NEW friends - Sam the short-eared owl, Walter the water vole and Skye the stork. We met Sam on the way to Discovery Hide at the South Lake. Sam took an amazing 80 hours to build with an incredible 37,884 LEGO bricks. I was so tempted to pluck a brick and see if anybody noticed it missing but I was good girl<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qfdmxpTStzY/W9t2IxzqgwI/AAAAAAAAz9o/z4Ea7_wsTlgXsYtASp5JRT_7fJIeHhp4wCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> </p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbrTMFe3eg4/W9t2QOCfQdI/AAAAAAAAz-U/fUOxxDW-q0MO1gcrQazhO7ArErUl_V1vgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-14%255B3%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0L89WFBHjjw/W9t2Q4Oo80I/AAAAAAAAz-Y/LMs___B-z48PtRK6e5qUxNY5dG_i16-ggCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-14%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>When we walked past the Caribbean flamingo enclosure, Babe spotted this Grey wagtail foraging for aquatic-type insects and invertebrates lurking under the overgrown bushes by the mud-banks. The slate grey upper parts and distinctive lemon yellow under-tail were visible as it moved. The long tail gave it an elegant profile and it was continually active, pumping its tail up and down as if for fun. It kept on wagging its long tail at an almost incessant rate whilst walking or running briskly along the ground.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jMhW0gA76_A/W9t2R57Q_iI/AAAAAAAAz-c/KzImbKwj1Q8HOF2yQUYYrP-VEL3Ex24agCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYInv97lfsY/W9t2SsDvS2I/AAAAAAAAz-k/X91gj2v7nL8QnxMpPBK6LplCtIghijxzACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Rushy hide was very quiet. Mallards were dabbling for aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in the shallow water. A juvenile Lapwing was also foraging for worms and insects on the mudflats. A wader flew in showing its faint wing-stripe and oval white patches either side of the tail. It was a Ruff. Best known as a passage migrant, it was great to see during the early weeks of autumn passage as they moved from Scandinavia towards wintering sites located within the Sahelian floodplains in Africa. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T4GNICdmVY4/W9t2TUmVy2I/AAAAAAAAz-o/r5snqP6lxS0O40klT595FdjxfNgKV261gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IdtYuP1VPnI/W9t2Twe0Y8I/AAAAAAAAz-s/Y8na3OyNlX4yzU-MZNXaQG0Tjq8QPtC2gCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we checked the rest of the hides. Unfortunately, the Tack Piece was empty and the fields were still dry due to the hot weather. We saw a herd of cattle rushing into the lake to cool down and having a drink. Cattle was used for conservation grazing, a natural and sustainable alternative to mechanical mowing. The selective nature of the grazing produced a tussocky appearance, providing a diverse range of structural habitats for insects, reptiles and amphibians. Their diet was not restricted to grass as they enjoyed eating a wide range of vegetation including brambles, leaves, bark and the dreaded Himalayan balsam. Their hooves also broke up bracken and rushes, so they were essential for managing the spread of invasive and undesirable plant species.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3sXcDxoyj0/W9t2UoVVXTI/AAAAAAAAz-w/RZlEOB2bnbI3tmUdlhjLTHcZ-0TWz29HQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVFh8SpUUvk/W9t2Vbxc7aI/AAAAAAAAz-0/BQKbH1TCYjIrMuvNcla6FBjjP2FOVKW4wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we walked back into the grounds and had a very nice surprise when we walked past the Andean flamingos enclosure. They’d chicks!!!! When did that happened??? We read a notice and found out that three pairs of Andean flamingos were given eggs of their Chilean counterparts to nest. The reason was that the Andean had been prompted to lay 9 eggs by the record-breaking temperatures that we’d. Unfortunately, the flock had been infertile for 19 years and as a result the eggs were not viable and the expectant mums and dads were left without chicks to rear<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mmhAdeiYrhw/W9t2VyJZZiI/AAAAAAAAz-4/E8pGHjdNi6U5HeizTDe7RQ-W_GxBdTh4gCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JpQMA2tY5iU/W9t2W5n_eGI/AAAAAAAAz-8/olg0BohdLB46oho0GVGpkW0OJD52oTbcQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zbhuXBJarc8/W9t2XpSKWpI/AAAAAAAAz_A/IO6BPpPE74kXLzxiqWxq8LizCDbFOeMPQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Their keepers decided that, as the Chilean flock was also laying multiple eggs, a foster program might help prompt fertility in the Andean group. They gave six of the birds a handful of eggs to nest and hatch and now the young chicks were being raised by them. Flamingos were fickle breeders and could go years without nesting successfully.Thankfully, the recent heat had the desired effect so with the Andeans in full parenting mode, they were given these Chilean chicks to bring up as their own. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pVYZ1dAB2Nc/W9t2YFEVknI/AAAAAAAAz_E/inC2MUU9egs1YEmnV4HpscKhEsq2Dyt6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fc7Pn6hw_9U/W9t2YwCNa1I/AAAAAAAAz_I/JWWYX_WJzcEl8Gf5SNVWR9AxtWjMkDpdgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Chilean flamingos are relatively similar to the Andean. They lived side-by-side in the wild but survived on different diets.The Chileans have shallow –keeled bills that filtered algae and plankton from the water and mud. They also fed on plant seeds and small fishes. Andean flamingos have deep-killed bills and were filter feeders, feeding on food particles from water, by passing food and water over the highly-specialized bill equipped with filtering structure. They fed mainly on diatoms, algae of genus Surinella, taking the food between the sediment at the bottom and the water just above it . <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bn_JZM8mSxU/W9t2Z4Vm9ZI/AAAAAAAAz_M/XsxkUL2RX58n5WeIGotxS5hPNew18dgqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--oDWEm6pb3c/W9t2aeiUtfI/AAAAAAAAz_Q/eL_TkiejaPc8RIm09ztWE1DGzvExrPSCwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--25-08-2018-12%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Some of these Andean flamingos had arrived at the centre in the 1960s and had been at the reserve longer than any of the staff. One of the foster mums was from the last set of successful Andean chicks, raised in 1999. These short grey straight beaked chicks looked very different to the adults. It was only a couple of years later that they developed the characteristic pink feathers and the bent beaks. Slimbridge was the only place in the world where all six species of flamingos could be seen. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bWTPzsbd39Q/W9t2bTAxVTI/AAAAAAAAz_U/bM6crg-H4xsbFRjczzCQb_EqOmye6x1OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14--25-08-2018%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bx906uoStaY/W9t2cLLkTFI/AAAAAAAAz_Y/qXqym26yi3s1OvLVeWqpHUze4m0t3W0cgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14--25-08-2018?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was hard to leave these bundles of fluff and we were looking forward to see their future development. We made a quick pit stop at South Lake to see what was about. A large flock of Black Tailed Godwits were busy feeding in the shallow water. They still had the bright orangey-brown chests and bellies. Soon, it will change to a more greyish-brown for winter. They were sociable birds, forming large group when feeding, probing the mud with their bills for invertebrates.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxexZGaaWhM/W9t2c0WRn8I/AAAAAAAAz_c/r3MJBrC54awNgfE0pkHrXZOuUeTL6mZfwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7q_PFCTwooM/W9t2dafVvCI/AAAAAAAAz_g/7zDl6FBVGPsoEucjbT8FilcmdwrQgXS6gCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--25-08-%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We ended the month with a trip to Longford Park to check out what the resident Rose-ringed Parakeets were up to. We headed straight to the row of Weeping Willows that overhang the banks of the River Sowe. It was very quiet which meant they weren’t around as their squawkings often led to their presence. We continued walking along the footpath and suddenly we heard loud shrills and when we looked up saw six of them flying past and disappeared. The last time we saw them, there were 4 which meant that they’d 2 chicks. I was so chuffed that they were still around. We waited for about half an hour to see if they returned, but all was quiet. We will definitely come again to check them out.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yD_RTBTs0A/W9t2eGbj43I/AAAAAAAAz_k/udBaEPiJWhorokWZr6vmMLDutmT4X-epQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--27-08-2018-13-47-08%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19Rvhxp5VAs/W9t2ep3Xy0I/AAAAAAAAz_o/ngG2mUaiOBMnZCN1qBYoBgOMNoC_Lvm_QCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--27-08-2018-13-47-08?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“August creates as she slumbers, replete and satisfied”<br>~Joseph Wood Krutch~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tHKvBF2Kvv0/W9t2fme3LdI/AAAAAAAAz_s/H7ubdCbxBz4GgLN4gzLPWVGwgxQ_b9NTQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-08-2018%2B13-44-46%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - August" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QpKigAhBno/W9t2gMov5aI/AAAAAAAAz_w/gvH-CE6j_6AFQqXOlkUXs6gDVkk7ME7igCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-08-2018%2B13-44-46_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yD_RTBTs0A/W9t2eGbj43I/AAAAAAAAz_k/udBaEPiJWhorokWZr6vmMLDutmT4X-epQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--27-08-2018-13-47-08%255B2%255D"><br></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-30537483467065300002018-10-11T13:08:00.001-07:002018-10-11T13:08:30.241-07:00Summer, summer, it will always be summer<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XmgS7NT3URM/W7-r-wmFY7I/AAAAAAAAzuw/3RCV5fJEeIYdLqGCgKKZWyXpfh5Yb0pzwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100a--11-07-2018-18-35-00"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S8qwNwVMrwM/W7-r_3botzI/AAAAAAAAzu0/iiD_XtgZtrsa8odyszO49rD9WqjKPBpyQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100a--11-07-2018-18-35-00%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><strong><em><br></em></strong><strong><em>“The serene philosophy of the pink rose is steadying. Its fragrant, delicate petals open fully and are ready to fall, without regret or illusion, after only a day in the sun. It is so every summer. One can almost hear their pink, fragrant murmur as they settle down upon the grass : Summer, summer, it will always be summer.”</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Rachel Peden~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zvWcfPkpHIc/W7-sBAGM39I/AAAAAAAAzu4/q0-DzQVfuJA1lNBHBUT00Og5SqkW3GZCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-01-48%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yKRH8JWVnYU/W7-sCNJAkZI/AAAAAAAAzu8/2Q8VW1FINhk2T5YidBciprKaUjEAAy-VwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-01-48%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>The UK continued to enjoy its longest heatwave with wall-to-wall sunshine. The Caribbean had arrived as thousands flocked to the beaches that turned into sun-soaked idylls. The Met Office had reported that Sunday, July 16 was the hottest day this year as the country was currently enjoying its 16th consecutive day of temperatures hitting over 28C. The heatwave was showing no signs of abating, with the Met Office even urging Britons to stay indoors with the temperatures continuing to soar. It was the country's longest heatwave since 1976 and the driest summer in 225 years. And it looked like it's going to get hotter. The heatwave was forecasted throughout July and August. Bookies had even slashed the odds on the UK enjoying—or suffering—the hottest day, as another blast of hot air from Spain, already dubbed the 'Mediterranean Melt' forced temperatures to rise over 30C. Summer was here to stay.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-60mFnJYQCOs/W7-sC37tG4I/AAAAAAAAzvA/8Ki5jtxxhhIgXxNnVdTOCEkcoAh2hTTtwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--05-08-2018-12-17-35%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - August" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - August" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bp3XdLpHFmw/W7-sDy2AcwI/AAAAAAAAzvE/6WFk8kioBKsJuv9qOIFGX4H-BrsQnAQhQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--05-08-2018-12-17-35?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>With the warm sun beating down, the garden was looking its best and I was spending a lot of the long lazy days outside. The first thing I did when I came home was to fling open the patio doors and opened all windows to bring the sunshine in. Dinner was something light, quick and easy. After a long day at work, I enjoyed having my dinner outside in my secret garden and with my feathered friends, also enjoying the glorious weather. Then reading until I couldn’t see the words. One of the best things about summer was being able to spend more time in the garden. A garden was an ideal place to escape the stresses and strains of life. It was an oasis of comfortable calm surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OVMwmGs-iA/W7-sElrMykI/AAAAAAAAzvI/lzRRStVvWowmElHKUD6E1qXfIUdHG9vJgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--15-07-2018-11-35-1%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-im8f1fWky6k/W7-sFkeII-I/AAAAAAAAzvM/8uc729nIthQ_5kAzJB6WNqxGexw8zzihgCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--15-07-2018-11-35-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I waited for the Swifts, arrowing through the skies like fighter jets at the tip of those ecstatic rasp-screams: ‘seeeeeeee-seeeeee-seeeee’. There were few things more incredible in nature than this herald of the British summer. At first, they drifted in the air as if in slow motion that I could make out each one’s profile: the stiff-winged, black anchor shape against the sky. Suddenly, these black boomerangs hurled down from the heavens, snapping up insects in balletic sweeps and dips. A single bolus of 20 to 30 swifts spiralled across the blue, hurling down their communal scream, swerving and twisting and suddenly splintering apart. Then they would all come together and resumed their crazy sky waltz.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Igb-DmatQ70/W7-sGeIqB-I/AAAAAAAAzvQ/HL-Wh1JevEkpwc7UFoMC8fySgqxaG5SZgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-28-17%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CND3crBFR-A/W7-sG7GamqI/AAAAAAAAzvU/QTd2Nd2EQzE1r0su6jmotfJ1DP2H0emLgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-28-17%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Swifts were flying back from West Africa to breed in traditional nest sites, usually in the eaves of taller buildings. One of the last summer migrants to arrive, usually in early May, they were among the first to leave in late July, so time was short to appreciate these spectacular and mysterious birds. They were superb flyers that were almost completely adapted to an aerial life, feeding, sleeping and mating on the wing. They only needed to land to lay eggs and raised their young. It was a challenge to photograph them.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pLAPFTzS1jY/W7-sH6Qk5lI/AAAAAAAAzvY/WDeAF__kC9U-8m-9nt8Ke9Z4nhKWZzxIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-18-25%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m0rzbd6dR1M/W7-sIZMPuVI/AAAAAAAAzvc/qYtukGRBcQA82rnysaw8vcKGD3la50EeQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-18-25%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it was time to water the plants accompanied by the screaming Swifts overhead. With this prolonged heatwave, the garden needed to be watered daily. The Verbena bonariensis, French lavenders, Daisies, Crocosmia, raspberries and Globe Thistles were growing profusely and were filled with bees buzzing merrily. Our garden had been bees, bugs, grasshoppers and butterflies central. There was always something landing on these plants. It was a garden bursting with vitality with especially with the help of the widespread sunshine.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INcgA4giMXE/W7-sJZ3WSWI/AAAAAAAAzvg/8HgaptqaiiE0m6kVT4BOrfwxpOHlkDwBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-15-1%255B1%255D"><img width="580" height="484" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUs3_eZC6b0/W7-sKDQ0A5I/AAAAAAAAzvk/nP_rAQe1FikJzjHMlYMUqcqvHDR-wsxdwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-15-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I’d divided and replanted the Crocosmia and the glowing orange flashes were doing well. The Verbena bonariensis was a prolific self-seeder and was very popular with the bees and butterflies. Also popular with pollinators, were the Eryngiums (sea holly), a herbaceous perennial that came in shades of steely blue and liked to bask in full sun. The French lavender never disappoint but the English lavender died during the heatwave. I must remember to replace them next spring. I was excited when we’d Cinnabar caterpillars on the Silver Ragwort which I think wasn’t their ideal plant food. To help them, I would bring stalks of the Common Ragwort for them to feed on.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-367WLEm6E_s/W7-sLGHjucI/AAAAAAAAzvo/Fl2xa0UOTsYIPRK1H8peHY5U00r6LTdpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--21-07-2018-15-31-5%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hxRsENX3YPU/W7-sL8erc-I/AAAAAAAAzvs/P1wfGS59uMAxzqhYFzh_zqHZuoh7x5S6ACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--21-07-2018-15-31-5?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><em><strong>Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,<br>Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,<br>With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;<br>But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye. </strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rFDsODtWvB8/W7-sM-dZwcI/AAAAAAAAzvw/1CyZ9jMseWM5nuze_J_h5COCQdGCyYVLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-05-1"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4MhaLpRKP2I/W7-sNotmEmI/AAAAAAAAzv0/n4_Ml1punXcU7_1UKioOydcuO-UbK40TQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-05-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,<br>You'll find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all<br>The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dung-pits and the tanks,<br>The rollers, carts, and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.</strong></em><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ah9rHbnfCV8/W7-sOb1Rr0I/AAAAAAAAzv4/eXq-un22QYURTMNz6qC49S2P6CsFQTQ9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-09-0%255B2%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_L7ggnlLoqQ/W7-sPCEyJbI/AAAAAAAAzv8/RDfMHNKzIFIZUDj8-Niv_X9Gi-InnDKWACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--04-07-2018-13-09-0%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys<br>Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise ;<br>For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds,<br>The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xVFIzZApZbY/W7-sQBy4xcI/AAAAAAAAzwA/i3iprquK2EIj6SEupWK-IZWTttREEUiNACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--21-07-2018-15-34-5"><img width="462" height="310" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OjyTx_yTK-E/W7-sRENkHfI/AAAAAAAAzwE/HsRXFBsAzU8wRmrp41ytcKPSw31Az8c8ACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--21-07-2018-15-34-5%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,<br>And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows ;<br>But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,<br>For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uev698WlLA4/W7-sSPC3bJI/AAAAAAAAzwI/cPbRMZ20GVIuhYX2TbognbehbEbqnMgzQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--15-07-2018-11-22-0%255B1%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZBkyJlY2W0/W7-sS6fgPvI/AAAAAAAAzwM/YIE8sxPDtSY8XLYaTgADp657P1XR3LrjwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--15-07-2018-11-22-0?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made<br>By singing:-" Oh, how beautiful," and sitting in the shade<br>While better men than we go out and start their working lives<br>At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives.</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xKBuMj3movo/W7-sTzsBGSI/AAAAAAAAzwQ/-WDQW_iyffoUPZvob2F_a4xNfuteqK8gQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--30-07-2018-11-54-3%255B1%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CNAFzTJOekc/W7-sUuNXG7I/AAAAAAAAzwU/nF8MMMM82gMFeT5TRW8sP_USxXhq5MqjQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--30-07-2018-11-54-3?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,<br>There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick<br>But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,<br>For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HgLwaMoAheg/W7-sVXYn5II/AAAAAAAAzwc/o6Gy-6u61soCDZ4chs9_yrhBEslwfm96QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-22-34%255B2%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_42DKO3aknY/W7-sWqAQ1oI/AAAAAAAAzwg/REcYp9zE-UAU8UQDHBsW8gQjgSKNSQx5gCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-09-22-34%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,<br>If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;<br>And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,<br>You will find yourself a partner In the Glory of the Garden.</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nmttm_lMLXc/W7-sXVyvK7I/AAAAAAAAzwk/KGk_sdQzgGsfBTUkxOcOfHDpmHT2k0o_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-35-2%255B1%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjoRSyvtl80/W7-sYDzHTUI/AAAAAAAAzws/nhYG51TtSaQ0Sj0sa1RmQx_LQ_VZZCM4gCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-35-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><em><strong><br>Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees<br>That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,<br>So when your work is finished, you can wash your hands and pray <br>For the Glory of the Garden that it may not pass away!<br>And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away !</strong> </em></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Rudyard Kipling ‘The Glory of the Garden~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dxm7Yye-_h4/W7-sZG0U4iI/AAAAAAAAzww/ywDcm2bJjl4IAdDs-OlJLRwb_YqaC-k5ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-55-2%255B1%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iCj2bTpFTL0/W7-sZymqNUI/AAAAAAAAzw0/yfL87doJE4wEkABdEqXtv9Kc2DlCpgUhQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-55-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>There were plants which I grew just because the pollinators loved them. Among them was the Bronze Fennel and they were self-seeding everywhere. Although edible, we found the taste and the black liquorish smell too strong. They popped up in spring after a winter’s rest and the ferny, purple brown foliage added height and elegance to any border. The yellow flowers in midsummer, full of hot scent were irresistible to bees and hoverflies.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D01KGvmlm2Y/W7-sa4d3EJI/AAAAAAAAzw4/Vug_ICMEynkMBhcsZqFHUjyvSX1eg5KlACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--30-07-2018-17-18-0%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UvdicdynZbA/W7-sbnO8_YI/AAAAAAAAzw8/rLQgO_lI4wIJo4olFRpXyLjsobVmY1LKQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--30-07-2018-17-18-0%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Next was the Globe Artichoke. Even though it was considered a delicacy, I found out that eating and cooking was too much hassle and now left them to flower into stunning purple-blue thistle-like blooms. These flowers were then pollinated by honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies. I managed to divide and transplanted them all over the garden, adding a strong architectural element with their large, silvery green leaves and thick stems topped with pinecone-like flower buds. The best thing about them was that they were winter hardy and re-grew every year.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XHJc4IIR6Gw/W7-scmyKP3I/AAAAAAAAzxA/2gMKeIQGGLoXMuZy5uSp-e_uAUFWBLoKgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-35-1%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4h2hJ7_t0F8/W7-sdSENFnI/AAAAAAAAzxE/-TCDFlSMG2QIAtuTFrup48dnhfAdN4avQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--25-07-2018-11-35-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also have different kinds of thistle running amok in the garden. If they happened to be in the middle of the garden, they will be weeded out but thankfully they tended to stick along the borders. Legend has it that the thorny thistle once saved Scotland from a marauding Norse army, a feat that earned this tenacious plant its status as the Scottish national symbol. But, this prickly beauty wasn’t able to stop another beauty from feeding on it. The long, slim beaks of the Goldfinches had evolved to enable them to be a specialist thistle feeder.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RD5YiI_j-MI/W7-seT4tyhI/AAAAAAAAzxI/sZvItmvXMxkLD5Udu8XP9i20YPhyBJ-gACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--30-07-2018-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h1RrGU30wxI/W7-sfWU45kI/AAAAAAAAzxM/kP9Vj8gAc5QB3GV1js1ESbO3dTn8VkQQwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--30-07-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We watched them shook their beaks in the seed hole to widen the gap or loosen the seed. Then they started pulling the seed heads out. They were deft with their feet and wings to hold tight as the wind blew the teasels around. They’d short, stout legs to stablise and often used outstretched wings to balance counteract the buffeting of the winds. They gathered in charms, with bright red faces, biscuit-brown bodies and black wing bars, twittering away with pleasant tinkling sounds. I was also delighted that the Goldfinches had a ‘golden year’ in the 2018 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch where sightings rose by 11%. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YqoGqVwmMio/W7-sgasZqdI/AAAAAAAAzxQ/eIv45BQJVSspoUoUDC8SySYHVwCabLcBACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--30-07-2018-1%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-me4UO-4kXRc/W7-shYOqJcI/AAAAAAAAzxU/ItNp_SpGIiILizgSLuaCoFk_OvWkAMMpQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--30-07-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One of my favourite butterfly was the Painted Lady, a long distance migrant which was the most spectacular butterfly migration observed in the UK. They don’t hibernate here and instead migrated to and from Northern Africa. They bred here but emigrated back in the autumn as they couldn’t survived our winter. They’d a pale buffy-orange background colour to the upper wings. The underwing colouration and eyespots had amazing details which was visible from close quarters. I squealed with delight when I saw it resting on the sunflower. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3fuysqhJVg/W7-siQ3lXNI/AAAAAAAAzxY/QPYSOMPX5GETh5OnYijo1PN7Wgt9atFCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--25-07-2018-19-50-41%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0LAR0kTbonE/W7-sjC8VCXI/AAAAAAAAzxg/KtNKWzR7_3M_gl9Nip4n5MzXsLFGrCFKwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--25-07-2018-19-50-41%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On sunny days, they were very active feeding but as soon as the sun disappeared, individuals tended to leave the nectar source and find a bare patch of earth, stone or rock on which to bask and absorbed the heat with their wings spread wide open. I was delighted when it basked on the nearby wall. Unfortunately when basking or resting, it was more wary of any movement and quickly flew away. This was our first sighting of a Painted Lady in our garden and I hoped it will returned again.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L30McK4_po8/W7-skQRaqHI/AAAAAAAAzxk/SbzVcsMTvV8O5Q-tx1aB8GCgr_uXJOluQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--25-07-2018-19-50-54%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_X4IRwlbDw/W7-sld8L_EI/AAAAAAAAzxo/Ch2aBMoy3pMxWXtBjvKR074v7DijnGTEQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--25-07-2018-19-50-54?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We nipped out to our favourite playground but didn’t stay long. Birds seemed to be rather thin on the ground during these hot, sultry days. Back in April and May, the reserve was filled with birdsongs as a host of summer visitors joined with our resident species to create a riot of songs, colours and movement. Now, they were hiding away as they moulted their worn feathers after a busy time in the spring mating, nesting, feeding chicks and defending territories. They spent their time skulking at the bottom of the bushes. We saw these Marsh orchids on the way in.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gkn8yyxsRy8/W7-smIwKQoI/AAAAAAAAzxs/mXZcmYzOFMcCcYfVlIlNapc-fW55qZTSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--10-07-2018-14%255B1%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pbtPRjz5XBA/W7-snOSM27I/AAAAAAAAzxw/Ru2EcPqkiNYroQI4B_rB7fNkDqhBXf0xQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--10-07-2018-14%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made a pit stop at Baldwin Hide and was delighted to see a family of Tufted ducks with a least half a dozen chicks. They looked so cute rafting together in a line, like little corks bobbing along the waves. Female Tufted ducks were less showy than the males, being dark brown with slightly paler sides. As with most species of ducks, the drake played no part in the incubation of the eggs or the rearing of the young ducklings. The young left the nest quite soon after the last egg had hatched and followed their mother everywhere. She brought them to safety under the overhanging trees and bushes.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZGYkPYg1hM/W7-soL2nqsI/AAAAAAAAzx0/6MKxvSqts1k2lcn__pmg1htt7TnysRceQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C12--02-07-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kW-7rU8iep4/W7-spEGVfFI/AAAAAAAAzx4/53Vbb_PGhDUym52IjvF2M83RZFzNPDvMgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C12--02-07-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We then headed straight to East Marsh Hide where we were greeted by a grating and persistent call ‘kri-kri-kri-kri’. We looked out and saw a Common Tern juvenile on a submerged piece of land to the left of the hide, begging for food from its parents . The immature bird had a similar appearance to the adult, except for a whiter forehead, speckled fore-crown and faint brown bars on the back. It will acquire the full adult plumage in its fourth year. When the parent flew off, it followed still screaming. We left and we could still hear it screaming, flying after its parent.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pt_JdTdjkFM/W7-sqFs75CI/AAAAAAAAzx8/hQeY7z9ihWEgYTlOn5hsi13SlWbRHlG3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C12--02-07-2"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mgvAWbJVjpw/W7-sq6Z4FAI/AAAAAAAAzyA/z8NagMJ61WELbkRtGMlpfrsZWNLp_WGaQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C12--02-07-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We’d to make a trip to Slimbridge WWT when we found out that a fledged Cuckoo chick was seen feeding out in the open. That was something we needed to see. We left the casa at 10.50 am and the mercury was already reaching 24.4C. It was going to be a very sunny and hot day. We headed straight to the walkway towards Willow Hide and spotted a crowd looking intently at the tree tops. We could hear screeching and saw shadows of birds flitting in and out. Unfortunately it was quite dark along the walkway and the chick was high in the willow canopy. The views were also obstructed by branches, twigs and leaves. From time to time, we managed to get a glimpse of the barred underparts of the chick. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NpkDaerhgbo/W7-srxNlEzI/AAAAAAAAzyE/s9v5egRAV90dM_c3eBK-QNxB_JV5-3z3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lQhy3i_zQ_M/W7-ssk7OWpI/AAAAAAAAzyI/agMlR054ySgGq8_NuO9R16CyLUACt4PggCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The screeching returned when a pair of Reed Warblers flew in to feed the demanding chick. It was strange watching the tiny Warblers tearing around feeding the gargantuan interloper. The chick’s open mouth served as a sign stimulus. It was about 8 times the size of its foster parents. The poor parent almost disappeared in the wide-opened mouth of its adopted baby. It kept on making high pitched and persistent begging calls ‘tsi-tsi-tsi’ which sounded like a brood of hungry young. These cries were so stimulating to the unsuspecting host parents and encouraged them to bring as much food as they would to a brood of their own. It would still be supported by its poor foster parents for a further 2 weeks, before abandoning them to head to Africa. They flew alone presumably following an inborn flight program and guided on their incredible journey by the night skies and the Earth’s magnetic field.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0vkR0uk_QVY/W7-stXVihDI/AAAAAAAAzyQ/v1fcPriEaqIdrH8pS9T0DG2AFpqo_M8HwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SWkqQnzEb9Y/W7-suW1ncVI/AAAAAAAAzyU/jbkq8XKkV5wZkQdehRXnpD4S1nGRBq_DwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Cuckoos were summer visitors and well-known parasites. In May, the blue-grey male arrived on our shores from Africa and boomed out his distinctive ribald whooping ‘cuc-coo’, the calls heralding the welcome arrival of spring. After establishing himself to the slightly browner female, nature took its course and the female’s work began. She laid her eggs in the nests of other bird, especially Meadow pipits, Dunnocks and Reed Warblers. A female Cuckoo could lay many eggs in a season than most birds because she don’t have to build a nest or care for her eggs and young. The adults flew back to Africa as soon as the breeding season was over, as early as the second half of June. Within hours of hatching, the blind and naked chick pushed any remaining eggs from the nest. Alone in the nest, it now had the sole attention of its foster parents, who darted around to feed it, leaving them no time to breed again for the entire season. After 19 days, the Cuckoo was bursting from its nest and fledged but still being fed by its parents.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0vkR0uk_QVY/W7-stXVihDI/AAAAAAAAzyQ/v1fcPriEaqIdrH8pS9T0DG2AFpqo_M8HwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B6%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kqaaq8S2KGg/W7-svDtfeFI/AAAAAAAAzyY/zbBn9ntzHnUjQ7a-TnIROEApA-cpwZGWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-13%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sNCsKB0h9o/W7-sv0NJrGI/AAAAAAAAzyc/o3uww_vuBDwLLBvuukZvJyGL9hSwIOskwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-13%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After nearly 2 hours of straining our necks and eyes, we took a short break by checking the rest of the hides. Unfortunately, the Tack piece was empty and the fields were very dry due to the hot weather. Even the cattle was taking shade under the trees. We checked the Cuckoo chick again and it had gone deeper into the trees. The screeching calls were still audible. We’d enough and when we walked past the Martin Smith hide, we came across the latest addition to the giant LEGO brick animal trail. The 2018 trail included 3 newly created animals to be discovered as visitors wandered around the reserve. We might do it in next visit.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-maJUT0taSqE/W7-sw5tBxxI/AAAAAAAAzyg/Fomim4zbfV4zni3U32sBaF4AK-c5M3DAwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-14%255B1%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-81WTxkl1BMs/W7-sx-XwxbI/AAAAAAAAzyk/UafDRbcO0-MHPiBoU958Q83kD1EN8Q-zQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-14?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We spent the rest of the day at Rushy Hide and was greeted by an Oystercatcher family with well grown youngsters on the causeway. The juveniles resembled the adults but had brownish-black upperparts, grey legs, duller eye-ring and a dark tip to the bill. The adults looked after their chicks for much longer than other waders and were the only British wader where the adults fed their chicks, mostly on earthworms. In winter, they would be flying to the coast where they were truly the bird of tidal estuaries and rocky shores. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-STq7vjFOZxE/W7-sygJbN7I/AAAAAAAAzyo/6MFrljiRTgU7QMnWT6JD-7WA2RSes0kBACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PL2fnCkmeOc/W7-szuK9ecI/AAAAAAAAzys/Jy0WmNWoHGoq2_pxarefpAAbnYEZPlSewCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--06-07-2018-13%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In the middle of the lagoon were Avocets with at least 2 different broods. Although Avocets only rear one brood a year, they will re-nest if they lose eggs or young. Several broods of fluffy Tufted ducklings and black-and-white mint humbugs ‘shelducklings’ of varying sizes were foraging along the edge of the lower pond. They were diving and upending for larvae and pupae often found under rocks as well as aquatic animals, plant materials, seeds, small fishes , snails and crabs. Lots of newly fledged Black Headed gulls were learning to be quarrelsome and noisy birds. The scrape was also alive with hatching midges, the larvae of which provided food for all these waders and ducks.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2a_hw7j9UT4/W7-s0kIidYI/AAAAAAAAzyw/mXUCv9O5CXE404N23IH9S50jBzXeI9nHwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lzq5RVq0qbM/W7-s1VEGI8I/AAAAAAAAzy0/2axmqxqNEK02mwOwnuValUGFzDrV3RdFwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X-C13--06-07-20%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Later in the week, we drove to Coventry Airport to check out one of showcase of the 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The event celebrated the centenary of the RAF as one of the series of ‘RAF 100’ events taking place across the UK to commemorate and inspire the next generation. RAF100 was the celebration of 100 years of the first independent air force in the world which ws being celebrated by the Royal Air Force across the United Kingdom. This was an occasion to highlight Coventry’s long history with the RAF and its past manufacturing plants which produced aircraft for the service from the early 1900’s to the early 1970’s.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BD1-WLKFpTI/W7-s2CSccgI/AAAAAAAAzy4/28eqxvJM5W09BNhGDHleOVqhgGLA9VxBgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="416" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CSlgJd9wSg/W7-s3OWxqgI/AAAAAAAAzy8/wxnzIrpOuusTrPRc-HR263HQmgmKddJzQCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-54m4h6KIxwc/W7-s38CfPEI/AAAAAAAAzzE/qjA1XnIfkZs8qd_R3HHz1M09zEvN_e1JwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lp9ls_b7BQg/W7-s5MSqDyI/AAAAAAAAzzI/LOoGzXn_EEEtYEnCL7wY2-25rMLNSpsFQCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B22%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Coventry Airport hosted a nine-piece aircraft display, included a Meteor flanked by two venoms at the western end of the terminal. We wandered in the sunshine among the Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF.11, Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.3, Dehavilland Venom FB.4, Dehavilland Vampire T.11 and T. 55, Percival Proctor V, Douglas DC3 Dakota, Avro Shackleton AEW.2, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.1, Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 and British Aircraft Corporation Percival Jet Provost T.3. Unfortunately, not many people turned up but we still had a fantastic time photographing and posing with these beauties.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YG_Jdvr3-jA/W7-s5-avTII/AAAAAAAAzzM/n6wl9W2aG_sYv3fSFei8NDxFwxkrcXrkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="291" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MLvq28OFAtM/W7-s6nooR3I/AAAAAAAAzzQ/N4CBDWJSMTk3H3GbGjrOhO4lpIig-gWPgCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,<br>
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BaYfW810DzA/W7-s7WBhVZI/AAAAAAAAzzU/2Zs5xKkuLzE2nLfFfRmlGlQ0TD76Ma63ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sHcWf5SGIw/W7-s8Zy5b_I/AAAAAAAAzzY/_qELVd2h6wosNs6ypC9TYIkmh61k-wjlQCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth<br>
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bUjJRUb-_VY/W7-s9WujZDI/AAAAAAAAzzc/BpllnkYTac02QmQBv2KItNc4CBe9ScD3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KrbqLvh9ppQ/W7-s-AP62zI/AAAAAAAAzzg/IQZYfqpjSKYKtZVVE_Q5NuMgf_ZdBkKQwCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung<br>
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OLK5H-Yi5UI/W7-s_PQt2cI/AAAAAAAAzzk/H6BW9EpisoIRFcZtJvwYnhQd-hfZNJFFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-silWwXD_u1E/W7-s_1_YRNI/AAAAAAAAzzo/Su72oybhqt0ivR6sTwW-RJke6v7VvZmUgCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung<br>
My eager craft through footless halls of air...</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QzlVmlTQXjo/W7-tAtFWjiI/AAAAAAAAzzs/ZDfE7YCLWYwPEW-6O3Aznwa07m9xw3V7QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-69kLipDxnEo/W7-tBiCm8RI/AAAAAAAAzzw/32I4KIkSSVYnJeRydklcT11pXdvSo3PGACHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D3100a--08-07-2018-%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue<br>
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--faghe3O5nM/W7-tCv2u-MI/AAAAAAAAzz0/e8UwyfTVmbMFFed35QZ2qtAYA3edIXEwgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bprUQtFKAzU/W7-tDuSD95I/AAAAAAAAzz4/hF-dym5Dt5onSb5n3KB8t84MSUKHZ43swCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>
Where never lark or even eagle flew --<br>
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fy54vmnmZpw/W7-tEbb3r2I/AAAAAAAAzz8/bfYVNJL4Y-4S67L6lIyzThNC4a-WfIWCACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B23%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nWuApwS1GHM/W7-tFGPRBZI/AAAAAAAAz0A/bY3AaSUMjhE2RSOF673eE62mwpjVa_TkQCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,<br>
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqlZFMVG-Io/W7-tGSgaY7I/AAAAAAAAz0E/hXGv1oskquITRgIy5mQOrt96oWuOLOiEgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B18%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3WqUHjaCdlY/W7-tHd86biI/AAAAAAAAz0I/lqQaWy8-ay8L2gSADm_pLw0y5KjaEWIuwCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~John Gilliespie Magee, Jr. ‘High Flight~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SYpaTWJZRZ8/W7-tIO6gjzI/AAAAAAAAz0Q/yeYBwuo2Zf8IKy58SyuCF6GElPPhMspugCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="335" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LuNqAiREqGc/W7-tJIFU1zI/AAAAAAAAz0U/Z3BCWcGmaUod8rjkH05zW-PMaFqGAaHQgCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nSTUHot7JJ4/W7-tKCy1VWI/AAAAAAAAz0Y/QgnQ8sbgI_MY_QFV7mlOx9OXtGL1_E14gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry Airport - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry Airport - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fnkp3sHsV3Y/W7-tK9ugD6I/AAAAAAAAz0c/qM_y-IzN9Hwjto49ypZgpUrD4JRmp6XbgCHMYCw/Coventry-Airport-D7200--08-07-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we headed to the city centre to see the rest of the showcase. Broadgate was buzzing as the crowd checked out a number of military vehicles, static displays, stands, exhibitions and displays connected with the RAF. A special-edition red, white and blue RAF100 Aston Martin, RAF100 vehicles manned by military personnel, an RAF Regiment Display, the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, the RAF STEM team and RAF recruitment officers also drew in the crowds.The highlight was a BAE Systems Hawk aircraft positioned in front of the Lady Godiva statue. The queue was snaking as they waited to take turns to sit in the aircraft cockpit.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rvSwANpeEFQ/W7-tMF58VII/AAAAAAAAz0g/lH7hIW4QRyU1BhKUpfoEuKxs46m3wG4pgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200--08-07-2018-13-06-494"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry City Centre - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry City Centre - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mWMsH5aLFbI/W7-tM3G4JfI/AAAAAAAAz0k/Obg0Ww0gJeIfk8aWVS3VToEAZJqmDy8owCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200--08-07-2018-13-06-49_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were hoping to spend a few hours here so that we could watch the flyover by a Dakota from the Battle of Britain’s Memorial Flight at 3.20pm. It would be amazing to see it flying low over the Coventry Cathedral. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much else to see and we don’t fancy standing in the sun for another 2 hours that we decided to head home. Fortunately, at around 3.30 pm, we heard the rumbling sound of an aeroplane over our casa. We rushed out and saw the Dakota circling the city centre a few times. We were hoping that it would flew our casa on the way home but it flew East instead. But at least, we got to see it.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Duds9T96rI/W7-tNkMNUVI/AAAAAAAAz0o/tul8LyMxyP4xNQUDGuPr8tR5jkyXcwS0wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-C13--08-07-2018-15-09%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OHoxRLfmazM/W7-tOoEkQVI/AAAAAAAAz0s/7uoW4U4ruvMleaS5qFvywPRMs2UdhHitwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-C13--08-07-2018-15-09%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>During my lunch break at work, rain or shine, I’m out walking around the beautiful university grounds. There were many footpaths to choose from and one of my favourite was around the ‘nursery’ lake. I always have my camera with me because you’ll never know what you might come across. As I was walking past The Slate conference centre, I came across a demonstration for a driveless pod. I’d to stifle my laugh when it hit one of the bollards. I guess there was still a lot of tweaking to be done.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9t1bg0zp3AI/W7-tPV24ndI/AAAAAAAAz00/z7ro9N4S2Pomft3hbVteqqVZZCZXdxxeACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7sYnHajdJ6E/W7-tQOQd3BI/AAAAAAAAz08/I-xIhGIpVQA9UVwt3rY8QxBw8mKjapd0ACHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Behind the Heronbank student accommodation, was a wildflower meadow which was teeming with insects. The flowers and grasses were bursting with colour supporting butterflies, bugs and bees. In summer, flower-rich meadows became a mini-jungle, alive with brightly coloured wildflowers, teeming with buzzing and chirping insects. Woodland flowers came early in the spring, before the canopy closed overhead, then the lanes, verges and pockets like this were full of creamy beauties. Among them were Corncockle, Wood anemone, Cow parsley, Daisy, Harebell, Wild carrot, Foxglove, Teasel, Lady’s bedstraw, Common ragwort and others. I could spent hours here but I’ve got work to do.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WzGEq7wUhkM/W7-tTbKQ_sI/AAAAAAAAz1A/1l3Ong_dEsEDt-DyIqAbRQ_GYMX-4M5uACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-yeVXzozpg/W7-tUeTg8QI/AAAAAAAAz1I/_nBZbPsUDrMVuhMLGqyvQBVNITIENHAfgCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Deep in the meadow, under the willow.<br>A bed of grass, a soft green pillow.<br>Lay down your head, and close your eyes.<br>And when they open, the sun will rise.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T3U7BaicMp8/W7-tVQA_IQI/AAAAAAAAz1M/SCQCT7kifMkAIeJ7rZjU95Upbfc5F1uTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-223PpnZYX9M/W7-tWX_srZI/AAAAAAAAz1Q/OdMApQ2Wjv4GUo3z2cWWZuA-lxB19UvCwCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Here it's safe, and here it's warm.<br>Here the daisies guard you from every harm.<br>Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true.<br>Here is the place where I love you.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTJqklsy6zY/W7-tXBCMkDI/AAAAAAAAz1U/7w9GVagkdK0Ce0t1RTWDrMCQ0btu_wV3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wdBJJ-kMdDM/W7-tYNq1IkI/AAAAAAAAz1Y/iN8nFnd0BW03hj0xZtwFQfYUty-TBbIRACHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Deep in the meadow, hidden far away.<br>A cloak of green, a moon beam ray.<br>Forget your woes, and let your troubles lay.<br>And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0LwETyACYc/W7-tZMMeKKI/AAAAAAAAz1c/QjJMQcDLwxIzaTo3FdNT46RP6VRxWY0SQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jcC-3W6KnsI/W7-tZ5cRyWI/AAAAAAAAz1g/c0mr2lIK_uI2Y5zwhD5T7Q4iJLHtJP22QCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Here it's safe, and here it's warm.<br>Here the daisies guard you from every harm.<br>Hre your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true.<br>Here is the place where I love you</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Sting~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sx-l-FpjTCg/W7-ta-zwQlI/AAAAAAAAz1k/5lL4YNOt7acenJ_5j9fSpxifM1HQN11GQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Warwick University - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mxDlmQrdbSY/W7-tby5IMlI/AAAAAAAAz1o/M1DS23TlyboSXDmKH9I7zT6vj6wrxZKhwCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100a--10-07-201%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p>We ended sunny July with another trip to our favourite playground. Babe had been here several times during the month and he’d photographed waders that had dropped by to take advantage of the low water levels due to the hot weather. The shallow water and muddy margins were teeming with ducks and waders feeding on the exposed mud. A wader which got the photographers, twitchers and visitors excited was when a Wood sandpiper, one of those special autumn passage birds, dropped in to rest and refuel.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-122198EJ59Q/W7-tcttdfMI/AAAAAAAAz1s/X3mQddsYAHUJIQ5X_P-ZXW1VuZclVJtcwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20%255B5%255D"><img width="453" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUV-9rW2OWk/W7-tdSlUCWI/AAAAAAAAz10/R3xuC4Uvpo0uzGjafbAw8M9EsXwXqPfgQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The Wood sandpiper was a medium-sized wader and the smallest of the shanks. It had a fine straight bill, yellowish legs and a conspicuous long, white stripe from the bill over the eye to the back of the neck. It foraged by probing in shallow water or on wet mud, and mainly ate insects and similar small prey. It was a long-distance passage migrant that bred in Northern Europe and wintering in Africa.They were listed as a Schedule 1 species. As usual, it was gone by the time I arrived.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PQ6BT7_l9XA/W7-tfHCVcCI/AAAAAAAAz14/wje2o3BcW8AzYRsNcUYyRDp4-7Z0UT9LQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FXFw3aRz_KM/W7-tgIf0AbI/AAAAAAAAz18/3AZgfNpABl0Oj3CzwnvqRbZoiw30hH13QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Thankfully, a Green Sandpiper foraging close to the hide, managed to hide my disappointment. While the Green sandpiper was a rather dumpy wader, short-legged and ‘hunched’ in profile, the Wood sandpiper was slim, long-legged, small headed and long-necked, an all round more elegant looking bird. Green Sandpipers were blackish-green above, with a bright white belly and a white rump. It had a white eye-ring and a supercilium that extended to just behind the eye.They were rare breeding birds in the UK and mainly seen when they visited in autumn and winter.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oknu1v4kEYM/W7-tg74jczI/AAAAAAAAz2A/bocYADdcV18emYOSq0-6t4-OoPF424frwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BBB%2BC13%2B%2B17-07-2018%2B15-41-38%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jA4-kGHg2LU/W7-th8aGAKI/AAAAAAAAz2E/r2-PfWZevsUmOFWS-BkCZGj4QJLL2RcwwCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BBB%2BC13%2B%2B17-07-2018%2B15-41-38_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Green Sandpiper rarely used its bill for probing, preferring to pick insects and invertebrates from the surface of the water. It frequently bobbed up and down when standing. It appeared nervous and flew off with a low zig-zagging flight when disturbed. It was conspicuous and characteristically patterned in flight, with the wings dark above and below and a brilliant white rump. In flight, it had a characteristically three-note ‘tlweet-eet-eet’ whistle. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DL4dwVHkgeI/W7-tiuVqWdI/AAAAAAAAz2I/O3O_hoXlgXwHQ7g7ZYktImjNmhXqbmHGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7j8CV5a85U/W7-tjjiZyEI/AAAAAAAAz2Q/ORFyYknjzJMYdqLL0i_TkAgcdiDV1TkBQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--17-07-20%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On the main island, a pair of Little Ring Plovers were busy foraging among the juvenile Oyster-catchers. Small and rotund waders with their distinctive yellow eye-ring, they foraged for insects and aquatic invertebrates in a very distinct way; standing and watching, running forward, pecking, daintily picking up morsels of food then standing still again. It was quite cute to watch them scuttering across the mudflat, sometimes energetically trampling around on the sand to flush prey out of hiding places. Another plover joined them and its arrival was announced by repeated 'butterfly' song-flights. These migrant species, arrived in this country in mid-March and left in July to winter in the northern tropics of Africa.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EsSisoYyTpY/W7-tk5dZEKI/AAAAAAAAz2Y/w8S0j-TKZRcFHOD9T4TxU5OqAEbefBq3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BBB%2BC13%2B%2B17-07-2018%2B14-47-15%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PjbZiO6Y5jM/W7-tlvLXVwI/AAAAAAAAz2c/_Vosh6Pz-PUJd2TJLs1KUySWP9Mt6HlEgCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BBB%2BC13%2B%2B17-07-2018%2B14-47-15_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We decided to head back before Hurricane Chris moved over the Atlantic and bringing with it a heavy downpour. The Met Office said that tropical storm Chris, which was building on the US east coast and was predicted to become a hurricane, caused a blip in the current sweltering weather with it a fortnight of heavy rain and thunderstorms. I was looking forward to that. We’d to take shelter at the Baldwin Hide when the heavens opened. When we opened the shutters, we were chuffed to see the family of Tufted ducks enjoying the rain.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NCu36q_sMTE/W7-tm-vkt0I/AAAAAAAAz2g/I3qOGZYxn-kwmuEKXXt4ijcaPp9I45pVQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-07-2018%2B15-12-27%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-znpxJagDMLU/W7-tnmNQtrI/AAAAAAAAz2k/UtJeUwC2Y3k8qIdC1AwsiWGAZk1_9ctmgCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-07-2018%2B15-12-27_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Tufted duck ducklings were still hanging out with their mum. As with most species of ducks, the drake played no part in the incubation of the eggs or the rearing of the youngsters. The ducklings quickly learnt who their mother was, and followed her everywhere. Once the ducklings had fledged their first true feathers, after about 50 days, they were independent. Juveniles were similar in appearance to mature female adults but the colour was less vibrant and the tuft was less pronounced. Males in non-breeding plumage also resembled females with a brown tint and a less prominent tuft or no tuft at all. Reproductive maturity was quickly reached by both sexes, and breeding could occur during the following breeding season.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_RapbOL55NM/W7-tom5ckCI/AAAAAAAAz2o/mSa-OYInVdAfSb9Uwognnbz3KXQ2nASjQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-07-2018%2B14-56-035%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IN1jkECJ8DI/W7-tp5xiN4I/AAAAAAAAz2s/BPY7F2p1Y_QUGf4g2o-tmew05FbCB_wsgCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-07-2018%2B14-56-035_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we arrived home, we looked out the window and saw a soaking Coal Tit at the bird-feeder. The cute bird was the smallest in the tit family we have in the UK, and was easily identified with its black cap, black bib and distinct white rectangle on the back of the head and neck. A regular visitor to most feeders and was also the only member of its family that had learned to make a larder. Individual birds will visit feeders frequently but rarely eat the food immediately. Instead they took it away to stash so that when times get hard they had something in reserve. They were quite shy at bird feeders, and we often see them dashed in, grabbed a beak full and dashed off again.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--L2WAAa0h4k/W7-tqsdc3UI/AAAAAAAAz2w/nNQMGfFGibYlqkikAO21Z1Y3yuakeg62gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B29-07-2018%2B17-44-035%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--7eE6UOXMFg/W7-trrsrqVI/AAAAAAAAz20/gzu__db4FAQ21otxTC6sLB-328VPx5w2QCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B29-07-2018%2B17-44-035_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also picked another tub of raspberries after the rain had stopped. Our little plot of summer-fruiting bushes had been fruiting profusely that we’d to pick every 2 days. Known as nature’s candy, the long summer days had produced a rich red colour with a sweet juicy tasty flavour. We’d them fresh as dessert and I’d them with my porridge for breakfast. It was the highlight of fresh eating, home-grown and straight from the garden. It started with only 3 plants and these suckering plants that spread via underground runners had multiplied into at least 20 plants and they kept spreading. I am looking forward to pick more raspberries next year.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MCdjHSwdk0w/W7-tsc_j2bI/AAAAAAAAz24/VnY-i9UQ6PU1BXSdHl0ubBnWyZd5eQKVgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD3100a%2B%2B11-07-2018%2B18-35-22%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wEG_V1T-2GU/W7-ttim-hsI/AAAAAAAAz28/9WP5Nu43t8IX1hY4hsv1mfBzOF3aYyT7gCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD3100a%2B%2B11-07-2018%2B18-35-22_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>"Summer has set in with its usual severity." <br>- Samuel Taylor Coleridge</em></strong> </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yUTU7Vavxbc/W7-tum85TyI/AAAAAAAAz3A/K8UerRfOOX0dlf2mFGmIGJ9p2ijv1KF2ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-07-2018-10-09-37%255B2%255D"><br></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-62468159066243242072018-10-01T11:03:00.001-07:002018-10-01T11:03:22.593-07:00And since all this loveliness can not be Heaven, I know in my heart it is June.*<p>I suffered from terrible jet-lags but somehow arriving in the UK at about 8.30 pm made life a bit easier. On the way home, we stopped at our favourite chippy for good ole traditional meal, fish and chips with mushy peas. What a welcome eh. I didn’t call my father because it was about 5 am in Malaysia. After a nice, warm shower, it was time to hit the sack. Thankfully, I managed to fall sleep and was up early the next day. After calling Malaysia, I tackled the laundry and looked outside the window for the first time in three weeks. Everything in the garden had gone whoosh, wild and very overgrown.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X5nuVF8lM38/W7JgE6922wI/AAAAAAAAzm8/JA_zSJqIPvoYCD9-tM5q348UtsphFee6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--23-06-2018-15"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n8_i7T-76yg/W7JgF1dRYDI/AAAAAAAAznA/bJi5HBWv2jQcrgh5i6wiCkyqkFTM4LsuQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--23-06-2018-15%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When I was away, a sweltering plume from the Continent swept in enveloping the UK with tropical warmth. The weather here was nearly the same as in Malaysia!!! There were blue skies and blazing sunshine with soaring humidity. The volatile atmospheric conditions brought with it thunderstorms and torrential downpours which was surprisingly missing when I was abroad. The mercury rocketed into a blistering start to a sizzling summer and a month long scorcher. All my hanging baskets dried out and the rest of my potted plants barely survived. Since I took 2 extra days to recover from my trip, I spent the day consoling my plants <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qv7qd_azZjs/W7JgGru-mJI/AAAAAAAAznE/xzJubDEPMGwrOmZO7SzyQVmTuADXHH6aQCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><p><br></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fBBx1BiCHiM/W7JgH3PyoUI/AAAAAAAAznI/RbkF_6Xv74MDNIVs3IX9nCEjjDlU2pSfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX---17-06-2018-1%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wGYau28Sy5E/W7JgIx6Q15I/AAAAAAAAznM/kLc5pMKUp10Pyl__QTDVrvbJjdTYWcb_wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX---17-06-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We drove over to Draycote Meadows for a walk as I needed to stretch my legs after the 13 hour journey. We wanted to see if the butterflies were out and about. Babe had been earlier in the month but nothing was flying due to the intense heat. Thankfully, the thunderstorms and downpours had perked things up and the meadow looked stunning in the sunshine. Twenty species of grass had formed a sea of tawny green with bursts of colour from the Yellow Rattle, Adders tongue, Green-flowered Twayblade, Meadow Buttercups, Meadow vetchling and Knapweed. The diversity of flowers supported a huge range of butterflies, insects and bees seen waltzing across the meadow. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbkvMv0pJBY/W7JgJ44m_7I/AAAAAAAAznQ/qbhPW3LTF0gACIJ_qEJ_X82jzvEJXhERwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j7nOCG7FdKA/W7JgKxUUSYI/AAAAAAAAznU/efp-zViWc68kqUGasOJDsNH8t0umvFJ4gCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>But before we could walk along the middle path, we spotted a Kestrel hovering. Known as ‘wind-hoverers’, it was hanging in the air, seeking out preys like mouse, shrews or voles, hiding beneath the vegetation. To maintain this posture, it flew into, and at the same speed, as the oncoming wind and the current of air passing over its wings provided the lift it needed. To maintain the lift, it extended the tips of the wings and fanned its tail feathers, and when the wind dropped, it flapped its wings to increase air movement. It coped with the energy demanded of hovering by including tiny pauses, stretching the neck forward to offset being blown backwards, while keeping the head in position. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RbM-n7TpXgk/W7JgLextsiI/AAAAAAAAznY/qElHCSOkmgY1p7VHXNMdKuVZKlMpSLMhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-phYJeBiHh-w/W7JgMO5DsOI/AAAAAAAAznc/QMQQseuP-ZEtvSXeIPaGwe0YTL6gszRWgCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p> Like most birds of prey, Kestrels had keen eyesight enabling them to spot a prey from a distance. While hovering in the air, it wasn’t necessary looking for the animal itself but for its urine trail. They were capable of seeing ultraviolet colours, which were found in the urine and were able to detect the hidden prey. Sometimes, they would break from a hover, dropped down slightly and resumed hovering again. Once prey was sighted, they made a short, steep dive towards the target and seizing it with their talons.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Da2_NbQ9PxE/W7JgM0NYcMI/AAAAAAAAzng/r8b4PY6-YAsxFWF6xWbjpv36hwbdPExmwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KVBJrLIr6co/W7JgNgkV3WI/AAAAAAAAznk/I-ZUQayhVN8H8fjSdXwMK_4RpzyqrOYDQCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After the Kestrel flew away to search for another patch, we continued our search for the piece de resistance to this oasis. It was the Marbled White Butterfly, a distinctive medium-sized white butterfly with a black-chequered marking. It was called ‘Our Half –mourner’ by James Pettiver, fellow of the Royal Society; ‘The Marmoris’ by the naturalist Benjamin Wilkes and ‘The Marmoress’ by the entomologist Moses Harris. Despite these names, they were more closely related to the subfamily known as the ‘browns’. They seemed to show marked preferences for purple flowers such as the thistles and knapweeds. We often found them, well camouflaged, roosting halfway down the tall grass stems and was flushed as we walked through. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DC0O-htbhg/W7JgOqopxCI/AAAAAAAAzno/KKIKthNqQ2YE3GsLbzp5XQMeXrjmDyxRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbvkmU9VXIE/W7JgPYLkt6I/AAAAAAAAzns/y7InEKnVHPo0P-2lj0ExkMLy8LVpgRAgwCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As usual, we walked on the main path that divided the meadows. We scanned the grasslands and couldn’t see them at first. But other summer grassland butterflies such as the Ringlets, Small coppers, Common Blues, Small tortoiseshells, Meadow Browns, Speckled wood, Burnets, Skippers, Brimstone and Gatekeepers were fluttering effortlessly through the meadows with grace and serenity. Their delicate, colourful wings allowed them to silently soar through the air like confetti floating in the wind. Since ancient times, butterflies had been considered symbols of the soul, so it was no surprise that these flitting beauties had somehow managed to soothe any sad spirits. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B7ODyXSIZXs/W7JgQSlu0nI/AAAAAAAAznw/SfaneZSoq78zQNhhTYB4Qda8x5MjTWXAwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RBzzKAowhIc/W7JgRLyYzmI/AAAAAAAAzn0/nAvUUT7wxq4HIeedLUXH7WNmKRQjSoU3ACHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The butterfly was young<br>Her vibrant wings of delicate lace<br>Such grace such poise<br>A charming butterfly</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rp6QMwHs490/W7JgSKLzHbI/AAAAAAAAzn4/8B7f53tJSMsX9Q_C40rafItMiUUCwllcACHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ed-2ty96-5E/W7JgTCUDTcI/AAAAAAAAzn8/QGl0nd_Jx_0PtU1jRWCLmnFkRugGm2PswCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br></em></strong><strong><em><br>Butterfly fluttered by till upon a rose<br>Spreading her wings a dainty show<br>Slowly sipping sweet</em></strong><strong><em> nectar </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61Z9Jipi3lE/W7JgT8tOo_I/AAAAAAAAzoA/kCsOdV05QaU0e2bXVbGuAsluF-qZNws1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9a9e6G9qt2Q/W7JgUm4TuaI/AAAAAAAAzoE/J-X7T430RxgFKKwVCI9b3fRP2XMH2nHIwCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Butterfly in a trance<br>Fluttering her wings lovely<br>Too charming<br>Too tempting</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CHEPXFvTxxw/W7JgVXMn1jI/AAAAAAAAzoI/JiivXsnJCiAJ6viyamWpgAOOVEDxzl8_ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygYRRUcefHo/W7JgWG6HTVI/AAAAAAAAzoM/z4Z_x2VB40wsXJoeMFwL7hw5ZqCt6SFNgCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br><br>Butterfly in a spell<br>Too late to break<br>Lovers forever</em></strong><strong><em><br>Strange couple though</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iO0jkL0oVn0/W7JgXGko-EI/AAAAAAAAzoQ/426x0ZdtdSoMAY7UmChclyqbseKDkRvAQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gnfjekSnJZk/W7JgYHuTVdI/AAAAAAAAzoU/QnceWWaOfm8sikYrDsESYw6hVcURF7y1ACHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D3100a--28-06-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Yet lovely<br>Yet happy<br>Suave cricket, Princess Butterfly<br>Flutterby, flutterby....... </em></strong></p><h4 align="center"><em>~Bella Ravenstar~</em></h4><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sb3vnDzro4E/W7JgY8SVyiI/AAAAAAAAzoY/oLlbSZ2Bj2oh7wg-nAvb0SFK-tkLD3S-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Meadows - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Meadows - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSWOyWPqBZY/W7JgZgAjl3I/AAAAAAAAzoc/9OMHTjOsKn4pO1nYybT16hBBfVjzDVzMwCHMYCw/Draycote-Meadows-D7200-C13--28-06-20%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">To continue the break, we made a trip to Slimbridge WWT. It was a breezy, sunny morning when we left the casa at 10.42 am. As usual we headed straight to Rushy Hide and although it was full, we managed to squeeze in and I managed to stand on the steps. Right in front of us, a juvenile Grey wagtail was busy feeding along the drain. It was feeding on a variety of insects that was caught from the shallow water or on the ground while walking or running. Whilst feeding, it constantly wagged its long black and white tail. It was a territorial display to other wagtails that the particular stretch of water was occupied.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aoMUrg1mMDs/W7Jgamo0qgI/AAAAAAAAzog/65nQWNeznNMj6xot_wPcdLnEy-QGqvoyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DnLUTxbREZU/W7JgbfRzu7I/AAAAAAAAzok/CiCZbm-1OOsrWhAHrUneQ2GxDiuQ5RyAQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Nearby, the family of Shelducks had woken up from a siesta and heading towards the lake. We gave up counting the juveniles as they’d blended into each other as they walked in a group with one of the grown-ups escorting them. They were looking similar to the adults except their colouration was duller and lacked the pectoral band. They’d a whitish face and fore-neck. The plumage was washed greyish overall, and lacked the green glossy secondary feathers. In the shallow water, they foraged for small invertebrates including insects, molluscs and crustaceans by upending and dabbling.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8v2DIEkX4vU/W7JgcfP9CvI/AAAAAAAAzoo/r5SM89QJIBYfAH0NMjE6U5hBariSaHsCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B18%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zs3gm8d668k/W7JgdTRA7nI/AAAAAAAAzos/XPjxjcx9vnsw7VrUia1kHED9aCGzGT4GgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B26%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Suddenly an Avocet started chasing a few juvenile Shelducks that wandered close to the mudflat. We looked closer and saw an Avocet chick confidently feeding along the shore. The chicks could run about and fed themselves within a few hours of hatching and both parents cared and brood them. They fledged at around 35-42 days but remained dependant on the parents for some time afterwards. We were quite surprised to see a chick this late because Avocets were single brooded but then, they would lay again if the first clutch was lost before hatching.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ywErujVOZA/W7JgeF_b8MI/AAAAAAAAzow/mTXvK9gJNeMuyFweTjGvZ1CvTsIb29CMgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B35%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYVOQ5yV1-w/W7Jge0XRPMI/AAAAAAAAzo0/IIhTyy2p678JRAP_uKlJbPOa5ufNaauIQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We were delighted to see a large group of Tufted duck ducklings at the far end of the lake. They looked like little corks bobbing along in the water. As with most species of ducks, the drake played no part in the incubation of the eggs or the rearing of the youngsters. The ducklings quickly learnt who their mother was, and followed her everywhere. They left the nest as soon as the last egg had hatched and find food for themselves whilst the mum acted as guardian. Once the ducklings had fledged their first true feathers, after about 50 days, they were independent. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y2DvjUqMUUM/W7Jgf6IbwBI/AAAAAAAAzo4/3cPfxBA57jMYjPjgUboBe8uh9FWBKFOpACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dHSqS6Q9-Ao/W7JgglGrBEI/AAAAAAAAzpI/9yBojmYtzLopFsQ9lUthjCZJirt3MX8SwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-13%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We heard a familiar call ‘teu-hoo’ and a medium sized wader landed on the mud-flat in front of the hide. The dark wings with white trailing edges were visible in flight. As its name suggested, a Redshank’s most distinctive features were its bright orange-red legs. It had a medium-length bill with an orange base to match, brown speckled back and wings and paler belly. It was feeding in the shallow water by probing its bill into the soil and mud for insects, earthworms and crustaceans. It was an energetic forager, often up to its flank in the water rapidly feeding with sideway movements. It was a wary and noisy bird, alerting everything else with its loud piping calls. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uROu-oHHupw/W7Jgh8GNxYI/AAAAAAAAzpQ/insZuVAcQzsLaUfY-Iw_TnyXbt2NSm0pACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9tps6C_KhKQ/W7JgiqeA-hI/AAAAAAAAzpU/L_63SOeWYsQA8qya9o3D8HnE1nDoWsrVACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>”Tis not to know my old delight</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em> To startle a Redshank into flight”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em> ~Walter Wingate ‘My morning walk’~</em></strong></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HKbJavt2q1E/W7JgjrVkvMI/AAAAAAAAzpY/D0aNWzyJRA4Pbb6SazAoDPxZNESROPpQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aVoq2KmXIl4/W7JgkcmdgtI/AAAAAAAAzpc/HW-AtqBcqr4IRL_UZ6BveEUcCOKGmfGSQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B25%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We didn’t bother checking the rest of the hides as the tack piece was virtually empty. When we walked past the duck house, we noticed a sign to be aware of Swallow chicks in it. When we looked in and as our eyes adjusted to the dark interiors, we saw 2 pairs of eyes watching solemnly at us. Actually, there were 3 of them and one was on the opposite wall. They were waiting patiently for their parents to feed them. We left them alone and as soon as we moved from the doorway, one of the parent immediately swooped in and out again. It was difficult to judge when they fledged, as they would be enticed out of the nest after 3 weeks by their parents but they frequently returned to the nest afterwards to roost.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pnw_9Bj-iKo/W7JglIYQlaI/AAAAAAAAzpg/rbwrD5P1aFgV2Wl5Grvivyiov5omov07QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-13%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qbr8s78nzjM/W7Jgl8EV-kI/AAAAAAAAzpk/J6MQrzYZ2gQNpcPnn97KNCffKscrYpejQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Outside in the sunshine, juvenile Swallows were sitting on the tree branches, all chattering to one another but still keeping an eye in the sky. They were still waiting to be fed and as soon as they spotted one of the parent swooping in, begging calls were heard, soliciting food from their parents. They were fed a bolus of food comprising hundreds of insects. Soon they would have flying lessons in the evenings and swooping down low across the reserve learning to catch midges and flies on the wing.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vUB0LKv51Uk/W7JgmwXiX_I/AAAAAAAAzpo/7-MwM5xuq6kkd5R8_7dYa-Ue7ZS2fW_nACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lz0GT55XEu0/W7Jgn32UHVI/AAAAAAAAzps/AzCzBpTN5rwtSDlDfMQ4RXgb9M5HtGRXQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The swallow of summer, she toils all the summer,<br>A blue-dark knot of glittering voltage,<br>A whiplash swimmer, a fish of the air.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jv_UwjE3KbQ/W7Jgov8UC0I/AAAAAAAAzpw/0WER9LYEttMl12Nwlpl3MVTajqXonicUQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B23%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YmgGimji2eY/W7JgpZLqOSI/AAAAAAAAzp0/bunK94yF0UIATsnLXs9Ac1G_I5tRcHOBwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B23%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>But the serpent of cars that crawls through the dust<br>In shimmering exhaust<br>Searching to slake<br>Its fever in ocean<br>Will play and be idle or else it will bust. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kBpROr3J2n0/W7JgqSMG94I/AAAAAAAAzp4/kSOvTVooAbAVgaOrwd2e1nBHUGyv6g_LwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B27%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XXWrfyCFFVg/W7JgrNVckoI/AAAAAAAAzp8/vcmYYkCpTT8bnA6-dlwxxEgLNkqUEqGRgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B27%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>The swallow of summer, the barbed harpoon,<br>She flings from the furnace, a rainbow of purples,<br>Dips her glow in the pond and is perfect.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOcaM8WB-kI/W7Jgr1wTgLI/AAAAAAAAzqA/yUp0XlkBhjo3yChazRxeIUTIzbTSYIetQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B6%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="470" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNWiWA4DjOk/W7Jgstbk-CI/AAAAAAAAzqE/C68aFN6qedoIL6Knu6synKukW0wJO9MHACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B6%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>But the serpent of cars that collapsed on the beach<br>Disgorges its organs<br>A scamper of colours<br>Which roll like tomatoes<br>Nude as tomatoes<br>With sand in their creases<br>To cringe in the sparkle of rollers and screech. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ToHlb3_wgU/W7JgtXOFu7I/AAAAAAAAzqI/k7YffQuDXwwE69b1t8t2y1_G1p95CM2hgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B37%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3LjQP1vpEmc/W7JguFN7VNI/AAAAAAAAzqM/MxhM7-2uBS0qwlG_12nEORbQB9Vt71q3wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B37%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>The swallow of summer, the seamstress of summer,<br>She scissors the blue into shapes and she sews it,<br>She draws a long thread and she knots it at the corners.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PlOQLODM1mw/W7Jgu-JK7iI/AAAAAAAAzqQ/9O1mSQSnac0uMBL8oUGaRHojU2Qz2sZwwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B22%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYECay2AGAk/W7JgvttgwVI/AAAAAAAAzqU/E2gvivJE_NktD5pW6Tsel77TKLwo6l7TQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B22%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Ted Hughes~</em></strong></p><p align="left">Than we heard a loud ruckus of shrill peeping and piping calls ‘kleep’ and ‘ke-beep’ like someone squeezing a bath-tub full of rubber ducks. The calls started with accelerating trills and slowing down gradually. It was often used in aggressive behaviour between neighbour, in defence of territory or for establishing and maintaining hierarchies. We looked up and saw 3 Oystercatchers having an argument on top of the roof of Peng observatory. I think it might be an adult with two juveniles who were begging for food. Parental feeding often extended well after the youngsters had developed independent flight. They remained with their parents up to six months.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hD2UjDi57xk/W7JgwayyudI/AAAAAAAAzqY/zWVu6yWLHT4qoFi-h0ZAuJbPvwc5v1RxACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W3-6ty-Ea0w/W7JgxUGZP8I/AAAAAAAAzqc/eKgY_YxT9-MeK1GrZNDi6qndEV-Vyoz1ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">From here we headed to Discovery Hide overlooking South Lake. I was delighted when I spotted the Common Crane family out in the open. Bart and Ruby had done well, protecting their chicks from predation and teaching them how to find the food they needed to grow. Common cranes foraged on land or in shallow water, probing around with their bills for any edible organisms. They were omnivorous largely eating plant matter and animal foods such as earthworms, insects, snails and rodents. They dug in the soil for food items and uprooted tufts of grass to access any invertebrates to feed on.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AO3j_xvN-9g/W7JgyalOSeI/AAAAAAAAzqg/v0q8KXqf-mA0Gl5Ufk-fJm5SXaCDCHemACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dftOXH_EK4w/W7JgzX7hbUI/AAAAAAAAzqk/nVVDgFagy2w_vnx6jGghZ3i0-gFKpVrRQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">The chicks were looking well. Each chick was looked after by one of the parent which was good news as this gave each of them a better chance of surviving. The initial down had been replaced by a second coat of down and soon this would be replaced by feathers. When they approached 3 months old, their first set of flight feathers would be completed. The parents would then run and flapped their wings to encourage the chicks to fly. It was so cute watching them using their wee wings to stabilise while running. By 9 weeks they could fly short distance. We watched them prancing about until they disappeared back into the undergrowth. Then it was time to head home.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aCqxEeadYTs/W7Jg0n_48dI/AAAAAAAAzqo/5LhzdGPpjvwu74XWvK36ySS-LbqvFfbUwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-14%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ha_xFFpU7PE/W7Jg1aui4BI/AAAAAAAAzqs/IPhvKk1JEk4Jd7ObDVno6d-TVWC0yklzwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--29-06-2018-14?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">While I was in Malaysia, Babe had a wonderful time with the natives at our favourite playground. At the car-park, he was greeted by a family of Sand Martins perched on the overhead wires enjoying the sunshine. They were the smallest European hirundines with dark brown upper parts and dark under wings contrasting with pale under parts divided by a distinctive dark chest bar. Newly fledged juveniles had a browner beak and browner legs than the adult. After fledging, the young were dependent on their parents for about a week. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJMP-OOE9yk/W7Jg2JFOVCI/AAAAAAAAzq0/gFU7-ip9whgbjxtd8QInGaSx_2LP0b_bwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B2ricKV3xBc/W7Jg29Ylt9I/AAAAAAAAzq8/idf2AF0zAXor9uwRHdqHIJi2jFB0slDggCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Sand Martins were summer visitors to the UK and were one of the first spring migrants to appear, arriving in mid-March with late arrivals up until June. They were gregarious in the breeding season and in winter. Here in Brandon Marsh, two artificial nesting banks were erected for them opposite the Baldwin Hide. They were sociable in their nesting habits, from a dozen to hundred pairs nesting close together. The white eggs were laid in late May or early June and both parents take turns to incubate them for about 14 days. All eggs hatched at the same time and they fledged when 19-24 days old. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-41BXHsiBIe8/W7Jg39P8gUI/AAAAAAAAzrA/c3EyQMrpfYcSItY51bipxNW1peW-wrIzQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4pfe6H7Bkrc/W7Jg4lGCyXI/AAAAAAAAzrE/qJWKN2g5_xocPK_3qwrNM6dOS50z1OqjgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Sand Martins were agile fliers, feeding mainly over water for invertebrates taking on the wing. Their twittering song was continuous when they were flying, a chorus of twitters, tweets and rattles. They had a fast flight, with distinctive shallow, fluttery wing beats. As the breeding season comes to an end, the adults and young gathered in large flocks, before departing on the southward migration. In late July they will fly off to winter in the Sahel, the zone south of the Sahara, where they fed in damp places that offered plentiful supplies of flying insects.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ngELPP90C5c/W7Jg5WdwzNI/AAAAAAAAzrI/0r372zDHtlcHs45AFVT3J-VPkT9uRECqgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diXGgHhUTa0/W7Jg6JyjUnI/AAAAAAAAzrM/RNnp8Vu1QQIqTa7Xo_tbhQFgRGzt-1MjACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Babe’s photographs of the Sand Martins feeding its young caused a stir among the Brandon’s fraternity. This was because they’d never seen a fledging being fed out in the open. Usually, they only saw the parents flying to the artificial nesting sites bringing food to the youngsters who could be seen poking out of the holes, waiting to be fed. How I wish I was here to see it.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GF01uSZxM8Y/W7Jg7FOyv5I/AAAAAAAAzrQ/bplpwor1zx8W83XG2mm9WogHFHqDOlmXACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zN-j9cVa00s/W7Jg76vc6lI/AAAAAAAAzrU/YdocdEDmTDAuKGi35Wa6-7Q8koWT4mSkwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--24-06-2018-%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">The dragonflies and damselflies were also out and about enjoying the sunshine. On a warm summer’s day ramble along the lakes and ponds, Babe was rewarded with a dazzling display of them, brightly coloured hawking along the waterway in search of prey. These beautiful predators belonged to the order known as Odonata meaning ‘toothed jaw’. It was quite sad that these brightly coloured adults represented the final and shortest part of their remarkable lifecycle, the vast majority of which was spent underwater.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cFOZ1scYXXY/W7Jg8usVCKI/AAAAAAAAzrY/9wuDD8wIXagjN2NTebsq3wRm4N-uxFwkQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-13-25%255B1%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TK5_NnES1io/W7Jg9e9Ge8I/AAAAAAAAzrc/-kqD3XRaD-MHcah_HurPnjNxJOVgrhb0wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-13-25%255B1%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Dragonflies were as common as sunlight<br>hovering in their own days<br>backward forward and sideways</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LzRQSQFCIC0/W7Jg-QxVACI/AAAAAAAAzrg/tMew3H1TezwOSuTk3Y5daXWV6ThT91jewCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-13-39%255B2%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oEpk_excdks/W7Jg_J0NQBI/AAAAAAAAzrk/lxpkLqJABwAs8G2R7eZDuUnS1qURk97rwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-13-39%255B2%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>as though they were memory</em></strong><strong><em><br>now there are grown-ups hurrying<br>who never saw one</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CNXpSn4YKWY/W7JhABkGkmI/AAAAAAAAzro/Gx7CEhtSf6I6SRZEW0TKy8zSxCqhsHoAACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-06-2018-13%255B4%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W32RhTkDejs/W7JhA2-oLvI/AAAAAAAAzrs/Z5t_IvJTnWIUfgUMVutdvVatx4UBm-ZfwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-06-2018-13%255B4%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>and do not know what they<br>are not seeing</em></strong><strong><em><br>the veins in a dragonfly’s wings</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-klrNEComDUQ/W7JhBjcTF3I/AAAAAAAAzrw/JRv25K5Prqo0sjToaO1TTPvYgSEnoiO9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-06-2018-13%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DgQJXHPwIXE/W7JhClVE0fI/AAAAAAAAzr0/keFCOjLffX8aj246HtLHzZoWTLUMZvvdgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--18-06-2018-13_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>were made of light<br>the veins in the leaves knew them<br>and the flowing rivers</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nR05Art-dF8/W7JhDdhB2QI/AAAAAAAAzr4/tGkRVHUHrrExOS0Jytl9dz3jKtYAyGu_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--22-06-2018-13%255B1%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="479" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAQRwGBMTeo/W7JhESB6GdI/AAAAAAAAzr8/jPBaRvL_AqINVffHmrUzxTlHb5OsTuG_gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--22-06-2018-13%255B1%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>the dragonflies came out of the color of water<br>knowing their own way<br>when we appeared in their eyes</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZRS2nUAZofw/W7JhFZYuxPI/AAAAAAAAzsA/Ti57xMd79-k9LS56GxPMx4vA-F4XPIxGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--22-06-2018-13%255B6%255D"><img width="640" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNyCwnCOMro/W7JhGFJTkCI/AAAAAAAAzsE/lUg-pv1y3CMsCBMBCxVy4B86QXthhMspgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--22-06-2018-13_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>we were strangers<br>they took their light with them when they went<br>there will be no one to remember us</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~WS Merwin~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Np3Aw523ITc/W7JhG30VRDI/AAAAAAAAzsI/xH6iwc7mxSARIiuXLytEDKdpCUOo9WdyACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--21-06-2018-%255B1%255D%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJ5iVexJDVA/W7JhHp7YbQI/AAAAAAAAzsM/xlTwvG1XQkgNsKxIx60nNn7-HRvWFGgOACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--21-06-2018-%255B1%255D_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="left">Although I’d missed the antics of the Sand Martins and most of the Dragonflies, I was chuffed to see that the Oystercatcher chick near Baldwin Hide was still around. The juvenile had grown to be near identical to its parents. But, the eye was dark instead of bright yellow and don’t have the red orbital ring. The bills were also different, the adult’s bill was solid reddish orange while the youngster had a dark tipped bill with faint dark tones all the way to where the bill meets the face. As the juvenile grew, it was able to find its own food, but was often seen begging from its parents well after fledging. Parental feeding often extended well after the youngster developed independent flight. The juvenile was seen following its parent foraging for food.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VnIrmGoLRR8/W7JhIkc8kZI/AAAAAAAAzsQ/Y2Imrak8bykJsHdR144hdd7MkMtTBkgJgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--21-06-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qg6cYX4YXwA/W7JhJRZnFjI/AAAAAAAAzsU/1i7wIrHvurEQ6tlYFZLKoswIEfMc-0TagCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--21-06-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">On one of the floating pontoon, it was like a creche. A Common Tern was sharing its nesting site with a Black headed gull and both had a pair of chick each. The fluffy ‘ternlings’ were well protected under a concrete box and we were treated to aerobatic displays as the parents flew in to feed the chicks with tiny fishes in their beaks. Meanwhile, the brown downy ‘gullings’ had to be contend with a scrape in the ground with a pile of dead plant materials in the corner. It might have the awww factor but this scenario could be disastrous for the Terns as the Gulls could predate the Tern chicks.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1aC30LsT3Kg/W7JhKe2MDuI/AAAAAAAAzsY/2YLTcYl0FiUJpF8QqGz2sMbh9umOKNZawCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--21-06-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S15bA--SMuM/W7JhLGklUWI/AAAAAAAAzsc/RyEQKgZbofQ0UPxTQ2Wjv5oYPuqZb5EvwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--21-06-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">On the way to East Marsh Hide, we came across an adorable toadlet hopping along the path. We’d to tread carefully in case we step on anymore. These tiny toadlets were well-camouflaged, making them hard to spot until they leapt in the grass. Early in the spring, toads gathered en masse to the ponds they were born in to go about their boisterous courtship. Once the spawn was laid, the adults hopped off again. Over the spring and summer, these tadpoles grew from vegetarians to hungry meat eaters, and exchanging their tails for legs. By the end of June, they were ready to leave the water and made way into dry land.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EgrEliLgBAs/W7JhL0DxaOI/AAAAAAAAzsg/13xzaSz7ju4-Vllj5hB1mO37A9Vvrt-gQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--19-06-2018-16%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--l8LaqG6g9o/W7JhMnxNOkI/AAAAAAAAzsk/siqSNMoa36M4VZGQPfDapvl2e18C7q_qQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--19-06-2018-16?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We stopped at Brandon Marsh which was unusually quiet as most of the natives were having a siesta. It was a hot afternoon. When Babe was here earlier, he photographed a Hobby hawking low for dragonflies and damselflies around the lake. About the size of a Kestrel with long, pointed wings, it dashed across the lake chasing after its preys. They were caught in its talons and transferred to its beak in flight. It accelerated rapidly in flight and was capable of high-speed aerial manoeuvres.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C4Z_KT2h9X8/W7JhNjwR6WI/AAAAAAAAzso/amy5eSC7sNcGkKTkwkSMO_Q5WRR9iNgQgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MVtFQWxpTmQ/W7JhOYmcN9I/AAAAAAAAzss/sgqkof1KrUY0fzQhYfXhOla3YUlrkVMaACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Hobbies were listed as a Schedule 1 bird on The Wildlife and Countryside Act. It was the only falcon that spent the winter months south of the Sahara desert. The first returning Hobbies were seen during the last few days of March, with spring migration peaking between mid-April and mid-May. They preferred areas of heartland, arable land, woodland edges especially close to water where their primary diet of insects was easily accessible which was Brandon Marsh was an ideal place. In fact, at least 5 were seen hawking around the reserve.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBD_1I5QP8g/W7JhPZWI_yI/AAAAAAAAzsw/uiZPsZT7YrAbdxPupC1FR901vNXTczSkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oK3BO4Ps3j8/W7JhQM524_I/AAAAAAAAzs0/BwNUISDJ07Q2ygF2A7nNYjr3JKEEKq9CgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">The Hobby was an elegant little falcon, slate-grey above and pale below, with black streaks on the belly and a red under-tail coverts and ‘trousers’. It had a white throat and cheeks, dark moustache and mask. With long swept back wings and square tipped tail, it looked like an over-sized swift in the air and many different birds were also caught in flight, where even the quick maneuvering swifts and swallows cannot escape a Hobby. The calls included a clear, repeated kew or ket and a loud frenetic kree-kree-kree.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYduBvTN8p0/W7JhQ2RpqXI/AAAAAAAAzs4/dYKZ44htHhMV8cOcpCQqyeaDfDp0JVYaQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--UHoE0ehwY8/W7JhRjUgFLI/AAAAAAAAzs8/UAuGAv8yxC8E3BFX9Oxb_xrTwy2ge5e_wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--18-06-2018-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">When we were back at the casa, we looked out of the window and saw this handsome Jay on the bird-feeder. This shy woodland bird often appeared in our garden when it turned up to its nesting site in a little reserve near the community centre. I spotted the pair earlier in spring, picking twigs from the elderflower tree for nest building. When it spotted us, it gave out a harsh, rasping screech and immediately flew off with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Although Jays fed primarily on invertebrates during the breeding and nesting season, it also takes eggs and nestlings which wasn’t good news for our feathered friends. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YBBr56bG1D8/W7JhSicW9UI/AAAAAAAAztA/wo9LtZU455MXW_BhhdpH8yT4uVsfTdyPQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DY_uh3Wu1r8/W7JhTWpY_CI/AAAAAAAAztE/_erQd3ZhmzMFf2-HBs3qoOuRxTYXv2EgQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">This was because our garden was surrounded by Leylandii Cypress hedges and its dense foliage provided homes and shelters to a variety of birds. Among them were House Sparrows, Robins, Dunnocks, Goldfinches, Great and Blue Tits which nested and roosted in these hedges. We don’t want them to be predated by this opportunist hunter, no matter how cute he was. But then, we never interfere with Mother Nature. Just don’t do it in front of us. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tjcbo8m_G7Y/W7JhUKVZAsI/AAAAAAAAztI/nLGlKPRPE1Y34_Iep9w_9LULO2mxsTBeQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B12-06-2018%2B12-06-03%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VuqPwQyKTZU/W7JhVMZI2EI/AAAAAAAAztM/V86S8_RZw4kf3wNH1TtD9CGnOy2EL8H_ACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B12-06-2018%2B12-06-03_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Babe photographed this adorable family of Blue tits in our garden. The poor mother was looking so harassed trying to fulfil the demands from her hungry chicks. Returning with food every minute or two throughout the day after they hatched kept the parents incredibly busy. No wonder that by early summer the parents were starting to look quite tatty. Fledglings stayed with and were fed by their parents for a few weeks after they fledged. This was a dangerous time for them as they needed to learn how to find food and avoided predators quickly if they were going to survive. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HwubW3s-O_Y/W7JhV0-RSKI/AAAAAAAAztQ/qfkHMN_L25odIGsHhokqfPRK7bsPuIuQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ov_IbJHiOog/W7JhWzKzfgI/AAAAAAAAztU/RUeEzYOCGRE_YATDLpsfAoc_wEmpMAELgCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">A juvenile Robin was also seen hopping around the bird-feeder. It had a speckled buff-brown upper parts and underparts. They had no red feathers so that the adult birds don’t attack them in territorial disputes. The speckled feathers were lost in a partial moult when it was about 2-3 months old. When the fledglings left the nest, they’d a spotty brown appearance which made for good camouflage during their early days. It was not till they started to get their true adult feathers that they took on the recognisable red appearance.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3-GElD8CqY/W7JhXhCI5rI/AAAAAAAAztY/3Jt1EPuHmqAo7dbBkerQC49FutVzi7unwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DW5yNIGCOkA/W7JhYZBob6I/AAAAAAAAztc/gdWBHXvx8jAjP4K_zOsOe0b8GLAMRtkFgCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--12-06-2018-1%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We ended June with continuing scorching temperatures where millions of Brit headed out to soak up the sun as the country basked in a heatwave. The final week had been the hottest of the year so far with temperatures hitting highs of 31 C. It was unusual to see the road gritters, a sight associated with winter, deployed to spread crushed rock dust on melting roads to create a non-stick layer between the surface and vehicles. Social media was awashed with bleary-eyed Britons moaning of sweltering sleepless nights and wildfires ravaged the countryside. Summer was here to stay.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xhmLxnqW9IE/W7JhZQgC1WI/AAAAAAAAztg/azb66fMZ78ghTirH9mOc5ElIC6JlXnuJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B12-06-2018%2B12-14-07%255B4%255D"><img width="636" height="484" title="Shots from Home - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rfgc-vNhvCI/W7JhaNqr4jI/AAAAAAAAztk/u8InZ8VyMu0fZPyem65Xg-7XU5Ysy2KNACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B12-06-2018%2B12-14-07_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“June is the gateway to summer~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Jean Hersey~</em></strong></p><p align="left">*quote by Abba Woolson</p><p align="left"></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-54978601378116058622018-09-23T02:57:00.001-07:002018-09-23T02:57:51.588-07:00La Belle Sauvage en Malaisie<p align="center"><strong><em>It’s a funny thing coming home. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Nothing changes. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>You realize what’s changed, is you.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Eric Roth~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ovElJx-SbA/W6dirpb2KSI/AAAAAAAAziw/Z1SeapCyXrQLpgYOQHU16moTrpRdNEvTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--11-06-2018-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8K3itIEi0t8/W6dism3n-sI/AAAAAAAAzi0/GN7nsX-n5m85mPOe_FF9l49cGWe0yeFmACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--11-06-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>It was time for my bi-annual trip back to Malaysia and I was so looking forward to it. This was the first time I flew back in June and not December. A number of reasons and among them was that my father was seriously ill earlier this year and although he pulled through, I needed to see him for myself. My brother-in-law passed away last August and I couldn’t fly back. I wanted to be there for my sister and her children for the first Eid without him. And this was also my first Eid celebration after 22 years away. It was also to celebrate a new Malaysia, as the 60 year old ruling party was defeated in the May elections and she’d her first women deputy prime minister and the oldest prime minister in the world.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bIB7o4YYKag/W6ditrUGwPI/AAAAAAAAzi4/SbJpTdz8vFI8eMPyonV3InPENZn1LJR-ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-16-37-07%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 16-37-07" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 16-37-07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E0kHoBbbRPU/W6diufnAFeI/AAAAAAAAzi8/mJ4n-muDeHImxywPSoUF0KOhTSD1GqwbgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-16-37-07%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe took the first photograph of my flight as it flew over Brandon Marsh. He went there as soon as he left me at the airport. The trip from Birmingham to Dubai went smoothly and I was chuffed that Emirates had the film Black Panther on board. Apart from watching some other unmemorable films, I spent the 6.6 hours journey doing Sudoku, playing CandyCrush and reading Phillip Pullmans latest novel ‘La Belle Sauvage’. I was only in transit for 2 hours but the flight was delayed for nearly an hour because they were waiting for passengers from other flights. It was the umrah season and there were many Malaysian pilgrims making their way home for Eid. </p><p>The flight arrived in Malaysia 1.5 hours late. I e-mailed Babe while waiting for my luggage which due to the number of passengers, was taking a while to arrive. He knew my flight details because he was monitoring it remotely. As soon as I exited from the arrival entrance, I could see my sister waving enthusiastically. Poor girl. She’d been waiting for nearly 2 hours. After hugs and kisses from her and my nephews, we made our way home. I called my father who was waiting at home and then Babe, to say that I’d arrived safely. As soon as we arrived at my sister’s house, my father was already waiting under the porch. After the obligatory bear hugs, he said a prayer of thanks for my safe journey. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e_7JwNZHXZU/W6divqPYvCI/AAAAAAAAzjA/WvUHgcPIU4IRgukKRwdrMqxhLdWUhYrQQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-11-48-41%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 11-48-41" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 11-48-41" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pobospmIqO8/W6diwjm67CI/AAAAAAAAzjE/LIvGfoTiuKc10bYJ3FhBaHqRCGnrRm9uwCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-11-48-41?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We chatted while I’d a late lunch. Everyone else was fasting for Ramadan and I was exempted due to the long journey. Then a cold shower before heading for bed. They woke me up about an hour before breaking fast time. All the children were home to break their fast and the dining table was groaning, loaded with food. It was a smorgasbord that looked like a visual encyclopaedia of Malay cooking. During Ramadan, food stalls propped up selling all sorts of food and each of the children bought something home to be added to the table. My sister had 6 children and going food shopping when you’re fasting wasn’t a good idea<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-es2qXUEnstA/W6dixKSzHjI/AAAAAAAAzjI/AYC_2MimGegW4YU0oO1LFTRVXJXjs2f-QCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">. The table was so full that another table was added so that we could eat together.</p><p>We’d a fabulous polishing the food. I missed having long dinners around the table, enjoying each other’s company, sharing the day’s news over lovely food, fostering that sense of belonging. It was nearly 2 hours before everyone left the table and the men missed their tarawikh prayers. Oops …We continued chatting right through the night and the telephone started ringing as my cousins and aunties got the news that I was back. My sister and I didn’t sleep at all as we waited for sahur, the meal before sunrise. This was the only meal we were having for the day until the sun sets at about 7.30 pm. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHAhwhb06g0/W6diypSk1-I/AAAAAAAAzjM/8j9TUl_884Qu4oz9_UCn_BPLEY81ZShbACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-11-50-42"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 11-50-42" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 11-50-42" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NY7dAOmDOUg/W6dizquH0-I/AAAAAAAAzjQ/vltHzWG5yHMe9SoemloPnY8oqLh7fTa2ACHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-11-50-42%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As usual, I called Babe every morning at 7 am, Malaysia time which was 12am UK time. Malaysia was 7 hours ahead which meant that when I said good morning to Babe, he would wish me good night. After all these years, it was still confusing. I spent most morning reading La Belle Sauvage which was very intriguing. Later in the afternoon, my sister and I would go to the supermarket and wet market to get stuff for the evening meal. Since I was here, I got to choose the menu, which was very exciting<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-es2qXUEnstA/W6dixKSzHjI/AAAAAAAAzjI/AYC_2MimGegW4YU0oO1LFTRVXJXjs2f-QCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">. There was soo much food that I wanted to eat and so little time. We don’t start cooking until about 5 pm. Since it was so hot, everyone had a siesta for about an hour. That helped to pass the time and the hunger.</p><p>About 5 pm, my sister and I were in the kitchen preparing the meals. My father was always around to supervise and helped a bit. The children would call to ask if there was anything we wanted to add to the meal. Often, they came home to take me out to these pop-up food stalls which was mind blowing, selling all kinds of delicacies. One of the most distinguishing aspect of Ramadan in Malaysia were the Ramadan bazaars that were popping at almost every corner, selling a huge array of mouth-watering delicacies to break your fast with. A visit were a feast for the senses, as we were assaulted with all kinds of aromatic smells wafting in the air as we walked from one end to another. It was easy to get carried away, buying more than what we could eat, which defeated the purpose of the holy month. Most often, those who were working just bought the food to eat at home. People from other races were also seen out and about as this was also the time for them to buy and taste authentic Malay cooking. I tended to buy savouries and the barbecued meats.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pwEAajW-sp4/W6di0gJddEI/AAAAAAAAzjU/KwUxDSFbFrA8hTivbcezjGLK_EXShaJtQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-16-30-12%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 16-30-12" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 16-30-12" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7KIMuRvEQxs/W6di1WctpeI/AAAAAAAAzjY/-rl1eadLCnUwM3ADHVkuu2X8LtG5bAmFQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-16-30-12%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The fasting don’t deter us from making preparations to welcome Eid. The excitement had built up usually on the first day of Ramadan itself, where families started shopping for new clothes and accessories, baking cookies and decorating their homes. Brightly coloured twinkling lights were seen adorning houses, mosques and shopping complexes. There was the visits to various banks to ask for money envelopes which were given free with their logo printed on it. These were filled with money and given to young children or the elderly.</p><p>The festival of Eid was announced on Friday the 15th. It marked the end of Ramadan and was on the first day of the month of Syawal. It was the day (beginning at sunset) of the first sighting of the crescent moon shortly after sunset. The day before Eid, my sister was busy preparing the obligatory rendang, a rich and tender chicken stew made with chicken, spices and coconut milk. It was cooked on a low heat for hours and you have to sit beside it to stir it occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn. We left this to my nephews with my father supervising them.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aOOA_z3571E/W6di2rhF17I/AAAAAAAAzjc/BsF5SYlX2WkGSUm5_nc9_aBLR-3hwnfdwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-08-41-14%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 08-41-14" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 08-41-14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-51POXG0tWzY/W6di37O8hMI/AAAAAAAAzjg/JydfOgOI2RQ9U7YdzhvnSgEaNBeCEGOywCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-08-41-14%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Later at night, one of my nephew invited me to Kuala Lumpur to see last night of Ramadan shopping. During Ramadan, one of the major shopping area, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman was transformed into a night market where petty traders and hawkers sold an assortment of Raya goodies in the open air. This stretch of road was flanked by pre-war buildings whose distinctive facades had been preserved and readapted to accommodate modern retailing businesses. Here, cars were parked haphazardly with the stalls spilling into the street. What a festive atmosphere. Raya songs was blaring into the night, with the honking of horns and from time to time and firework displays lit up the skies. You have to have your wits with you and lots and lots of patience. Traffic barely moved that we were able to stop beside a cookie stall and bought tubs of cookies before joining the traffic. No one bat an eye-lid. Everyone was in a good mood.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7UAx5WRvRgY/W6di4yBgBFI/AAAAAAAAzjk/TjwzNLmkdPYT6dsX7wS01sW9-38pJVACQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-09-14"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-09-14" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-09-14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wi9uc2lLd4I/W6di5wTtOLI/AAAAAAAAzjo/10yGZO08D3gMj1vjcPlxF7S6wfU1Qz9eACHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-09-14%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LLXVfoK8yF4/W6di7BnhLqI/AAAAAAAAzjs/q5L2so-C66s5gIMeWnVnVfKpm5XNBmtrwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-12-29"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-12-29" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-12-29" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOZZfF_xg0Q/W6di8fbgH7I/AAAAAAAAzjw/OwsxgBpLM2I6BQZlombCZ_M0NQBYAMvowCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-12-29%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the way home, we stopped at Dataran Merdeka to watch the clock chimed at midnight. It was situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a late 19th century building which originally housed the offices of the British colonial administration. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malaysian flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on 31st August 1957. Since then, Dataran Merdeka had been the venue for the annual Merdeka parade. In front of the building was located a 95 metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world. When the clock struck 12 midnight, the 5 of us stood under the flag and sang Negara ku, the national anthem. There were a lot of visitors about and they joined in and later everyone clapped their hands and shouted Merdeka, Merdeka. It was hilarious but so much fun.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m510yzeoMso/W6di9ZA5v6I/AAAAAAAAzj0/mxLXk_L_YU4pvynhimsbTWbRjtYAfw4kQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-31-57"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-31-57" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 14-06-2018 17-31-57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xay0vbq-Yvs/W6di-dLin_I/AAAAAAAAzj4/UBBjr7ujtYsGj23CH7Qe5q3L-y7QaFlgACHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--14-06-2018-17-31-57%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On Eid morning, everyone got up early and dressed in their best clothes. Blue was the colour they chose this year and they even got me a beautiful long maxi.The males went to the mosque to perform the Eid prayers with hundreds of other Muslims. Before performing the prayers, one of my nephew paid the zakat for the whole family. Zakat was the 3rd pillar of Islam, a mandatory charitable contribution which would be distributed to the poor. While the men were in the mosque, the women stayed at home to prepare the Eid meals. We could go to the mosque if we wanted to. About 2 hours later, the men returned and all of us enjoyed the special celebratory meals. After that was the posing for the obligatory family portrait and then going around asking for forgiveness, with the youngest starting first.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jgFSnoVR9tI/W6di_9PH_5I/AAAAAAAAzj8/V-jMG-lwyVczOWRuJ2-CIaDRHd6yMLYswCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--15-06-2018-05-28-19"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 15-06-2018 05-28-19" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 15-06-2018 05-28-19" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cgdfTYBT1gk/W6djBKNdqiI/AAAAAAAAzkA/POQP5FpRk-A4g64mBK-gZjTLR41jgbIYACHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--15-06-2018-05-28-19%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After the Friday prayers, we headed to my late brother-in-law’s grave. The cemetery was busy with families paying their respects. We laid flowers and my father said prayers. RIP Khamarul. Then we got ready to drive back to Port Dickson to visit my late Mother’s grave. We headed straight to the cemetery, laid flowers and said prayers. I was chuffed to find a bird nest with 2 tiny eggs on a shrub that we planted on top of her grave. Even the birds wanted to keep my mother company. Then straight home and found out that there was no electricity!!! One of my nephew called the electric company and they came straight away. After they’d restored the electricity, we invited them in for cookies and coffee. It was Eid after all. Later that night, the youngsters were outside letting off fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers. They were having a competition with a few houses around the village and all you could hear were the sound of exploding fireworks echoing. They were trying to do each other with massive displays and huge bangs.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R3noY4UhtCo/W6djCBi29iI/AAAAAAAAzkE/4g2MMzpLrxArbOaxuzLAEvT74znTLn9iACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--15-06-2018-15-07-32%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 15-06-2018 15-07-32" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 15-06-2018 15-07-32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_F_nVJklSPo/W6djDNOdqvI/AAAAAAAAzkI/w4ZSv9A3BCgSs2rH2c11RZ1n9XKcv66ngCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--15-06-2018-15-07-32%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The next day, all of us headed out searching for breakfast. Most shops were closed because it was still the holiday and festive season but we found one by the beach. We’d a leisurely breakfast before planning our itinerary for the day. My father wanted to go back to my maternal grandmother’s home about 2 hours drive away. Usually, the first three days of Eid were reserved for visiting relatives. In Malaysia, the first 2 days were public holidays but most people took a week off. Those working in the cities returned to their hometowns and reunited with their parents and old friends, leaving the cities quiet and empty. And the roads leaving the cities would experience a horrendous traffic jam as people made their exodus.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tXFRI05pykM/W6djEBYGNSI/AAAAAAAAzkM/4cBA__9pPrsGJZKk-w4S21vQ263cHlBQACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-11-22-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 11-22-13" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 11-22-13" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J47jou0F7c8/W6djE8EDeOI/AAAAAAAAzkQ/SZj6vEvDapMMpebLWDOuiSfVRd5jfLTsQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-11-22-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We closed the house, packed our stuff and went to my late Mother’s grave to say goodbye. On the way to my grandmother’s, we stopped at my favourite place to feed the monkeys. There were already a few cars by the lay-by throwing fruits to them. A few came over to check us out. As soon as they saw a car stopping, they would come close and waited in anticipation. They never climbed on top of the cars like the monkeys in the safari parks here in the UK. We threw bananas, water melons and carrots from the safety of our cars. We didn’t stay long.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cqA5vFSOUOY/W6djGo8RcAI/AAAAAAAAzkU/VV8ocfsdvyAeDXnr42pZj5dSA8BnS9ZDgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-05-04-04%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="411" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 05-04-04" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 05-04-04" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUNC7KNtlm0/W6djHy3cQ1I/AAAAAAAAzkc/7ZUF3YEQZfAFSV-6jtCsmfpoKmIIu2M7QCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-05-04-04%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our first stop was at my Grandmother’s house. The place was buzzing as all the children and grandchildren had turned up. It was a tradition that on the first day, everyone congregated at the most senior family home. It was a joyous occasion filled with festive cheer and merriment. My poor aunties were swept off their feet, entertaining and preparing the meals. It was lovely catching up with everyone, some of whom even my father had not seen for a long time. Eid was seen as a time for reconciliation and the renewal of family ties and it was touching to see the festive season beyond feasting and celebration. We let the visitors had the first share of the food as they were leaving together to visit another relative in another town.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y-kHoYQKQ1I/W6djJM3JHYI/AAAAAAAAzkg/-mN6-z_tOpE_kP1ty9SMH0sVQwjNG_KPACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-08-19-16%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 08-19-16" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 08-19-16" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DCZdrY1clyc/W6djK7vC24I/AAAAAAAAzkk/mBtlNv6J3x4k2fQHr15qzD5nUZwzgkmKgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-08-19-16?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When they’d left, my aunties took the opportunity to have their lunch before the next visitors arrived. Before we left, it was the obligatory photograph on the steps with the tribe. Most of the houses in the village were built on stilts which was originally built to avoid wild animals, floods, as a deterrent for thieves and most importantly, for added ventilation. Steps were built to reach the elevated interior and there were additional steps at the back of the house. Nowadays, the lower spaces were normally boarded up and made into extra rooms or garages.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7tvWSS1-kw/W6djMNq0YuI/AAAAAAAAzko/TNtW1QLomt8RdCFeOSG_t3xNAm2XDpKdwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-08-38-21%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 08-38-21" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 08-38-21" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UVOfw7wc7Ds/W6djNR5KyoI/AAAAAAAAzks/SvRUVLApCWUO8oLyK10C9A_21uxlo6UQgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-08-38-21%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our next visit was to another aunt’s house in another village. She had not been well and it was a great opportunity to pay her a visit. Again, her house was packed as all her children and grandchildren were here celebrating the festive season. My cousins worked all over the country and because of the long holiday season, Eid was the only time they could all meet and celebrate together. It was a golden opportunity to catch up while indulging in the various delicacies. And what better place than at their parents house. Once a year, this house was filled to the brim again. I was also chuffed that another cousin who had studied at the University of Kent was also there.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yMBx0x5nLjU/W6djOjq-6EI/AAAAAAAAzkw/hRIFJNYFrk01a0cK1q3IOXA2VjAXc35PQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-09-03-38"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 09-03-38" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 09-03-38" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jkLJLoYBffE/W6djPwQ2OLI/AAAAAAAAzk0/lYUtyQJZS20StiofYgne482rWoRFCnlowCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-09-03-38%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our last visit was to another aunt, this time from my father’s side, in Seremban. I haven’t been to their house since I moved to the UK and there were a lot of changes in the area. I stayed in a boarding school in Seremban and it felt strange coming back. It had changed so much. My Aunt was at home with my eldest cousins but the rest of the tribe were out visiting their friends. We didn’t stay long as it was getting late and we’d received news that all the roads into Kuala Lumpur were congested. Before we left, I took the opportunity to check out this amazing playhouse that my cousin had built for his children. It was a replica of a traditional Malay house. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vZ6eGJ1MyBE/W6djRxqjrnI/AAAAAAAAzk4/jl21BeXHNRY5x4em78mYreMtU_hOAnmtACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-11-00-44"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 11-00-44" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 17-06-2018 11-00-44" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRUvPkOeKuc/W6djTb9LrtI/AAAAAAAAzlA/ifHEXvFrTNM7pBMdG9JyI_HmIBOpat7TwCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--17-06-2018-11-00-44%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> </p><p>One of my nephew, Erif, celebrated his 20th birthday and we surprised him with a huge party at the Aroi Dee Thai restaurant located at the Palm Garden Hotel IOI Resort City where my niece used to work. We told him that it was a dinner for me and you could see how shocked he was when the waiter brought the cake after we finished our dinner. We embarrassed him more by singing Happy birthday and the hotel staff and the rest of the diners joined in. It was wonderful. He was so overwhelmed that he shed some tears. Happy birthday Eriff and may you have everything you wished for.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xoYlN8L0GNk/W6djUnLxTUI/AAAAAAAAzlI/nFE9Igth0-4CLhl5T_kUCHoCGdk0e64lQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--22-06-2018-14-31-46%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 22-06-2018 14-31-46" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 22-06-2018 14-31-46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--5sCUOiKKuU/W6djV5zsuHI/AAAAAAAAzlQ/BOQ6tZv9djwTfZM38j-SroaDtlVaMIiGwCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--22-06-2018-14-31-46%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The restaurant had moved to a new location by the golf course. The name ‘Aroi Dee’ simply meant ‘great taste’ in Thai and that was what we were served at this lovely restaurant. As usual, we started the meal with Tom Yam seafood, a spicy and sour soup. Then the main meal which consisted of Kai Kha Tak (sizzling chicken style), Near Pad Prik Thai Dam (stir fried beef with black pepper), Plar Neang Si Eaw (steamed fish with ginger and soy sauce) and fried mixed vegetables. All eaten with fragrant steamed Jasmine rice. We finished the hot, spicy meal with a cool dessert which was Tab Tim Crab (water chestnut with chilled coconut cream). We’d a wonderful time polishing the meal.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rd6FDoodjhU/W6djXDMdSCI/AAAAAAAAzlU/jQgzbNM6_GQnB53rIL1Goe4jO3UN2gudwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--22-06-2018-14-53-04%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 22-06-2018 14-53-04" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 22-06-2018 14-53-04" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jdmUqebasmY/W6djYEE_ugI/AAAAAAAAzlY/NAx8FHgjomQQOU8coBSW1zfz-Kpt0qLjgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--22-06-2018-14-53-04?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>My niece later accompanied me to Kuala Lumpur because I wanted to get some souvenirs and tee-shirts for Babe. We took the LRT (Light Rail Transit) from Pucong to Kuala Lumpur. It took us only an hour and we whizzed past some amazing sceneries. It was very strange that only 20 years ago, the housing estates that we passed through were either tin mines, oil palm and rubber plantations. All these industries were now long gone and replaced with homes while the people worked in the cities. That was also why LRT were built to make it easier for people to get to work and discouraged them from driving. The train were running every 15 minutes and fares were reasonably priced.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qhVyWjCHRgQ/W6djZDyAJ4I/AAAAAAAAzlc/3fjJ3IKYYYQzXb3KkmhVCGi1HZKYu7-iQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-02-43-46%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 02-43-46" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 02-43-46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2V_c4QTH6Uc/W6djaXW3lYI/AAAAAAAAzlg/_2x2XwmrSgwsQR-9Jijb7JGpikmqOqjuQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-02-43-46?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We disembarked on the Central Market station which was just a few minutes away from our destination, which was the Central Market. The original building was built in 1888 by the British and was originally used as a wet market. The current Art Deco style building was completed in 1937. It has been classified as a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society and was now a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage. It had stalls representing the different items and ethnic groups living harmoniously within Malaysia. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JDBkW-bgIa4/W6djbpQKF8I/AAAAAAAAzlk/lSoCcOmhuFk6xCoaijQU2nzE0EKNmlmMwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-06-16-49"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 06-16-49" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 06-16-49" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JE_aFhQEH8I/W6djdIn9QsI/AAAAAAAAzlo/POll4UzEWaMVpTk4LERtnWVvIKdz6RxSQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-06-16-49%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We stopped for lunch at one of the hundred stalls scattered around the area. We didn’t eat in the Central Market because it was quite expensive. We’d Indian style fried noodles with satay and washed down with a tall glass of iced lemon tea. Then we went back indoors to get a few tee-shirts for Babe and a few obligatory souvenirs. At first, I planned to check out the famous Petaling Street but it was too hot to wander about. We bought a few traditional cakes for tea and headed home.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WyklKOkkr5I/W6djeRyra9I/AAAAAAAAzls/zvyfvyJQpGcyikxzMXWCyVvvBJEadGk4wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-04-53-35"><img width="405" height="604" title="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 04-53-35" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 04-53-35" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hpSTQ-0XqYI/W6djfbsmAlI/AAAAAAAAzlw/5NuLhN-VvMsI8sZOU7UJ3opK12KWclNBQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-04-53-35%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were shocked when one of my nephew, Evin, was hospitalised for a week with dengue, a viral infection. The viruses were transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes that fed both indoors and outdoors during the daytime (from dawn to dusk). Thankfully, it don’t spread from person to person. We still took precautions by closing the house at dusk and sprayed with mosquito repellant and burning mosquito coils indoors. It was a common outbreak in Malaysia and monthly Spray Chamber Thermal (Fogging) and Environment Fumigation Spray (ULV) were carried out.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-819nwyAfLMk/W6djgspDzKI/AAAAAAAAzl0/UTMECN41yJQjpCK_mdCHtd6H68zILpB6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--23-06-2018-01-27-34%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 23-06-2018 01-27-34" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 23-06-2018 01-27-34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBaU8uxrVfU/W6djiCJJ5lI/AAAAAAAAzl8/yS6AXeshRnY-AItjP8yd5i9crEAUbNHGgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--23-06-2018-01-27-34?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I’d a very busy time visiting relatives and friends, shopping, travelling and eating out. There was so much catching up to do during the three weeks I was in Malaysia. In between, I managed to watch the World Cup when it was played on terrestrial tv. The popular team matches were played on subscription tv which we don’t have. It was quite difficult to follow due to the different time zone. I was chuffed to see England playing well. I also read Philip Pullman’s La Belle Sauvage at every opportunity. The camera was never far away and I love this shot of my youngest nephew, Eris, imitating the pose of his pet cat, Oranjie. Both of them were real posers.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2iE37JhH5sY/W6djjaTlGFI/AAAAAAAAzmA/FXTXjXPUQIsOg4HAImuTapC3T26eU0VwwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-12-29-04%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 12-29-04" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 24-06-2018 12-29-04" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sFOQ94-3esQ/W6djk7bmFPI/AAAAAAAAzmE/mFFAy8Y6lwE8Nd23e3klyayVBv8nDncHQCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--24-06-2018-12-29-04%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After 3 weeks, it was time to fly back to the UK. I’d a wonderful time with my family but I have commitments in the UK. My heart was in Malaysia, but my life was here in the UK. The whole family took the day off to send me which I found hilarious. I stopped at the hospital to say good-bye to Evin. Since it was an early flight, we decided to have breakfast at the airport. Then it was time for good-byes and hugs. It was very hard to say good-bye to my elderly father but cie la vie.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HECWlXdtyAM/W6djmLN3OLI/AAAAAAAAzmI/1P42YsrReo0Bjab95r1yoDu0Ozluins_ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Malaysia-D3100b--27-06-2018-02-14-36%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Malaysia D3100b 27-06-2018 02-14-36" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Malaysia D3100b 27-06-2018 02-14-36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eTFsbAdMuU8/W6djnSnbZTI/AAAAAAAAzmM/FjEqC4TWHlkWjGTAOhXo8VGn3QoOUYsVgCHMYCw/Malaysia-D3100b--27-06-2018-02-14-36?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><strong><em><br></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>And it feels even better to come back”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Wendy Wunder~</em></strong></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-46182197156193047032018-09-14T15:23:00.001-07:002018-09-14T15:23:19.676-07:00Days of Barnaby Bright<p align="center"><i><strong>The day they called Barnaby Bright<br>Was the longest, and shortest at night.<br>The eleventh of June,<br>They would all sing a tune<br>As they basked in the languorous light.</strong></i></p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jafpssA7G38/W5wx9qY6LiI/AAAAAAAAzZA/s2dkRVJVgAUf4xNZb59_KVUzZUgVwc5NQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX---17-06-2018-1%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QAz50jGArA/W5wx-7Xsr7I/AAAAAAAAzZE/Nt6FK4g8SG4FWvhiYIHhos_ZZcioBkvRgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX---17-06-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The nursery rhyme was attributed to Saint Barnabas, an early Christian convert and later patron Saint of Cyprus. His feast day was known in Medieval Britain as "Barnaby Bright" because it coincided with the Summer Solstice. The tradition dates from those days before the 1752 Gregorian Calendrical Adoption when the solstice was moved up ten calendar days. Barnaby Bright was therefor the beginning of Midsummer--or what was also popularly called the "Nightless Days." </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-cqZc3VGGU/W5wyAEf-13I/AAAAAAAAzZI/x2rJVvlqQuspNNaBTlMd5cv6pHLnvavNwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-14-06%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kVL7tXcr3gA/W5wyBew-daI/AAAAAAAAzZM/6YBTgxBy_GMKdsUI-Rb6Boc3aWbKKoKSgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--14-06-2018-14-06%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>June was a warm and dry month with many seeing their warmest and driest June on record. Throughout the month, high pressure dominated the UK weather bringing more than our normal share of fine sunny days with high temperatures and very little rainfall. The prolonged hot weather led to many stories in the media predicting drought conditions and water restriction. The warm weather came from high pressure dragging air from the Mediterranean across the UK. A tropical plume blowing northward from Africa had brought the unseasonably hot weather.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jZ87aD01f0U/W5wyDGTY5RI/AAAAAAAAzZQ/F6n87vF8d587yclu-u4UjtrlP0VKSOdBgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018"><img width="644" height="432" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0NcIOz7BfpA/W5wyEnX9kkI/AAAAAAAAzZU/L-GZ8ka_mBE8fjHzXScfEaB5C-ctdfz3QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--29-06-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We celebrated the sunny weather with another trip to Slimbridge when we found out that Sedge and Monty had a chick. Woo…hoo. We left the casa at 11.45 am and the mercury was already reaching 22C. We weren’t surprised to see the car-park full and had to park in the overflow car-park. Words had got out about the latest arrival and Rushy Hide was standing room only. We waited (im)patiently for a space and me for the step. I needed the step to stand on because the hide’s window was a bit too high for me to use my camera comfortably.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xhCIqWzYlnk/W5wyF4zp2uI/AAAAAAAAzZY/n5mu85oSbSIaByvqblLPuQmGaicN2-x6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zyi4ihClPE/W5wyHLo2LEI/AAAAAAAAzZc/_gZxg9hvWvEIsRGdHAz_xZnBqGyrg4izQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>At first, we couldn’t see the piece de resistance. Monty was standing proud on the lower pond island checking out the number of cameras, binoculars and spotting scopes pointing directly at his family. This was 8 year old Monty third attempt and everyone was rooting for him and his mate, Sedge. Sedge was still incubating another egg and according to the warden, the chick (in the egg) could be heard chirping. Not long now.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7jRT2jwhFC0/W5wyIY6OyvI/AAAAAAAAzZg/6HWAK6wY4ZM5_3S_C4zSLgPdFMTaipBTgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qU9Zr5oBi5w/W5wyKYC0x4I/AAAAAAAAzZk/_L3O22Rm-iQLKxjMNBrEDQPDuwuZhEhYQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Suddenly Sedge turned her body, and beside her appeared the most adorable bundle of fur. Everybody go ‘aaaaah’ or in our case the cameras rattling away. It had brown plumage and was just 15 cm tall when hatched. Crane chicks were nidifugous which meant they were able to walk and feed after hatching. Over the next week, both parents will protect the vulnerable chick from predation and teach it how to find food it needed to grow and survive. The hatchling used its wee wings to stabilise itself. It walked towards Monty who showed the hatchling what to eat and also fed bill-to-bill. The chick was very confident and even had a swim.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JQNnPbZgbUM/W5wyMA3hw4I/AAAAAAAAzZo/7IzQaLiFyx0RjEFOuckYULtXyttlaMHWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uzGkF-0OmkE/W5wyN0JgDEI/AAAAAAAAzZw/qInSMSltkCoumo74-BoAAFSdSU4LUXHnACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B27%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>While Monty was busy looking after the very inquisitive chick, Sedge took the opportunity to stretch her long legs and gently rolled over the remaining egg to insure a proper embryo development. I strained my ears to hear her purr to the egg but I couldn’t hear anything. She also collected a few pebbles and sticks and re-arranged her nest, which was an abandoned Black-headed gull nest. Common Crane nests were usually constructed from dead vegetation such as reeds, bulrushes or rushes.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8vsIOi611Q/W5wyPbK07jI/AAAAAAAAzZ0/h0Y2Bxsec7Qtxydu0GUOOoURh0Km6RaeQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiWg0s8KzY0/W5wyQZnyGRI/AAAAAAAAzZ4/T_zZXr0Dx7ESUMXwxCk8kl0rJ2C5STrYQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-13%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>She then joined her little family for a brief get together before going back to incubating duties. After the egg had hatched, the family typically foraged close to the nest site for the first week or more. But as the chicks got older, the parents expanded their pre-fledging foraging area and escorted them over greater distances to favoured feeding grounds. This was also for their safety, hidden in the reed marshes and rough grasslands.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7ijH8amMMs/W5wyRoxMr4I/AAAAAAAAzZ8/PpzFa1mDgAYpbDrShvVsrWFKEF9kv936wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AW47oHMx7TA/W5wyTfmRbXI/AAAAAAAAzaA/ap2KnkpTtUwrHAN7yrPHr53IJDSwIvV1QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>At the halfway point, the Avocets were bickering again. After 23-25 days, eggs had hatched and fledged after 35-42 days. But they often remained dependent on their parents for sometime afterwards. The juveniles were similar in appearance to the adult, but with brown colouration in the areas where the adult was black. The long legs were conspicuously blue-grey and dangled well beyond the tail when they were in flight. The vocalisation included ‘kloo-it’ or ‘kleep’, which was heard more often during the breeding season.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QyqLHnmWw-0/W5wyU_ZzICI/AAAAAAAAzaE/a8iYjxPYav4-zK7f7XnWCvrx3Nl0TgqWwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B35%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JU6aC-6pTKk/W5wyWDuMacI/AAAAAAAAzaI/7KAaGQglUgYRDYP9FzPjqNP2ncoHAi2fgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B24%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Apart from bickering, a group of juveniles and adults were busy feeding by wading in the shallow water at the edge of the lake. In the clear water, they fed by sight by picking prey from the surface of water or mud. In poor visibility and when locating prey from within the sediments, they foraged by touch, sweeping the long, up-curved bill from side to side through water or loose sediment to locate hidden prey. In deeper water they swam readily and buoyantly, up-ending like a duck to reach food below the surface. At times large feeding flocks assembled to feed co-operatively. The primary food was invertebrates, especially crustaceans and worms. They also took insects found on the surface or within the top layers of the bottom sediments.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f62_ta8lvW8/W5wyXifKFeI/AAAAAAAAzaQ/EBWgiUKns4UZUEP88Ni2R6yChVn59oXlwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bh5Vpay4M2U/W5wyZBAALRI/AAAAAAAAzaU/9WWtS_Kul6EApELCtovV7s5VAY3MhpUPQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the grass, were these adorable black-and-white mint humbugs having a siesta. As usual, we gave up counting because they somehow blended and multiplied at the same time. They were also various sizes and ages in the group. In their natural environment, most Shelducks often desert their ducklings at a young age, leaving them in creches with just one or two adults to look after them. Both ‘chosen’ parents guarded their ducklings for 55-65 days until they were able to fly. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zonzx9XGyVM/W5wycOao_RI/AAAAAAAAzac/AlLSRm6BgmEyNG8uTb94-aWTsbBScGxGACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9MirXatNUs/W5wyd1xW4fI/AAAAAAAAzag/wDOEycKKDJY5U3t3fjicYcA9WbPjG_OIQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B19%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were chuffed to bits when the long-staying hybrid stood up and flapped its wings. This was the first time we’d seen it doing that. He looked like he’d angel wings. Most often it was seen in the water, busy surface feeding, dabbling for aquatic plants, grasses and roots with his partner, a Wigeon. The hybrid, a Chloe X Eurasian Wigeon was stunning with its green blue iridescent green band from the eye to the back of the head, shimmering in the bright afternoon sun. The steep forehead and bulbous rear was very prominent. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dxn2M5gqZ3M/W5wyforPfXI/AAAAAAAAzak/g4kQAhUsMSEotn2sEZE3MKT_Vu8i2IA3wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B33%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HRzBesfDcFw/W5wyhOqJpNI/AAAAAAAAzao/4sZKt2SCxskg1PoUleX3JF3FNYaGv7hWgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B26%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it was time to check out the rest of the hides. Along the path were patches of Common Spotted orchids with their delicate purple-pink spikes. The flowers were densely packed in short, cone-shaped clusters.They actually got their name from their leaves, which were green with many purple, oval spots. They formed a rosette at ground level before the flower spike appeared with narrower leaves sheathed the stem.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F4Lq80lY4iQ/W5wyjksDqRI/AAAAAAAAzaw/OR2S70_zrF4-Usk1Ogzsm8GREnOo-MbOgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kBunZltTWRk/W5wylV0xqZI/AAAAAAAAza0/f6tPwec4V_gg4uZr3oayWQUNS9S91mHDACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-14%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We didn’t stay long at any of the hides because there wasn’t much to see. The dry weather had turned the marshes into grasslands and cattle were brought in to feed on them. Conservation grazing was a natural and sustainable alternative to mechanical mowing and the selective nature of the grazing produced a tussocky appearance, providing a vast range of structural habitats for insects, reptiles and amphibians. The cattle’s diet wasn’t restricted to grass as they also ate brambles and weeds. Their hooves broke up bracken and rushes which made them essential for managing the spread of invasive and undesirable plant species. They also fertilised the area. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sh23XfDtoAY/W5wym7iY6iI/AAAAAAAAza4/FxpfooBtVoYfvaeMDuy83iGDpPdvNB_aACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B29%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CMFWaBTurx0/W5wyoWE87zI/AAAAAAAAza8/rLyrCMiA1S0pnSYeOjK1ZUspd-2pNaNtgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>We headed straight for Wader Shore and was entertained by the breeding antics of the male Ruff. In order to attract a female, the male displays on his small territory or ‘residence’ which was just 50 cm in diameter and visible as a bare patch or trampled grass.The display involved wing fluttering, bobbing movements and squatting. The display was further enhanced by the male’s plumage, most notably a collar of feathers around the front and sides of the neck and a pair of head tufts. A displaying male in all its breeding finery was visually stunning and also bizarre looking.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lG_wgbixv-c/W5wyp0ewppI/AAAAAAAAzbE/xGgGcuesL0YF39NSbZcj1b_JCC2XT7IYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B25%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PgKkgqKvgpY/W5wyrMXxdCI/AAAAAAAAzbI/0F2K7B1UsPEf4a5MvujFqpQwvOcoM0dDQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>Nearby, a pair of Black-winged Stilt was getting jiggy with it. Everything about them looked delicate, from their incredibly spindly salmon pink legs to their jet-black slim wings and their needle-like bills. Their legs were longer in proportion to their bodies, providing them with a feeding advantage over other waders in deeper waters. They moved fast and had an elegant stance. The nest was built by both parents, a simple scrape in the soil and lined with pebbles and debris. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9XDH5W3A3B0/W5wysjAkWlI/AAAAAAAAzbM/NzJ0FMxUfaUxDWSlcCdogOl2vhtv6paSgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14--02-06-2018%255B1%255D"><strong><img width="603" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v8_Jv2qSVLQ/W5wytz29fLI/AAAAAAAAzbQ/n1YA6Mb0TwkH9bRWldcFQiV-GNbGWnZ3wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14--02-06-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>From here we headed to Discover Hide overlooking South Lake. I squealed with delight when I spotted the Common Crane adults heads bobbing behind the bushes at the opposite end. This meant that the chicks were with them as they foraged for worms, insects and plant materials. I was delighted when one of the parent was out in the open with an adorable fluff. It was looking so well. Each chick was looked after by one of the parent which was good news as this gave each of them a better chance of surviving. They didn’t stay out in the open for long and went back into the safety of the bushes.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B4jCzMbV9Xk/W5wyvUiQucI/AAAAAAAAzbU/GRSXKnOmlv0OwvwzMl9kuZY9pX59jiBgwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-15"><strong><img width="644" height="435" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JpBeG-sWx54/W5wywnEFSXI/AAAAAAAAzbY/MRB5nIW3igMfWw62774LRhTL9HOkLIuAwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-06-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>We went to Hogarth Hide when we noticed a large flock of Black Tailed Godwits feeding outside the hide. They were large and elegant wading birds with a very long straight bill. The males were in their stunning breeding plumage with bright orangey-brown chests and bellies. A flock flew in to join the party. In flight, they displayed a broad white bar on the wings, a white rump and a black tail. The feet were held out behind the tail, with the long bill projecting forward, giving them an elongated appearance when flying. They had a strong, direct flight with horizontal bodies.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0X9bfw71opM/W5wyx68tfhI/AAAAAAAAzbc/dWty6-Fv2wM-H6RNtFKLpmcX0zpWSurFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B14%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_0xPTSa5uE/W5wyyxrS11I/AAAAAAAAzbg/3z4IFHdYWscE6Mfxs3NIn_l7kJLRUGSdgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B28%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>Whilst feeding, these sociable birds formed dense flocks. They waded in the water, picking and forward-probing the mud with their long, dark, slightly upturned bill with a pink base. They fed on insects, worms, bivalves, crustaceans, larvae and tadpoles. The food was swallowed by upward flicks of both bill and head. They uttered low, deep ‘kett’ or ‘chuk’ while feeding.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_EVJFb7GRE/W5wy0coq7QI/AAAAAAAAzbk/0Tq4Dw6nTYoxtUzxPPlPx_xKQ0OSAEaNgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B18%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aiZmGnp7TVE/W5wy1jibWHI/AAAAAAAAzbo/LiUcXHFWrTcGB20gTT2GTgQFymcMbl_lACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B30%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>On the right hand side of the hide, an Avocet was still incubating her eggs. The eggs were incubated for 23-25 days. The nest, built by both sexes, was a shallow scrape on bare stones and was composed of short pieces of stems, roots and leaves of marsh vegetation. Avocets were well-known for their aggressive behaviour during the breeding season. I was expecting this Avocet to do the usual aerial wing-flapping attack when this female Tufted duck waddled up to her. They seemed to have a conversation. I wonder what they were talking about!!!!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aD7hFVatR0U/W5wy3Os0ZeI/AAAAAAAAzbs/xNEmhaGNvio9x9NxW-v4iN9gPaKlA4WIACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B21%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFx1oFnPuPg/W5wy4YyFKdI/AAAAAAAAzbw/f0Q-6JAKe2Alm4gAyZTvZff4am0TBK7ZQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>Then we heard the powerful rumbling sound and right in front of us, this splendid aircraft flew past, looking stunning against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. We rattled a few shots when Babe said that it was a Lancaster. The 2nd World War aircraft’s powerful four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines sounded amazing as it went past. It must either be flying to an air-show or flying back from one. Air-show displays were very popular at this time of the year and this heavy bomber was always in demand. PA474 was one of only two Lancasters in flying condition in the world, the other being owned and flown by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. In fact, we might be seeing it again during the Royal International Air Tattoo in July.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-21ZeduJR6X4/W5wy5VYk-pI/AAAAAAAAzb0/Cqd-sJ_iswwhokzv66fZDCbJJRSxmzshgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B34%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDzuvd9gpJk/W5wy6aKXVMI/AAAAAAAAzb4/tMq5vAl_P_wUjZtZKuxB0QwtjM6X6nPpwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>The powerful rumblings from the Lancaster spooked one of the Common Cranes and it was seen flying off. We watched it did a pre-flight pose where the neck was stiffly stretched horizontally prior to take-off. Cranes were one of the tallest of all breeding birds, with a wingspan up to eight feet. It was slate-grey overall. The overall colour was darkest on the back and rump and palest on the breast and wings. The primaries, the tips of secondaries, the alula, the tip of the tail, and the edges of upper tail coverts were all black and the greater coverts droop into explosive plumes. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gaJ1j1aWhEc/W5wy79IzBzI/AAAAAAAAzb8/rD0GuZBKswslAESn1E69nOi2a8sEDIt8wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B8%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xWX7Xw_ET4E/W5wy9QbAGVI/AAAAAAAAzcA/pzzWAQuXsmUebr0Wh3n4iXYYyw0SvTyrwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B31%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>After the Crane flew off, we decided to call it a day.On the way out, we scanned the rocky island on Swan lake and spotted the Oystercatcher family. The juvenile looked a bit different from its parent. The eye was dark instead of bright yellow and don’t have the red orbital ring. The bills were also different, the adult’s bill was solid reddish orange while the youngster had a dark tipped bill with faint dark tones all the way to where the bill meets the face. As the juvenile grew, it was able to find its own food, but was often seen begging from its parents well after fledging. Parental feeding often extended well after the youngster developed independent flight. The diets of adults and chicks consisted earthworms, insect larvae, bivalves, limpets and mussels.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AkQlLxPkKy0/W5wy-2n4XbI/AAAAAAAAzcE/nvtIHWaJX3gMb2PppeGeEXKgIVNLGBTuACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B15%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MEk8RAnagNY/W5wzAPu-JHI/AAAAAAAAzcM/yv61Nu4h8W4gm4idAXJEucxhvouAba2LQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--02-06-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a></p><p>The weekend also saw the return of the eagerly-anticipated Coventry MotoFest event. Held across Saturday and Sunday in the city centre, Motofest 2018 brought fast-paced and full-throttle entertainment to the city. <em>MotoFest</em> was a unique blend of motorsport demonstrations, static displays, live music and anything else with a connection to <em>Coventry</em> and transport. Thousands came to the city to get a load of the action. There was motorsport demonstrations, sprint circuits, static displays, live music and much more. Expect everything from cars, motorcycles and trucks, as well as buses, stock cars, armoured vehicles, taxis and even some bicycles. There was also a range of automotive activities taking place from pop-up and demonstration events to static displays and fringe events at what was claimed the largest free urban motorsport festival in the UK.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7umLgIHfdA/W5wzB9f50VI/AAAAAAAAzcU/IvHJrBCUMi8uI6rK70Vu0C2TOU2CSVQ8wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GhqCWLtS7_A/W5wzDBZZLpI/AAAAAAAAzcY/cL1M5sCFDuA4MRSSZr0QiOYFi-acgFpbQCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We went on Sunday because the weather was forecasted to be sunny. But first, since the infamous ring-road was closed to traffic, we’d to find a place to park. Thankfully, my colleague who lived within a walking distance, allowed us to park at his drive. Thanks GLW. We walked past a huge fairground at Grosvenor Road to where the action was. We hadn’t even reached the ring-road yet but the incredible noise of highly tuned engines revving up, the screeching of tyres, the smell of burnt rubber and exhaust fumes were in the air. Thousands of people were already packed on both sides of the ring-road but somehow we managed to squeeze in. The Friargate-bridge deck and nearby Greyfriars Green were awashed with static displays of cars, motorbikes and simulators to keep fans of all ages happy.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KCoav7liles/W5wzEoe2h6I/AAAAAAAAzcc/PrdzvN7irQ4yy1CytNgFt-2tnUHLkObDgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B19%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UMF6az5oRcs/W5wzFykC-cI/AAAAAAAAzcg/7Cy6S3iVhn0kS64AS4PtZ60DbMWFY3b9QCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As it was closed to traffic, the ring road was used as both a pit lane and circuit. The 1.98 mile long temporary track took in a section of the ring-road beginning just before the slip road on J6, before heading all the way down to J4 and then returning to finish at J6 again. The circuit’s official start line began at the slip road just before J6, setting off into the Friargate tunnel. On the circuit, drivers negotiated chicanes before heading under J5 at Holyhead Road, with a ‘turn around’ in the central reservation. The track featured a series of crash barriers and marshal points, along with various viewing areas and spectator zones along the route.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LeouRxRpoUM/W5wzG55rARI/AAAAAAAAzck/8Hug1QhAWFI8HOHS67BOBPTdZNq_GCZmgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B22%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VdSEL6cb3WE/W5wzH0_z1TI/AAAAAAAAzco/bbCY9yH7J1QeJY17nDcggCFqygdqtiSQgCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B33%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We hung around the Friargate-bridge deck waiting for things to happen. Looking around, I noticed that the organisers had noted my observation. Last year, I highlighted a major problem. Advertising banners lined the barriers making it impossible for someone like me who is 165 cm to see what was going on the road. Imagine for someone on mobility scooters and the young children. They wouldn’t be able to see anything. A few children were seen climbing on the barriers which were very dangerous. I sent the organisers a tweet and a few people retweeted it. The organisers responded and this year, a metre of space was left empty between the advertising banners.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cJcZmsWxdMY/W5wzJeL2lcI/AAAAAAAAzcs/DFuj3skVTdAuEh7lJHcaRvpQPeb56sSWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FYxcm4jIRVs/W5wzLHOrvpI/AAAAAAAAzcw/LN_XbK4RLxsWaLdKxnpLGDcS9thtlXBowCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>After about 20 minutes of standing around waiting, we heard the sound of motorbikes being revved. Then we were covered with clouds of smoke and the smell of burning rubber before the riders made their way towards the starting line. All manners of motorbikes went zooming trying to outdo each other. A few revved up and did a wheelie that thrilled the crowd. There was plenty on show to keep bike fans interested including the Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000, ridden in 2016’s British Superbike Championship by Tommy Bridewell. The superbike sported the special commemorative Barry Sheene livery worn for the BSB round at Brands Hatch in 2016 to mark the 40th anniversary of the motorcycling legend’s first 500cc world title. There was a display bike by the Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki RGV500 that Kenny Roberts Jr. used in 2000 to win the 500cc World Championship, and Kevin Schwantz’s 1993 Moto GP Championship winning RGV500, clad in the Lucky Strike livery that it ran during its victorious championship year.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdhadoZoAGA/W5wzMT8_wlI/AAAAAAAAzc0/E_O4r4yQ6LYoZtINwUU9XaTavs7ZjLDGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B30%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3GmXVssOtHg/W5wzNtEACgI/AAAAAAAAzc4/oGXJpPo2gIo1aw3nKhO_OcJnsF4y7mzZgCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MvjYs8ToCyk/W5wzPO_iHeI/AAAAAAAAzc8/NBNvcddqfT0-8JLliel-jyGqAIa1QCW2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q0V_7wHJVdo/W5wzQX2pbXI/AAAAAAAAzdA/i_GpeMo-UWoABLpMNeMLO4Zt68t3KG9YQCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B42%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Next was the Performance Heritage Cars speed demonstration laps. A select group of motorsport marvels from Jaguar’s illustrious racing past including the TWR XJS, winner of the European Touring Car Championship in 1984, Group 44 E-type which won the US SCCA Championship in 1975, the 393 RW - 1956 Long Nose D-type, sixth at Le Mans and winner of the Reims 12 hour race along with support cars that include a XJS Police car completed with blues and twos, a 2015 Project 7 pre-prototype and a 2015 XJR saloon, which had been used as a 'Nurburgring Taxi' in the past. The Jaguar brand was such an important part of Coventry’s motoring heritage and the Jaguar Historic Trust had brought such a fantastic selection of vehicles from their collection to run on the Toyo Tires sprint circuit.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_cwRy6M3q4/W5wzSO1pMdI/AAAAAAAAzdE/6Fqnc9FG4G864qXa2hM_u8xoxaM4PKcCQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ly4MolwAnG4/W5wzTklzNjI/AAAAAAAAzdI/u4XWsIOMuZ4RlG4_W1-kHSr7Ui4b-XzLwCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mUUfhCyp_f8/W5wzU5FTfwI/AAAAAAAAzdM/-jKTMqjrMj0HBsW5IQSzV7MUnPWHloKygCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E0jOHne_9PE/W5wzWMjj7nI/AAAAAAAAzdQ/W-PKmcehpJcXhuB-5r73BQ64wTnwrF-oACHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B28%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then it was back to the motorbike speed demonstrations laps again. We took the opportunity to check out exhibitions dotted on Greyfriars Green and the surrounding Friargate. We were chuffed to see a top-fuel dragster from Santa Pod attracting quite a large crowd. Babe wished that the company would revved up the engine and demonstrated the obligatory storming blow-out. That would surely blow the spectators socks off. But that would cost them a fortune as a dragster could consumed as much fuel as a Boeing 747.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PWIBkyGnp1E/W5wzYca5ZBI/AAAAAAAAzdU/TROboEfUeJA3w0iy1hw4RxfWrhsoo6BGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MzwDM9xJqV4/W5wzZhRUkkI/AAAAAAAAzdY/KRIkbNBeDewyEA2IOT2vr7W5RSH-i_qVQCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We walked past the usual exhibitors such as Citroen,BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar and Landrover showing off their latest cars. But we were much more interested in the Electric Zone arena with Tesla, UK Autodrive and Electric Zoo. Here visitors were able to see first-hand inside the self-driving vehicles which provided a clearer understanding of the future of driving. I fell in love with this black and pink Nissan Leaf but unfortunately it cost as much as a small house.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vbj5G0zyOIQ/W5wzbT-A8eI/AAAAAAAAzdg/L-zu9xvRzP86iOyu4Pj6Bk6rCc2Wd4wYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B8%255D"><img width="626" height="484" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eEyK2baMSX4/W5wzc7490UI/AAAAAAAAzdk/t7yBcVyj5BEgcDxfaQGtkTUhDdbFD1E2ACHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then we headed towards the Band Hatton Button Arena where there was a large crowd gathering. Stop the Crash was in Coventry to promote car safety and spectators had the opportunity to experience it first hand. The partnership, led by Global NCAP, aimed to raise awareness of Advance Driver Assistance Systems and tyre safety. The crowds were given in car experience of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with demos highlighting how technology could assist drivers and prevented avoidable accidents.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfbucpQxYe4/W5wzeVZE_NI/AAAAAAAAzdo/9keiq01jCbE_rD1qlraR7avFCpXj9W5WQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N45QpgBiUxE/W5wzfwGkApI/AAAAAAAAzdw/7J10y5waSmYl-Ig1h2fFZ9hM8uG62I4DACHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the way to Broadgate, we walked past stalls selling all kinds of exotic food from modified vans. They were making a very brisk business judging from the long queues. In the Bullyard courtyard, crowds were gathering for the extreme wheelie and by the fountain were classic bikes on show. It seemed that every public areas (and pedestrianised zones) had become a stage to celebrate Coventry’s automotive and engineering pedigree. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_IWbRZIWSc/W5wzh8jLoMI/AAAAAAAAzd0/KMcQMLyF0Tw-30FCmvld-wVQxX9_2IH8wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--odyet0_FFY/W5wzjcRc2GI/AAAAAAAAzd8/tpyVB6xSQO0wW7b4X9-L0imRvKirGIRiwCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We headed towards Broadgate where the Classic Car Owners display featured the Global Care stage and funfair, which was a very strange mix. We checked out a few classic cars with their very friendly and proud owners who were more than happy to chat about their pride and joy. For me me, the main attraction to all these displays was the golden opportunity for spectators to get up close and personal with the array of spectacular vehicles from the past, present and future with no barriers or viewing restrictions. It was a challenge taking photographs too because everything was photo-bombed. There were also plenty of displays scattered through out the city centre which we didn’t have the chance to visit.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FLpmEtj_Kzk/W5wzlq7LuPI/AAAAAAAAzeA/8vadVgXXEgI0piJFA0dJPF33zwdI0koGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HRpzFd2jlAI/W5wzmyEPdOI/AAAAAAAAzeI/09DiMwR3Lm8LWRS1vaOBPe7-h7_gXmUAgCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D800--03-06-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6L8i9IjxlHo/W5wzohmrtLI/AAAAAAAAzeQ/s9uWd7FfDP4jI83nbkKDUUNvZsP-GHrKACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GWEZsDjouss/W5wzqDq7jqI/AAAAAAAAzeU/mAep2ZIYKbIEMPAb8CYxTA1b0wapA0bFACHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D3100b--03-06-2018%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then it was back at the ring-road and we arrived just in time for the BARC Midlands Sprint practice session. The sprint races, drawn from the British Automobile Racing Club’s (BARC) various championship series, took place on a circuit formed by part of Coventry’s inner ring road, which was right below us. It was the first time competitive motorsport had been hosted on a UK city centre circuit since the Birmingham Superprix event featuring single-seater and touring car racers in 1990. Motofest Coventry had been working closely with the MSA and Coventry City Council to host the competition event since April 2017 when the MSA, and its sister governing body for two-wheel UK motorsport, the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU), were made the authorising bodies for closed-road motorsport events. Competitive motorsport had returned to a UK city centre for the first time in almost 30 years when Coventry Motofest stages time trials as part of its festival of motoring.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7Jj4jvYnUA/W5wzrnRHzcI/AAAAAAAAzeY/eJJb1UC0EPMrvvgnk4QncDJ25Uy64GUlQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B31%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOzonLB_tLk/W5wzs17tE-I/AAAAAAAAzec/QfmTsE2D1lE_P9FqDet0oXfGVvagps1-wCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B24%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gH_2ghZwtuc/W5wzvMStsRI/AAAAAAAAzeg/0zmDnjCteFYYo_SYRGve4n-YStHoBU69wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RE2ZrO7tOYA/W5wzwDAnODI/AAAAAAAAzek/lqXlIgkYqZ82troRtfMG-l0bPTuKqfsfwCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B45%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We headed towards the ‘turn around’ in the central reservation where spectators were gathered in their thousands lining the raised platforms of slip roads and bridges, watching everything from the Class 1A-Road going series production cars up to 1400cc to Class 3B-Modified series cars 1400cc-2000cc charging along the temporary course. On the circuit, the drivers negotiated chicanes on a track that featured a series of crash barriers and marshal points, along with various viewing areas and spectator zones along the route. The practice laps were followed by timed runs, creating a true spectacle.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5F-ymjf9nFA/W5wzxoUXDrI/AAAAAAAAzeo/gs1R4H7WZHcWBZuBzd_OdoTsNCQw3eNhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B38%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PJrU-4DsIws/W5wzy37bHqI/AAAAAAAAzes/EjE8KMGRl88U2oabaUfqCAuKk83sxygaQCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sxrtoohZspY/W5wz0fycPnI/AAAAAAAAze0/GEjfpbwr3WAJkz-vC4cORR3L4XS5Z9b4wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qF1Twbf3o5o/W5wz1Y5-CYI/AAAAAAAAze4/fyyB2fPEFI8m533es-0j_dBfWwhgMQ92wCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B43%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We decided to call it a day as it had been a long day for us. We found something missing at the Motorfest, a certain je ne sais quoi. Although there were the incredible noise of highly tuned engines revving up, the screeching tyres, the smell of burnt rubber and exhaust fumes were in the air and hundreds of people about, it didn’t had the vow factor. We think this might be our last visit to Motofest.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T5ATh65Y0Xg/W5wz3IQ2unI/AAAAAAAAze8/7ew8x8U63kA7MZjrsuEf9eKfTBFVJi0QwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B41%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-30kAuEANOWg/W5wz4S_tweI/AAAAAAAAzfA/Sk_Ydxaw1yAT4pl2dkGHFsI20_xs3fgAQCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center"><strong><em>The race begins,<br>as engines roar.<br>They charge ahead,<br>like a wild boar.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3MtLNxnxBGM/W5wz6DB3q_I/AAAAAAAAzfE/m4UAOUWdMjs7eF4MHv6t65wMVBGwVD1owCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B27%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PP2I6SEv8Kw/W5wz8l_nulI/AAAAAAAAzfM/7UsZ1d19rZQSsYETnvFcRIPA8HyOshragCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Immediately they,<br>vie for position.<br>Victory and glory,<br>is their common mission.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zytu5kVFDOk/W5wz-DzXP_I/AAAAAAAAzfQ/jq4lpJEjNjsmFEwqIS06AlhXF5MAmpLUACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B29%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IZU2nxIocv0/W5wz_kMcCeI/AAAAAAAAzfU/5bQ2sqv0NS8OQ9IinKQYCA5DT1-ggVahwCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B44%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Every driver,<br>maximum speed desires.<br>Each sharp turn,<br>burns their tires.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7xre_QNW0A/W5w0BuOAauI/AAAAAAAAzfY/MV4IvUzULsIZHaybf9bxJ16ov5VTK0VcQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B40%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3H35pGLZ6ig/W5w0DO3jO2I/AAAAAAAAzfk/YODDLEBWt4oQFFgHHCYQGi5XocvGB2UZwCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B26%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Magnificent machines,<br>often tease disaster.<br>Fearless warriors,<br>strive for nothing but faster.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rK5BUe9_TZ4/W5w0E-h73CI/AAAAAAAAzfo/HZFGPGivmuI9aq8rojQYOEuaIDTnGG_DACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-suF9xZI87Z8/W5w0GCwh9rI/AAAAAAAAzfs/FjU82oijuZAZuUzF791-MnNXoBYU-SQ-QCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B34%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Their greatest nemesis and savior,<br>are known simply as brakes.<br>In order to pass,<br>they wait for mistakes.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-in4X0WHydP4/W5w0HvL0VhI/AAAAAAAAzf0/lZwyPCQSzqYRDlWwCVdxI9zLqCviQy0GwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B23%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_X4TQ0DQLEs/W5w0Ix1IN3I/AAAAAAAAzf4/JkbeVd7RUQ0IGEaJUZCL1ytSmjRhluuXgCHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>In the end,<br>only one gets to brag.<br>The first to kiss,<br>the checkered flag.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~anitapoems.com~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyqRzR4qpKU/W5w0KNiqVVI/AAAAAAAAzf8/2H69yPpKFPA-dD29TjX4IHzgmJJVWEPwwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B35%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - June" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWmjwgR1aG0/W5w0LXeNFlI/AAAAAAAAzgA/yMG3AVIFOHEtySVinWX_Q2Wc_c4Bb4bnACHMYCw/Coventry-Motofest-D7200-C13--03-06-2%255B32%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="left">I was also off for a couple of days due to an attack from hives. Hives was a skin reaction that caused itchy swells, which range in size from small spots to larger blotches several inches in diameter. Thankfully, I don’t have it on my face but my legs were worst affected. It was so itchy and swollen making walking quite difficult. I’d an appointment with the doctor who gave me a very strong antihistamine tablets, cream and lotion. I was also advised not to take hot showers and not to use soap. It was very frustrating not to know what caused it to flare up off and on.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Tzg_fP_WTY/W5w0OmLZsJI/AAAAAAAAzgE/C0uSBQnudlMN-l-yh1-dm44Cfjp3x-41wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marssh-D7200-C13-04-06-2018-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0-1eHny0ckI/W5w0QsdsPWI/AAAAAAAAzgM/LgwZy7VOgqsa7Ck1J_QND4-ZNI50oeVkQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marssh-D7200-C13-04-06-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">After staying a few days indoors and trying my best to calm down my very itchy skin, I was beginning to get cabin fever. We decided to check out the Leamington Spa peregrine falcon family which I’d been following diligently via Twitter. The Peregrines had nested on the bell tower of Leamington Town Hall and they had laid 4 eggs. Webcams had been installed so that Warwickshire Wildlife Trust could monitor them and also live-streamed their activities to the public. The Peregrine was a successful example of urban wildlife, taking advantage of of tall buildings as nest sites and the abundance of prey such as pigeons and starlings.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ibtYRz1YTA/W5w0Trwwv4I/AAAAAAAAzgQ/61XpoVn3KeUo-i1tzqL_QhEUU1X28J4gQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington%2BSpa%2BD800%2BBB%2B%2B10-06-2018%2B11-05-23%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tixDxzSVZ6w/W5w0VWSRjRI/AAAAAAAAzgU/8KVza89CvBgAQr33Sx03ze5Op292cGLzgCHMYCw/Leamington%2BSpa%2BD800%2BBB%2B%2B10-06-2018%2B11-05-23_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">The first egg was laid on 20th March at 3 am. The 2nd egg arrived at 12.42 pm on 22nd March, the 3rd arrived at 3.45 am on March 25th and the 4th and final egg was laid at 7.51 pm on the 27th. Incubation took place between 29-33 days. 2 eggs hatched on April 29th and a 3rd on April 30th. Unfortunately, the 4th egg didn’t hatched. Most of the brooding and feeding was carried out by the female, while the male hunt to supply the food. And he was a good hunter, bringing in lots of food mostly pigeons. I loved watching them snoozing together snuggling up close in an indistinguishable mass of creamy-white down or sitting like white Buddhas. These chicks called eyases looked quite comical as they toddled about with their disproportionately large feet.</p><p align="left">They fledged at 35-42 days and remained dependent on their parents for up to two months. As soon as I found out that they’d fledged, we just had to see them. We walked straight down the main street keeping an eye on the sky. Unfortunately, there was no one on the main street looking which wasn’t a good sign which meant that they hadn’t been spotted. If they were around, all the bird-watchers, twitchers and photographers will be out and about. We heard a loud shreek and when we looked up, high up in the Warwickshire sky, an adult was circling.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqJMsLqXWAQ/W5w0WsaOB2I/AAAAAAAAzgc/MK2KBEnsKEEz4y89-Aexu2IXNxp1s0zYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--06-06-2018-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-asfIMbvY6Nc/W5w0Xx1lWtI/AAAAAAAAzgg/Vttn-vDKcjcpfwTKAbTGzSDORtA9XJrOQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--06-06-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We then walked to Regents Grove where a huge crowd was gathering. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust had set up a Peregrine watch with telescopes trained on the birds. The eyases were seen earlier, out and about in the balcony but they’d gone in and stayed in the shadows. They were begging for food from their parents, loudly vocalizing which could be heard. Here, we met a few regulars and found out that they’d been here since early morning and had seen a lot of action. I also met a few people who’d turned up when they heard about the Peregrines and some even had joined in to become members of the WWT. It was brilliant the way these birds inspired people and brought them together. Sharing our towns and cities with them was helping to change public attitudes towards them for the better and for now, it looked like these urban Peregrine Falcons were here to stay.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAWT248gxu8/W5w0ZhfdmJI/AAAAAAAAzgo/sXIt24QoMkce1aJ3oOaVS0FQM_NL9qbLACHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D3100b--09-06-2018-13"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0lreARTENo/W5w0bJu3RPI/AAAAAAAAzgs/VuKJ6xKegTcKJt1lCWh9uXTYH7kuNEr8QCHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D3100b--09-06-2018-13%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">We then walked to the main street where we met Mr Greenman, a Brandon Marsh regular. We’d a wonderful time catching up in the lovely sunshine. As usual, a few people stopped to ask us what we were doing with our cameras, spotting scope and camouflaged gears, standing in the middle of a town centre. We had attracted some attention.. Of course we told them what we were up to. A couple of guys then came up to sell home-baked chocolate cookies for charity. We bought some but they were disgusting <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--tiirNbGUac/W5w0byyWHXI/AAAAAAAAzgw/taZmuD0DRrga0adK8WxThDYtbKkRXxQXgCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AhreliipYa8/W5w0dX0u3uI/AAAAAAAAzg0/Hp-kv6WMEz8cocTgjB-ZjiqMKaEnP4yuwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D7200--10-06-2018-11-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvbrhrs0CQs/W5w0e8ER87I/AAAAAAAAzg4/o0CvGr_izZQhC_cY6Z8PR416lJ4J41jDgCHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D7200--10-06-2018-11-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">About half an hour of standing around, a pair of youngsters popped their heads between the balusters. They were out and about, having a conversation and checking out the enamoured audience below. We had fantastic views of the young birds. We could see the blue-grey above, with a blackish top of the head and an obvious black ‘moustache’ that contrasted with their white faces. Their paler eyebrows imparted a distinctive face pattern. One was peering over the edge, cocking its head to size something with one enormous eye. They didn’t stay out long and went back into the bell tower.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nL3SI8gqNg/W5w0gkOaHYI/AAAAAAAAzg8/HjQf2Ff6noUX93cy5qZiy_n0Y4ZKu8FCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D7200-X14-C13--09-06-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4embj5ulRD8/W5w0h6VSiaI/AAAAAAAAzhE/spfmzYorDqoG1v4yrBuZpKb7EMHilc9qACHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D7200-X14-C13--09-06-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">Then another errant chick was seen walking around the ledge. It didn’t look stable at all. For the first few weeks, when perching on the ledge, the youngsters were often described as ‘dragging their wings’ ‘almost toppling over, or ‘tilting’. These are all normal behaviours.They needed to work at strengthening their flight muscles by flapping their wings and loosening the few remaining down feathers. Most of the down, but for a few tufts on the breast and top of the head, had now given to regular plumage.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4CpF3B67JXs/W5w0jbaEWGI/AAAAAAAAzhI/IpP3_QrZatk_Vb9tzx8wskv8S55ZAB9FQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D800-BB-DX--10-06-201"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZXv_52wIxF0/W5w0kkGbnsI/AAAAAAAAzhM/vP7vrS-pckcbZP_T6n-F7iS8wKfqNXXPACHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D800-BB-DX--10-06-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">The chicks will start to fly in about 42 days, but were still dependent on their parents to learn how to hunt and handle prey in flight. Often, they’d their eyes to the skies, looking out for their parents and if seen, started screeching for attention and maybe demanding to be fed. The parents often perched out of reach whilst the chicks tried to snatch incoming food. They also had a variety of calls, including a loud, harsh persistent chatter. The juveniles will disperse naturally and occasionally seen hanging around their parents but will go away before the next breeding season starts.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtH4RCEvw1o/W5w0mYQ_2GI/AAAAAAAAzhQ/OW_k6QWFWLET00RMp46mGtJImPWwb-KeACHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D3100b--10-06-2018-12"><img width="644" height="447" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-55-UlT0Cwac/W5w0nvjAS9I/AAAAAAAAzhU/f75MUbMVoLIwW0T7szzziXtB6rAVGMcbgCHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D3100b--10-06-2018-12%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">As we were about to leave, we spotted an adult perched on one of the bars beside the building. It was busy preening. It gave the youngsters a quick glance before continuing preening. One thing a Peregrine does a lot was preening. The preening was a necessity to keep the feathers neat and clean, preserving their streamlining and insulating effects as well as their colour pattern. Because of their high metabolic rates, they consumed more food in proportion to their size than most animal. To be efficient players, the digestive system had to be both as light and as efficient as possible. This is why the Peregrine was renowned for its speed.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sK5wv5hWVOQ/W5w0pEiR5_I/AAAAAAAAzhY/ciIMAywZ_N4ERYJ6HbeCugchIwckpF3DgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Leamington-Spa-D7200-X14-C13--09-06-%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Leamington Spa - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Leamington Spa - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6j6tks9pLBQ/W5w0qXYI2uI/AAAAAAAAzhc/nqaXQz_ESKEvuhkDob0wk_hIgq9L3qaQQCHMYCw/Leamington-Spa-D7200-X14-C13--09-06-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>June was always going to be a sad month for me and my family. My beloved Mum left us 3 years ago and it still felt like yesterday. In Malaysia, my father organised a prayer reading for her and invited relatives, close friends, neighbours and religious men from the mosque. Here, I prayed in the mosque and since it was Ramadan, contributed fruits to the breaking fast meal.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5XU4cbc9I00/W5w0rvcnXcI/AAAAAAAAzhg/gWZb5FPzhiE_AY6NcrHquJa0okhJZJpvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B15-07-2018%2B11-35-19%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fp_iPoA3_Fc/W5w0stGvI0I/AAAAAAAAzhk/cPFVowhnSOk9K3QFQsOy8r67itbDltxJwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B15-07-2018%2B11-35-19_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>If roses grow in heaven,<br>Lord please pick a bunch for me,<br>Place them in my Mother’s arms<br>and tell her they’re from me.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IFhwxh8od4M/W5w0t5eWP8I/AAAAAAAAzho/3BlbOgdtNQ07bmUbVm1XNOzueTtgyQroACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD3100a%2B%2B11-07-2018%2B18-35-00%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bLBahRXCYHc/W5w0vAnnz3I/AAAAAAAAzhs/LgsEMVON8WgZahSduEHZMt6Nu13dcShvgCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD3100a%2B%2B11-07-2018%2B18-35-00_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Tell her I love her and miss her,<br>and when she turns to smile,<br>place a kiss upon her cheek<br>and hold her for awhile.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1n7trlj_Q0g/W5w0w-IgnkI/AAAAAAAAzhw/bk6uAFL3FukX8CbKl2F6HREiIPQJzIuuwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-07-2018%2B09-01-27%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - July" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - July" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IXYxpYFOPSU/W5w0yeVCK5I/AAAAAAAAzh0/XmMBs3KXxi0kkZlWJZYy1ae8BqUGCm9uACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-07-2018%2B09-01-27_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Because remembering her is easy,<br>I do it every day,<br>but there’s an ache within my heart<br>that will never go away.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-WJy3VruL8/W5w0z-E518I/AAAAAAAAzh4/lragEVFexOg65JCIr9OT9U20WsX_IyrpwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B19-05-2018%2B13-11-19%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZz4sH8qaGM/W5w01PDWpSI/AAAAAAAAzh8/ovDOs6-DWik-qAJ2YAK55edBrJNiobZkgCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B19-05-2018%2B13-11-19_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Al-Fatehah.</strong></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-13298622021589087352018-08-30T12:46:00.001-07:002018-08-30T12:48:16.868-07:00Then come the last days of May<p>One of my favourite places to sit and have lunch was under these large drooping clusters of flowering Wisteria arches at the Social Sciences building. The fragrant bluish-violet flowers were to die for and provided a feast for the senses. These were Wisteria floribunda bearing leaves and flowers at the same time and had stems that twined clockwise. It had the longest racemes and was shown to best effect on these pergolas and arches where the racemes hung free, unimpeded by branches or foliage. At their peak, their long colourful cascades of flower was stunning and almost everyone who saw them, moi included, would like one for the garden.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0awAwNuEdg/W4hIfaL0hXI/AAAAAAAAzTY/1K2JZYjneM0npJYIo6_xW3y9tDqCSTdXACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1%255B1%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L-3grRBuDMc/W4hIgV7UPOI/AAAAAAAAzTc/TCABR1ZXujcyFu6IasBOHry1PgflM_q1ACHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The only problem was that they were aggressive grower and heavy. The vines worked their way into any crook or cranny they could reach and as long lived plants growing up to 9 metres, required significant support and therefore requiring a large garden. It also formed very strong, woody roots and hard to remove once established. As we were renting, this was not viable. But thankfully, I have these growing just round the corner of my office.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOegwjF7Te4/W4hIhtvEGdI/AAAAAAAAzTg/gpZvcj72afcOsU-sqFppRUKrIe_bjDN0gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1%255B6%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G7Rw8ANdrmc/W4hIiui7PrI/AAAAAAAAzTk/1F7J_wunuYkIDjIMm14CTjFXHyVSwquHQCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p> Wisterias were deciduous, twinning climbers native to China, Japan and the eastern United States. After a long summer, they formed pendant, beanlike seedpods. Since the vines and trees bloomed in spring and early summer, it was a potent symbol of new life. I took these photographs early in the morning, as soon as I arrive for work to avoid the flowers being photobombed.<em> </em>During office hours, this walkway was a human highway with throngs of students and staff walking past. I really hoped that they would stop and admire these quintessential blooms.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SH6THtyTjkM/W4hIjrPUBSI/AAAAAAAAzTo/h2r_4tLpEjIf6G6EF5J9H0OPkaYlWC9pgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1%255B3%255D"><img width="365" height="484" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VV0ZKsf6sxs/W4hIkuZva8I/AAAAAAAAzTs/VCsnEwR2OFIk3bAP58kSWdcxweoUGInsQCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--14-05-2018-1%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>CC and I finally were able to find a date for dinner. We last met in January when we met up with our former colleagues. Our dinner date was supposed to be a monthly event but both of us had been so busy that we just couldn’t find the date. Other personal problems like health and family were also in the way. Ramadan was also round the corner. CC had picked another new restaurant, YipinBashu, situated on Fairfax Street, outside Pool Meadow bus station. She picked this because she noticed only the Chinese were regulars which was a sign for good cuisines. The whole time we were there, we were the only outsiders<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Aa33ZFaVYI/W4hIlIKNugI/AAAAAAAAzTw/YQx-joRhH9ciIIUW5K8qseG_YVEIxXD4QCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">Although the menu was written in Chinese, there was some translated into English and with the help of the friendly waitress, we managed to choose the dishes. We’d jasmine rice with sizzling seafood platter, Mongolian style beef and fried lotus root, all washed down with cups of steaming loose Chinese tea. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ztm01ZGOzK0/W4hImDsyklI/AAAAAAAAzT0/HLHRmoX2yoIPEegmRx1TeLmXU7HWclWpACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--09-05-2018-1%255B2%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-68WQ2V6SNUI/W4hInMA4KZI/AAAAAAAAzT4/x7wDQkl9rNMAPzy9yHuKRtVpklOxN9quwCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--09-05-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>While tucking into the meal, we checked out the deco. It was very simple and practical. Would we come again? I don’t think so. For something so simple, it was quite expensive. We weren’t too keen on the fried lotus root and the Mongolian beef was too watery and salty. The menu written in Chinese was also a put-off. But we’d a good time catching up, sharing news and updating each other with what we’d been up to. Then it was time to go our separate ways. We found it hilarious that the bus stop had been moved again and we’d to ask a few people where it was. It was so funny when we found out that the temporary bus-stop was just a few doors from the restaurant. Typical…</p><p align="center"><strong><em>Friendship is …. catching up over good food and something nice to drink.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Funadmin~</em></strong></p><p>We celebrated the wedding of Prince Henry to Megan Markle with a visit to Slimbridge. We left the casa at 10.52 am on a bright, sunny morning with the mercury reaching 20.6 C.When we arrived at the Reserve, we were greeted by this giant 5 foot tall colourful ‘Haring Through the seasons’ hare. This year the Trust was hosting a hare as part of the Cotswold AONB Hare Trail. In its 5th year, the Cotswold Hare Trail had partnered with the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) which included 130 hare sculptures waiting to be discovered all over the Cotswold which took place until September the 9th.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NMNMrcCtcXo/W4hIn9K1LqI/AAAAAAAAzT8/KLkWDmOIEq8fUMW2wcJhULq2j8MWGn1lwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12%255B5%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nx-jeHtDSuM/W4hIojCkCjI/AAAAAAAAzUA/DcC5nQInTCYuOkRkrH_5_b6CntDzQ5hkACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Designed by illustrator, Sarah Vonthron-Laver, this hare vibrantly depicted the Cotswold landscape in each season. The location and designs of the rest of the hares explored the themes of ‘living landscapes’, to promote sustainable tourism and environmental conservation throughout the area. The Hare trail first started as the Cirencester March Hare festival celebrating the town’s link with the famous Roman Hare mosaic in the Corinium Museum in 2013. How I wish we lived closer so that we could checked out all 130 colourful hares.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcvVPtdcGJA/W4hIpyOIp8I/AAAAAAAAzUE/kOmRG4ScDSoK8qHipWILzUuVfw8S_JiGACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sqLSrUhx5Qc/W4hIq-WfQGI/AAAAAAAAzUI/jUAxQuIEgW4X3Y6-IIjeOUnfs2yUNH4LwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As soon as we walked out of the visitor centre, we immediately zoomed onto the stony island on Swan Lake. Last year, the Oystercatcher family had 2 chicks and because they tend to nest at the same site, we expected them to be there. And we weren’t disappointed. At first, we couldn’t see it as the chick was perfectly camouflaged among the rocks. When one of its parents flew in with its piping calls, it stood up and came running to the parent. There was only a single downy chick, following its parent for food. Earthworms and insect larvae were on the menu.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5aHeStLHNv8/W4hIriry1ZI/AAAAAAAAzUM/nLI6EtOST_oCZ0n2-PqMP1dszpEfbCDowCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7dTmAaXPX6U/W4hIsoGw2qI/AAAAAAAAzUQ/OHOv48mt-0w1wZFrkxTKXxVng5RpduU5ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-12%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then off to Rushy Hide where we saw Sedge still on incubation duties on the lower pond island. The incubation period was around 30 days and was done primarily by the female. The nest were constructed from dead vegetation, such as reeds, bulrushes and rushes. From time to time, she gracefully stretched her long neck to pick a pebble or a stick and redecorate her domain. We were hoping to see Monty flying in but not today. I guess he was busy feeding on the tack piece or mud-flats. The Common Cranes were omnivorous. They ate largely plant matter, but animal matter were important during the summer breeding season for regurgitating to their young. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GqZPmAtrmmQ/W4hItiYwzPI/AAAAAAAAzUU/hNYY1r6im3QJGLC2fm3h_pYm5tjKN6ongCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oD-5oGDY6Vs/W4hIuS_g-MI/AAAAAAAAzUY/pe211lJ_ZAMmqAOWPeZnXp9ti1tuMZEnwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Common Crane was a large, stately bird and was between 100-130 cm long with a 180-240 cm wingspan, slate-grey overall. The forehead and lores were blackish with a bare red crown and a white streak extending from behind the eyes to the upper back. The overall colour was darkest on the back and rump and palest on the breast and wings. The primaries, the tips of secondaries, the alula, the tip of the tail, and the edges of upper tail coverts were all black and the greater coverts droop into explosive plumes. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c5UAFgPINwQ/W4hIvO7r5sI/AAAAAAAAzUc/G9ZmA8E8rfkg4orpbWhcV4KMMJU9-QPnQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B24%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7Pbr889kSM/W4hIwAwqc0I/AAAAAAAAzUg/9Ivx7z8ReE4GP3ddGb5jKssfx_vw6becgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Unfortunately, the Crane was sharing its nest among the very territorial and aggressive Shelducks and Avocets. When it stood up to stretch its legs and rolled the eggs, a Shelduck flew towards it because the imposing height was seen as a threat. It was dive-bombing and quacking its head off. Thankfully, Sedge was able to duck away from the aggressive behaviour. Her first egg was laid on 29th April and the second, the next day. Male and female cranes took turns to incubate of about 2-4 hours during the daylight hours. The females do most of incubating during the night while the males stood guard. The parents made purring noise to the eggs while gently rolling them to insure a proper embryo development. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PgENIi0_tA/W4hIw7WI3mI/AAAAAAAAzUo/VilS2bSJD4kcWraLwM2W37FUAiPELh9pgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-exG9Ym1gIRk/W4hIxt0xYzI/AAAAAAAAzUs/DV6OpyGP9NM93HMxx9aGvfgwQvPUEMmUACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The reason for the Shelduck’s aggressive behaviour was due to these adorable black-and-white mint humbugs. A pair were parents to at least a dozen or so ducklings. Actually, we gave up counting because they somehow blended and multiplied at the same time. Shelducks formed strong pair bonds and were highly territorial and quarrelsome. Female Shelducks chose a nest-site and a typical clutch contained 8-10 eggs, but there might be more where another female had dumped some eggs into the nest. The female incubated alone, for about 30 days, with the male avoided the nest for this time, but when the ducklings hatched, he returned to guard his delightful-plumaged babies and his mate.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QYXR86dVHVQ/W4hIyUsY1xI/AAAAAAAAzUw/gEItREg2aJMCU_XJt4cmTxDchLwm0Oa_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lQauxZQlXsU/W4hIzQTCHuI/AAAAAAAAzU0/MGMykfZRMtYxbtW7jnqHDI5qY3MK-Lc4ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In their natural environment, most Shelducks often desert their ducklings at a young age, leaving them in creches with just one or two adults to look after them. The ducklings were nidifugous and able to feed themselves within hours after hatching. With such a huge brood, the parents took wing uttering quacks to the youngsters which dived underwater with skill. Although the young dived freely, the adults only did so when wounded or frightened. Both ‘chosen’ parents guarded their ducklings for 55-65 days until they were able to fly. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MOsM9oz28t4/W4hI0NCEFVI/AAAAAAAAzU4/k_LPDyogTbEEU8azYCAcA4G83dlCanqLQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwnubHG-9tM/W4hI096mczI/AAAAAAAAzU8/rXNn63z7H6YVIMJvF51ZFekHpA6lEyCHACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B25%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nearby, the quarrelsome. noisy Black Headed Gulls were up to their usual antics. They were screaming high-pitched ‘karr’ or ‘kreeay’ while picking sticks from an abandoned nest and carrying them to the island near the camera shop. They must be thinking of having a second brood. Nest-building took part in pair formation once the nest-site was chosen by both mates. Their territorial defence were strong and the pair spent most of the day on its territory. The female laid 1-3 eggs and incubation lasted about 22-26 days, shared by both parents. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d_CllzUUhpI/W4hI2GW46-I/AAAAAAAAzVA/H7Kektl52u47YmHK74QAtP-jbLUbZqKrQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B26%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W5_7-qJiPVI/W4hI23AiLWI/AAAAAAAAzVE/57a2i9zh3jArOcL39rFA-o5mzglNMBA-wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the main island, a juvenile Black Headed Gull was demanding to be fed, uttering ‘kek-kek’ continuously. It was pecking on its parent’s beak begging for food. The juvenile had buff to darker brown markings on the upperparts and upperwing coverts with the tail showing black terminal band. It will gradually gain the adults’ grey coloured wings over the space of two years. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o06SbN7cPK8/W4hI3mpKHXI/AAAAAAAAzVI/ade50vv2aKcYH1XFrqfSSSsROVbEMv3oQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOdC0_8Ume8/W4hI4YqFSaI/AAAAAAAAzVM/T5GOBbY3vPURiRmhRnO_Wtsxyuzt9qgMQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--19-05-2018-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were chuffed to bits when the long-staying hybrid swam past the hide. This was the closest that we’d seen it. The hybrid, a Chloe X Eurasian Wigeon was stunning with its green blue iridescent green band from the eye to the back of the head, shimmering in the bright afternoon sun. The steep forehead and bulbous rear was very prominent. He and his partner, a female Wigeon, were busy surface feeding, dabbling for aquatic plants, grasses and roots. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K0Yo-vcUXEg/W4hI5WbivLI/AAAAAAAAzVQ/wTZc9bH6KcU9FQPfFta_Cd_lfhhAIVoAwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B19%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XeWqkrB9szA/W4hI6MY29bI/AAAAAAAAzVU/GgJrNpgo6jU0-li59GWRXhTw1DRZB-mSACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we went to Martin Smith hide and was greeted by this family of Mute Swans swimming along the waterway with seven adorable cygnets. They were kept save by their protective parents with Dad swimming ahead and Mum keeping an eye at the back. The cygnets were dingy brown and whitish below. They grew quickly, reaching a size close to their adult size in approximately three months after hatching.They fed on a wide range of vegetation, both submerged aquatic plants and by grazing on land. The cygnets were especially vocal, and communicated through a variety of whistling and chirping sounds when contend. If they were distressed or lost, they emitted a harsh squawking noise.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kOna-SKQYYg/W4hI7N6X1UI/AAAAAAAAzVY/BYIZfUGclXEA7X8UHbu20GPGqIkau0p6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--19-05-2018-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YZjxi1dAC90/W4hI7yyc9JI/AAAAAAAAzVc/p5eICQQS9ZExtmYnttJ6ecx7IxxSN9yYACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--19-05-2018-1%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>There was nothing much else on the tack piece that we didn’t bother checking out the rest of the hides. We walked back into the grounds through the boardwalk. There was another family of Moorhen busy feeding. Moorhen chicks which looked like the ugliest little balls of ‘black fluff’ with bald heads were following their parents, paddling frantically after them. Moorhen fed their chicks with algae, insects larvae, worms and aquatic plants.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvghb6MOOug/W4hI8_z1sFI/AAAAAAAAzVg/hJjznfzX0Y83z4B9jHSNhBWlmBLhYS4GACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--19-05-2018-1%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eaSwWqGvBtk/W4hI9gpOX4I/AAAAAAAAzVk/gkaaJ4tJMi8L7Nm-yWQqNzkEwFSH-LnTwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--19-05-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We spent some time at the South Lake hide because there were plenty of going on. Close to the hide, at least a dozen Black tailed Godwits were feeding on the mudflats. There were hundreds feeding at the further end of the lake. A sociable bird, they formed large flocks when feeding, probing the mud with their bill for invertebrate preys. During spring and summer, the adults had greyish backs, white bellies and brick-orange heads, necks and chests. We were very lucky to see them here as they were rare breeding birds in the UK that had suffered from dramatic declines.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NnnDdG53e4/W4hI-m-QuMI/AAAAAAAAzVo/H1DYPCsdzboZBILubN8h4bPSHeoVAp2UwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B22%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gPpiKo4eX5U/W4hI_Np4hpI/AAAAAAAAzVs/Rk353Ja9Sbg8Sk-pGyzLHyrWpYB8tQA_ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Also on the mudflats, were the distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a neat black cap and a long up-curved beak. It was busy wading and sweeping its beak back and forth to catch aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms that made up their diet. Approaching the deeper end, it swam readily and buoyantly, constantly up-ending like ducks. The Avocet was a very vocal bird, frequently giving a loud call which gave rise to the onomatopoeic Dutch name for the bird, kluut.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n66Vs-8fD1g/W4hI_36WfaI/AAAAAAAAzVw/RBA6TG60pn0148jOC0ROTChoqP8DswenwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B20%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TgvAi4Ux0D0/W4hJAmWgLkI/AAAAAAAAzV0/vCq3feu2uYc4IWAq8so5Yv4n20tr3zmtgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were chuffed to bits to be entertained with the courting behaviour of a pair of Common Terns. Courtship feeding was frequently seen in their breeding behaviour. In an effort to lure the female to its territory in the nesting area, the male carried a fish around the breeding colony and displayed it to prospective mates. He teased the female with the fish, not parting with his offering until she’d displayed to him sufficiently. Unfortunately, the female wasn’t interested and flew off, leaving the male still with the fish dangling from its beak. Hopefully, he would find a mate soon. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bOt0J-yFetk/W4hJBjpGk5I/AAAAAAAAzV8/YJi6s8RwWTg0azNg3P1rGByeDSfJgzg9gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B21%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oli7KAtGFhg/W4hJCdQ_MAI/AAAAAAAAzWA/8_-1JT1s0tgJ1kro_INROUbp-i3xkXNMgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B27%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The birds shrug off </em></strong><strong><em>the slant air, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>they plunge into the sea </em></strong><strong><em>and vanish </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>under the glassy edges </em></strong><strong><em>of the water, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>and then come back, </em></strong><strong><em>as white as snow, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gxIp1UVivHk/W4hJDYqhIdI/AAAAAAAAzWE/i0J6ltS6bbgyjcgtZ1QV3OF300iCwwhZgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KnWxUiBK_Vg/W4hJEHruB7I/AAAAAAAAzWI/wTArbDxW7A0MJ_L1CpuWhZsdX4fGInugACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>shaking themselves, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>shaking the little silver fish, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>crying out </em></strong><strong><em>in their own language, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>voices like rough bells-- </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>it's wonderful </em></strong><strong><em>and it happens whenever </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>the tide starts its gushing </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>journey back, every morning </em></strong><strong><em>or afternoon.</em></strong> <p align="center"><strong><em>~Mary Oliver ‘The Terns’~</em></strong><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M2rmvXVvcqM/W4hJFJAjQUI/AAAAAAAAzWM/CKVbCqnG09Y8p4woARV8t2HQF7zVMf5cwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HGv0dVyaCoo/W4hJF4Ls1iI/AAAAAAAAzWQ/EHWLMvAXhbEBouJUOSxQRrOOPS30shvAgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-X14-C13--19-05-%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We didn’t stay long after that and made our way to the car. We made a pit stop at Rushy Hide to see if Monty was around but he still hadn’t turned up. Sage was having a siesta under the hot afternoon sun, keeping her eggs snug and safe. In the car, we’d a quick lunch of cheese and onion pasties washed down with steaming coffee from the thermos. We wanted to hit the road before the FA cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea. It was a full-on day in the UK because in the morning the women enjoyed the Royal Wedding and in the evening, football for the men. We reached home just in time for the match to start. Eden Hazard penalty brought the Emirates FA Cup for Chelsea. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nNP8rvTf1MI/W4hJGvaSudI/AAAAAAAAzWU/dSGS1FN4g4AaYPTENknU0Elaq1uyNieiACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--30-05-2018-14-19%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tnie7aoV_Ss/W4hJHWH5HeI/AAAAAAAAzWY/JaEpV5dHBs8iL3yXISxnspRNtrPq9kzLQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--30-05-2018-14-19?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also checked out a Steampunk Festival at the Coventry Transport Museum. I was intrigued by this subgenre and wanted to check what it was about. When we arrived, the organisers were just setting things up. There were a few bits and bobs about and we gave them a glance over. While waiting for things to happen, we went into the Museum to kill some time. Inside, there were stalls selling Steampunk, gothic and neo-Victorian memorabilia. They should have these outside where the public could see them, have a poke around and thus adding some vibes to quite a sombre festival.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mHCKt1dnwAs/W4hJIS1L5OI/AAAAAAAAzWc/-XV_u-c-nckPPu8rab6dcJ3jM95iJz7wACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--20-05-2018-12-41-46"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry D3100b 20-05-2018 12-41-46" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 20-05-2018 12-41-46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9XMGgN08mJU/W4hJJDGqnlI/AAAAAAAAzWg/aYVLLi2JhDkZAGGYYAMn5aRBSi_j3zXSACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--20-05-2018-12-41-46%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Steampunk was a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporated technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Although its literary origins were sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre, steampunk works were often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a future during which steam power had maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly used steam power. <p><sup><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OnC-6lOdEQI/W4hJKLiUtcI/AAAAAAAAzWk/BQ6D1fp68yQcTRIzyK2-fb0fvkjRQkTGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200--20-05-2018-13-15-022%255B2%255D"><img width="566" height="484" title="Coventry D7200 20-05-2018 13-15-022" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D7200 20-05-2018 13-15-022" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-31xgalUkkpM/W4hJK-jrttI/AAAAAAAAzWo/MytQxtxtQZg75ahMsJkCZOgug-ifBFkkQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200--20-05-2018-13-15-022%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></sup><p>Steampunk also referred to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures that had developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, art nouveau design, and films from the mid-20th century. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists had been described as steampunk. This was what was mainly displayed during the festival. About 50 people were all dressed up and swaying to the music of the era, while the rest just looked on.<p><sup><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ssWRe4d4A5A/W4hJL5OsQBI/AAAAAAAAzWs/_3qSETwvjRMS170KDP-j0VJfxqdyY9eEgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--20-05-2018-13-16-12%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry D3100b 20-05-2018 13-16-12" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D3100b 20-05-2018 13-16-12" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHXZppmrxYA/W4hJM47ColI/AAAAAAAAzWw/ms1tYFu7u4otzhs5H3oKual-qexwZdUlwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--20-05-2018-13-16-12?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></sup><p>We left the Steampunk era and headed to a world which we were more in tune with. At our favourite playground, we headed straight to Baldwin Hide where we encountered at least half-dozen dragonflies nymphs or naiads crawling out of the water, preparing to join the world above the water. They slowly clamber up the wall where they latched to hard surface to molt one last time. There were a few on the window and even on the ceiling. It was magical. Dragonflies undergo incomplete, or hemimetabolous metamorphosis, so they moved from egg to nymph to adult with no pupal stage. It was a challenge to take photographs in the dark hide that we decided to kidnap one and watched it at home. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rKBrMfbc70k/W4hJNhegZvI/AAAAAAAAzW4/0YvkvwN6SlMsXnnRIGkdArjD2o3LSvMOwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-14-49-4%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98DASsM4IjM/W4hJOYsUwDI/AAAAAAAAzW8/3vbL8E9TsSYoXzlb5TByofZJFy7n466eQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-14-49-4%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We carefully put one in a specimen container which I always carry with me and drove straight home. We took it in the shady part of the garden and watched it clambered up the fence and latched itself to a surface where it was comfortable. This appeared to be a laborious process as the adult dragonfly was just about to burst out of an exoskeleton that was much too small and the nymph practically dragged its body up the fence. A nymph breathe through gills inside its rectum which propelled it forward.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GNPYmlODObc/W4hJPdcRgZI/AAAAAAAAzXA/UP0AF8_V2cMg7WHjRVz2ebpCAeHAQ933gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-09-5%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="435" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rxvSWjIAkiY/W4hJQFourtI/AAAAAAAAzXE/7MhgKA_n64859vvRds5hPu1v0m4_uuxHACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-09-5?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">Eventually, the dragonfly the exoskeleton broke open along the thorax and begins to spill out of the hole. The head was extracted first. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9vL-t9zfuA4/W4hJRXHJ4mI/AAAAAAAAzXI/7jCVtndUK64BtXjK4C04hG0ENFDx7GawQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-11-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LIk3ogoKS8U/W4hJSOEVzCI/AAAAAAAAzXM/8n3ND-jGdmcoMPaSF5vGiYnbMcTvn45vACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-11-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z62QnxAWAoE/W4hJTLEWDuI/AAAAAAAAzXQ/7TqQ9EFqxR4qY7wmB4KqaeHm1JN_VVq0wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-12-0%255B1%255D"><img width="578" height="484" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KAL2cNAhF1c/W4hJUOyEALI/AAAAAAAAzXU/GQadYHKUUd8Pr_LujRcE9P5pxmoWdZYugCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-12-0?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">The dragonfly began to drag its soft, squishy body out of the nymphal exoskeleton. It started bending its body over backwards, using gravity to help pull its head and thorax down to extract its abdomen.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-og9T3m2E-Ls/W4hJU6QETNI/AAAAAAAAzXY/T8KTdNBHg44sbBefMTAL6-Uq7VZPgTTSgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-27-5"><img width="644" height="433" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KpmMlFgTAMU/W4hJV-FS-uI/AAAAAAAAzXc/kp1R6on4QcMSYXmHXhEdIkytwDs3Sa1lgCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-27-5%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dq4SPpoLr1M/W4hJWriagaI/AAAAAAAAzXg/FPVgSSAY5Tsn1RLpsN1Msk8mgNLumGMVwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-31-4"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lt8ANpSA61k/W4hJXlRlptI/AAAAAAAAzXk/KEocuQ3GbWIwj_JDjYdpR7rnmqvnLYLoACHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-31-4%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">Eventually it rested on for a while, pumping haemolymph into its wings to extend them fully and and stretched them all the way out. We watched in awe as the body began extending, getting longer and longer.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I2PK8PUD2gg/W4hJYbc9z8I/AAAAAAAAzXo/IhmV5CkFVY4xRWqEU7Yfup0aVp3dyJoqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-32-5"><img width="566" height="484" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_xBKNEdybvo/W4hJZPGxbhI/AAAAAAAAzXs/Eqdgk_1yvyACrjibFKRqtbdPBJDf0efNgCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--28-05-2018-15-32-5%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">All insects shed all of their exoskeleton when they molt, which included the exoskeleton-lined respiratory system.</p><p align="center"> The little white strings hanging out of that shed exoskeleton was the shed respiratory system. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R3iJoBbLu7M/W4hJaegF3NI/AAAAAAAAzXw/ranxfOnVE1EPcGVxnBsO6u9xo7buRffMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--28-05-2018-15-49-0208"><img width="644" height="484" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MRAIZqaLgMU/W4hJbbm93MI/AAAAAAAAzX0/Lvv8VopC-toy6N2EmwGA2yrzSeThHXIGgCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--28-05-2018-15-49-020_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">At this point, it had dried its wings sufficiently to move them out to its sides, holding them in the manner characteristic of dragonflies. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fo2KV-njWeU/W4hJcKjx-yI/AAAAAAAAzX4/AYo81WUBC6UV0uPTsURifMx1QpdoRhsggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--28-05-2018-15-47-444"><img width="599" height="484" title="Shots from Home - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B22U4zr2YOs/W4hJdEk2GpI/AAAAAAAAzX8/gt2fPs7E8uA7z1RNXf71juU6SKXBvMR2wCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--28-05-2018-15-47-44_t?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it climbed up to the top of the fence. We held our breath and waited, There was a slight breeze. It tested the winds with its wings and flew off, ready to spend its short live and leaving its old life behind. We were sad to see it go and a bit apprehensive. This newly emerged dragonfly, referred as a teneral adult, was soft bodied and pale, and highly venerable to predators. But the Common Darter zoomed off confidently. We’d seen dragonflies flying in and out of our garden which meant there was a pond nearby. Down the road, there was also little brook where it could hang around.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m_TRZ0k67GQ/W4hJd846dhI/AAAAAAAAzYA/QScwwyHAElcEEF0HhgZEkkWPH6MOlZWIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--30-05-2018-15-58%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xg_Q8XDVgXI/W4hJerQC_AI/AAAAAAAAzYE/4jjx6GX4q98YsQ5aV7muvNh_Y7WboOibwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--30-05-2018-15-58%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">It had been an amazing process. Babe also videoed the whole sequence and it took us nearly 2 hours from nymph to an adult. We’d just witnessed Mother Nature at her best.</p><p>To celebrate, we made falafel to break our fast. It was a traditional Middle Eastern snack that most likely originated in Egypt. It was yummy and very crispy. I must remember to bake it for 20 minutes the next time.</p><p align="center"><em><strong>Falafel</strong></em></p><ul><li><div align="center"><em><strong>2 tbsp </strong></em><em><strong>olive oil</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>1 small </strong></em><em><strong>onion</strong></em><em><strong> finely chopped
</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>1 </strong></em><em><strong>garlic</strong></em><em><strong> clove, crushed
</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>1 x 400g can </strong></em><em><strong>chickpeas</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>2 tsp ground </strong></em><em><strong>cumin</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>1 tsp mixed herbs
</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>1 </strong></em><em><strong>lemon</strong></em><em><strong>, zest grated
</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><em><strong>salt and </strong></em><em><strong>black pepper</strong></em></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>2 tbsp tahini</em></strong></div></li><li><p align="center"><em><strong>Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small pan. Fry onion over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further two minutes and remove from the heat. </strong></em></p><li><p align="center"><em><strong>Drain and rinse the chickpeas and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the sautéed onion and garlic and crush together with a potato masher until the mixture is broken down.</strong></em></p><li><p align="center"><em><strong>Add cumin, mixed herbs, tahini and lemon zest and mix well. Taste, season, and mix together. </strong></em></p><li><p align="center"><em><strong>Preheat the oven to 200C. Divide the mixture into 16 walnut-sized balls and place on a non-stick baking tray. Rest in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.</strong></em></p><li><p align="center"><em><strong>Remove the falafel from the fridge, drizzle with the remaining oil and bake for 25 minutes, or until crisp and golden-brown. Turn occasionally to ensure even cooking.</strong></em> </p></li><li><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cQd3P98bgg/W4hJfV3x33I/AAAAAAAAzYI/sk06-n-2i2o-0Hg07OuJJn5Y_tbjsuCAQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-DX--27-05-2018-16-45-3%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7wXN1iD76yw/W4hJgHNrWPI/AAAAAAAAzYM/WEF1gIiAgfIoNBvEOcI40sxyoI8gVcDXwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-DX--27-05-2018-16-45-3?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p></li></ul>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-37580743445324261382018-08-20T14:01:00.001-07:002018-08-23T13:44:00.558-07:00Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair<div align="left">
Despite the harsh spring weather, the garden was coming into its own. As the bulbs faded and herbaceous grew in leap and bound, it was clear that summer was here to stay. It was also time to get back into the lawn mowing regime, as the grass and the weeds were loving the warmer temperatures. It was a very good excuse to get a new lawnmower as our old one had gone to mow the lawn in the sky. Lush growth everywhere after the glorious spring blossoms and butterflies and bugs started appearing. A juvenile Blackbird and a Marsh tit was a welcome sight. The garden was alive and colourful again. </div>
<div align="left">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gdZfVcreTBM/W3srCOklhgI/AAAAAAAAzNA/-mb0cz-5M0gAxG0Z6uYtQIP1Vt8FXDgFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-31-00%255B1%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lvlZ40GAmAg/W3srDCqEW3I/AAAAAAAAzNE/ThdqFzRLuGQALtZBpBjM_YRQiMrWvqobQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-31-00?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i>Come into the garden, Maud,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> For the black bat, night, has flown,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>Come into the garden, Maud,</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sJRDG1fWhYM/W3srD3nIM5I/AAAAAAAAzNI/NF2WTcQFWjETLyaEgc_Wy_8PM3j05cRegCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--17-05-2018-14-36-314"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZnYWtWVT27g/W3srElO9HPI/AAAAAAAAzNM/sYVYaGnjBgwt5QutsugTUnMfO6q0EYgAQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--17-05-2018-14-36-31_t?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> I am here at the gate alone;</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad,</i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"><b><i> </i></b></a></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i> And the musk of the rose is blown.</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>For a breeze of morning moves,</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KZBtVkDudLI/W3srFzkwUnI/AAAAAAAAzNQ/9klYqc67lJcStbWEdomvy5SG3lMYFgVqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-44-53%255B1%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hUNyO7sogU4/W3srG98VQRI/AAAAAAAAzNU/1kRTvgd1Q5Eb-Fs74K1ZIFnBYa3-5swMACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-44-53%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> And the planet of Love is on high,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>Beginning to faint in the light that she loves</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> On a bed of daffodil sky,</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EnVMQ4lDqWQ/W3srHsx7S7I/AAAAAAAAzNY/45VOqdq8_XY9oXXQ63GktEQSGmXgnBLKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-43-26%255B2%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4k-TgKv_qMI/W3srIeSo9NI/AAAAAAAAzNc/_QxpJa6LJagaI9ledPrSyOqWrJjZnyCUACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-43-26?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"><b><i> </i></b></a></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i>To faint in the light of the sun she loves,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> To faint in his light, and to die.</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>All night have the roses heard</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> The flute, violin, bassoon;</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-up6zg4O8OGM/W3srJFJ8q-I/AAAAAAAAzNg/AEajoWqbO2IVvqqtNZZSqSTPPw9q1ouEgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-22-24%255B2%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NY1LMbYtkQM/W3srKC3I6lI/AAAAAAAAzNk/o0NSaFpkQ50RSVaJYVuUlgQaD6OUQD8AACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-22-24%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>All night has the casement jessamine stirr’d</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i> To the dancers dancing in tune;</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>Till silence fell with the waking bird,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> And a hush with the setting moon.</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gtsiRfbIbY8/W3srK5nDytI/AAAAAAAAzNo/l0PjYhkd5eYDpsJsYhLYJM7_vzzlUmHgQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-05-2018-1%255B1%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GocKNZHVKKI/W3srL8DnmJI/AAAAAAAAzNs/9VqDUer48AUhOIOpusuNePAIkn1J4YizQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--16-05-2018-1?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>I said to the lily, “There is but one</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> With whom she has heart to be gay</i></b><b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i>When will the dancers leave her alone?</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> She is weary of dance and play.”</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-42J7KGMhwn8/W3srMv07vWI/AAAAAAAAzNw/CUUHB9qlExwzr_tRN5vTtBkCtL8YY-DtgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--28-05-2018-09-07-22%255B1%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--xU4vpMTGk4/W3srNvUdtCI/AAAAAAAAzN0/_jPK7yptdMktjJLWxRpkH40PwQOUwPLDgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--28-05-2018-09-07-22?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>Now half to the setting moon are gone,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="23"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> And half to the rising day;</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>Low on the sand and loud on the stone</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><br /></i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"><b><i> </i></b></a><b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZuCDHQwcS4I/W3srOQTRn5I/AAAAAAAAzN4/fDERso5YLOAPxYKAN-Jl5JiniyjrYXFMwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--17-05-2018-14-36-568"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JtH5KacSyQc/W3srPM1uEuI/AAAAAAAAzN8/uvDtmUFXES0HUOIM7XD1M2m8nVq84du2gCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--17-05-2018-14-36-56_t?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i> The last wheel echoes away.</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>I said to the rose, “The brief night goes</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> In babble and revel and wine.</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>O young lord-lover, what sighs are those,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> For one that will never be thine?</i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><br /></i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"><b><i> </i></b></a><b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w1_CJCr2eN8/W3srQOcQzbI/AAAAAAAAzOA/Duo_i4EDCYQcQ4aYZo9lb4J7lbLsxjy2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-23-25%255B2%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bwyr7KFRphU/W3srQ2bSqmI/AAAAAAAAzOE/Ccu7Tumj2XwPRI2ZNkbC3oWWVh8L-HTXgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-23-25%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i>But mine, but mine,” I sware to the rose,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="31"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> “For ever and ever, mine.”</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="32"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>And the soul of the rose went into my blood,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="33"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i> As the music clash’d in the hall:</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="34"></a><br />
<div align="center">
<b><i>And long by the garden lake I stood,</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="35"><b><i> </i></b></a><b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-LpdmydHlU/W3srRhQXnVI/AAAAAAAAzOI/KnpK29mqObU0jMQr_niMo7hJzr-VNYusACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-25-36"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wF6lpekYU7g/W3srSXrk_0I/AAAAAAAAzOM/dGu9Q1r8Qt0y4nnbwhppTbNoDUjE88NcQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-25-36%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i> For I heard your rivulet fall</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="36"></a><br />
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<b><i>From the lake to the meadow and on to the wood,</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="37"></a><br />
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<b><i> Our wood, that is dearer than all;</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="38"></a><br />
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<b><i>From the meadow your walks have left so sweet</i></b></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39"></a><br />
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<b><i> That whenever a March-wind sighs</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="40"><b><i> </i></b></a><b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gVeUH5v4NPk/W3srTR9KVOI/AAAAAAAAzOQ/NMgnEiq7cDgr6LQD8ZhvNv9tP1otDcj_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-36-27%255B2%255D"><img alt="Shots from Home - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yUXNk25cAE/W3srUVV5eEI/AAAAAAAAzOU/r5-aKeDFKpkG_5Wj_J7eIwUHrqQ_afSjQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--07-05-2018-08-36-27?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Shots from Home - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i>~Alfred Tennyson, ‘Come into the garden, Maud’~</i></b></div>
We made several trips to our favourite playground and spent hours at the hide, observing and photographing Mother Nature at her best. As soon as we parked the car, we were greeted by this handsome Swallow checking us out. It was lovely to see him on the wire as they usually spent most of their time on the wing. Highly adapted to aerial feeding, they were extremely agile in flight. They had arrived from South Africa, flying over the Sahara to breed here. Now was the time to rest and replenish before finding a mate.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vQhzF-47Ne8/W3srVO7xzXI/AAAAAAAAzOY/JuLoWdF2ifMyjH5qg8Bu86wPvy05NY0kQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B13%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jCg3fvrYwRQ/W3srV_rWEDI/AAAAAAAAzOc/eJaUFwJjoLAqSgS41IHE-eSX9BV8ymkWQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
When we walked through the visitor centre into the courtyard, we were greeted my this Pied wagtail with a beakful of juicy morsels. She was watching us, waiting for us to move away so that she could feed her chicks. After posing for a few photographs, we left her in peace. She had a nest under the solar panels where she’d been using for a couple of years. The eggs were incubated for 13 days and the nestlings fledged after 14-15 days.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N8uoCqASMO0/W3srWsBJtVI/AAAAAAAAzOg/ZuaZGAvQ1J4R6tnYjwo9bkPMhXb1ksVIwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-05-2%255B2%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wvtOzbzraV4/W3srXg21dyI/AAAAAAAAzOk/81VX9fMVwroS50Sia-TJ8duheelIRFYAACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-05-2?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
At Baldwin Hide, we checked the courting behaviour of the Common Terns. They had arrived from their wintering grounds along the coasts of the tropics and southern hemispheres, These delightful silvery-grey and white birds had long tails which earned them the nickname ‘sea-swallow’. They’d buoyant, graceful flight and hovered over water before plunging down for a fish. The long pointed wings gave them the fast, buoyant flight. They were noisy in company and bred in colonies. . <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4lCo6OQ9o8/W3srYYdB1VI/AAAAAAAAzOo/qnfdmx_qB8IStLZLR0hluuagPDBzBQc1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--09-05-2018"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YN1IjXu4nmU/W3srZdGCFFI/AAAAAAAAzOs/vENGXOvlifslgkVYOdD-sFQOcTw1posZQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--09-05-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
The male had selected a nesting territory a few days after his arrival and was joined by his previous partner unless she was more than 5 days late, in which case the pair may separate. Pairs were established through aerial courtship displays in which they flew in wide circles, calling all the while, before descending together in zigzag glides. On the ground, he courted her by circling her with his tail and neck raised, head pointing down, and wings partially open. When she responded, they adopted a posture with both head pointing upwards. Then the magic began<img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6RzmuXanPfY/W3srZwbnS3I/AAAAAAAAzOw/jHua8xhTvRQ_cozxXrl1Mo-SzE9Bc-UEgCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800" /><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fiqV2JOe4VY/W3srbJTj5jI/AAAAAAAAzO0/cOdlvZdQALUrS26cok12pkoiZngu3aC3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-05-2%255B1%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-omIPDtHjYPU/W3srbw3F-eI/AAAAAAAAzO4/DH6qAcO0ZrEJvIGc1MH3axWOxiVF6NifQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-05-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
Three floating pontoons were specially erected for the Terns but unfortunately one was occupied by a pair of nesting Canada Geese. One unhappy Tern showed his displeasure with an alarm call, opened his wings, raised his tail and bowed his head to show his black cap to the goose. Unfortunately, the nesting pair was here to stay until the goslings hatched. Until then, the Tern might have to find another pontoon. The nest might be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but was often lined with whatever debris was available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns provided camouflage. Incubation was by both sexes and the eggs hatched in around 21-22 days. The downy chicks will fledged in 22-28 days. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I_dygUe653I/W3srcgEROnI/AAAAAAAAzPA/T8PiNIpy_bQSSM0SQwMDeGfa3D_vs_BlgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--09-05-2018-"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s3tYO8dW9kQ/W3srd1OCrNI/AAAAAAAAzPE/1yHvZVUSauEUfnGy3LQ1kKXTvlKg6APlgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--09-05-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
We were chuffed to bits when we found out that the Oystercatcher which was nesting by the island had a chick. We couldn’t see it at first because it was so well camouflaged. We knew it would appear as soon as one of its parent arrived. Chicks often remained hidden under vegetation, rocks, etc, and this behaviour probably reduced the risk of predation. The egg had hatched after being incubated between 24-39 days. The parents shared parental duties such as incubating the eggs, brooding the young chicks, chasing potential predators and provisioning the chicks until well after fledging. The parents then flew in with their distinctive and shrill piping ‘kleep, kleep’ calls. Their loud calls and gregarious behaviour made them harder to miss.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbR-VBUyFnM/W3srex7u5eI/AAAAAAAAzPI/yHB1r7m98CIOZCDDWYkm_QApP9RGAub8ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2%255B7%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2S-DLmzAOyU/W3srfmkM1KI/AAAAAAAAzPM/5-qtiSN72YsIoJrWXeMmedWnPSzKdK36gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
The downy chick had a tiny, weeny black bill, pale-mid grey upper parts with black markings and off white underparts. It was totally dependent in its parents for food until it could fly. It would fledged in 33 days but still dependant on its parents for food, and often seen begging from their parents well after fledging. Their main diet was shellfish and included mussels, cockles, clams and limpets but for the chick, it was earthworms and insect larvae. Oystercatchers were also one of the few species of waders that carried food to their young. Only one item of prey was carried per trip. One of the parent was also prising or hammering open a mussel with its strong, flattened orange bill.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3hRMsPBPhM4/W3srgplw1YI/AAAAAAAAzPU/F8STXtoaCooRS_E3ADmOcGKWVBWsIEQLACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vtU_IgYFtP0/W3sriTxaLdI/AAAAAAAAzPY/sijyH2uHUc4oqEOWW6q54X5MDIO8NoXiACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
A Greylag came quite close to the chick and one of the parent literally flew towards it, using the long orange-red bill as a weapon. It was dive-bombing, making contact and screeching its head off. During the breeding season, pairs aggressively defended their territory. Chicks were vigorously defended by both parents, often well after fledging. This was because they only made one nesting attempt per breeding season, which was timed over the summer months. Usually, the pair returned to the same mate and territory year after year.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dM5gCQU2Y7U/W3srjSIChxI/AAAAAAAAzPc/aPCK8Q8sJp4h-EwL3SSspzo38ynEry0swCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2%255B6%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ikZr0i-1dNI/W3srkOYjAGI/AAAAAAAAzPg/LvaEwhr4Dm4wpX8YMQYUJDmw_hbsVJc6ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-05-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
The chick left the nest within one or two days of hatching. Although it was dependent on its parents for food and protection, this little guy was quite independent and was wandering along the mudflats, under the watchful eyes of its parents. But if it sensed danger, it will freeze. Chicks were warned of danger with a sharp, loud ‘chip’ or ‘click’. I found it so adorable that it found the heat unbearable and was finding shelter under a bush. Soon, it would have a dark tip to the bill, browner dorsal plumage and grey legs.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7oyi-6jvyQ/W3srlcNshvI/AAAAAAAAzPk/8RrAxFk7_-wYpCHPh_9geV_4p4C001RUACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2%255B8%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4bDdoYuR_DM/W3srmCE-HZI/AAAAAAAAzPs/aIXrUSzrOrA_QecCohWWzjTYTpecRlN7QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
The Oystercatcher family had shared the island with a family of Coots. It was quite incredible to see two very territorial birds nesting on a small island. After being incubated by both parents for 21-26 days, 4 adorable ‘cootlings’ were hatched. The chicks were precocial, but were brooded at the nest for the first 3-4 days.They were black with scattered yellow down around the head. The bare crown was reddish. The bills and the very small shield were red. Eyes were hazel to grey-brown.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ox5sev7wLcI/W3srnEoPsuI/AAAAAAAAzPw/cmhpXSY7qX0V5tUH54JVmbu_rYHASyq9wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14--26-05-2018-"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6EYp4YJxSxA/W3sroOwTDdI/AAAAAAAAzP0/RansHou4nn0KYCPEKdfcr6ORwWsaFhtJwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14--26-05-2018-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
There were lots of short contact calls ‘kow’, ‘kowk’, ‘kup’ or sharp ‘kik’. The parent used several foraging methods such as scraping algae from substrate, gleaning, dabbling, upending, diving and grazing for seeds, aquatic plants, worms, leeches and insects. Food was brought up to the surface rather than eaten underwater and fed first bill to bill by both parents. Coots could be very brutal to their own young under pressure such as lack of food, and they would attacked their own chicks when they begged for food. Thankfully, there was an abundant of food here.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9jD7XqIqZo/W3srpQR5czI/AAAAAAAAzP8/fmjkDx4WzOEpNj6K3cS_FS0WwrrJBPlggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2%255B3%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5s94fxpKTI/W3srqO3sZ2I/AAAAAAAAzQA/dmt3Q9fwELERNfXfnnjaxp0Py02RWlNfgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
From time to time, we could hear the Cuckoo calling and the calls were getting closer and closer. But first, we’d to stop at East Marsh Hide and it was like a waders creche. On the main island, was another family of Oystercatchers with 3 adorable chicks. That was a full house and trying to keep an eye on them was going to be a nightmare for the parents. Since the island was overpopulated with families of Canada Geese, Lapwings and Mallards, they were moving off to another island. Unfortunately, one of the chicks wasn’t too keen to swim across and kept on turning back. But Dad was there to keep him in line.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fNobaUVe_jc/W3srrXW2DeI/AAAAAAAAzQE/P-ucfUOlbdwWfU2Ub9wGyMXqib9GhN_swCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--18-05-20%255B1%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUuQC_s1TzA/W3srsXzz7XI/AAAAAAAAzQI/P5qkb6XT6zEhOQpNgihnxleAevqMKpg6ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--18-05-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
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<b><i>The gulled sky shrieks above a mournful sea; <br />In the grey austerity, the wind moans.<br />Like candyfloss, spun by the waves, <br />The spindrift balloons above the billows.<br />Stunted, tenebrous trees claw at the waves<br />Which gargle and gurgle through time-worn stones.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tD2tiIBx-MA/W3srtjgqbVI/AAAAAAAAzQM/MS839Yzj7gs_yGAxx4J76uQjFZ5MLNnJgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018%255B1%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c4f6EBqhxhE/W3srudeUDsI/AAAAAAAAzQQ/U4KI_RUUDpUOrIee3biIa-VZC8_T7Pg6gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br />Bladderwracked rocks peep from the Stygian depths, <br />Then disappear below the breathing tide.<br />The brittle reek of iodine and kelp <br />Pervades this melancholic atmosphere.<br />Flashing white "V"s, screaming over the waves, <br />Suddenly a flight of oystercatchers</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wkdpcyX_iak/W3srvULXNeI/AAAAAAAAzQU/-B38lECSqmsZznxghkqniH5I2G-7qXR7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018%255B5%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TSeCR2MzpLc/W3srwBrw3GI/AAAAAAAAzQc/XxmxC2AZTwwgGJLs264ickx97b_FbwC_gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />With their insistent whistling, hits the shore.<br />Scuttering in the receding water, <br />Their orange bills probe like nodding donkeys.<br />They're happy enough in their quest for food, <br />Immune to man's weather-born changing moods<br />And unconcerned about the gathering storm.</i></b> </div>
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<b><i>~William Messent ‘Oystercatchers’~</i></b></div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z--AAprzPjI/W3srw69vYLI/AAAAAAAAzQg/CAsusVaWnVkgQgx3vLpYHeVmDYniMeu6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018%255B6%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNvB--RmX08/W3srx4MkfkI/AAAAAAAAzQk/9p7pvqiFNYYfWJNdfHh74hbHBuSaWzgVACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--13-05-2018%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
A Lapwing chick was on the mudflat and was waving the family bon voyage. It was covered in down when it hatched and was able to walk and feed within hours. All Lapwing chicks are nidifugous, leaving the scrape or nest shortly after hatching to wander, still downy and on disproportionately long legs. This chick was very independent, spending time foraging for invertebrates around the edges of the mudflats. However, it still relied on its mother to brood, as it was unable to regulate its own body temperature. It was also vulnerable at this age, relying on its parent to alarm call at the sign of danger and on its camouflage to protect from predation.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8SAUZv5ru8/W3sryzYwNBI/AAAAAAAAzQo/dOCUR4zGpkMhyX9pNuS8D3wXyAmLPuV0gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--16-05-20"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0zUQJJ9qxI/W3srzg5SL3I/AAAAAAAAzQs/WxtijvnozIcQgJ7HqxPJMFEZsGJnmjehwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--16-05-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
Its parent was keeping an eye on a pair of Little Ring Plovers. The nest and chicks were defended noisily and aggressively against all intruders but the Plovers were much more interested in foraging. Small and rotund waders, they foraged for invertebrates and crustaceans in a very distinct way; standing and watching, running forward, pecking, daintily picking up morsels of food then standing still again. It was quite cute to watch them scuttering across the mudflat, sometimes energetically trampling around on the sand to flush prey out of hiding places.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eyTwBWAJM8c/W3sr0jjAtpI/AAAAAAAAzQw/vYc58uE_GlkosGQ3aXqPUW-FE50iQPalwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B7%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWIvNvYDK0Y/W3sr1r2vcqI/AAAAAAAAzQ4/4UKMBV7E9yQa4RbSjx-eTGDmLeD3H4AuwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
A male Muntjac made an appearance on Wigeon Bank. Bucks had short antlers growing from long pedicles which were usually unbranched. The visible upper canine or tusks suggested that they were primitive species. There was a ginger forehead with pronounced black lines running up the pedicles. He was feeding on the young shoots as he walked along the path into the other deeper parts of the reserve. Muntjac were known as ‘barking deer’ from the repeated loud barks given under a number of circumstances but I’d never heard them.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UAtVAxgrbcE/W3sr2s0Mf8I/AAAAAAAAzQ8/ukjhDC3v9xEWpAOSI65W0iVMuAuwJpk6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--16-05-2018%255B1%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pb2p7jau_Mc/W3sr3vZICuI/AAAAAAAAzRA/ixgJaNSSdMAudY4V-eoaO4a7GPuEfhgpgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--16-05-2018?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
When we heard the Cuckoo calls getting closer, we made our way to Ted Jury hide. But, I had to stop to photograph this Orange Tip, my first photograph of the year. It was true sign of spring being one of the first species to emerge that hadn’t overwintered as an adult. I’d seen them earlier but they were always fluttering about. This butterfly do not form discrete colonies and wandered in every direction as it flew along the hedgerows and woodland margins looking for a mate, nectar sources or foodplants. This was a male with the orange tips to the forewings which were absent in the female.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-riE2FR0EqxU/W3sr4WO6LMI/AAAAAAAAzRE/b2t2DQPFI80DwHEVCbHZK4XUyWyVHDJZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--13-05-2018-15-%255B2%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CWA2m3OHQE/W3sr5YgJEnI/AAAAAAAAzRI/q_YiOvD5OPMgUaoMayx_JuqbPASqK-k1QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--13-05-2018-15-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
We continued walking and was distracted by a small olive-brown warbler actively flitting through the trees with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. It was picking insects from the trees and often flew out to snap them up in flight. When it settled on a branch, we found out that it was a Chiffchaff. At this rate we will never reach Ted Jury. This warbler got its name from its simple distinctive, repetitive cheerful chiff-chaff. This song was one of the first avian signs that spring had returned. But in summer, after finding a mate, it went quiet.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jgyV1gpapfs/W3sr6Ezh4QI/AAAAAAAAzRM/Gu-QJGM1BB8QkncfYXhgFz-JCRxbrB4YgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WV-pzpLqb3w/W3sr6-Hn4NI/AAAAAAAAzRQ/8-t-kYJKvhEpZlMYZZKy-hKow6S9rDcZwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--26-05-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
Finally, we were at Ted Jury and just in time for the Cuckoo, a dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white underparts. They were summer visitors and well-known brood parasites with the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially Meadow pipits, Dunnocks and Reed warblers. Only the male cuckoo calls cuckoo while the female’s bubbling call was often said to resemble the sound of bath water running out when the plug was pulled. Unfortunately I’d never heard the female’s call. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sv_NhYHr1sk/W3sr7shjZ8I/AAAAAAAAzRU/pq_xvwaVoqs32pRGAZ8fa2Vt4irghf16wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--18-05-20%255B4%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5SciHqOHu4/W3sr8eQNHoI/AAAAAAAAzRY/MuguI8KH9vsssGAntKcvQIk8RdOJTm2ZQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-BB-C13--18-05-20?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
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<b><i>O blithe New-comer! I have heard, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>I hear thee and rejoice. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>O Cuckoo! shall I call thee Bird, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Or but a wandering Voice? </i></b></div>
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<b><i>While I am lying on the grass </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Thy twofold shout I hear; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>From hill to hill it seems to pass, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>At once far off, and near. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Though babbling only to the Vale </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Of sunshine and of flowers, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Thou bringest unto me a tale </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Of visionary hours. </i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQ9yrkVD5lk/W3sr9dlFV1I/AAAAAAAAzRc/BDjv1KeZtqEbq7oy1pVOhnKnmNyHm-aOgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B17%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iM3MsJSAfN8/W3sr-a8cTuI/AAAAAAAAzRg/3_g6IrZUKvAwWJ5bKEnU257LpSfJ90X2ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Thrice welcome, darling of the Spring! </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Even yet thou art to me </i></b></div>
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<b><i>No bird, but an invisible thing, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>A voice, a mystery; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>The same whom in my school-boy days </i></b></div>
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<b><i>I listened to; that Cry </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Which made me look a thousand ways </i></b></div>
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<b><i>In bush, and tree, and sky. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>To seek thee did I often rove </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Through woods and on the green; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>And thou wert still a hope, a love; </i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXlL-EgaUTA/W3sr_GROL7I/AAAAAAAAzRk/OrJGjS6tb8gaBCq3t3zisSlye8pgPIkiACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B16%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y84YrkM7OrA/W3sr_yHpnhI/AAAAAAAAzRs/1CBONkJ648g3JkX045qB5GCygR2pe_DTgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Still longed for, never seen. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>And I can listen to thee yet; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Can lie upon the plain </i></b></div>
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<b><i>And listen, till I do beget </i></b></div>
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<b><i>That golden time again. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>O blessèd Bird! the earth we pace </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Again appears to be </i></b></div>
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<b><i>An unsubstantial, faery place; </i></b></div>
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<b><i>That is fit home for Thee!</i></b> </div>
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<b><i>William Wordsworth ‘To the Cuckoo’</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0p2eh_QPSk/W3ssA65CZYI/AAAAAAAAzRw/Lbelps-Xj-kx-WeaZwyNMkfHdOV3lqQTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B15%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cDRE0kw0jPw/W3ssBadwD2I/AAAAAAAAzR0/6aVf-CUf_0cfaC2f96mewIpDAw1L4_qsgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a></i></b></div>
After the pair had gone, a Hobby did a fly-past with its long pointed wings. Hobbies were flying aces among Falcons. Cutting and swirling through the air with graceful beats of their long wings, performing agile and daring manoeuvres. Dragonflies and other insects were easily snatched right out of the air, while Swifts and Swallows were swooped on with deadly speed. They were the only falcon that spent the winter months south of the Sahara desert and also the only falcon that bred in Britain to have a red under-tail coverts and ‘trousers’. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RD7oUqWMzns/W3ssCDYznBI/AAAAAAAAzR4/TQfAUaDW650m1FwdFy_NBqc4c-mmLdXVwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--13-05-2018-%255B2%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XEBaRq9lKW4/W3ssC4rT1NI/AAAAAAAAzR8/hEdNpYJkDkcorK9Xu-O2gRFaHtjNZYJRQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--13-05-2018-?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
A Great Spotted woodpecker flew onto the nearby tree. It was a female because there were no red markings on the neck or head. It was clinging to the tree trunk hunting for insects, larvae, ants and spiders in the nooks and crevices. Easily accessible items were picked off the barks or from fissures in the bark, but larvae were extracted by chiselling holes and trapping them with the tongue. The stiff tail feathers were used as a prop against the trunk. Then it flew off with a very distinctive bouncing flight.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PUJ8OmLiI8Y/W3ssDhYH_VI/AAAAAAAAzSA/NUxE4LQ9B5sZu3x8vKnWUaYI4DQ_UA_ngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B5%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3JfFvSSYs7Q/W3ssEiTmsFI/AAAAAAAAzSE/RHHUGAB3tawGMPY0K_vkoBx1QolUbn31ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--15-05-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
After all the excitement, we thought of chilling out at Steely Hide before heading home. But then, the Kingfisher appeared and all you could hear were our cameras rattling again. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hDEiZQ5cmCQ/W3ssFvw85NI/AAAAAAAAzSI/urohkosOspEfM8cZOuZuTrbG3mfqw300ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B5%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9SH6L-755c/W3ssGfBIIOI/AAAAAAAAzSM/fJyUpa42WqgYaoRPCkurbORMziMG_9G9gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />
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<b><i>It was the Rainbow gave thee birth,<br />And left thee all her lovely hues;<br />And, as her mother’s name was Tears,<br />So runs it in my blood to choose<br />For haunts the lonely pools, and keep<br />In company with trees that weep.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8kUYXDaXJqQ/W3ssHAKv__I/AAAAAAAAzSQ/MAKCDckmrlo6T8jCTnaozMG_QUWdYCZggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B4%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4FxNllD00o/W3ssH6UnESI/AAAAAAAAzSU/BF2PVOcyXyg2JiG4_52XbsZxbVSplvTywCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />Go you and, with such glorious hues,<br />Live with proud peacocks in green parks;<br />On lawns as smooth as shining glass,<br />Let every feather show its marks;<br />Get thee on boughs and clap thy wings<br />Before the windows of proud kings.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C1DhLeKiOfo/W3ssItO93xI/AAAAAAAAzSY/o7a6t7rJkzk16XFodGszFiYzi08hA477gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B2%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RvH_ZewbWB0/W3ssJTmuUjI/AAAAAAAAzSc/Q8LySOiY9pE_uLTLVlEaM33qrhgxRuwTwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="644" /></a><br />Nay, lovely Bird, thou art not vain;<br />Thou hast no proud, ambitious mind;<br />I also love a quiet place<br />That’s green, away from all mankind;<br />A lonely pool, and let a tree<br />Sigh with her bosom over me.</i></b> </div>
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<i><b>William Henry Davies ‘The Kingfisher’</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7yNs1FKB4ec/W3ssKD5xFaI/AAAAAAAAzSg/58vi-qqwttYd_9eb3rKyBWxeQJ2RLFZHgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B7%255D"><img alt="Brandon Marsh - May" border="0" height="484" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1SjgcDMpCxA/W3ssK9xYf1I/AAAAAAAAzSk/zYtAUaKDqT8OFyoil-ScRemz8ilicM4rwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--31-05-2018%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="Brandon Marsh - May" width="599" /></a></div>
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Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-63436362082770937522018-08-10T14:58:00.001-07:002018-08-10T14:58:16.385-07:00Come we to the summer<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z55eSQIS-fY/W24Io2TA89I/AAAAAAAAzB4/h8ebT1gPXFEDDp12atiXeBxfsMK23iE6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U96tKXSqFZ0/W24Iqaip3-I/AAAAAAAAzB8/AmvYQzAork8SPNWYXZIdN_fY5Xb4u8ODQCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>For the woods are full of bluebells and the hedges full of bloom, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>And the crow is on the oak a-building of her nest, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>And love is burning diamonds in my true lover's breast; </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>She sits beneath the whitethorn a-plaiting of her hair, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>And I will to my true lover with a fond request repair; </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>I will look upon her face, I will in her beauty rest, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>And lay my aching weariness upon her lovely breast. </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnKmDgzNALA/W24IrqFtcmI/AAAAAAAAzCA/b-_gBxOG0WQu64LrnuqVteiDvbR0UeHEACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D7200--10-05-2018%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FpVKvF5NByk/W24ItIa2MkI/AAAAAAAAzCE/fj4fKA5PLuwJMysWZZvaPFwVPD-SgjEcgCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D7200--10-05-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>The clock-a-clay is creeping on the open bloom of May, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>The merry bee is trampling the pinky threads all day, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>And the chaffinch it is brooding on its grey mossy nest </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>In the whitethorn bush where I will lean upon my lover's breast; </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>I'll lean upon her breast and I'll whisper in her ear </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>That I cannot get a wink o'sleep for thinking of my dear; </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>I hunger at my meat and I daily fade away </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>Like the hedge rose that is broken in the heat of the day.</em></strong> <p align="center"><strong>~John Clare~</strong><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x4YBuq_Ffmw/W24IvF5-GaI/AAAAAAAAzCI/PBnU-7MMKUwqcPMs638G7PE9-t-x_w4JgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4ueCON9W6Q/W24Iwfz5L4I/AAAAAAAAzCM/VnPdbSaFQHA5GyBpvGTa4lQd-JjcSLd1ACHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong><p>In late April and through most of May, a bluebell woodland sight and smell was an experience unequalled in nature. The flowers cast a blue mist of enchant, beguiling our senses and persuading us to believe once more in magic. They hid for 50 weeks of the year but for a couple of weeks only they all came out en masse in their finest clothes, like guests at a wedding, and the sight of them was the purest pleasure of the English springtime. This was my favourite place to be during my lunch break, wandering through the forest with the subtle scent and dappled sunlight surrounded by a sea of purple blue flowers.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SWSILPjUDlI/W24Ix86kwNI/AAAAAAAAzCQ/ie8-OLqqRLIo2Gqg_eURSh4Demkp2_SSwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U5hKxW-Wibc/W24IzPFTW-I/AAAAAAAAzCU/v8QfyVlKOUAdYXCYUyJ2BgcnuqFsEL7jgCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Given the age, majesty and magic of them, it was not surprising that many myths and legends had grown up around them. They were sometimes called fairy bells and folklore suggested that the wee folk used them to trap children who strayed too far into the bluebell woods. The flowers tinkled when fairies were summoning their kin to a gathering bit if humans heard them, it was their death knell. I wished they put this notice up that it was unlucky to trample on a bed of bluebells, because you would anger the fairies resting there.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VFGIxZ_rmnQ/W24I0yktCfI/AAAAAAAAzCY/-Mi9Tv7Atpoj-d2XXhQrY0ekRwYZfDBlQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IUhNnUzDPbU/W24I2TrIOrI/AAAAAAAAzCc/DdDiBkxVkeYEJ-4MPG5ez8mHFu-GyxsnACHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Bluebell was one of the ‘indicator species’ of ancient woodland, which meant that the woods had been in existence since at least 1600. Unfortunately global warming and climate change had unleashed subtle changes, creating problems for them. They took advantage of a brief window of opportunity in nature, the time between the warming of the soil and the closure of the woodland canopy. With spring recorded earlier, the canopy was coming earlier, resulting in this window slowly closing. Unless the bluebell reached maturation before the other plants, it cannot set viable seed and ensuring a fresh carpeting of flowers the following spring. If they were to disappear, we would lose an inspirational natural experience.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ldq7y5HFaOI/W24I4myAzZI/AAAAAAAAzCg/Ino1TwpuQuUr8eDgOIPxTaUVWFlZEu-gACHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lN6GUJi22Fg/W24I6IdYHaI/AAAAAAAAzCo/xfGnAA7CvjwScvdjD6xYe-thqwcLW5cugCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--10-05-201%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made another trip to Slimbridge when we found out that at least 3 pairs of Common Crane was nesting. Crane pairs started to break away from any winter flocks in February and March, and began roosting (in shallow pools) in the vicinity of potential nest sites, in an attempt to monitor general suitability prior to nesting. So these pairs had already chosen theirs. We left the casa at 10.11 am and the mercury reaching 17.6C. The sun was already up and it was predicted to be a hot, sunny day. We headed straight to Rushy and just outside the hide on a the lower pond island was probably Sedge, incubating her two eggs, on an abandoned Black-headed gull nest. Crane nests were usually constructed from dead vegetation, such as reeds, bulrushes or rushes. They were generally situated in shallow water, either within, at the edge of, or hidden within standing vegetation a few metres from open pools. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aRVgin_QxXw/W24I7LIVbiI/AAAAAAAAzCs/OsMMvruiUDAJVzx7-OTjlCFdlYoZ6pvuQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3i9g1671OM/W24I7-bx1PI/AAAAAAAAzC0/6neHW5c-09cWUG-sSEFP-YGpje8KvNtaACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were hoping that she might stand up to stretch her long legs and rolled her eggs. But not today. She was content to sit and keep her eggs warm. Her first egg was laid on 29th April and the second, the next day. Male and female cranes took turns to incubate of about 2-4 hours during the daylight hours. The females do most of the incubating at night while the males stand guard. The parents made purring noise to the eggs while gently rolling them to insure a proper embryo development. From time to time, she stretched her long neck to pick a pebble or a stick and redecorate her domain. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IjME-1G_tmI/W24I9IWnaPI/AAAAAAAAzC4/wS3WOE2FQLkzdBFULM9sT4Is0dBNJ-d6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7nXcht56pnU/W24I9zfdvAI/AAAAAAAAzC8/bTH_QFMEOU4j7rvFG0Q4Pf9A3gpcXXjGQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We kept an eye for the return of her partner, 8 year-old Monty but I guess he was busy foraging in the fields. During the breeding season, Cranes were omnivorous, typically probing for, and picking at a wide range of plants, vertebrate and invertebrate food items. We prayed very hard that this year their breeding attempts would be successful as the pair had made 2 nesting attempts, one failed at egg stage and the other after hatching. We followed their progress in 2016 but the chick died. Initial post mortem result showed underlying lung and kidney disease were the cause of death. There was no nesting attempts in 2017.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yRdGd5ldAMc/W24I_OQUevI/AAAAAAAAzDA/hGP_GCKsp84o5fQ9t-aFgErFTmZG92wGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD7200%2BX14%2B%2B03-06-2016%2B14-04-042%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="435" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HmXJcg8g6E/W24JACc_EXI/AAAAAAAAzDE/ygem_-oYWGonkF-BhMmQKGx9nzl5TRUEwCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD7200%2BX14%2B%2B03-06-2016%2B14-04-042_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also found out that another pair, Bart and Ruby too had a nest on the duck marsh at the top of Hogarth Hide. On the 22nd April, Ruby was seen sitting on the nest which meant that she was incubating. This pair had made several unsuccessful breeding attempts since 2014. But in 2017, after abandoning the first nest, they welcomed a baby chick on 12th June. Again, we were there nearly every week, checking their progress.The 2nd egg hatched on 13/14th June. Unfortunately, on 27th June, the older crane chick killed its sibling, a normal behaviour in the wild. Since the younger chick hatched, it had been ritually bullied by its elder sibling. When one of the parents left the area, it became aggressive as only one parent was present to feed them. A very sad and sobering insight into the life of a Crane which was completely natural. Fortunately, this gave the older chick a better chance of survival since it was fed by 2 parents. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NYR1Z2tLLLo/W24JBM77ZrI/AAAAAAAAzDI/g3s9bOLxM2E0yF4xRupqlCW5a-LcLU9agCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B26-06-2017%2B12-37-008%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - June" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - June" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Df2kP4NlLyQ/W24JCIBlbLI/AAAAAAAAzDM/hfgPYkQiBVYARi4DxZWhWNCq-ys2j5dbwCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD3100b%2B%2B26-06-2017%2B12-37-008_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Again, disaster struck. The chick was not seen since the 25th of July and both parents were spotted roaming the reserve and even displaying to each other. They wouldn’t leave the chick unattended if all was well so it was assumed that it had perished. It wasn’t the outcome everyone was hoping for. So we were keeping everything crossed this time. Unlike the last time, the pair had built a nest hidden away from prying eyes, right at the end of Hogarth Hide and only the silhouette could be seen from the Discovery Hide, if you look hard through the binoculars.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mF6XbQo6eGE/W24JDaMjMNI/AAAAAAAAzDU/nPfMwPlE1Y4mAJ047hoQDlc2W2H-dn6HACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6DXihFYUBI/W24JEU40RUI/AAAAAAAAzDY/0TdSrR036oYQlPSYKkTiPbIDBtfncT-PQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The 3rd pair was 5 year old Oakie and 4 year old Sherbert. This was a young pair and which we’d not seen before. They were seen prospecting on the 3rd of May on the island in front of Zeiss Hide. Sherbert was later seen sitting on a nest on the 9th of May surrounded by 21 Avocets, 34 Shelduck and an Oystercatcher. Incubation lasted between 28 and 31 days and if all the eggs hatched, it would be a bumper year for the reserve. I guess the Common Cranes were now here to stay after a 400 year absence. Kudos to the Great Crane Project.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7VASKMDuNs/W24JFUb4JCI/AAAAAAAAzDc/p_WsyWD8rDY0E7KYIwIuW87jOd4tQmjlACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JHoim6CsBHo/W24JGXaMqVI/AAAAAAAAzDg/RFB_FTOe8l4HKcWENiAv1E_akdxc0ZUoQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Apart from Monty and Sedge, there were plenty of action from the breeding Black headed Gull. Amongst them was a pair of Mediterranean gulls but we couldn’t see them. Most of the Gulls were nesting on the islands outside the camera shop which was covered with vegetation. They provided cover for the chicks from the predators and the weather. The rest had to be contend with any available space to nest. The nests were usually a scrape in the ground or a pile of dead plant material. They laid 2-6 eggs and incubation lasted 22-26 days.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_44bLDgcsEk/W24JHWALZcI/AAAAAAAAzDk/v4g2KSbsKQE2f_swsMufFt_6EMCmQTymwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1WKxaKXEIq4/W24JIeHaTpI/AAAAAAAAzDo/ZIcpDsoHkgcuMc10gRz_3sN44Qu4JPBLgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-BB-DX--05-05-201%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A pair of Lapwing already had 2 young on the back meadow and they were so well camouflaged, feeding along the mudflat. Several pairs of Avocets were pairing up and prospecting for nest sites around the lake. Their constant bickering were making some great viewing. Pair-bonds were maintained only for the duration of the breeding season and broke up by the time winter flocks arrived. The nest, built by both parents, was a shallow scrape on bare mud or in sparse vegetation, and was composed of short pieces of stems, roots, and leaves of marsh vegetation. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rnxyxwoCIko/W24JJUgfevI/AAAAAAAAzDs/Z_7KjO6-obYuNsODskBBT_zEFqvqVvzSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EyeB2F4w8dk/W24JKXOWT3I/AAAAAAAAzD0/GGG-ICKfqKQumMT0jOKW2TwqqGx4D-asQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3cJVOxClBDM/W24JLc5iq0I/AAAAAAAAzD4/mfeYGFYxOvcFzHxy9-687YPrN6i4qlv_gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7IUzGUfSD_Y/W24JMRUAnLI/AAAAAAAAzD8/0L9ks0liav4JPsgoF-abUHW5ngfqdhGMQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were chuffed to bits when the long-staying hybrid swam quite close to the hide. He now had a partner, a female Wigeon. The hybrid, a Chloe X Eurasian Wigeon, was stunning with its green blue iridescent cap shimmering in the sun. They were busy dabbling for aquatic plants, grasses and roots. In winter, they will be joined by migrating family members flying in from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia and they will have an almighty party.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bv2taKWKezY/W24JNXrcaqI/AAAAAAAAzEA/QOFupbsas3sDNFehsYty8E7FuP41ttLvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTYC3OyBaSY/W24JOFcajlI/AAAAAAAAzEE/JqmnFk2J54kWjtLyLeytQhy81_IHvmePwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it was time to check the rest of the hide. As we were walking towards bridge, we stopped to check out this Swallow, the very epitome of summer, resting after a long journey from wintering in Africa south of the Sahara. The male swallow invariably arrived back first from migration, singing over his territory in the hope of attracting a mate. Females generally appeared a week to a fortnight later. Much folklore surrounds the swallow. To see the first swallow of the year was regarded as a good omen but this wasn’t the first swallow we had seen.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ahm4xMrzEbQ/W24JPLWetdI/AAAAAAAAzEM/72rREhtZmEwGq4UQyPMZJ8gM5ktJy3BMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QBiAuhltepQ/W24JQW_C4qI/AAAAAAAAzEQ/FyyzmzekMckUqHqFCH1iVYtULkDtGXIbwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> </p><p>We only made a pit stop at Martin Smith Hide because the Tack piece was virtually empty. It was a very different place now than from winter. From thousands of duck, there were now left with just a single drake Wigeon, 42 Shelducks, 2 Shovelers, a dozen Greylags and a sleeping Egyptian goose. We continued on and as usual, Willow Hide was deserted. As we walked further down, Babe spotted a water vole seen from the holes in the fence between Willow hide and Knott hide. A Little Grebe, Reed buntings, Sedge and Reed warblers were also seen flitting sporadically. When we went into Robbie Garnet Hide, we found out that we’d just missed a Great White Egret. The Midpoint summer walkway was also opened for the first time this year and although it would be great to get out to the estuary again, we couldn’t make it.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FSPxBOB5KyU/W24JRXQwb0I/AAAAAAAAzEU/exsxkyXJiRIkD9b_VOMvlCKbLktBym6rwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qC3Ao8wYD1Q/W24JSR98L_I/AAAAAAAAzEY/EwrI07ExuA42QmrvfpgNWSrq9wmbxjdpQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B19%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We turned back into the grounds and checked Rushy Hide again. Sedge looked like she’d had not moved at all. We continued on walking along the boardwalk and were serenaded by hundreds of birds. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see them but below us, it was like walking into a creche. Moorhen chicks which looked like the ugliest little balls of "black fluff" were following their parents around, paddling frantically after them. They had black, downy feathers except round the eye and bill with scattered yellow down around the head. For a day or so the newly hatched chicks were fed on the nest with a parent brooding them most of the time.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9zO56FZNUbM/W24JT7EAoLI/AAAAAAAAzEc/EGAvBPbkTAgcxBzgWHBExIg7g4gGp4vbgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fEGbtjFJLI0/W24JUzrgbHI/AAAAAAAAzEg/IPbSu-7YgUAZWfBbDACNko-a7icDf2nfwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>But they soon ventured out onto the water. Moorhen fed their young rather than just leading them to where food is in the manner of ducks. From now on there was an endless procession of the 'minor' inhabitants of the pond and it surroundings brought to fill the ever demanding beaks. The summer air was full of the 'peeps' of hungry chicks. They fledged after 40-50 days, becoming independent a few weeks thereafter, and fingers-crossed raised their first brood the next spring. Meanwhile, the parents might raise another brood, using the same nest.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v7FOlE_BrN8/W24JWHMR41I/AAAAAAAAzEk/Fe-vFSgWTc4lujvqA272MTde9mBQks7ZgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ct-ugz5ltzY/W24JXa2Cs9I/AAAAAAAAzEs/KoEvNuo0oj4judbSGHbX9HI3sANyTrOuQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We stopped at South Lake to see if we could see Bart and Ruby from here. Unfortunately, they were well-hidden behind the tall reeds. We thought we could see them if we were at Hogarth Hide. On the walk there, we saw 2 Mute swans on nests. One near the Back to Brink section and the other by the path towards the Otters. The nests were huge mounds of material, comprised of dried grasses and assorted vegetation, sticks and rushes, constructed at the water's edge. These nests were built by the female, while the male supplied the materials. The female laid up to seven eggs between late April and early May. Both sexes incubated the eggs, which hatched after 35-41 days. All female swans feasted before nesting as they knew food was harder to come by once they were on the nest. It was normal for them to lose weight during the nesting period.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0nlZOYtsFvU/W24JZAsFzBI/AAAAAAAAzEw/PLtysBX32BUZ4Laumb9Ao0LceDYeAd53ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jao9r5HwSv0/W24JaeSGb2I/AAAAAAAAzE0/iZ_lpWwz6Kgi3s687rmOUWeU8rLvGdgkwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we headed back to Rushy Hide. Sedge had changed position but still sitting comfortably. The peaceful setting was broken when a Coot and a Moorhen had a huge fight. The Coot was the all-black and larger with a distinctive white beak and 'shield' above the beak which earned it the title 'bald'. Checkout its white feet with the distinctive lobed flaps of skin on the toes, acting in the same way as webbed feet when swimming. It often pattered noisily over the water before taking off and could be very aggressive towards others.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XRh_9hLjSmo/W24JbauoeqI/AAAAAAAAzE4/GwRfkk7a0i81ZoganibRm-Mo-WaCDtJpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JDHmTtkdfJg/W24JcciII_I/AAAAAAAAzE8/WitsqnQ04CEp2Yd1MQKtKYyoREQmB0SXQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b-T--05-05-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>During the breeding season, vicious territorial fights occurred. Coots were sociable and noisy birds, often seen feeding together in flocks. They also often quarreled among themselves or with other species of waders. In the spring, they were very territorial birds who swam menacingly towards any intruders. They were often seen fighting with other birds species that included their cousin, the Moorhen. They raised the wings and body feathers to impress and scare away rivals. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bUs3gdFu-YI/W24Jdz_GclI/AAAAAAAAzFA/ZiY2zRaYgX4qUScE-SDpRZGiKKYngDCrQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HI4cVO91J6E/W24JfHLGcOI/AAAAAAAAzFE/H70rkM_0dUsbzySfKNbNGbbyAPEbIPWJACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the other hand, Moorhens were solitary and shy birds, They were solitary feeders who foraged for food while walking on water plants, on the ground or sifting food from the surface of the water while swimming. These birds remained near vegetation and were not found in open water or diving. Moorhens had a nervous way of constantly jerking their heads and tails both on land and when swimming in the water. Their strong legs allowed them to swim or run for cover if alarmed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vSQmy5p1k9o/W24JgaEyoxI/AAAAAAAAzFM/OUFDKWDmJbwH-MSKfJMZLX_TIS-aYiC1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-ZlBawXiWs/W24JhYfQKLI/AAAAAAAAzFQ/hHhlbyEUfnUKlEPeE1Mgu4XqKlfxr_n1wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Breeding pairs, who were monogamous, defended their territory against intruders and were far less timid than in other seasons of the year. Females often fought by kicking with their feet when competing for males. Males charged intruders who were near their nest with their head low in the water. Both Coots and Moorhen were territorial and when they met, there was violent and prolonged striking with feet clawing at the breast of each other, stabbing with the bill. Both birds spread and held back the wings in order to unbalance each other. We weren’t surprised to see the fiesty, smaller Moorhen winning the fight. We left as soon as we gave the winner a standing ovation.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sc_e5X27UJg/W24JiV4DUUI/AAAAAAAAzFU/9tP3C3P3HxsJhLjLD1xzNGPeHo9v26lCQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZB5ItlGaanA/W24JjmkEPMI/AAAAAAAAzFY/GLWxyUZ_yRsVtLZmUwzJclFkkYoraNKjgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--05-05-2018%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We started the May bank holiday weekend with a visit to our first air-show of the year. We left the casa at 9.47 am and it was already 17.9C. It was predicted to be another scorching day and I was covered from head to toe with sun-cream. We’d cotton shirts and pants on to protect us from the sun. We drove along London Road past the recycling centre and there was a very long queue to enter the tip. When we were on the M40, we could see the spectacular 17th century Chesterton Windmill standing proud. We need to check it again. The rolling hills of Oxfordshire was stunning in the sunshine with fields of yellow rapeseed glittering in the sun.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jh3hZXspAM4/W24Jk-45yRI/AAAAAAAAzFc/YJJNHBC_K4QZqaDRGh_13Zbvyxy-nzkEACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-siHqFykuFYc/W24JlmdsGLI/AAAAAAAAzFg/9TjmGXRWcMkAQWUz5f8gwa72Qhdi2hQBwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our destination was the Abingdon Air and Country Show, one of those great volunteer run shows that had proven to be a great day out. For once, the Bank Holiday weather was glorious and as a result, Abingdon attracted a bumper audience. There was already a long queue to get in as drivers were confused on which gate they’d to enter. Those with and without tickets entered different gates which was supposed to ease congestion but it never worked. We joined the hundreds who were already in, parked in a very dusty field. As we drove in, there were planes flying in. We were chuffed to bits when we found out that the car park was parallel to the airstrip. Woo…hoo. Those who arrived early had already marked their place with deck chairs, picnic tables, blankets and umbrellas. But, there wasn’t any problem in finding our own personal space.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HTZAZz-WYSc/W24JmmVmT7I/AAAAAAAAzFk/cKhnrjg3pgMuBcPKeIUKRKPKYHSk8EK5QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LqpR0tTudIw/W24JnR-p0RI/AAAAAAAAzFo/XSjaSng8vPYnqJ-zQMaq_pf78qqSnjRzACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As the event name suggested, the ground shows felt very much like a local town show or country fair. Throughout the day there was live music from local bands and choirs, classic vehicles on show, pony rides, falconry, daleks and other sci-fi characters, a Williams F1 show car, stunt shows and steam engines. But they were situated at the further end of the field, away from the airstrip.The aviation element was split between a fly-in during the morning (which we unfortunately missed) and a three and half hour afternoon flying display. Like many events up and down the country in 2018, Abingdon took the RAF Centenary as its major theme. Abingdon was a perfect place for an event marking RAF100 as much of its history was tied to the Royal Air Force. 50 years ago it held the RAF’s 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary celebrations and Royal Review and throughout its lift was an important maintenance and transport base.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nG5AA40EMxM/W24JoTa37vI/AAAAAAAAzFs/GKA8TfFrfJYkJ6-18GmUFgid_fRHFQBeACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon%2BAirfield%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-05-2018%2B12-06-33%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-llnqUhU-WUk/W24JpBn3CTI/AAAAAAAAzFw/K2NqoldCuScOvOmag9o1vbMYMBJ4ndijQCHMYCw/Abingdon%2BAirfield%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-05-2018%2B12-06-33_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Amongst the highlights of the RAF100 fly-in were a de Havilland DH82a Tiger Moth, Fairchild Argus, Westland Gazelle HT3, BAC Jet Provost T3A, Beagle Husky, Slingsby Venture and Sedburgh gliders plus the Hurricane Heritage North American Harvard. The only current Royal Air Force type to be on show at Abingdon was a 47 Squadron Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules C4 from nearby RAF Brize Norton. The aircraft arrived on the morning of the show and was open to visitors throughout the afternoon. I was chuffed to have the opportunity to walk through the aircraft. At the end of the flying displays the aircraft departed for home, but not before performing a circuit and touch and go which we sadly missed because we left early.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uRNz3CdRwPk/W24JqGaLe6I/AAAAAAAAzF0/bhFtvMa7IkM2ke52Mg7lGO6LMFxe6i7OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B18%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pSIE7RJBw4c/W24JrCXcWoI/AAAAAAAAzF4/FGu5ZSCt4WUSFzaH4I1vMMcodZX52IVmgCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B72%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[BAC Jet Provost T.3 G-BKOU]<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MHYZTdc7QcA/W24Jr5vfEMI/AAAAAAAAzGA/GB4WBP_qDsYOuHNITqw2nbDJqLUExlfJQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B73%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZ3QCBre8Rw/W24JstL_hCI/AAAAAAAAzGE/FWe-CRf43ZIM_xR6XjqFQj5hjYUroPd-QCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B36%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[G-RUS (KK527) FairchildUC-61 Argus III]<p>The fly-in did not just involve historic RAF aircraft. There was a small collection of Austers, which was celebrating its own 80<sup>th</sup> Anniversary. The Army co-operation theme also included a pair of Sud-Aviation Alouette IIs in Army Air Corps and Swiss Air Force markings plus a Max-Holste Broussard. Other fly-in highlights included a pair of Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI R PL965 home-builts and a pair of Boeing Stearman PT17 Kaydets as well as Terry Martin’s Westland Wasp HAS1. Supermarine Spitfire PR was designed to operate at high altitudes and was the fastest of all the Merlin powered Spitfires.<p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AS5qr0hHTzI/W24JtqPzJkI/AAAAAAAAzGI/-IoCGzjit8I3pUdhXVKBlNbCCa9NgJpuACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B26%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZabdRctCNr4/W24Juc9kccI/AAAAAAAAzGM/JZXFnOCdg4UrkrIf9mXmasnEteqJFdoRQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B51%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a><p><strong> </strong> [Supermarine Spitfire PR]<p>The afternoon flying display was opened by the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight<em> </em>flying three formation passes in front of the crowds. The formation consisted of Avro Lancaster B1 PA474, Hawker Hurricane IIC LF363 and the repainted Supermarine Spitfire XVI TE311 which appeared precisely on time having joined up to the north of the airfield. To complete their flypasts they performed a lovely curved pass just about showing the top surfaces of their wings with a Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules. PA 474, a heavy bomber was one of only two Lancasters in flying condition in the world and to see it above us was awesome. It was announced that with ongoing maintenance, it should be airworthy until 2065.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aO6mjHo-S7s/W24JvP5ARwI/AAAAAAAAzGQ/lmES0rS1miQ7TlR0ztKKs1xjeJcEsjOxACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2PlYuln6SEg/W24Jv_SYZkI/AAAAAAAAzGU/1E6-6y3MgxQxbXxIjifFp7nrPhNkShqcgCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_DSL4o0yBNI/W24JwtH6o5I/AAAAAAAAzGY/-aaNjNjnESUQT1GjaII6PLwFGAj7ToTSwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B29%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYzRGcYWJcc/W24JxlwVu4I/AAAAAAAAzGc/Ceylca3_2yYzRO9NpKWQJD-5yCc1CZWxwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B25%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The first debut of the afternoon came from Peter Borchet with his new biplane Pitts Model 12 dubbed “The Super Pitts.” The Pitts Model 12 was the ultimate development of the Pitts family of aerobatic biplanes. It was the last aircraft designed by Curtis Pitts in 1995 and combined the classic aerobatic biplane formula with the brutish Russian made Vedeneyev M14P/PF radial engine usually found in Sukhoi aerobatic aircraft. The aircraft, nicknamed ‘Bolshoi’, ‘Macho Stinker’ or ‘Pitts Monster’, could be built from plans or as a kit plane. Peter had only finished his aircraft last year and Abingdon was its first airshow appearance<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mePRxreVcGo/W24JyQC2RpI/AAAAAAAAzGg/6r10j1pdQFITZifwEPuVSDWQFY5HAaT-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B66%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xh8y2l-2ToY/W24JzFwgeQI/AAAAAAAAzGk/FB_ClRkkYzAB5b_spdny7_1dVDVxx70cACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B71%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e5AReIdAuzg/W24Jz24g49I/AAAAAAAAzGs/gCJ-z1O4OEYx1s9KpZL5KNfZ-x7xz06mQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B34%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-53nn2trmA4U/W24J00HwwQI/AAAAAAAAzGw/JBa9dqbQ3NAjh_kuc5aukQkoL2uhGV6dACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B53%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight Trust made a welcome return to Abingdon with the de Havilland Canada Beaver AL1 and the Taylorcraft Auster AOP9. Both aircraft demonstrated their abilities to operate out of short strips and to flying within very small areas. Formed initially in 1980. and in its current guise since March 1990, the Trust had been allowed to maintain one example of each aircraft operated since the Army Air Corps (AAC) inception in 1957, in order to preserve the AAC’s aviation heritage.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m-0tcElzl04/W24J1klqzZI/AAAAAAAAzG0/6PjDIMcZqLAbPsuYy1OC0FcdlWVh6JFrQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k90LBr8M3wE/W24J2QFdPbI/AAAAAAAAzG4/2JzPrM2gwxMh9L-dg9yiudp1UfbLYuq8ACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B61%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[Taylorcraft Auster 5 TW 519]<p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uHQVSkAbWK4/W24J3aFVcVI/AAAAAAAAzG8/55Dtqjur-G8VI3Lmuw9Kso-g8mL8BsbfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B20%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T63E2LH2x54/W24J4fNzTAI/AAAAAAAAzHA/14Tm7suYFT81twwBg8m9agE6lE9iJYPOQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B78%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[de Havilland Canada Beaver AL1]<p>More aerobatics followed with a display of a former military training aircraft, the Slingsby T67M Firefly. The Firefly was part of the RAF100 story having been used by all three services as an elementary trainer operated by Hunting and then Babcock. The aircraft, from a Redhill based syndicate, was flown through a very elegant sequence of aerobatics by Rod Dean who had also flown as part of the RAF 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary celebrations held at Abingdon in 1968. He was having fun turning the aircraft upside down pretending to be Tom Cruise in Top Gun.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--F-3woT2g1Y/W24J5IeebbI/AAAAAAAAzHE/H0ne7xL0ru0K6gIXCvxY5CsiE0ZcSDjfgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6p_VtNagkqA/W24J5x29S6I/AAAAAAAAzHI/MuLBsTlH02k-kRfTwKnvuqhRGatW3n1hQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B55%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The Royal British Legion’s Jump4Heroes Parachute Display Team provided a short break from the aircraft displays jumping from an Antonov An-2. The team were joined by members of the Royal Air Forces Association parachute team and even included a wingsuit demonstration during their jump. The Army Parachute Display team were made up of the Red Devils, The Tigers Freefall, The Royal Logistics Corps Silver Stars and The Lightning Bolts. For the first time in 2018, the four teams came together for the Royal British Legion.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFrGudQnBSc/W24J6xUSLBI/AAAAAAAAzHM/oM_wddHCNDcgDn7-RLb3wmBK4sxTVnk-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B43%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zx32tn1XycI/W24J7hSGaJI/AAAAAAAAzHQ/WejTeVVdLUEgBUkJPm4v1wXt0frsqJlCwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B59%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ef1VvHRXIpE/W24J8TEr2tI/AAAAAAAAzHU/AlQHEBkpd_Eldt68h2eUNpOulaV21nlcQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B24%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xeh9y-F29X8/W24J9KyW_LI/AAAAAAAAzHY/QGpARdazMIsNllBJZTEjzxwtptn6UXvRQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B67%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VW5lLaSCSsM/W24J97bHOuI/AAAAAAAAzHc/98gWVypQbMM7VM-Q7kV0ywfWhXrENe_FQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--nO_9hnQz50/W24J-zlwmCI/AAAAAAAAzHg/mI4xFV2hG2snxpP38sCZPMZlEPH6snWKgCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B39%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gnDo0ujaKrw/W24J_luERyI/AAAAAAAAzHk/lDyKhB4gdBMxVS89SYNN1AcFqsxZyJoIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PV5ATudUo6E/W24KAQd_htI/AAAAAAAAzHo/TUisTp2TfXMjmb-nmq4RnXoH9PUSFzIiACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B42%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9jrI5LjdfW0/W24KBJA0maI/AAAAAAAAzHs/s5Wf0KowcIYY5rakkW9-McynyNQTbTpXQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B76%255D"><img width="405" height="604" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eORclL7xeuQ/W24KB7iJmmI/AAAAAAAAzHw/LLCmL8um4fgpfdkjglbob33RCAgfT1PwACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B45%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The only jet aircraft in the flying display was Mark Petrie’s BAC Strikemaster Mk82a G-SOAF. ‘AF is a firm favourite on the display circuit representing the ultimate development of the Jet Provost design. Over the winter Mark has repainted ‘AF into the distinctive two-tone camouflage scheme worn by Sultan of Oman Air Force Strikemasters. It was a significant display for the UK air display circuit too as it was the first public aerobatic display by a civilian owned ex-military jet over land since late 2015. Restrictions on straight wing jets were lifted by the Civil Aviation Authority earlier this year. A pity that the RAF had replaced it with the British Aerospace hawk. Today, surviving Strikemasters were in private hands and were in the care of enthusiasts and museum group.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5N7BUUhJmsY/W24KCrdKTEI/AAAAAAAAzH0/Lcc3xR5TvlUeEGs4XPKzESauAZF_-KnGACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B50%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-__yEF5HzGwY/W24KDcp5ucI/AAAAAAAAzH4/IQvX9afqOEgRwOy5K41mt4N1BKn7vyDIQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B52%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Cold War theme was continued later in the flying programme was the Gazelle Squadron’s solo Westland Gazelle/Aerospatial HT2 flown by Andy Moorhouse. For airshow enthusists, the sight of a red and white Royal Navy Gazelle was a nostalgic one with memories of some great display teams such as Pusser’s Pair and the Sharks. It was the first helicopter to feature a fenestron tail instead of a conventional tail rotor. With the exception of the DeHavilland Chipmunk, the Gazelle was the only aircraft to serve with all three arms of the British armed forces.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3KcGYrQNcUw/W24KEDZwgJI/AAAAAAAAzH8/FP_YEVapE601wJTypdI4YWzRLV6ayV7WwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvfIZ1Wll44/W24KEwmSopI/AAAAAAAAzIE/BgDxZHp-ED0ARQMi-SWf_RJVPjNs-COqwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B74%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Rich Goodwin had returned to Abingdon with his amazing highly modified Pitts S-2S Special G-EWIZ. He opened and closed his display with incredible low passes in formation with a Jaguar F-Pace driven by Chris Woodward, the chief executive of Rich’s main sponsor Anana. The main routine of Muscle Biplane aerobatics was simply “the show”<em> </em>of the show. He vowed the audience with high energy aerobatic manoeuvres. The aircraft extensive modification programme had given this biplane enhanced capabilities, allowing it to perform a unique and extraordinary brand of aerobatics. There were double-hammerheads, high-alpha knife-edge flypasts and the amazing ‘Tower of Power’ to complete torque rolls whilst flying backwards through its own smoke.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WE3btke2NDc/W24KGDDhy_I/AAAAAAAAzII/9DdPaF7EtS4iAwjwvCKgktBUhmWUDfNQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B63%255D"><img width="644" height="419" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDOtnyZRT_4/W24KGz4pYmI/AAAAAAAAzIM/ZRlxmxTv3-A6lduOUqFidXAUEPivSXxoACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--jeWwiSqlWI/W24KHv8VdqI/AAAAAAAAzIQ/Dy8vFNU4DWYlHaL9CJA6uvuyIwUCVrP8ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B84%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KEvo0sZ5o1s/W24KIe4XWtI/AAAAAAAAzIU/leKQY9Kb7C8x7Et9T320HuRNUBJKsNBoACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sfli2JKtOTE/W24KJOsfOsI/AAAAAAAAzIY/e6eU22Or1RgAmxJxqinY99UB4vvZ7SlNwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-orGuU9tM49c/W24KJzBzZVI/AAAAAAAAzIc/VNK8zh4J-jAX0jS96GyTKkiP0z6M5cjwwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It was piston powered warbirds that were the star turn at Abingdon this year. It was good to see Abingdon regulars such as Peter Teichman and his <strong>Supermarine Spitfire PRXI</strong> and Plane Sailing’s <strong>Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina</strong> back at the show. Supermarine Spitfire PR MK XI serial number PL965 was built as a PR MK XI photo reconnaissance craft and left the Aldermaston factory in mid 1944. She proudly wore the identifying code ‘R’ for Robert. After serving all over Europe and becoming an exhibit at the Dutch War Museum in Overtoon for 27 years, she returned to the UK in 1987 to be restored to her airworthy status. Since becoming part of the Hangar 11 Collection, this extremely rare and unusual example of a Spitfire was a welcome sight at air displays and special events across Europe.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oXBDmj-xaV4/W24KKmfvNyI/AAAAAAAAzIg/gsYq4Ic4_-oBEh6N6m71ibxFBg-HlC4wQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B81%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-prBMuqrZMfc/W24KLUgPfaI/AAAAAAAAzIo/XRMwTLXmtL0hEwItfq_OB7nfCiDKlChkgCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B40%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[Supermarine Spitfire PRXI]<p>I also had my first sighting of the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War 2. It was used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escort, search and rescue missions and cargo transport. The designation ‘PBY’ was determined in accordance with the US Navy aircraft designation system of 1922; PB representing ‘Patrol Bomber’ and Y being the code assigned to Consolidated Aircraft as its manufacturer. The aircraft bore the name Catalina after Catalina Island coined in November 1941 as Great Britain ordered the first 30 aircraft. Catalina airmen called their aircraft ‘Cat’ on combat missions and ‘Dumbo’ in air-sea rescue service. It sounded amazing when it took off quite close to where we were standing.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-utLiCblSfzU/W24KMoYvGYI/AAAAAAAAzIs/vP0Oj6paEhM-AA6jYp4v6GJ0cIL9Rf6YACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B58%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lOL6r6W78kM/W24KNu6rxiI/AAAAAAAAzIw/KwQ-TVqOoUga3XCxB-ZpfbjNpgWObdmjQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B37%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9SBOq5T5Ww/W24KOaHBksI/AAAAAAAAzI0/JaplBU6C0sgNWa5rAE57z7_u3KNKF1KPACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B54%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iW1X3Py4HFA/W24KPODyOXI/AAAAAAAAzI4/mFEoF9XFLRg2mAfnAE0ULj32ZlrVa9DAwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B86%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center">[Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina]</p><p>The Beech Model 18 (C-45 Expeditor) gave a very punchy routine for a twin engine transport aircraft. Known variously as the Model 18, Twin beech, C45 and Expeditor, this iconic aircraft made its maiden flight from Beechcraft’s Wichita, Kansas plant on 15th January 1937. With a maximum all-up weight of almost 4 tons, a wingspan of 14.5 metres and two 450hp engines, it definitely qualified as a ‘big taildragger’.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTeEqySP25Y/W24KP_N1dQI/AAAAAAAAzI8/cny2lrbFlLozyLRpZSW4YXDMeh7CHxj-ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B9%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJcV84X_RTo/W24KQmMFsCI/AAAAAAAAzJA/VTrcxue6h0otbNxqDYkfg3Y4a2yv3JI6wCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B82%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a><p align="center">[Beech Model 18 (C-45 Expeditor)]<p>The star act of the show was the Supermarine Spitfire IXT ML407 and Hispano HA1112-M4L Buchon Red 11<strong> </strong>from Air Leasing Ltd. ML407 needed little introduction. Simply known as “The Grace Spitfire” ML407 flew 320 combat hours during WW2 and shot down the first Luftwaffe aircraft on the 6th June D-Day Landings. It was originally built at Castle Bromwich in 1944 as a Mark IX single seat fighter and served in the frontline of battle throughout the last 12 months of WW2 with 6 different allied Squadrons of the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force. Both pilots had put on a very nice “dogfight” tail-chase display for the Abingdon crowd.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EqbeRSngA_g/W24KRbhbkzI/AAAAAAAAzJE/RDPwZ0zcYDcDIzYeMl65aovJXHbzo8u8QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B27%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbY0R1T59NU/W24KSbUmsXI/AAAAAAAAzJI/9vt5xVCt3cUBGTsk7CT2ey_UmqWYiL31ACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B41%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BcNEXfMcNmg/W24KSwhIRrI/AAAAAAAAzJM/w9HT0tYJydgBWSWQvn9XZRsAOmTc60cNACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B56%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kPbVIWLj6FM/W24KTlD_jYI/AAAAAAAAzJQ/rbdhDIcswDseIij2bMFJhHk8yTa86dhQACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">Supermarine Spitfire IXT ML407</p><p align="left">The HA1112-M4L Buchon was one of those warbirds making its public display debut at Abingdon. It was a very rare two seater version of the Spanish Buchon powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin engine. It was one of a fleet of Buchons used during the filming of the movie “Battle of Britain” and was mainly used as a camera-ship. On completion of filming it was given to Wilson ‘Connie’ Edwards as payment for his flying services during filming. When Edwards sold his collection and was bought by an Australian customer. It was brought to the UK for restoration by Air Leasing at Sywell. It flew again in late 2017 repainted in the colours of “Red 11” from the Battle of Britain movie. The only change to the original configuration had been the replacement of the Bubble canopy with a framed canopy much like the two-seat Bf109s flown by the Luftwaffe in the Second World War. This provided more protection for the pilot and passenger. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Bqsa2TcdFY/W24KUSQHbAI/AAAAAAAAzJU/5mBmwZW9bkYSrfsBBpWR98LgHotLgiQpwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B64%255D"><strong><img width="644" height="432" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ho98i3r8uGE/W24KVBGm8LI/AAAAAAAAzJY/aCQBvTOAx0wL9Ku4GMudprZ8p5RPAoJNQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B31%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a><p align="center">[Hispano HA1112-M4L Buchon] <p>While Babe was busy with the radio controlled models from Classic Jets, I ventured into the showground to find a toilet. I walked past a long queue waiting to walk through the Hercules. Thankfully, by the time I returned, it was much shorter and I joined the queue to check it out. Before that, in the showground there were impressive static line-up, various trades and exhibit stalls, ex-military vehicles, miniature steam engines, amusement arcades, falconry demonstration, tank rides, classic vehicles, helicopter pleasure flights, food stalls and musical entertainment. I gave them a miss as it was getting so hot and I don’t want Babe to think that I’d abandoned him.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UkrZD1yHCec/W24KWPeyWeI/AAAAAAAAzJc/v1c1wJuJsDc1kea0_-K6gC41jY7O1CM6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon%2BAirfield%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-05-2018%2B12-08-16%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cLxC8N7dWWo/W24KXEG-z8I/AAAAAAAAzJg/kwHE8-sXYbwMnZ-8OSlgfUlahiT1giFDgCHMYCw/Abingdon%2BAirfield%2BD3100b%2B%2B06-05-2018%2B12-08-16_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Unfortunately after the walkabout, I got heat stroke and sat in the car with the air-conditioned on. Although I’m from a tropical country, this heat don’t agree with me at all. Babe drove the car closer to the air-strip (as a lot of people had left) to keep an eye on me and also I was able to see the action from the comfort of the car. Thanks, Babe. In between runs, we’d a picnic in the car with our usual cheese and onion pasties, chicken sandwiches all washed down with hot coffee. We made sure we drank lots of water, which was nicely chilled from the cooler box. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-StjBirBkwqA/W24KX8_cjqI/AAAAAAAAzJk/Nq6uQ0_J5OwZQvI5Yyr1d4vIbWOfINNhgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7EX8K4mKBv8/W24KY22dYcI/AAAAAAAAzJo/hxCrpmpzfVkPNwPTU8Lb5DT1Ai0ixq5UACHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D3100b--06-05-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Apart from the amazing aircrafts whizzing past, we were also entertained by a Red Kite soaring over us. Once a very rare bird that could only be found in Central wales, it had been successfully reintroduced to several areas of the UK. Its distinctive shape with angled, red wings that was tipped with black and had white patches underneath in the ‘hand’, including a long, reddish-brown, forked tail. The ‘mewing’ calls echoed around us. It was constantly being mobbed by a flock of crows, chasing it off.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJNsMzEjemM/W24KZiGjBMI/AAAAAAAAzJs/aLxWrT_iEfQeKtRd_2GLNBW_Uu8JkudYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B19%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BXGZy_eh7vA/W24KamPU92I/AAAAAAAAzJw/pNtvuWQl4aALZdjnrvNrY0Kpy5sp2wgaQCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B44%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>There were also a few ‘toys’ on show. Among them was this Cosmic Aviation Eurostar microlight G-CDTA. it was an ultralight aircraft designed for sport/leisure flying, touring and training with limitation to non-aerobatic VFR operations. It was aerodynamically controlled, single-engine, two-seat, low-wing, all metal plane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage and controllable nose wheel. It could be flown on a microlight license which meant pilots needed less training, a lot less money and an easier medical than required to fly Group A aircraft. Now where can I get a £35K loan <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hR0woA72SHQ/W24KbpKCaPI/AAAAAAAAzJ0/OAeSf8NqwDUj_5P4cpmP_A88JzqMmidlwCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"><br><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6-EPm8yc3Bg/W24Kcp1a3sI/AAAAAAAAzJ4/h7JUuYL-aOcHalf0MWg-jFEoLODkqPv6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B65%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Abingdon Airshow - May" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Abingdon Airshow - May" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GfCoNxWmVAM/W24KdhaOEGI/AAAAAAAAzJ8/grG3mQigQZItjanB_QmNmSDd1Ft5gt5iwCHMYCw/Abingdon-Airfield-D7200-C13--06-05-2%255B75%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center">[Cosmik Aviation Eurostar microlight G_CDTA]<p>Fantastic weather, a bumper crowd and superb flying made for a very fabulous start to the season at Abingdon. Although, the weather was hot and sunny, shooting into the sun was tricky as there were lots of heat shimmer. It was also very challenging in the afternoon with the sun being in front of the crowd line. Kudos to Neil Porter and his team for doing a sterling work over the year to put on the event and raising money for charity. The event had raised nearly £90,000 for a good cause. Next year will hopefully be a special one as the event celebrated its 20<sup>th</sup> staging and we hoped to be there!Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-632690376329996462018-07-20T14:33:00.001-07:002018-07-20T14:33:38.598-07:00April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks GO*<p>We welcomed St. George’s Day, the patron saint of England, and the birth of Prince Louis with a trip to our favourite playground. There was a pause from the torrential misery-inducing rains which continued to drench the country as heavy downpours showed no sign of abating. In between sunny spells and scattered showers, we made our way through the very lush reserve. Everything had gone ‘whooosh’. Primroses were still flowering profusely on the shady hedge banks and now joined by the fragrant blue-violet sweet viola.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P8w9XAxHFvE/W1JUj4M_ydI/AAAAAAAAy-o/qErogRf9VpkL9T3GzaqcvsNAmnw9bY0pACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--21-04-2018-13-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZxBFnGrk-hk/W1JUlAwiQAI/AAAAAAAAy-s/0OaFO_V3mjkCdwtVOMp41gwEqCqlSrMkQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--21-04-2018-13-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I saw a Robin with moss in its beak. There must be a nest nearby and it was waiting patiently for us to move away. In mild winter, the courtship had started in January but the breeding season began in March. They paired only for the duration of the breeding season.The care of the fledged young was left to the male, while the female prepared herself for the next nesting efforts. Robins had 2 broods a year. Three successful broods a year was not uncommon, and in a good year even four were known.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DHNPXx3fKrc/W1JUmOqyVQI/AAAAAAAAy-w/YdS2JpkXj3U6jVP5jqmBgzKkG2zn4A89ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--22-04-2018-11-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UeO6Dm6q-_c/W1JUndWFszI/AAAAAAAAy-0/MN3OURBEyK47ZGtzE3jonl5uFwGWJdhQwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--22-04-2018-11-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At Baldwin Hide, we were pleased to see an Oystercatcher sitting on nest, which was usually a depression in the ground. She was being kept company by another nesting Coot which I found endearing as both were well-known for their aggressiveness and for being very territorial. From time-to-time, the Oystercatcher’s partner flew in with its distinctive and shrill, piping call ’kleep, kleep’ calls trailing behind it. It was lovely watching the pair with their bright, orange bill, pink coloured legs, and black and white plumage bonding. The sexes were similar in appearance, although males had shorter, thicker bills.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1mpYQFSGoQE/W1JUo54t_kI/AAAAAAAAy-4/YR1MRipO-Yw16u6yAlixFAr1AIREdu-pQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0GYUO7jtLLM/W1JUqHNq0BI/AAAAAAAAy-8/6U72EFBUfbsajSbnezLVPObgcOCh852zQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Oystercatchers were historically known as the ‘sea pie’. The name was superseded during the late 18th and early 19th century, after Mark Catesby in his Natural History of Carolina (1731) coined this name for the American species Haematopus palliatus. While the American Oystercatcher fed upon ‘clams and coon-oysters’, oysters weren’t featured in the diet of the European species. Mussel picker and Mussel cracker were more accurate names. The fierce orange bills worked as a pair of pincers, prising mussels and limpets off rocks and removing the food.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gtympdqcHLI/W1JUr9yj2PI/AAAAAAAAy_A/U7EhKJTfSxUfJ-IEImcp3ieZxitUX1J2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--26-04-2018-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYNlmMQfMXM/W1JUtHzUzmI/AAAAAAAAy_E/kMsjLtxnXa0wNYZcDzzBU6fGlinZXktWwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--26-04-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued on to the very busy East Marsh Hide and managed to find a seat. There was so much going on that we don’t know where to point the camera. A Garganey had brought everyone into the hide. This male easily recognised with a broad white stripe over the eye was feeding by ‘dabbling’ for plant materials and insects. Garganeys were scarce and a very secretive breeding duck in the UK and listed as a Schedule 1 species.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B4x2wnooeII/W1JUuPIKv3I/AAAAAAAAy_I/7uVB9Pkwb88Kfk5Xv_JG1oAELaKLZsZSgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kjWUhI7yTjw/W1JUvc-2t-I/AAAAAAAAy_M/6_QHLNpuhlUekMutF_AG9Vy2LAHMKwSNgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A pair of Redshank flew in alerting us with their loud piping calls ‘teu-hu-hu’ with longer and more accented first syllable. These adults were in breeding plumage with grey-brown upperparts, spotted darker brown and black. On the upper-wing, the secondary flight feathers were white and visible in flight. At first, they walked along the shores, pecking regularly, occasionally probing, jabbing and sweeping through the water with their bills. Then the male performed a courtship display by rising and falling with vibrating wings. The female was very impressed with the display and let him have his wicked ways<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x6XeolLpKHc/W1JUwEDqv3I/AAAAAAAAy_Q/xRYQFfUk10gN0aZItlO0mKvFJe4uMpqqQCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qrClci4Pk7k/W1JUx4n--BI/AAAAAAAAy_U/LXlJAUgm6g0da-IryQeBBEkNDkTaVGD7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--22-04-201"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BjHhsXupOmY/W1JUzC9S_5I/AAAAAAAAy_Y/uf6_UMaN5BsjLqN8L6-SFJjbJHtOAydwgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--22-04-201%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then a family of Mallard with 8 adorable ducklings appeared and swam close to the hide. They were cute little balls of down with clove-brown backs, relieved by 4 yellow patches. They were only a few days old but the sooner they got to the water to feed, the better were their chances of survival. They can’t survive without their mother, and took 50-60 days before they fledged and became independent. The ducklings fed themselves as soon as they reached the water, but needed to learn what was edible, such as water fleas, insects and duckweed. They depended on their mother for warmth. She brood them regularly, particularly at night, as they were easily chilled in the cold weather.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3f8Q_rLyvoQ/W1JU0CvsgqI/AAAAAAAAy_c/lzTEWNB9pPYC43acyl4iXbd0kLayIGocACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--23-04-201%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WgAP5c7epuY/W1JU1bKMvDI/AAAAAAAAy_g/rFtqxf-SotYg3bBPVpuFNuRbuqxbqTPCgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--23-04-201%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Blackcap from the right side of the hide popped up to see what was going on. Adult males displayed the black cap that gave the species their common name, while females had a chestnut-brown cap. According to Babe, it had a nest nearby because he’d seen it flying in and out from the shrubby undergrowth. A summer visitor from Germany and north-east Europe, it had a delightful fluting song, earning the name ‘northern nightingale’. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TAoInqqTDJM/W1JU2bNArCI/AAAAAAAAy_o/Z5kC9FieUXgdWon6FYohBhOwv_1M8wedQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--23-04-201"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GWesHWL1SqY/W1JU3NBTPEI/AAAAAAAAy_w/3fcN1bgntHQgrzsGUzA0lI6J1pvkv5tgwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--23-04-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After a couple of hours, we made our way to Ted Jury Hide. Near the now-abandoned badger set, we were entertained by this Whitethroat singing its heart out. He fluffed out his white throat feathers to produce the distinctive ‘jowled’ effect. A summer visitor and passage migrant, he stopped singing when he saw us and darted rapidly in and out of the bushes, while flicking and cocking its long tail. It popped up with a tiny fluff on its beak and flew off to the nearby bramble-covered bushes and flitting into cover. Then he perched at the top of the bush, and glared at us with a rapid churring call. It was a sign for us to leave.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XK4nNUp8gU8/W1JU4C0DmLI/AAAAAAAAy_0/iYmt6xwxGKIM0v-Vw0HrIci6joi6a4kCQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tmZvcWsuqDA/W1JU4xTayLI/AAAAAAAAy_4/QKg3aK0K5FA1tLSbslMRZ3HviURkArZbQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--23-04-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At the end of the month, we made another trip to Brandon Marsh. Before we left, I took a photograph of this Mistle thrush fledgling waiting patiently to be fed. I had seen both parents flying in to feed the downy chick, pale and heavily spotted on the upperparts. It was dependent on the parents for 15-20 days after fledging and were mainly fed on invertebrates, often collected from low foliage or under bushes rather than in the grassland preferred by the adults. The chick would accompany the parents until the onset of winter.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Gll5IMABWg/W1JU53wQkjI/AAAAAAAAy_8/d2h-IsyfyCUoQ1dKasxmmEmPmCRx1fMAACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--29-04-2018-13-22-50%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UJrv7jZe0GU/W1JU6-qxUbI/AAAAAAAAzAA/lFZHR8EuN74AN9s5W75Kf6D2EdwINCETgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--29-04-2018-13-22-50?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We headed straight to Baldwin Hide when we heard the familiar high pitched ‘tsee, tsee’ calls. We followed the calls and spotted a ‘mouse-like’ bird with a down-curved bill and stiff tail, moving in a spiral around a tree-trunk. Then it flew off to the next tree, repeating the process, starting at the bottom again. The intricately patterned brown plumage of a Treecreeper was an ideal camouflage for a bird working its way up a tree-trunk. It was busy foraging for insects and their larvae by probing the crevices of tree barks with its long thin bills. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9P7FlSmqqw/W1JU8F9OYJI/AAAAAAAAzAE/H6es_2vXS6AvaW2rAeZrIx7-EsqbnVp_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--29-04-2018-14-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUm2z2grHYU/W1JU9Dzz0yI/AAAAAAAAzAI/lwmJG2JJOzIRCVKdHhoHvBhAerHAqoilACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--29-04-2018-14-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made ourselves at home in the hide. The Oystercatcher and Coot was still sitting on eggs. The air was filled with Sandmartins and Swallows, showing off their aerial displays while catching insects in flight. The Swallows were easily identifiable with their dark, glossy blue-black backs, red throats, pale underparts and long tail steamers. These summer visitors had just arrived from Africa and they were busy feeding, gathering their strength before getting ready to attract a mate. From time to time, they flew low, skimming the surface of the lake for a drink.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jUWlIkXUTrE/W1JU-P9hAKI/AAAAAAAAzAM/D_gG7xbm2rowicJ4JCQh_hcsKqmCvjQ2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--29-04-2018-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-54krWvHsG6Q/W1JU_ErYQ3I/AAAAAAAAzAQ/5VabgBzqphEDAk5EIf_F8R0FlEvc-gfPgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--29-04-2018-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were also delighted to see the courting behaviour of a pair of Common Terns. The male had already chosen the nesting site and was luring the female with a fish, calling in their high-pitched squeaky calls. This behaviour established a pair-bond, and showed the female that her mate was capable of catching fish on demand. An important skill when there were hungry nestlings to feed. After a pair bond was formed, the male fed her and then only they began to copulate. Fingers-crossed, we will be seeing plenty of action as there were 3 floating pontoons for the rest of the Common Terns to use.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2HS8xfs9yY8/W1JVAK_DvgI/AAAAAAAAzAY/oTH7z9Jh29sXd-V1hT49s6ic_Cv4OzBPACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--30-04-2018%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dxTW4hIHNus/W1JVBLFvc7I/AAAAAAAAzAc/4DAhUwpS5NQKghY7IACKIBewhudUCh_OwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--30-04-2018%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were so captivated by the Swallows and Common Terns that we missed seeing a Common Sandpiper flying in to the island with the nesting Oystercatcher and Coot. Something splashing in the water caught our attention and then only realised what it was. After having a wash, it started foraging for insects, worms and molluscs along the banks, frequently bopping up and down, known as ‘teetering’. When it was disturbed by another Coot, it flew off with rapid, shallow wing beats on stiff, bowed wings. In flight, the striking white wing-bar was visible. It was also a sign for us to head home too.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Osgv4BRwx8/W1JVCR3J_II/AAAAAAAAzAg/HjBtB5M-d9AIN-rBCSCfBlUo2HpxH-n3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--30-04-2018%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I9qIRQ6ycpw/W1JVDby6TxI/AAAAAAAAzAk/VK9lLR75WSEkuBND_SH_oEh9gFp-rHtKwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-BB-DX--30-04-2018%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At home, we were greeted by the yummy smells of chicken rendang, a traditional Malaysian dish, warming in the oven. There was an uproar when MasterChef judges complained during the quarter finals of the reality cooking show that the chicken skin in the rendang wasn’t crispy. Stewing over the comments, foodies, prime ministers and everyday Malaysians, vented their fury on social media. Because, “crispy” was never associated with rendang – a rich dry curry that required meat to be slow-cooked in spices and coconut milk. I’d never watched the programme but I was proud of how fellow Malaysians bonded together when their traditional food was insulted.</p><p align="center"><strong><em>Chicken rendang</em></strong></p><ul><li><div align="center"><strong><em>1.5kg Chicken cut into 12 pieces
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>500ml Milk from starch of 1½ grated coconut with 500ml (2 cups) water
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>110g Toasted coconut paste (kerisik)
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Salt to taste
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Sugar to taste
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>1 Turmeric leaf, sliced </em></strong></div></li></ul><p align="center"><strong><em>For Spice Paste</em></strong><ul><li><div align="center"><strong><em>8 Shallots, skin peeled
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>3 cloves Garlic, skin peeled
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>8 stalks Lemongrass, sliced
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>¾ inch Ginger, skin peeled
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>¾ inch Fresh turmeric, skin peeled
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>6 Red chillies, deseeded
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>5 Chilli padi, deseeded
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>1½ tbsp Coriander powder
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>1 tbsp Powdered aniseed
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>1 tsp Cumin powder
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>2 tbsp Chilli paste </em></strong></div></li></ul><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Combine the spice paste ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Combine chicken, spice paste and coconut milk into the pot and simmer for 30 min until the broth is almost dry.
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Lower heat and stir in coconut paste (kerisik). Season with salt and sugar.
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Add turmeric and stir well before turning off the fire.
</em></strong></div><li><div align="center"><strong><em>We’d ours with boiled rice and stir-fried broccoli in oyster sauce.</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Nom…nom..</em></strong></div></li><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BBp9PO6aZC0/W1JVEtV190I/AAAAAAAAzAo/8s3RHdZxYxIJVwzV2edOaHfi6rCchtphwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--27-04-2018-21-43-204"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry S40 27-04-2018 21-43-20" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry S40 27-04-2018 21-43-20" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Dki168IHeQ/W1JVFuXg6YI/AAAAAAAAzAs/sH84HHC2jgA1_o7aiS1Pnbihei1sFx6dgCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--27-04-2018-21-43-20_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">During my lunch-break at work, it was heaven to be wandering around the campus grounds with the trees drooping with cherry blossoms. It was a sight to behold with the trees in full riotous blooms. Clouds of these ornamental blossoms were at their absolute peak thanks to the combination of sunny days and cold nights. The white blossoms were out first and it was hard to concentrate when they were blooming outside my window. Eventually these white or pink, lacy blossoms fluttered down and carpeting the ground. Due to their very short flowering time, the blossoms were often seen as a metaphor for life itself, luminous and beautiful, yet fleeting and ephemeral. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMyuboygo4s/W1JVIUfUTXI/AAAAAAAAzA0/NPWEN4pi-scGaV33XJKsHakHQmBGAKSbgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--20-04-2018-1%255B3%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oWTr_CG0GMk/W1JVJynud_I/AAAAAAAAzA4/LQpKCUkqVFQBVPnAEe_xYFKgVv3mGaXhgCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--20-04-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">The Japanese poet Otomo no Kuronushi wrote in the 9th century, <p align="center"><strong>‘Every-one feels grief when cherry blossoms scatter’.</strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wIOMxf3uY4g/W1JVK_ioM7I/AAAAAAAAzA8/Cu2AkIXTIj4nXjuhARbvGDgqMcgfl4RLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--20-04-2018-1%255B5%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ycGp6wBE2EY/W1JVMBI_GnI/AAAAAAAAzBE/8w6AxgHsNuE-WnOtH67CXpbpJLoVYcPaQCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--20-04-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p>*quote by Christopher Morley</p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-36264594753888651862018-07-15T06:47:00.001-07:002018-07-15T06:47:17.160-07:00To the Migrating Sea-Birds at Bempton Cliffs<p>I took Friday off for a long Spring bank holiday weekend and had our annual trip to Bempton Cliffs. It was 13C on a nice cool morning when we left the casa at 9.45 am. This was also our first pilgrimage to the sea-bird city. It was very hazy on the M69 and quite an uncomfortable trip as we drove through the agricultural fields flanking the motorways. The air was thick with eau de manure as the farmers fertilised their fields. We stopped at Woodhall for a comfort break and after that, the view changed to miles and miles of sunshine-y yellow as the rapeseed fields flanking the M18 were blooming. We were now enveloped in a very sweet, sickly perfume. What a contrast.<p>We arrived at Bempton Cliff at about 1 pm and was not surprised to see the place heaving, even though it was a working day. From the top of the hill, we could see the overflow car-park full. Ooh…. But then, you don’t have to be a bird-watcher, twitcher or photographer to be impressed by the sight of 250k seabirds gathering to nest and breed here. From April to October, the RSPB hosted this annual spectacle of thousands of noisy Gannets, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Puffins.There was a warden directing the traffic and we managed to get a spot right by the visitor centre. Thank god!!! After freshening up, we made our way towards the action. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIrs_M_7r2s/W0tPmsM_pqI/AAAAAAAAy6M/9rZioLWoAcQXt6gKR9djMsmb83tinYvcwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w_Zu2YTk2fs/W0tPni9JMzI/AAAAAAAAy6Q/K7ldeRdZSQgOXAFxwQKCIQleDOP-pCVbwCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>But first, we checked out the ubiquitous Tree sparrows with their newly fledged youngsters that were chirping happily on the hedges. We stood there listening to them gossiping with their hard and piercing ‘tek’ conversational calls. They were out and about enjoying the sunshine. We saw one with a feather in its beak, to impress the Mrs perhaps. They were now thinking of a second brood as they started breeding in early April. Typically, there were around 3 broods and unlike most birds, they paired up in autumn rather in spring. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mCarndcsJjs/W0tPoXyz7XI/AAAAAAAAy6U/dPRbpJ5har0DdH_5O-htB6D6cgH4HCtRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CLGGdIhilQc/W0tPpWpHqPI/AAAAAAAAy6Y/0Hg8xr3eA486twwE2lyFSSzsSUbRJiE4ACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I am so glad that they were thriving here because the UK Tree Sparrow population had suffered a severe decline and listed as ‘red status’ in the RSPB’s conservation rating. They were shyer than House sparrows and were rarely associated with people but not these flock. They were so used to the millions of visitors passing through the visitor centre as they nested under the red pantiles on the roof. Smaller than House sparrows, they’d two narrow white bars across their wing feathers and were often described as having a permanently cocked tail.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpf4JBqywI0/W0tPqFsi2WI/AAAAAAAAy6c/w2iT7MSZUOg9am0jZuZIXskk3GtgbO9EACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B18%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jb8sSLtHeZk/W0tPrGF_FiI/AAAAAAAAy6g/NRa3i2LennEqFRml2JBMp6VriLppuM2MACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As soon as we step on the paved path, we were surprised not be assaulted by the very familiar smells, sounds and sight of sea-birds. Seabird colonies during the breeding season were full-blown, multi sensual impression of movement, noise and smell. My eyes took everything at once, and saw that there weren’t that many birds swarming the sky. Bempton Cliff was usually packed to the rafters with tens of thousands of individuals, pairs that worked together to bring up their chicks, shuttling to and fro from foraging grounds, bringing fish and nesting materials, disputing with neighbouring breeding pairs and dealing vicious blows towards intruders into their miniscule breeding territory. Then I realised that we were here very early into the breeding season. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-va_EPvNoF5w/W0tPr-kdFKI/AAAAAAAAy6k/HPHEZwD5hJQCTI_U0j9YArbO6Hhtb3m5ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B24%255D"><img width="644" height="435" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l9ZJ0_CxfuM/W0tPs_TH5rI/AAAAAAAAy6o/2UP0EsuuGVQYwl4RnKId__YHqbAGljd0gCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As we walked towards the Grandstand, I was so glad to hear the familiar eerie onomatopoeic serenades ‘kitti-wake’ or ‘kala-week’ from the Kittiwakes, making the colonies very noisy places indeed. They bred in colonies on narrow ledges of the vertiginous cliffs. I was chuffed to see this pair having a discussion, while its neighbour was in a nest made up of seaweed, moss and other plant material and held together with either mud or clay, making it a very sturdy nest. Neat silver-grey and white, a few danced past on buoyant wings towards their nesting site and the cliffs resounded to their name constantly being called, as returning birds greeted their mates<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wn0Kpisvqoc/W0tPufadbQI/AAAAAAAAy6s/OCS-oUrfgoomNSNIRR5jfaD9FdmOlKxwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xgmEGuvtAo0/W0tPvRpWeoI/AAAAAAAAy6w/B-ms_Fo11_Y0_CFJBZFJseEPzsRl7SoPwCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It was only during courtship and nesting time that the birds ‘kittiwake’. For the rest of the year they were mostly silently except for an occasional ‘kit’. True gulls of the open sea, they spent half the year out in the middle of North Sea and North Atlantic, only returning inland to breed. They will leave the summer breeding grounds earlier if they failed to breed and headed 1,800 miles to over-winter in Canada. They were the gentlest in appearance of all gulls, and it may be this, combined with their plaintive calling that lies behind a belief that the souls of dead children go into Kittiwakes. 10% of the UK population lived here on the cliffs at Bempton. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xKRUbt-LxGk/W0tPxGM8kkI/AAAAAAAAy60/qzr0dp_W3xI4005wMviS4wzeQ9DwDny7wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nvk7VYRCm9Y/W0tPyR2Ku9I/AAAAAAAAy64/ZD01-6X7W8Ie4yDjVObC0QmRxwX1dgTCACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nearby, a pair of Razorbills tucked themselves away in crevices and cracks. They had broader, blunter bills, picked out by a smart coachline along the top and tip. The edges of their hooked upper beaks were very sharp, enabling them to grasp fish and defend themselves against predators. It was thought that they earned their name from their bill which resembled an old fashioned cut throat razor. They ,too, only came to shore to breed and then wintered back in the northern Atlantic. They weren’t particularly vocal but deep creaking ‘urr’ were produced by breeding individuals. They were quite quarrelsome too.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O0OJI3Hanm8/W0tPzuLPiHI/AAAAAAAAy68/X1uj-r8xNb436XMwS26TxvbVjgBrvoDqQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6IcjTB_vic/W0tP05nztnI/AAAAAAAAy7A/-Jhm39VLKYMxzuR8wirz5tii7B0lBY39ACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B25%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Razorbills were identified by their very dark brown to black upper parts and white breast, blunt-ended bill crossed with a white stripe and a bright yellow gape. In the breeding season, they had a more prominent line extending from the base of the bill to the eye. It was sad to know that the future of this species were linked to the health of the marine environment. Fishing nets, pollution and declining fish stock all threatened these Razorbills. They were among the rarest auks in the world and how lucky that we could still see them here. In combination, 20% of the world population bred around the British and Irish coasts. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XqyA9r2abuc/W0tP2JcpC6I/AAAAAAAAy7E/FHToRvn0FBQmzvZMyJodxx60LJPCzrU_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_TFYxAzNmI0/W0tP3bdbdMI/AAAAAAAAy7I/ggQLyQ0Xc2IANPEiOlp-n7uMUrH7gKA5wCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It was a shame that most of these birds were being ignored by the visitors. It seemed that all they wanted to see were the Puffins and the reserve cashed on this by giving them a top billing. Bempton Cliffs don’t have any rabbits so their more usual nest site of unused rabbit burrows weren’t available. Instead they laid a single egg in a crevice in the cliff rock face. The curious appearance of these birds, with their large colourful bills, striking piebald plumage and sad eyes, had given rise to nicknames such as ‘clown of the ocean’ and ‘sea rooster’. With their bright orange splayed feet, colourful bills and comical walk, it was hard not to be cheered by the sights of these birds. They were quite easy to spot as they weren’t overshadowed by the bigger sea-birds that yet had to arrive and populate the cliffs.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PT07fSoKlvs/W0tP4awBNNI/AAAAAAAAy7M/bzuUETNFXOMXqmpdHGhUnKOOYrq9WZ8OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S4O6Qyw3oWA/W0tP5X92ilI/AAAAAAAAy7U/xDAd81WTG84ueq7GfV9XAVgdq507_CRegCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>These plucky seabirds spent 8 months out at sea before flying in each spring to breed. Their dumpy little bodies and tiny wings weren’t designed for easy flight and it was awful watching them plummeting from the cliff edge before their tiny wings started beating furiously and then whizzing past. And when they touched down, they were in the mood for socialising.They’d been away for so long that they were keen for a good chinwag to catch up on any gossips. It was a joy to watch them as they busily meet and greet each other. They have a very endearing courtship display in which the pair rub their beaks together excitedly known as ‘billing’. The couple below seemed to have a hard day<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yicg-0A9Ay4/W0tP57EbF_I/AAAAAAAAy7Y/ItKMflyyQU4QgEGc-lIgfxR0HZ9F0MXiACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YKepiLy94G4/W0tP7ddc0fI/AAAAAAAAy7c/sUxPT2Fd590ymUol7y9feOy60Jrzu_GQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z6lxl_U--xA/W0tP8ShqJvI/AAAAAAAAy7g/z498DUT8DTM44ynILmnvGLEH3be6dr8KACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As we were walking towards Jubilee Corner, Babe was delighted to see his favourite bird, the doe-eyed Fulmars, flying about at eye-level. Gull-like but stockier with thicker head and neck, they were gliding on stiffly held wings with occasional wing-beats. The whiteness of their bodies and relative thickness of their head earned them the nickname ‘flying milk bottle. They were also likened to a mini albatross because they seemed to enjoy flying in stronger winds. Their long narrow wings enabled them to fly great distances and were one of the best birds at gliding on air currents, a mighty feat considering they carried 20% of their body weight in food.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wknnpqpPRMw/W0tP9Fna7NI/AAAAAAAAy7o/Kjx7jyjy0zYehmDZCrCvtRkp844iCcA8QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1-VoXf-f4nU/W0tP-MxyXTI/AAAAAAAAy7s/O_laEBzkABYKnd6qJHlFJNrHQuBjPqzvgCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Despite their superficial gull-like appearances, they weren’t part of the Gull family. They belonged to the same family as Petrels and Shearwaters and were closely allied to the Albatross, often referred to as ‘tubenoses’. The bill and tubenose were a notable characteristic which helped distinguished from the other birds breeding here. They were the last birds to breed and pairs often cackled to each other like drunken witches.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KsGwV_JdnIg/W0tP-wX4gtI/AAAAAAAAy70/8yGXPePs00AgI6msGd07DpZ8sbULNDOeACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B15%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9fE_w-4InNA/W0tP_-YUz0I/AAAAAAAAy74/wNmXlF0Ssn4qIXcOtBU21CHDXV6queZDwCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B28%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also watched the juvenile Gannets in varying states of plumage with their mix of dark and light markings on the wings flying past in groups. It would take 3 or more years to get the adult plumage. They started breeding at an age of about 5 years or older. In the mean time, these young pre-breeding birds spent the summer investigating breeding colonies, the one in which they were born, a behaviour known as prospecting and also meeting potential breeding mates on the way. Bempton Cliffs was home to the only mainland breeding colony of Gannets in England. They arrived here from January and left in August/September. They were either constantly flying in formation just like the Dawn Patrol or criss-crossing the sky. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B_p6ThlTtO4/W0tQAlTidFI/AAAAAAAAy78/Bo9ckB5brPsJ1OQaF_k0I-nFpmadLy5pACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ycvaFLHeNM/W0tQBWhz1jI/AAAAAAAAy8A/lRZkmhTkjl8YG30sHQVRNzUEF2dWtMkCQCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>From the viewing point, we watched them going about their daily business, sky-pointing, neck twisting, chest-expanding, to having a few disputes with the neighbours. With spear-like bills and spiky tails, they looked ‘pointed at both ends’. Gannets were silent except during breeding, when the head and neck were brushed in a delicate yellow. From time to time, their rough throaty hard cacklings could be heard. They paired for life and occupy the same nest each year. We enjoyed watching their bonding displays like bowing, sky-pointing and mutual ‘fencing’ of the bills. The males built the nests out of seaweed, feathers, grass, earth and sometimes strings and nets, all kept together with their droppings. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EASKkoaEfQc/W0tQCvTA4rI/AAAAAAAAy8E/a360iU6zuwQFxhIuII8mYYYDA80ygZXFACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUJG-HaU1wc/W0tQEFSrHsI/AAAAAAAAy8I/0ooUVPmqIfc2kC2s3bqYQ6FMCvrHreamQCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Standing upright on the rocky ledges and doing their chalk cliff inspection in action were the dark brown Guillemots. They stood upright and lined every ledge and cranny and crammed together shoulder to shoulder on the narrow rock ledges. They were usually silent but growled a loud whirring sound when on the nests, with their white underparts showing and paddle-like feet sticking out in front. They came to land only to nest, spending the rest of their life at sea, where they were vulnerable to oil spill. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U5y0AGjSoIA/W0tQFQegrlI/AAAAAAAAy8M/NC3zAsuUj9QWZxCFVSBJsQqd4rsYuOAAACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DVm2-QsfMv0/W0tQGRi5KuI/AAAAAAAAy8Q/zz-27VsBN8oBZoKFILRlwNecmlSxXQE0wCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It would be lovely to see their courtship which took place in water where one will be swimming around the other which spins to face it. They also had communal displays where several pairs were circling and bobbing or standing and flapping wings. The animation, the continual whirring flights of parent birds, the yarra-yarra-yarra racket, snaking necks and long bills created a mesmeric atmosphere. They fell out with each other and with neighbours. Guillemots only started to breed at about 7 years old. After the breeding season, they migrated in August with their young chicks to the eastern or southern part of the North sea. Together with the Razorbills, they were among the first birds to fledge from the cliffs, and were gone before the Puffins left their cliff top burrows.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4eFv0udwtHo/W0tQHm0CIkI/AAAAAAAAy8U/3DK-rm42V2Yhmd4NVPL5nd2rkyblQ8fTwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-liiMB8hkbPc/W0tQIlYDGRI/AAAAAAAAy8Y/qU_QxexW5kwbQKVPSbM-E99uhzpKD9JSgCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then it was time to slowly ambled back along the cliff path. The views were stunning from here as the rugged limestone cliffs rose 400 feet from the North Sea with unrivalled views of the beautiful Yorkshire coastline with Flamborough Head, Filey Brigg and Scarborough all jostling for attention within a breath-taking panorama. We came across a group looking excitedly through their binoculars and scopes. I asked what they were looking at and it was a Ring Ouzel. Unfortunately, it was quite far and we managed only a record shot.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGFrgY5uA88/W0tQJniRsRI/AAAAAAAAy8c/NKGL5Coqy0oDQbWztX1nRpXs8GJfSLQfgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B6%255D"><img width="483" height="484" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yzcF9kpbZkw/W0tQKjxqUlI/AAAAAAAAy8k/zx831kESe2U2HSukk5_rPDIcDk0B4RPqACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>By the time we reached the path, I was exhausted and wanted to get back to the car and rest. But Babe wanted to check the Grandstand viewpoint first and I’m glad we did. We saw our first sighting of a Grey seal fishing. We had seen seals before but this was the first time at Bempton Cliffs. The North Sea was rich in biodversity for sealife and birdlife and attracted a variety of cetacea to feed on. There were reported sightings of Bottlenose dolphins, Harbour porpoises and even a Minkle Whale breaking the surface. I must remember that the show-stopping seabird melodramas on the majestic limestone cliffs were not the only things to look out for. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BNuESgcjjaY/W0tQLR69L2I/AAAAAAAAy8o/lnxMZLdHJloH4zzfQVhmKpqs02UDBQv-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j5TD6TiI4iE/W0tQMFadv4I/AAAAAAAAy8s/bl64voVD4pEYImVI92yhsBOvSKIds5hnACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B26%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We planned to check out the other view-points at the New Roll-up and Staple Newk later but decided not to. It was a very warm, breezy sunny day and I was beginning to overheat. We treated ourselves to a very expensive ice-cream each to cool down. Then back to the car for a simple picnic of onion and cheese pasties with crisps and washed down with hot coffee from a thermos. Before leaving, I checked out the bird-feeding station and spotted a Brambling. Unfortunately, it was too dark for a photograph. What a lovely end to a lovely day.<p align="center"><strong><em>Sauntering hither on listless wings,<br>Careless vagabond of the sea,<br>Little thou heedest the surf that sings,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhBSrmI5Bm8/W0tQNOifACI/AAAAAAAAy8w/ya6DE2XW6mYFNpTff5HJun-eTdmBB5MZgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B20%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cLc5eUk3ow/W0tQNzdrUEI/AAAAAAAAy80/vMnCOZRjpeUeYFNY-7Lkp_9dYk_cx4H6gCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>The bar that thunders, the shale that rings,-</em></strong><strong><em><br>Give me to keep thy company.<br>Little thou has, old friend, that’s new</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YXFUw_Vi5Ek/W0tQPB0VdVI/AAAAAAAAy84/IuFVhjQuy30-zIOXjDqVQQDlk6wlnlODQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B1%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PWbYI53gIcQ/W0tQP1XTJEI/AAAAAAAAy88/-hNVzzKTPoYGfeePm0gfwFGQAo6e_aYwwCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Storms and wrecks are old things to thee;<br>Sick am I of these changes, too;</em></strong><strong><em><br>Little to care for, little to rue,-</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-alQIGIU6do8/W0tQQ_x-GjI/AAAAAAAAy9A/fV-xTF7E5k4Xc7_ucH6jv69A5htRcRKpwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B16%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K9yeP7qs-1c/W0tQRpeGImI/AAAAAAAAy9I/Xn_MQRcaxJUCpGIATLSNQTjCZ-fQRHRPACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D800-DX-T--20-04%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>I on the short , and thou on the sea.<br>All of thy wanderings, far and near,<br>Bring thee at last to shore and me;</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXRa3HXVr6Q/W0tQSwZYp3I/AAAAAAAAy9M/nABbRwxMdT4OKtUWmDMFEZmdoHw8k_acwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B17%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RAQYBK_hJ7Q/W0tQTiZT-sI/AAAAAAAAy9Q/4PKgok9wej43BGiIBu4CfByH_ujJvxFswCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><strong><em></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><br>All of my journeyings end them here,<br>This our tether must be our cheer,-<br>I on the shore, and thou on the sea.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QV4FIY6PU3I/W0tQUSYwluI/AAAAAAAAy9U/FztuVd52xU4XWb7ElGHwP_cEw2PeMqVSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B31%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xvC5R6GPQ0c/W0tQVJuXP0I/AAAAAAAAy9Y/oM1-uEgwlecDgIlP3rNHtW_BM6QAxWW_wCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B30%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>Lazily rocking on ocean’s breast,</em></strong><strong><em><br>Something in common, old friend, have we;<br>Thou on the shingle seek’st thy nest,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ffhA7MaCXlk/W0tQWFzi7XI/AAAAAAAAy9c/jViqF-LoYOA46rH1tcdY6Y-8grxP420QACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B14%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCsXXT-S7R8/W0tQWskp7rI/AAAAAAAAy9g/PTt9eCd0mDEnscYtb4aFwfV46P-ha-8aACHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D7200-C13--20-04%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br>I to the waters look for rest,-<br>I on the shore, and thou on the sea.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Bred Harte ‘To a sea-bird’~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BQpO-_paStk/W0tQX8J22rI/AAAAAAAAy9k/NjTjB0g0J4geo_ldivxoPJUJiikdgv8OACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B12%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Bempton Cliffs RSPB - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxhRg34-8lQ/W0tQYuPepwI/AAAAAAAAy9o/MycOjataeicZTEf9p0J6jEUoThLy1hH5QCHMYCw/Bempton-Cliffa-RSPB-D3100b--20-04-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p align="right"></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-78521979974244371802018-06-09T15:47:00.001-07:002018-06-09T15:47:19.157-07:00The Tale of the Badgers and the Osprey<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7sGDfOuo2Oc/WxxYN9C0qzI/AAAAAAAAy2M/_AV3g_8q1REEkouZ1DP0tSzLeQLCTEtJACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B33%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LzM9mVrQW2Q/WxxYOx0aGPI/AAAAAAAAy2Q/mZveXJ2IpEcl0NfrsUUJdgrxVewbCc4UQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B35%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we were out and about at favourite playground last month, we noticed that the entrance into the old badger sett had been cleared. The sight of bundles of fresh bedding materials outside the entrance was one of the clearest signs of current badger activity. We planned to keep an eye on this. We were on our usual weekly visit when Mr. Greenman mentioned to us that badger cubs were out and about in the open, wandering along the path. Whoop…whoop. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, they’d gone back into their sett.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9pSWm3ZPTiw/WxxYQPyjqXI/AAAAAAAAy2U/tPcobfuIkXQtGdJC-6PeZb7KA0lAg8SWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200--16-04-2018-15-5%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lWxpxxy9kHs/WxxYRBYLYSI/AAAAAAAAy2Y/ZqSDCOTh3ksuw44HEeiCTIRlyNL9hyAcwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200--16-04-2018-15-5%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The next day, Babe went back to check the sett when I was at work. He along with a few photographers were very lucky to have had close encounters with 3 of the most adorable badger cubs. It was amazing to think that the sow, has had cubs since February. They were already several weeks old and safely tucked away in a labyrinth of tunnels, known as a sett or den. The sow had nursed her tiny young cubs through one of the coldest months of the year. To preserve energy she had lowered her own body temperature and been quite lethargic. By late March, the cubs had begun exploring the tunnels and chambers inside the sett and, two months after they were born, begun to venture above ground.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cd0n8zogN04/WxxYSLvw_II/AAAAAAAAy2c/zJZP51DNzMsfkWmfO2wCwC6WQwIC6kqoACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B18%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-seEm0HX49JA/WxxYTOxK0-I/AAAAAAAAy2g/fLfkiJYBd18_wOmuw176TlPIpyir_N1MgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B30%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The mother was usually close by, making sure her cubs were safe. A cub's first tentative trips outside usually took place late at night, and they do not go very far from the sett entrances. Gradually though, the cubs got braver. They ventured out earlier, stayed out longer, and wandered further away from the entrances. New born badgers showed hints of two dark eye-stripes in otherwise thin, silky fur, and by the time they left the sett they had developed full adult coloration. Badger cubs were full of energy and were very playful, as seen from the photographs. I was green with envy just looking at them.</p><p> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvAVnrfYrqA/WxxYUHusMvI/AAAAAAAAy2k/2VFGxsT8ulcaIeJQnLjCHjGayuwlZcKpQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B37%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FpLeL6PC01A/WxxYVpPnj3I/AAAAAAAAy2o/ay_DZU9Q-FgHByHB0hzh8J9a4DYTrgJ3ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Badgers and their setts were protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. These lucky photographers had to let them wandered close and let them chew on their shoelaces. What!!! They were playing and exploring in the spring afternoon sunshine, leap-frogging and being king-of-the-castle. After being underground and in the dark, they were desperate to play. They were running round each other in circles. They were so overjoyed to be out and about. It was so heartening to see their boundless energy. It was mid-spring and the cubs were still small, about the size of Babe’s size 9 boots. They looked like a cross between a humbug and an old fashioned loo brush that had been backcombed <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AyrO-o-4v2Q/WxxYWpCxnKI/AAAAAAAAy2s/RGsaWaV24M0Y6qfG6goaiPW5ML32emQ8gCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">. Simply adorable. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7PzJtE-KU3U/WxxYYpr7cmI/AAAAAAAAy2w/rtyOnL_-DgoWpSZUw_2ekGYPKZLsPppWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-anAn2p1s0ZY/WxxYZ6x2u6I/AAAAAAAAy20/wb8gCdKdFAgNVJLNxFhRNEZjtyVdMpc4QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Unfortunately due to the close proximity to the path, their mother had decided to move her family somewhere else. The cubs had created a sensation and people who were either unaware of the law or just don’t care were getting too close to them. We think we knew where their new home was and we were glad that they were still around. By 12 weeks old, they were being weaned and started learning to forage for themselves alongside their mother. By the time they were 15 weeks old, the cubs were quite happy to go foraging alone. By autumn, they would be nearly as big as the adults. They played much less, and spend more time eating. They needed to build up their body fat so that they would survive their first winter, when there wasn’t much food around. If they lived through the winter, they would have a good chance of growing into fully adult badgers, and having cubs of their own.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pa-OfL1mSo/WxxYa2NPbHI/AAAAAAAAy24/lFU5nObXjCc6RtgAdRPt9drqlk8YhMBlQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B36%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-naJUJYzsOpw/WxxYcMidEDI/AAAAAAAAy28/q6LJpOXEkm0kLuSn4D3asQLA8VhW9JI9ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Badgers were nocturnal. The white head with black nose and two broad black stripes running from behind the muzzle to behind the ears gave them their distinctive look. They had an overall grey appearance because the long guard hairs on their back and flanks had a white base and tip with a black band in the middle. They were stockily built with short, powerful legs, strong claws for digging and a small bushy tail. They were omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, taking a variety of whatever foods available. Earthworms formed the largest part of their diet but they also ate beetles, slugs, frogs and small mammals such as rats, mice and hedgehogs as well as nuts and berries.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wEwdnT9Lo4E/WxxYdYgIwvI/AAAAAAAAy3A/WPc6yZ40lWA7IjeXeTLLE7U8nR_IDYSmgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B19%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rf_xHEZsmRc/WxxYeamuhpI/AAAAAAAAy3E/NX8G97pemrsiiw74HAYMScwL4lxYbzikACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B26%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When Carl Linnaeus wrote the first description of a Swedish badger specimen in 1758, he thought it was a species of small bear. Its scientific name used the Latin for badger, meles, for both parts. There were a few explanations for the origin of the badger's English name, one of which was derived from the 16th century word bageard, a reference to the striped face or ‘badge' of the animal. Another suggested that badger was derived from the French word for digger ‘becheur'. An old name for badger was ‘grey’, alluding to a rather odd attribute. Its body and leg fur was mostly pale grey: only part of the longest, wiry ‘guard’ hairs is black, producing the overall grizzled appearance.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9AJs7mOSadE/WxxYflW_YZI/AAAAAAAAy3I/dnY-sdr-fEEVn68K9GdFcymm0-uPZUkvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s4ks_yrh-N8/WxxYg2vEdSI/AAAAAAAAy3M/Q9EZeU4XRSYPpjVECO-xXvKtNTh6P310wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B38%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Pushing the wedge of his body<br>Between cromlech and stone circle,<br>He excavates down mine shafts<br>And back into the depths of the hill.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XTyDDIIkErg/WxxYhyIeTcI/AAAAAAAAy3Q/Te3JlYrwFP4ap7l_FCMyKj3A_Rfqkx6lACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hErBLJ2fenU/WxxYimUYaxI/AAAAAAAAy3U/2dCCs_xyoSwX509GGMI4UoOuvdJ-NFy7QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>His path straight and narrow<br>And not like the fox's zig-zags,<br>The arc of the hare who leaves<br>A silhouette on the sky line.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2xgt6as3pt8/WxxYj6QKJXI/AAAAAAAAy3c/1gmzhGrccNwYLXonXJhGrQWbAuNpVzBvgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B23%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tM950cSlIFU/WxxYlN8oB1I/AAAAAAAAy3g/ZRU_n5syDLsnBpQBBPhi17tHPPkRvglSACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Night's silence around his shoulders,<br>His face lit by the moon, he<br>Manages the earth with his paws,<br>Returns underground to die.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aDCEI9vyQNw/WxxYmGcjodI/AAAAAAAAy3o/R_C3v16owF8ngAFZxK8vQ4Z2XEGTbI-lwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VtmWi0zW7t4/WxxYnFfjqjI/AAAAAAAAy3s/rQTL5lQgbg4mC6xpG2BLNrol3bobrXntgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B29%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>An intestine taking in<br>patches of dog's-mercury,<br>brambles, the bluebell wood;<br>a heel revolving acorns;<br>a head with a price on it<br>brushing cuckoo-spit, goose-grass;<br>a name that parishes borrow.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><br><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sljtDjwDeKI/WxxYoII3kVI/AAAAAAAAy3w/PiihJhgWTZgVI5jS7hr7rtZq4QlSdcXGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B21%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mznjfcZ8lS4/WxxYpKUYi9I/AAAAAAAAy30/EzBAFOU_JOUbhVbbqZMXwqSp-9wr5HWxQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>For the digger, the earth-dog<br>It is a difficult delivery<br>Once the tongs take hold,<br>Vulnerable his pig's snout<br>That lifted cow-pats for beetles,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IkoOR1cxHbg/WxxYqX-cgwI/AAAAAAAAy34/RbPZxpnvUWw4CqOxjFWWJryHq9QdNBjLQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B25%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z7G00qCRGI4/WxxYreBQNZI/AAAAAAAAy38/DZx6dSsXdSYgcV_4tZmycjkd_nE0hYZigCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B24%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Hedgehogs for the soft meat,<br>His limbs dragging after them<br>So many stones turned over,<br>The trees they tilted.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Michael Longley (For Raymond Piper)~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DxMVH09F6qU/WxxYsaQyf0I/AAAAAAAAy4A/mt_hkPByp-wXnpz7wZumtawyy5VfD-RIwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B20%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0iTkuDWXrEI/WxxYtrCurkI/AAAAAAAAy4I/fKbcEyMH-HIvbyVptOeuMo-R49vj6JkrwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--16-04-2018-%255B27%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="left">I was working hard when I got a phone call from an excited Babe who was at our favourite playground with the badger cubs. There was a new arrival and it was bringing all the birders, photographers and twitchers to the nature reserve, except moi <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5YDB3lhoPo/WxxYuFM37fI/AAAAAAAAy4M/AYC6_OrD3WMsNHupncTJz8a3dGtObMsrwCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2?imgmax=800"> . The piece de resistance was an osprey, seen fishing on the River pool which was adjacent to the River Avon and from where it gets its water. According to Babe, it was standing room only at River Pool and Teal Pool hide, which also overlooked River pool. After catching its lunch, the spectacular fish-eating bird of prey flew to a nearby tree to have its meal.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPgSR5EkQD8/WxxYvXghjCI/AAAAAAAAy4Q/uOM_tpVeY6ktCkMM4Wknd3q9DnlrvIkHgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B15-44-08%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nXUWLoktYA/WxxYwcOvd4I/AAAAAAAAy4U/smlZrXSAqVQ2ZKHY64P3POnDGZbcx1lWACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B15-44-08_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="left">Then it flew back again to the pool showing off its dramatic fishing technique by soaring or hovering above the water’s surface before plunging at 30 mph with wings swept back, talons thrust forwards at the last minute to snatch a fish below the surface. Its dense plumage, dislocatable shoulder joints, underwater vision and fleshy nostrils that closed enabled it to plunge unaffected and then immediately flew with its catch. The success was nearly certain, due to the spiky scales on its talons and an opposable toe it rotated to allow a two-toed grip on either side of a fish. It carried fishes weighing half its weight, rotating the fish so its head faced forward for a streamlined flight. It was a successful angler as the pool was teeming with fish. Ospreys eat fish and nothing else; they were piscivores.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1h-Hw4zsFrk/WxxYxCEd4jI/AAAAAAAAy4Y/etfyBSe70KAMzfwz3-Q7cWD50yL078YlQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-036%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mqMTTnWbQ70/WxxYx6gLhBI/AAAAAAAAy4c/SNwKCVQCgGsJ1oPuqcZ9ULhRJFQynQFMwCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-036_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Seen in flight from below the Osprey had white or slightly mottled underparts. The long wings were angled, bending at the 'wrist' which had a black patch contrasting with the white wing linings. Ospreys could reach a length of 26 inches and a wingspan of 71 inches. It must be en-route from its wintering quarters in West Africa, hunkering down here to fatten up, before flying to its breeding grounds in England (Rutland, Cumbria, Northumberland) and Wales. It was fantastic to see the bird stopping here on its journey. It would be lovely if the reserve could be more than a bird service station but unfortunately the artificial nest platform that was erected near Ted Jury Hide had bit the dust.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OqITXe52BXs/WxxYymRq-KI/AAAAAAAAy4g/eRQbMkYNUN8MJpBqLeQhntqk-LqcFgYlwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-040%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bqQXcRpvS-w/WxxYzWxtJ4I/AAAAAAAAy4k/zQJPs8uTY-Et9wvsWymcVHTOcB19dQ2PACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-040_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Osprey was an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing) and low breeding numbers. They were listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act. The old English name was 'Mullet Hawk' which was a pretty good idea what their main fish prey species in the UK (and actually, where they nested) was before they were persecuted to extinction by 1916. For centuries, they had also been praised in literature. Written 2,500 years ago, China’s oldest, most celebrated poem, “Guan ju,” began “Guan guan trill the ospreys on the islet in the river.” The Corps of Discovery expedition team recorded them in 1803, Lewis noting a “white-headed fishing hawk,” and Clark describing “the Crown of the head white, and back of a milkey white.” <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27nKiitGMpo/WxxY0aejk0I/AAAAAAAAy4o/tYjTvHYBe_8i8GrrKdH_E1v56ZYyxH9MACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-41%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vAv4miWp0kI/WxxY1AvMSfI/AAAAAAAAy4s/OI4FxkJlTQgVsSgm1dts8Lq8aBgFBilvACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-41_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I was gutted not been able to see this amazing bird on my own local patch. But I’d already seen them at Rutland Waters and at the Dyfi Osprey Project. Unfortunately, they were miles away. Fingers-crossed, when it migrated back to West Africa in early autumn, it would made another pit stop. <p align="center"><strong><em>This morning<br>an osprey<br>with its narrow<br>black-and-white face</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L_twG6mq6fY/WxxY16lw0gI/AAAAAAAAy4w/hY4Rm7LzNJQmndBxiTXlPJfnaTIn3thZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-043%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jjdyJ67lDx0/WxxY2hAZdgI/AAAAAAAAy40/BxYwhWBHC5ErdpUyl1T9wX15eLTVPo4tQCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-043_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>and its cupidinous eyes<br>leaned down<br>from a leafy tree<br>to look into the lake – it looked</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>a long time, then its powerful<br>shoulders punched out a little<br>and it fell,<br>it rippled down</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>into the water –<br>then it rose, carrying,<br>in the clips of its feet,<br>a slim and limber</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vel39nyC4ss/WxxY3cPXZMI/AAAAAAAAy44/SMBWDJ0x3EAnULsBGmkktszV1tKU-5N4wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-063%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9YQ81FAXIGk/WxxY4OH72hI/AAAAAAAAy48/8PKz3sUkHykEyObXPhES1K8V4vR-f5JlwCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-28-063_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>silver fish, a scrim<br>of red rubies<br>on its flashing sides.<br>All of this</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>was wonderful<br>to look at,<br>so I simply stood there,<br>in the blue morning,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>looking.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SWfv6qn-x-s/WxxY5L7jjhI/AAAAAAAAy5A/qsbgV12LSqogKrKGkj3r17lwRG48KYQ6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-35%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_nIeCunE6s/WxxY50AAFUI/AAAAAAAAy5E/gY2OWtOygy4bMR2ZTTp7yTfao-FXthpbACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-35_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>Then I walked away.<br>Beauty is my work,<br>but not my only work –</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>later,<br>when the fish was gone forever<br>and the bird was miles away,<br>I came back<br>and stood on the shore, thinking –<br>and if you think<br>thinking is a mild exercise,<br>beware!</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>I mean, I was swimming for my life –<br>and I was thundering this way and that way<br>in my shirt of feathers –<br>and I could not resolve anything long enough</em></strong></p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eLnV6mT6LBc/WxxY6l3KKYI/AAAAAAAAy5I/xh-7hvgB02Y6waI7CU2r0bfm98gHe4_TACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-036%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EFVcmeSoxXY/WxxY7i7zNBI/AAAAAAAAy5M/SAcAAKIsb8oX-HAXXWzAHkxXKTP5zT7EQCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-036_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>to become one thing<br>except this: the imaginer.<br>It was inescapable<br>as over and over it flung me,</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>without pause or mercy it flung me<br>to both sides of the beautiful water –<br>to both sides<br>of the knife.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~ Mary Oliver~</em></strong><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Umv2GyMOjvA/WxxY8TYyNGI/AAAAAAAAy5Q/n5is3TNDp5UvEKXJJ6OH7HoHM0jgLyx2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-062%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbVUonuzGwA/WxxY9FR8-mI/AAAAAAAAy5U/wwW8ckSnW2oxXpbFUa0ITcFHVtZ9fRmHACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B18-04-2018%2B16-29-062_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-52884299766824416922018-06-01T13:31:00.001-07:002018-06-01T13:31:01.432-07:00Easter in Spring<p align="center"><strong><em>“On Easter Day, the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Douglas Horton~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rsjVrVOQ4jk/WxGr5nrtVkI/AAAAAAAAyxU/x_6cFnnr-AcuVzbHAWt_0LCfBUAQ7hYBgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-09-57-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WVTAUIOIN9c/WxGr6zRSx3I/AAAAAAAAyxY/7jz_T8j0rBgaNJmG6PnOVF9Cu2XTUBBDgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-09-57-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>I was so looking forward to the long bank holiday Easter weekend. I needed time off to revive my work-weary mind and recharged my batteries. Easter was early this year celebrating Easter Sunday on April Fool’s day and was always on the next full moon after the Spring Equinox. They were both days full of tradition, but one was more mischievous than the other and fell on the same day for the first time since 1956. I found one of the prank of staging an Easter egg hunt without hiding any eggs was hilarious. I guess I have to wait until 2029 to stage one, if I remember<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pxF95oOuJU/WxGr7WHlDcI/AAAAAAAAyxc/826oNmtMl4QfPN_UC8o33kPyflpgfLVtQCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DZ5HdxbMk0k/WxGr86AaDxI/AAAAAAAAyxg/qjnHQFSqZ30GxDCTy36cKpGS8qQMPE70QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-09-59-%255B2%255D"><img width="525" height="484" title="Shots from Home - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KqcCoDEOjtc/WxGr9zLLKPI/AAAAAAAAyxk/5nnWbK9ILfEZ6LfIAqNu0eHguMuMKNCsQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-09-59-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>There was some escape from the holiday weekend washout on Easter Sunday. It was a bit drier and brighter with the promise of some sunshine and lighter winds. Since Babe had still not fully recovered, we spent the days just chilling out in the casa. It was a lull before the storm as the Met Office had issued a yellow warning for heavy rain that could led to flooding. We were lucky because the yellow warning for snow was issued further north. On Easter Monday, the heavens opened and flood alerts were issued for the 13 Coventry and Warwickshire rivers. Water levels had been steadily rising as a result of overnight rainfall.</p><p>I spent the day photographing the spring flowers in the garden that were beginning to bloom. Hyacinths and grape hyacinths were dotted around our casa, filling the spring landscape with colour and fragrance. The sweet scent was the perfect sign that spring had arrived. The hyacinth was probably the most famous blossom associated with the end of winter and the beginning of a new spring season. Meanwhile, the floral cluster of the grape hyacinth was a classic spring bloomer that told me that my thick winter coat could go back in the cupboard for another year. The scent of musk enveloped me, hence the Latin name, Muscari.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NVr-6ujRkx4/WxGr_aPsQ-I/AAAAAAAAyxo/s90rW9CqQzQtottMOvMvoif0Z4AgetJcACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-10-07-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-miZT2s2kG-Q/WxGsAzpYJ1I/AAAAAAAAyxs/3lF9A_vsG601rLmYy12zjbv9cHtv1VfWQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-10-07-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>From time to time, the solitude and silence was broken by the squawking Starlings, feeding quickly in squabbling groups.. They had a reputation for being one of the noisiest and most gregarious garden birds. From a distance, they looked black but when seen closer, they were glossy with a sheen of purples and green. Their flight was fast and direct and they walked and ran confidently on the ground. Noisy and gregarious, they spent a lot of the year in flocks especially in winter when flocks from northern Europe joined the local population. At the moment, they were heavily covered in white speckles which wore away as the feathers became worn during spring.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3AK3fjwwYac/WxGsB613Q-I/AAAAAAAAyxw/7qV_RTxkgmgZ8rsVazKhhSWIdn6nICimwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--07-04-2018-11-22-"><img width="644" height="450" title="Shots from Home - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l-F2jNvKjWE/WxGsDOVCmPI/AAAAAAAAyx0/0Fy5hQ3zTCsa38oehZ0_-PCAQMIyd4rJwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--07-04-2018-11-22-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The garden had been a dance of birds since the light returned. We’d the usual colourful Goldfinches, ground-feeding Blackbirds, incessant cheeping House sparrows, territorial Robins, cooing Wood pigeons, delicate-looking Collared Doves, marauding Magpies, creeping Dunnocks, tiny Wrens, perky Coal, intelligent Great, inquisitive Blue and adorable Long-tailed tits. They in turn attracted a Sparrowhawk, looking for its next meal. We were putting out new bird-boxes when one landed on the tree checking us out. It was incredible. I was also chuffed to have spotted a pair of Jays flying into the elderflower tree and flying off again with twigs. This pair turned up annually in early spring to build a nest in the nearby woods.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NZh1P8Dq6v8/WxGsGW88kxI/AAAAAAAAyx4/8tENArdxmQUZ1nXCrKV_Q_XUTI2oBPQrACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-11-29-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iM_JHUL0hDU/WxGsIJKEsSI/AAAAAAAAyx8/Cvysw6pjwssl4cHAKQl7Kbq7aAy2EbkugCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-11-29-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also made a trip to our favourite playground to check what the natives were up to during the Easter break. The peaceful walk was broken when we were assaulted by a loud commotion along the path by Goose pool. When we looked up, we saw a pair of Song Thrush going after a Magpie. The Thrush's alarm calls were like a football rattle or machine gun. They must had a nest nearby and were vigorously defending it. Magpies were instinctive killers, and in the breeding season they systematically hunt hedgerows and gardens in search of eggs and nestlings to feed their young. They were the avian equivalents of the football hooligan. All was quiet again when the culprit flew off.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--pEqDwnvPPc/WxGsJNSbn2I/AAAAAAAAyyA/vpVoEe5GOKoQHkbGLwKnQsocig1Fjp_GQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--08-04-2018-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="469" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qSEsfyBpBno/WxGsKFpI87I/AAAAAAAAyyE/cljqdyU9FN02XSmYd07oHcjGANRWSpyDQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--08-04-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we walked past the Grebe Pool, I took a moment to breathe in the sweet scent of Primroses that were carpeting the eroding bank. The dainty lemon petals with egg-yolk yellow centres nestled among the fresh green rosette of leaves. These drops of sunshine were one of the earliest spring flowers. ‘Primrose’ was ultimately from Old French primerose or medieval Latin prima rosa, meaning ‘first rose’ though it was not related to the rose family, Rosaceae.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqaKGc41E94/WxGsMFQLIsI/AAAAAAAAyyI/Zfc4aNY0ffAolq2EP0JBiFlYSVzhPLOggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--15-04-2018-%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6tPSZ7LZgh4/WxGsNgCGMHI/AAAAAAAAyyQ/T__-V7busO0rklet3dr3C2PcQKAv1FsNwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--15-04-2018-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>‘Now primroses, close shelter’d from the cold</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Just here and there some tender flowers unfold’</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~William Cole~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3WgiXRtOtI/WxGsOz6-wJI/AAAAAAAAyyU/jMaNTwEySdEJGTFlznn4-zJpdJKTm-7cgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--15-04-2018-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2C74AQZCwXc/WxGsQEhrrfI/AAAAAAAAyyY/clyh_lmaMTAzUpPyFotmPNCj_YY9DKC7ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--15-04-2018-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>We made ourselves comfortable at Baldwin Hide and was chuffed when we spotted this Common Sandpiper feeding on the nearby island. It habitually bobbed up and down, known as ‘teetering’ as it foraged along the banks for insects and worms, which were commonly taken from the surface, rather than probing into the mud. Suddenly it flew off with a distinctive flight with stiff, bowed wings and letting out a three-note call.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnFCNU22blI/WxGsSfPBYkI/AAAAAAAAyyg/i3cSe6g88tYyUJj5Xw3WcvMXuXcl7w7gACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PmrX6O2GsSo/WxGsTmhuxYI/AAAAAAAAyyk/AWeoYgUVVc0-2HLNh6G1VDY3zbMB9UXEQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Great Crested Grebe sailed past us, struggling with a wriggling dinner. It was a challenge for it to manoeuvre the fish so that the head was swallowed fitst. Finally, after some delicate balancing, it managed to swallow it whole. Then it dived in again to chase after its next meal. These diving water-birds fed on small fishes and aquatic invertebrates. They were swimmers and divers, and pursuing their prey underwater. The Great Crested Grebe, like all members of the Grebe family, had a rounded body, a short tail and legs set far back from the body which allowed them to dive easily beneath the surface of the water. The legs were flattened with broad, webbed toes that propelled them through water when hunting for fish. Fish were also hunted by swimming with its head beneath the surface of the water. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NgyiowzSQSI/WxGsVEFAiXI/AAAAAAAAyyo/PnehFBMnxAMnNQJ34gQbxdcGAs9Cls_LgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-04-2"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rYZ6t3x0wTk/WxGsWWXnpCI/AAAAAAAAyys/o3yh8uPOZgUecJ4WbVqnuK0zZlXTmf7fgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-04-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued on at East Marsh Hide where there was plenty of action. A Muntjac popped out from the bushes and started grazing on the young shoots of the recently mown Wigeon Bank. It continued feeding lower and lower down the bank and caught the attention of a pair of Canada Goose. The pair started following the deer which seemed oblivious to what was going on. When it started moving towards a clump of reeds, the male Goose chased after it and gave the poor guy a mighty kick, that it went rushing up the bank into the safety of the bushes.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NUqziV0VbKQ/WxGsYFHuYEI/AAAAAAAAyyw/uXYbzrfkL5IG7erbC3yeh-PHnsVPx7pDwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1rZTPtjM_QY/WxGsZ-5so5I/AAAAAAAAyy4/wzwX4HfXhNIICrBT4C_vBhfA-52CjeMigCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Muntjac had treaded into the territory of the Canada Geese and they’d built a nest in the reeds. The nest was a large open cup on the ground, made of dry grasses, lichens, mosses, and other plant material, and lined with down and some body feathers. They preferred a spot from which they could have a fairly unobstructed view in many directions. The female chose the site and did much of nest construction. She will do all the incubation while her mate guards her and the nest. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tfVmnqP1uRE/WxGsc1dFRSI/AAAAAAAAyzA/m6-gF0xv9h0aCxLw96XxT5Zz-suZJKBYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5wvJF1L1QzQ/WxGseebpjbI/AAAAAAAAyzE/5xb_cdNQgaASzDE8Yd7Hzv30kUK46dKUQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then 3 Avocets flew in, accompanied by their fluted ‘kloo-it’ and kleep calls with their long blue legs dangling well behind the tail during flight, They were distinctively-patterned black and white waders with long upturned beaks. Looking dapper with a neat black cap, they then started wading and sweeping their beaks back and forth to catch the small invertebrates that made up their diet. Avocets fed by sight by picking prey from the surface of water or mud. In poor visibility and when locating prey from within the sediments, they foraged by touch through water or loose sediments to locate hidden prey. In the deeper water, they swam readily and buoyantly, up-ending like a duck to reach food below the surface.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VndIT3YaGw0/WxGsftOC6aI/AAAAAAAAyzQ/7ZAqmMHUjcky3gKssy0qVxmEEFpB1Tz9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pR7p_H-xfUw/WxGsg9ivp-I/AAAAAAAAyzU/B7tLMNgfqAUryY37khxIQ2ex6JAL8PYZwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--08-04-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Wren then popped its head from the bushes. It was dumpy, almost rounded, with a fine bill, quite long legs and toes, very short round wings and a short, narrow tail which was sometimes cocked up vertically. For such a small bird it had a remarkably loud voice. The trilling song, made up for the fact that this species spent much of its time foraging within cover. Wrens were primarily insectivorous, eating insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5jVskNKcGE/WxGsiBP_3FI/AAAAAAAAyzY/dVO_f9dcfF8X5zyiM3AiGtDnhIiTpdSOACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--08-04-2018-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C66lkUr6Y5A/WxGsjMMTMvI/AAAAAAAAyzc/OvsphmwpJMcYNy-m_GIwkE1mLkDDrDo_QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--08-04-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also checked out Draycote Waters along with hundreds of other people who had the same idea. Thankfully, we managed to get a parking space as a car was just about to leave. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and the place was buzzing. Unfortunately, the water in the reservoir was quite low, resulting in the natives staying away from the walls. There were plenty of disturbances too as the fishing season was in motion and these sportsmen were honing their sailing skills.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lRcOuY2L52c/WxGslOhExfI/AAAAAAAAyzg/utFRlsL0VNw7FfcH2KL0o5MM3DYV126aACHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-C13--14-04-201%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kRob_CwwHl4/WxGsmItzwrI/AAAAAAAAyzk/kSiHKBzPw1o0X1ENjttBz6hnaU-iUUq9QCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-C13--14-04-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued walking on the pavement, keeping an eye on the water. There were Tufted ducks, Great Crested Grebes, Mallards, Little Grebes, Mallards and Coots. A few Wagtails flew in with their undulating flights, uttering that distinctive, two-note "chis-ick" calls. They were frantically wagging their tails up and down as they dashed about the rocks. Unfortunately, we didn’t stay long because we were literally eaten alive by midges. These little critters were hard to get rid of and could leave painful bite marks across the skin. We couldn’t stop and had to keep moving that we decided to call it a day.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zBxeuytUzQ4/WxGsnYd1vCI/AAAAAAAAyzo/074Rh2YVEKwiLdKMJ8lnNs11a2JgEISeQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b-T--14-04-2018"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Ly1gICqlRw/WxGsomFZu_I/AAAAAAAAyzw/zMxLyufk75Qe8WQHmM2HpBdSdP_Pd-teACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b-T--14-04-2018%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the way back, we spotted a group of Alpacas feeding on the field. There was an alpaca farm nearby and I think these beauties belong to them. There were 2 types of alpacas and this was the Huacaya. The appearance was due to its fibre growing vertically out of its skin in small bundles with a tight crimped wave which made the fleece sit vertically off the skin giving it a ‘Teddy Bear’ look. Alpacas were prized for their silky fleece and people were drawn to their sweet personalities and hardy nature. Alpacas make great sheep guards,too, running foxes out of the fields.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ToofjJwbQJI/WxGsqNsRSYI/AAAAAAAAyz0/TA-xtqZ1pOYqrIwq5YBc2xPXvhjUIBE9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Dunchurch-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-15-28%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Dunchurch - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Dunchurch - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gAluve5jb8Y/WxGsrfI2NuI/AAAAAAAAyz4/-mh5KtlMoS0lxBzD05TsA4BdFKG4h45DwCHMYCw/Dunchurch-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-15-28?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Since it was still early, we nipped over to Brandon Marsh and we were greeted by this pair of Buzzards. Their loud repeated mews<em> were </em>raining down on earth. Their plaintive mewing calls could be mistaken for a cat. When gliding and soaring, they held their wings in a shallow 'V' and the tails were fanned. It was currently their breeding season for them. Males could be seen performing aerial displays as they tried to impress the females and warn off rivals. They rose and dropped rapidly, in a manoeuvre known as the "rollercoaster", and completed loop-the-loops. He rose high up in the sky, turned and plummeted downward, in a spiral, twisting and turning as he came down. He then rose immediately upward to repeat the exercise. This pair soared on the thermals, wings outstretched and disappeared out of sight. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M9_IQONQkVU/WxGssTz2UYI/AAAAAAAAyz8/uI5LBIUItcYwlVlnL37r0bsCJXM5ff05QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VocvElpPyJA/WxGstK5I48I/AAAAAAAAy0A/TbzfUZUNeuA801N-Wix84jC0jNDf_8f2ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made a pit stop at Baldwin Hide and noticed that the Common Terns had returned. I hoped they would be pleased with the new floating nesting pontoon, the 3rd, that had been erected specially for them. Unfortunately, one of the pontoons had been occupied by a nesting Canada Goose. Hopefully, the eggs will hatch soon and the cygnets gone by the time the Terns were ready to lay their eggs. At the moment, these delightful silvery-grey and white birds were just content to feed and rest.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mJbWupBPP8M/WxGsueHeylI/AAAAAAAAy0I/LvgktCGfJNUcgxK9N9w5EmUDTgN2uCLfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-04-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8rhm3jzj_6I/WxGsvp0X04I/AAAAAAAAy0M/NseNQPMvvgER6cITfJFo7J0pyzJEdbdWQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-04-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We went straight to East Marsh Hide and spotted a pair of Muntjac grazing along Wigeon Bank. The bank was a popular highway for them as they used it to cross from one end of the reserve to another. They also had learnt their lessons and gave the Canada Geese nest a wide berth. Muntjac were generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with a kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding don’t occur. Bucks defended small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does’ territories overlap with each other and with several bucks. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dTabg2ysrSQ/WxGsxxWtC4I/AAAAAAAAy0Q/t9Y17mDn1xUDC8vEDk-2yTc4n_BxhULewCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLoaM6Pqc4o/WxGszRo43lI/AAAAAAAAy0U/PZozjxiAGBY9ST6fDV8KeNq-iggAJYizgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our attention was diverted to the sky when we heard the rumblings of an aeroplane. Flying low over the reserve was the Indian Air-Force Historic Flight Douglas DC-3 Dakota airplane. I just found out that a team of pilots flew this vintage aircraft from Coventry to Delhi to join the Indian Air Force Vintage fleet at the Hindon Air base in Uttar Pradesh on the 17th of April. It had been air-tested in Coventry. It had been stationed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and received an official launch on the 12th of April from the Indian High Commissioner and the UK Defence and Air Attache. The aircraft christened ‘Parashumara’ and with a tail number VP905, was acquired by MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar with the aim of gifting it to the Indian Air Force Vintage Flight. I am so glad that we’d seen it maybe for the last time on British soil before it left for good.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E0dFPQqRzSk/WxGs0lqk4eI/AAAAAAAAy0Y/9W0A_YbiFbw08LcAqrRkqPSKcOzLLwc4wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6XX5oBBJ3wI/WxGs1o6pd6I/AAAAAAAAy0c/S060djeD-dU-6EJwwnKZbRnPJdNnpZWWgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>VP 905 was flown by a joint crew of the IndianAir Force and M/s ReflightAirworks Ltd. Taking off from Coventry, the Dakota covered a distance of 9750 km during its ferry and made stops at France, Italy, Greece, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman. The aircraft landed on Indian soil at Air Force Station Jamnagar on 25 April 18. Air Cmde MK Chandrasekhar (Retd) was granted special permission by the Raksha Mantri to fly on board the aircraft from Jamnagar to Air Force Station Hindan.<p>Tail No VP 905 had special significance as it was the same as the first Dakota that transported troops of the Army’s 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 October 1947 as part of the J&K Operations just weeks after India’s independence. The Dakota, lovingly called the Gooney Bird, was the first major transport aircraft inducted into the fledgling Indian Air Force (IAF). It played a sterling role in the history of the IAF. As a transport aircraft used to move troops to Kashmir in 1947 to being used in the famous Tangail drop during the Bangladesh War in 1971. The journey that began for the Dakota on 17 April 2018 may have concluded but VP 905 Parashurama, named after the eternal warrior saint, continued to inspire with its legacy each time it flies across the Indian skies hereafter.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRYRhD0DSGA/WxGs2YrAQyI/AAAAAAAAy0g/6OjMGrjkEbgEPnDs_QzowLIve8-32gX4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ecI7sKCHy-o/WxGs3S0kg5I/AAAAAAAAy0k/FfJMl0ORGG8ZjulSratl8Hi_2qlEtkLjACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-C13--14-04-2018-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We left after the magnificent flypast. On the way out, the reserve was alive with birdsongs. But the songs from the Chiffchaff were the easiest to recognise as they were onomatopoeically named. These tiny leaf warblers were summer visitors and were among the first migrant songbirds to arrive in spring after wintering in the Mediterranean and western Africa. They were extremely active birds, constantly flicking their tails and wings while feeding. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D38KoRKO5qo/WxGs4Zmva7I/AAAAAAAAy0o/oxgBqrP3MqgAdipFZSSNbgb9J7aVQ_QigCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaMtzN0e4HY/WxGs5f9EWvI/AAAAAAAAy0s/FggPaPtGAlEp5t1nvK_w0E4i95-BH1iWACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Hush, can you hear it?<br>The rustling in the grass,<br>Bringing you the welcome news that<br>Winter's day is past.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xynvUgQqRP4/WxGs7BrTfNI/AAAAAAAAy00/GqFOnU3Hg2Ybt09_MlAl0SQdSAV4slIUgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-10-09-"><img width="462" height="311" title="Shots from Home - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SVkcncUT1oo/WxGs8JOADYI/AAAAAAAAy04/cjcBapMVs4QQHjWDF4xWnmZXtDHRdLwiQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b-T--01-04-2018-10-09-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Soft, can you feel it?<br>The warm caressing breeze,<br>Telling you the sticky buds<br>Are bursting on the trees.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pF6YP9gvzYI/WxGs9OWOT9I/AAAAAAAAy08/EyCArIwqiDcbG4jEloudnCtdg1Ijmng2wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1"><img width="462" height="311" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8CIBe21cvKM/WxGs98AYt7I/AAAAAAAAy1A/zQhvSKujTqg_s5aLQDmeoj3DlN712m5UwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--14-04-2018-1%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>Look, can you see them?<br>The primrose in the lane.<br>Now you must believe it -<br>Spring is here again.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~May Fenn~</em></strong><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NdZADClxhi4/WxGs_o5nMnI/AAAAAAAAy1E/Nl67Vv134mgUOOxr4IoTq0Rl9Q-fq5u9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--22-04-2018-11-%255B2%255D"><img width="462" height="311" title="Brandon Marsh - April" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - April" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kQEjlxoUR30/WxGtAk594iI/AAAAAAAAy1M/Y0rLajhthn0DISyW18d1fk_TJWr_EmryQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--22-04-2018-11-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-91054082173197682562018-05-05T13:11:00.001-07:002018-05-05T13:11:15.601-07:00March month of many weathers<p align="center"><em><strong>The stormy March has come at last, With winds and clouds and changing skies; I hear the rushing of the blast That through the snowy valley flies. </strong></em></p><p align="center"><em><strong>~William C. Bryant~</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7iKS24XKqbY/Wu4PCrvDx8I/AAAAAAAAysA/YCYXoLlVpFAI5dR18A9jFx2xb4MfGTJlgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-02-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K8tX2afGp5Q/Wu4PDh5z2SI/AAAAAAAAysE/SeteePMzHWoSOMwugBHHRLv3bfIK7A_xQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-02-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>March 1 marked the first meteorological spring season which will end on May 31. Meteorological seasons were based on the weather and the calendar, while astronomical seasons depended on the Earth’s orbit of the sun. Meteorological seasons remained the same every year and were also based on annual temperature cycles. The seasons were split into four periods of three calendar months each, which made it easier for forecasters to compare seasonal and monthly statistics. So spring was made up of March, April and May; Summer was June, July and August and Autumn was September, October and November.</p><p>March 1 was also a very special day in the Welsh calendar. Wales celebrated the feast day of St David, their patron saint on the same day every year, as the day also marked the date of his death in 589 AD. It was the first day of the year that Britain honoured one of its four patron saints - the others being St. Patrick for Northern Ireland, St. Andrew for Scotland and St. George for England. The feast had been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callistus II, though it was not a national holiday in the UK, which was a shame. Bright green leeks and yellow daffodils were turned into accessories as the Welsh celebrated their national day.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CPMcWrB8kC0/Wu4PFHcluhI/AAAAAAAAysI/O75uYWtx6ocQDzxsXoZQf__M97ZOqL8JgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-Unversity-S40--24-02-2018-17"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeGuP_A0_ts/Wu4PGap_SVI/AAAAAAAAysM/tyWx8xt1D7UojWw6XBALgyB5g5stqihIgCHMYCw/Warwick-Unversity-S40--24-02-2018-17%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A vegetarian and drank only water, St David was known as Aquaticus or Dewi Ddyfrwr (the water drinker). Although many associated him with leeks or daffodils, his symbol was actually the Dove, which usually rested on his shoulder. This was why he was the patron saint of doves and also poets. His last words to his followers before his death are thought to have been:<p align="center"> <strong><em>"Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do</em></strong>." <p>The phrase <i>gwenwch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd</i> - 'Do the little things in life' – was still a well-known phrase in Wales. <p>Daffodils, which were in bloom around this time of year, became the national symbol for Wales in the 19th Century through a mixture of trends and linguistic confusion. The word for daffodil and the leek were the same in Welsh. Leek was Cenhinen and Daffodil was Cenhinen Pedr. This confusion meant that both had been adopted as national emblems. It was said that the daffodil was encouraged by the British government, as it don’t have the nationalistic overtones that the leek had, with its association with the defeat of Saxons!!!<p>Shakespeare name-dropped St David in Henry V. When Fluellen’s English colleague, Pistol, insulted the humble leek on St David’s Day, Fluellen insisted he ate the national emblem as punishment:<p align="center"><strong><em>“If you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek”</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Act V, Scene 1~</em></strong><p>My department had welcomed a visitor from Kiel, JC, who was the head cataloguer of a consortium of public libraries. We demonstrated what magic goes on in our department as she specifically wanted to know more about Sierra, the library management system, RDA and our cataloguing procedures. It was a lovely exchange of ideas and we were chuffed to learn that there wasn’t much different in the way things were done. She explained to us a lot on German vocabularies especially the definite and definite articles and the coding in MARC. After a session with us, she was went for a whistle-stop tour of the rest of the library. We met up again for a lovely lunch in the librarian’s office where she presented us with a box of yummy German chocolates as a thank you gift. Danke and have a safe journey home. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c6jT84L_6Jo/Wu4PHD-h0rI/AAAAAAAAysQ/YCuRpj3RfCM8cUZxUP-w6i6olUVzABhFgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-S40--27-02-2018-1"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5XnJifeydc/Wu4PIDl8kAI/AAAAAAAAysU/tqPDtWikX0oYpML0m_n_BJoqNlf0VotYwCHMYCw/Warwick-University-S40--27-02-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then on the coldest day of the year so far, the fire alarm went off. Thinking that it was a normal fire drill, we followed the normal fire evacuation procedures and headed straight to the allocated meeting area. Thankfully, I had put my coat, gloves, scarf and hat on and followed the rest of my team. After about an hour milling about in the Ramphal atrium with no news, my colleagues and I went to WBS for an early lunch. Standing in the cold really whet up our appetites and the Asian inspired food that we’d really warmed us up. When we headed back it was sleeting down and we were told to wait at the Chemistry concourse opposite the Library building for more news. We waited and waited and waited and were told by different people what was happening. The students were told that the Library was closed for the whole day but not to the staff!!!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nHSmni0kKr8/Wu4PJPZbqCI/AAAAAAAAysY/QA814Muvzr8qvJM-hZWMCwK35OmHJWdGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-Unversity-S40--24-02-2018-15%255B2%255D"><img width="641" height="484" title="Warwick University - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NCkhKOoLbZg/Wu4PKBlAW0I/AAAAAAAAysc/HYC5E-D1G1I3fH__VL9pel0Jv3oJjeKbgCHMYCw/Warwick-Unversity-S40--24-02-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were later informed that we could get our stuff. When we went to the main entrance, the security officer told us that he wasn’t informed and asked us to go to the back door. So off we walk in the sleet to the back door, and guess what, they weren’t informed either <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6x8THSoLfgs/Wu4PK1vIcaI/AAAAAAAAysg/OWLoAzJF-S46APzyYgWngocTI1QOoP_ewCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2?imgmax=800">. By this time, we were 3 hours in the cold. Luckily, I’d my coat on but not some of my colleagues. We walked back to the main entrance and found out that they’d already allowed staff in, but in batches. We rushed in to get our stuff and then headed back to the very busy concourse. An hour later, we were told that we could go home by a security officer but a senior library manager wanted to have the confirmation from the management team which was nowhere to be seen. By this time, I’d lost my will to live. A few of us rebels decided to go home. We will take annual leave if we’d to.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vj4T_FB5TPQ/Wu4PL30lOwI/AAAAAAAAysk/t9d5OvE54wY7XU_ctwG6m2n8CDuADqQRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--26-02-2018-19-20-374"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xs2vgtM0t_s/Wu4PMthhduI/AAAAAAAAyso/nTtK51M1_kcwdTQ4S7dlOg8Tklipssw1gCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--26-02-2018-19-20-37_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After that incident, my viral infections flared up again. I was off sick for another 2 days due to standing out in the cold, damp, wintry conditions. I was laid low with a virus, sore throat, non-stop coughing and an aching body. When I returned to work, I was ready to be told off but somehow, nothing was mentioned. I just kept my head down but my ears to the ground. Apparently, there had been lots of heated discussions and conversations and lessons to be learnt from the very unusual circumstances. But the lack of communication and empathy from the top management were the ones highlighted. Hopefully, there will be better procedures when the SHTF the next time. </p><p>I had barely recovered from the second attack of the viral infection when the polar vortex nicknamed "Beast From The East" hit the country. This was a mass of very cold air that sat above the Earth's north and south poles. The dense, cold air was controlled by a large pocket of low pressure, which rotated in an anti-clockwise direction at the north pole and clockwise at the south pole. Winds from Siberia had pushed in from the east, causing the mercury to plummet. Britain was battered by icy weather as the winds spiralled in from the arctic. The cold spell had been caused by a jump in temperatures high over the Arctic, known as Sudden Stratospheric Warming, which had weakened the jet stream that brought warm air in from the Atlantic to Ireland and Britain. To make matters worse, the Beast from the East clashed with Storm Emma which caused more widespread disruption across the UK.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-07Ao3bGTzKo/Wu4PNnln0vI/AAAAAAAAyss/zeoFoazdRU4gpuJ5kO9fagFKGS4i1rWywCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marh-D7200-X14-C13--28-02-20"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5PCS3qtX538/Wu4POSD0QoI/AAAAAAAAysw/fFlLDZgZHIkqxPG8DKqcO3_IBH_Q-fMAgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marh-D7200-X14-C13--28-02-20%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Storm Emma, named by the Portuguese weather service, originated from out in the Atlantic, brought with it substantial snow, blizzards, wild gales and freezing rain. It had brought chaos with heavy snow and strong winds to Southern Ireland, South West England and Southern Wales with up to 50 cm of snow in some elevated areas.<sup> </sup>High winds had brought disruption to other parts of Great Britain and Ireland. The Met Office had issued red weather warnings of a danger to life for the first time in Scotland as the storm's 70mph winds hit the polar vortex — bringing deadly snowdrifts and a -15C windchill.</p><p>Thankfully, the atrocious weather conditions had calmed down by the start of the working week. When the storm was raging, Babe had caught the viral infections from me. He was hit very hard by it especially when he’d other health issues to contend with. He was out of action and was stuck indoors for at least three weeks which meant that I had to take the bus home. Thankfully, the bus stopped about a 100 metres away from our casa so it wasn’t a major issue. But it meant a short lunch break to leave at 5 pm for the bus.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbYkWVOXF4w/Wu4PPPX7yAI/AAAAAAAAys0/2gQWBCejn5M-D6Dtc7j1lWWg-17qQ3U7wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--18-03-2018-09-22-00"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MCFnq6Buuls/Wu4PPwVE3kI/AAAAAAAAys4/XNXye8W9AH8cDND33BAT2YNNgT5tHfJZQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--18-03-2018-09-22-00%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>So far March had everyone feeling perplexed by the current weather conditions. One day, we’d the most perfect sunny, spring day. The birds were singing, bees were buzzing and yellow daffodils were swaying in the breeze. The following day snow was dumped upon us!!! I guessed we’d to ‘Beware the Ides of March,’ as written by Shakespeare in ‘Julius Caesar’. The phrase had long been synonymous with the assassination of the Roman emperor and Shakespeare’s plays solidified the date’s notoriety in history. ‘Beware the Ides of March,’ Caesar was warned during the feast of Lupercal in the play. ‘He is a dreamer. Let us leave him,’ dismisses Caesar of the soothsayer predictions. One month later, on the Ides of March, Caesar was assassinated at the Roman Senate.</p><p>It was also the day I added another candle to the cake. It was a huge cake<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Q6VoRWLvlg/Wu4PQv5iUJI/AAAAAAAAys8/RkVY9GyoN-UBOJwAjonyAuYpXYsMX_H8ACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> and I am very thankful for all the blessings that were given to me. Life was filled with so many unexpected twists and turns, pits and peaks, and to made it another year was something to be celebrated. We made many plans but we’d to postpone it due to Babe’s ill-health. I didn’t do any baking but bought 2 of Tesco’s finest cakes for my colleagues. Babe gave me a huge Hedgehog door-stopper that he managed to kept it hidden away until my birthday. I took a day off and went for a shopping spree in town. I didn’t buy much because the heavens opened and the most mental hailstorm tumbled down. For about half an hour, it hailed like armageddon and I decided to head home. The walk to the bus station was peppered with a carpet of white and piles of hail stones. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cbdPbNauWZw/Wu4PRtdN3tI/AAAAAAAAytA/gbG9AWUhpuAEIDhfkLiGH-wIB9U2iKR_gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--17-02-2018-13-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i9arcPje4Yg/Wu4PSVo1bhI/AAAAAAAAytE/dzt1m-5b0ik3ANmBqL7-FlCLZv94S3SNACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--17-02-2018-13-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Following a brief spell of warmer weather, a fresh cold snap nicknamed the "Mini Beast from the East" brought another covering of snow on the weekend. Thankfully, due to the onset of spring, and a higher sun position, it was less severe than on the previous occasion, as the ground was warmer than before so the snow melted more quickly.<sup> </sup>Snow showers still affected parts of Britain and Ireland, with north-east England, the North Midlands, and parts of southern England experiencing the heaviest snowfall. The snow was accompanied by strong winds, and the Met Office issued an amber weather warning. The adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of some sporting events, including the Coventry Half-marathon while Ireland's rugby union team, who had won the 2018 Six Nations Championship, cancelled their homecoming "due to heavy snowfall".<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QKC2AXEqsek/Wu4PTXDHY5I/AAAAAAAAytI/VzQgwZIzcSUtYsknKrS-tk1Y33uCVx_fACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--26-02-2018-19-20-224"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybbXIt22CZ8/Wu4PUQY0XNI/AAAAAAAAytM/PUEZhd7cIDEyj30XjTZjoFqhd-Hl1xHRwCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--26-02-2018-19-20-22_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Britain was still shivering under a blanket of snow when the first day of spring was ushered in on Tuesday, March 20 and marked officially at 4.15pm GMT. The March equinox was the date used by astronomers to mark the start of spring in the northern hemisphere, signalling the beginning of longer days ahead and, hopefully, warmer weather to come. The spring equinox was also called the vernal equinox, with “ver” meaning spring in Latin. The period was celebrated as a time of rebirth and newness, with many cultural festivals taking place. Spring-time festivals and holidays such as Easter and Passover were the main celebrations across many cultures as the path of the Sun aligned with the Earth’s equator..<p>To celebrate the day, my colleagues and I took part in an Easter Egg Hunt organised by the Sports Centre. I was very excited because this was the first time ever I took part in an egg hunt. A day before the event, a map was emailed to the participants where the eggs were hidden. Since it was the 21st century, we’d to take a selfie with the eggs<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Q6VoRWLvlg/Wu4PQv5iUJI/AAAAAAAAys8/RkVY9GyoN-UBOJwAjonyAuYpXYsMX_H8ACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> as proof that we’d found them. We took turns posing with the eggs. It was about a 1.5 km walk around the university grounds where we located the 7 eggs at the Security, WBS, Arts Centre, PG Hub, The Rocket, Sports Centre and the golden egg at the adult playground. Our highlight was when we spotted Terry the Bear who was the Sports Centre Mascot. We each were given a box of mini chocolate eggs for finding all the eggs and our names were put into a ballot. Unfortunately, none of us was picked for the main prize but we still had a wonderful time..</p><p>After being stuck indoors for nearly 3 weeks, Babe was getting cabin fever. He needed some fresh air and so we went for a slow walk at our favourite playground. I was chuffed to bits when the receptionist told me that the Great White Egret was still in the reserve. What!!!! We walked as fast as we could to Teal Pool and as soon as we opened the shutters, I nearly screamed when I spotted it flying above the trees, being chased away by a heron. All you could hear were our cameras rattling away. Then it landed in the shallow water, opposite the hide but about 250 metres away. I was grinning from ear to ear, to get this close to one of my sought after birds.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZhYsOwsxiCw/Wu4PVc-yX6I/AAAAAAAAytQ/JHLXejAMVxcqkttzIQLis8kgxrVrIjUYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LlKn9sN8HEk/Wu4PWMYwCZI/AAAAAAAAytU/1_Kab1-5bLcmH7n636qcS32-6hAPSiCHACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Great White Egrets were large all white bird standing up to 1 metre tall and were only slightly smaller that the Grey heron with whom they shared many common behavioural characteristics. They had yellow bills and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. They had a yellow featherless patch between their beak and eyes. Their diet consisted of fish, insects and frogs which were also similar to the heron and that was why it was being chased away by the heron. Prey was captured by either standing motionless or by stalking slowly then spearing with their sharp, long bill. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-17vYQdZ0_Qs/Wu4PXOUYYVI/AAAAAAAAytY/nldyA__CcvoJkhVpYvLSVQmUYQ6cAIvqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7bbpZxtu2Wc/Wu4PXibPw1I/AAAAAAAAytc/fG3LIPZI9lYpcjlL-uzPhb5lIzpzhGyWgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In the air, the wingspan was impressive between 143-169 cm and was more slender and longer-legged than the heron. It had a slow flight with its neck retracted. On the ground, it walked with its neck extended and wings closed. Although it was being chased off by the heron, we didn’t hear the low hoarse croak when disturbed. From the first record in 1821 until the late 1980s, they remained very rare in Britain. Since then, the species had increased in number, eventually being removed as a BBRC rarity in 2005. The first successful breeding was at the Somerset Levels in 2012, with 2017 saw a total of 7 pairs and 17 young. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RhqkNnuzhXk/Wu4PYr_7zfI/AAAAAAAAytg/d2phQzDi_O8OLDdy8ABHuOF9bqQ3vNeWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8FyHzE1HsFg/Wu4PZYw3rcI/AAAAAAAAytk/V_gWY_TqPPI0vZ8Tj91P6zidMHOJG7EsACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>I imagine the great painters of archangels</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>took the slender wings of egrets,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>cut and lashed them to the backs of posing men.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_sojCdW8JQ/Wu4PaPbZzMI/AAAAAAAAyto/f1E0FdOkS0k_QKpab1ePGEXpffggCAdtwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pVUef3kPQpQ/Wu4PbBsMw4I/AAAAAAAAytw/YpTfLDULcjULHp-6wBEN2MvAKa0gs_WaACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>Gabriel alighting at Mary’s side—</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>the majesty of the task—</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>the weight placed at her tiny feet.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-1_eyZ4nyc/Wu4Pb-OEr4I/AAAAAAAAyt4/Z3eiF2GcJlon8dQuNdh2hHzej7rl5zNgACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGq3TNbLe64/Wu4PcnC-3PI/AAAAAAAAyt8/dZsUmt0ihZU1rdXjXSklIzCQ44u1_ynJwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--24-03-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>The lake is a still life. An egret, on one leg,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>watches below the surface the flutter of fish</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>between the subtle sway of bay grass.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCaW6CNbjdA/Wu4Pdq5pYFI/AAAAAAAAyuE/AHwwpSjG5bgUP93bbu2GBZ4MkVizx5q1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B7%255D"><img width="585" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UpSXaEcUJjI/Wu4PeIDs0mI/AAAAAAAAyuI/S7VcTAamxgk5TNi7uRIP2m03JjfDmObRACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>I think of Icarus carrying the ambitions</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>of a race. The twisted maze on earth.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>The father who knew too little. When</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Twdyn0yaE3A/Wu4Pe0YeXlI/AAAAAAAAyuM/QTcFnt4eT10qYCop4qnNVyY7h-gmjfo0wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zAYmaUq383I/Wu4PfgJgehI/AAAAAAAAyuQ/n2MUO_IZqCAuwJvIGo9dLAhQb7hSyiW0wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>something unheard, something in this scene</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>hiccups, wingtips break</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>the surface, the egret lifts into the sky</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>with vast sweeping strokes. The bay</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ylnmwm6CJFU/Wu4Pgcgs-0I/AAAAAAAAyuU/DPnJ04UB25Qp36YItmagDPfNKEnPuWvSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqIhwjT6OuI/Wu4PhGWbiSI/AAAAAAAAyuY/_hsgq9ehO6wBNzxWKqpsqfYqiA3Es637wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>is just a bay again with two concentric circles</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>dissipating into the stillness.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>If I could ask anything, I’d ask the egret</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eqFR-1lLwIQ/Wu4Ph_Sll9I/AAAAAAAAyuc/I0oAkwxywlEMwdFe4mhWT5XAT2q5qIteQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7yM2cMlVFDU/Wu4PinpIr7I/AAAAAAAAyug/PCi7KL3zdJwn98_azu52Pea35VoqWjTrgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>what it is like lifting to heaven</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>the weight of flesh with the weight of feathers.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Benjamin Mueller~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5fQ-wsx9zns/Wu4PkAxlnfI/AAAAAAAAyuk/wkCTk5qfDCU8yY56YG2W8raE04rTSdl3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aXHxyiqNqHU/Wu4PlHgaLXI/AAAAAAAAyuo/mavDxEVJFSI_8TXI5i5r63SmEfLah5vcACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--27-03-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p>Then the clocks had gone forward on March 25, marking the end of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the start of British Summer Time (BST). Britons may felt tired as it meant an hour of lost sleep when the time changed from 1am to 2am. But it was good news for people who were needing some Vitamin D as it meant that the evenings was much lighter until June 21, Midsummer’s Day. I am soo looking forward to the longer, brighter evenings and also saving money on heating the house.<blockquote></blockquote><p>BST first started in 1916 during World War One in a bid to save money and resources such as coal to light the country. It came into existence with the Summer Time Act. But, it was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 who believed getting up earlier when it was lighter would meant saving on candle usage. This was followed by builder William Willett who tried to convince the country that it would be a good idea in 1907, publishing a leaflet titled The Waste of Daylight. He died in 1915, a year before it came into place.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6TAYTVsT2PM/Wu4PlvabVAI/AAAAAAAAyus/0tnqlPHjxssEF0DON5KSEK4UHnbqRfQRACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BC13%2B%2B24-02-2018%2B17-18-014%255B4%255D"><img width="325" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Jd0qLy5c38/Wu4PmWPkSFI/AAAAAAAAyuw/O3m5HYtbXtAGR_Cu5NhPD2Mco32Zug0twCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD7200%2BC13%2B%2B24-02-2018%2B17-18-014_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Good Friday marked the start of the Easter long weekend. It was treated as a day of mourning in the UK because it commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It was a day of fasting and penance for practicing Christians. Experts believed the event had been coined because the word ‘good’ meant pious or holy. As we don’t celebrate Easter, we spent the day at our favourite playground especially when there was a sighting of a Bewick swan and a Brambling at the visitor centre.<p>As usual, they were gone by the time we arrived. Even the Robins weren’t hanging around in the usual places. Some of them had retuned back to the continent to breed and the local ones might be sitting on eggs. But as we walked further into the reserve, we were serenaded by a few high up in the trees. The females had stopped singing. But not the males. They continued singing to declare the ‘ownership’ of a joint future breeding territory. Along Grebe Pool, the primroses were beginning to flower on the bank.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxV48Gd5sqw/Wu4PnQ1t6YI/AAAAAAAAyu4/st-y5l9QjaQAckR_i4AH5mFfS9xkk6_UQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--24-03-2018-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VuNN354h7w/Wu4PoS7RjPI/AAAAAAAAyu8/BCW65sc8UWMuQw-1eOhbiBQaXMR-po0PACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--24-03-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We made a pit stop at Baldwin Hide but there was nothing about so off to East Marsh Hide. At first, we only saw the usual Shovelers, Mallards, Tufted ducks, Teals, Cormorants, Lapwings and Gulls. Then we heard the familiar loud piping cries of a Redshank and it landed on the island. As its name suggests, Redshanks' most distinctive features were their bright orange-red legs. In fact, Shank was the old name for leg, so its name was just ‘redleg’. It walked along the rocky shore while pecking regularly for insects, spiders, worms and crustaceans. Occasionally it probed and then jabbing and sweeping through the water with a bill. Another Redshank flew past and it followed, a swift direct flight with steady wing-beats. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p2vR_zcxw44/Wu4PpR8_OOI/AAAAAAAAyvA/-oXBSYEVDT49gBsNWdZBTZpUXRdnotN4gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--30-03-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f8cG0Lod18I/Wu4PqcS_OjI/AAAAAAAAyvE/Uwbz-pZhdigHXIkexhAScmDttEUk_NkhwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--30-03-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>While checking out the Redshanks, we spotted a Little Ringed Plover foraging for insects and aquatic insects along the rocky shore. It must have been here all this while, very well camouflaged among the rocks. It was sandy-brown above, white below, with a black chest-band and black bridle markings on the head. The bright yellow ring around the eye was quite prominent. When it flew off, a very thin, pale wingbar was visible. A summer visitor to our shores arriving in mid-March and leaving again in July for the Eastern Mediterranean and East Africa.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qBbwM2bQUcc/Wu4PrKm8TiI/AAAAAAAAyvI/0LDN3UbdgbclTIrc_nXEfy9CFv0G_OAEwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--30-03-2018-1%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="470" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ys2AZhAS0nI/Wu4PsBpdquI/AAAAAAAAyvM/YVQvOqMIE3oReTSDEQO3tEnt1F_ne9g0gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--30-03-2018-1%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then another familiar call from one of the most vocal waders with their distinct and shrill piping ‘kleep, kleep’ echoed all around us. At first we spotted a pair, and then 5 turned up. It was mayhem. Historically known as ‘sea pie’, it was hard to miss as they were large black and white wading birds, with long orange-red bill and reddish-pink leg. During the winter, they were birds of the tidal estuaries and rocky shores. They were highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks as they were joined by migrants from Norway. It was only during the breeding season, they flew inland and I think they were pairing up. I hoped the 7th will find a mate soon. We saw a piping display, where in order to establish a territory, the pair ran together side by side, calling loudly. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZUI0KhN3Qy4/Wu4PttFRwjI/AAAAAAAAyvU/wPk8xz7Ec8czWuuLS40Fw6OmEwfx8hmGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--30-03-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xmahbIQUjhs/Wu4PuqyZ_7I/AAAAAAAAyvY/7WjnzyO-3FM3vR_ho0panK9fi1GkkoP-gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--30-03-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Babe also spotted a Lapwing making a nest by scraping the ground with its breast, up and down whilst the wings were held wide apart. This was the first part of the nest-building, the making of the nest-hollow. Lapwings needed a good all round view from the nest to spot predators, and nested either on rough or broken ground or in short vegetation to aid concealment of the nest. The males created many small scrapes on the ground and display these to prospective females by bobbing his tail up and down. Once a female had selected a scrape to use, she lined it with a layer of dead grass. We will definitely be keeping a beady eye on this nest.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z03N1BRP7wM/Wu4PvliUCWI/AAAAAAAAyvc/9SisnVC7BDwiN2pEFPdaXJFG0suuSvdzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--30-03-2018-1%255B2%255D"><img width="570" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cCKCBWhgZf4/Wu4PwrU5MhI/AAAAAAAAyvg/ofVJ7xtu_1Esdl70KK5GDVzaGSUr_E1LACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--30-03-2018-1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I also had my first sighting of a Sand-martin but it was just too fast to photograph. We then made our way to Carlton Hide when a Muntjac crossed our path and quickly disappeared into the undergrowth. That was a very nice surprise. At Carlton, we met R and spent a few minutes chatting. A Little Grebe could be heard whirring deep in the reed-beds. We left R and headed to Ted Jury when Babe noticed that the entrance into the old badger sett had been cleared. We weren’t sure whether there was a new occupancy. We will keep an eye on it. We didn’t stay long at Ted Jury and made our way home. <p>We ended the month with another trip to our favourite playground again. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go far as the path was flooded from the nearby River Avon which flowed adjacent to the reserve. We went to Steely Hide instead and the path was so muddy as most people had made their way here when they couldn’t access the other hides. I had never seen the reed-beds at Steely Hide so flattened before. We stayed for an hour watching territorial Coots and Moorhens and courting Mallards.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-72LTDqg7NI0/Wu4Pxw8tgVI/AAAAAAAAyvk/YlvF84jV2HYf8SAHTZ7he3PsTRmGUca9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y4DWWxP6l5E/Wu4Pyjh7dKI/AAAAAAAAyvo/8l3qng37apM1CcvJH4I1aAC-QV9jcyBdACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On the way out, Babe met RC and while they exchanged news, I photographed a pair of Long Tailed Tits that had flown to the bird-feeder. It was their familiar ‘tsirrip’ sound that grabbed my attention before I spotted them. They were easily recognisable by their undulating flight, a tail much longer than their small pinkish body and generally flying in a small flock, and were also known as ‘flying teaspoons’. A magpie flew in and off they went, flitting between the branches, chasing one another, tumbling and somersaulting. They joined their family flitting between the myria moss capped branches, their calls still ringing like many tiny, high-pitched electric bells.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gpBU6v5EQtk/Wu4Pzd5sJ-I/AAAAAAAAyvs/1vskzzUa-6MR-SuXmzewENxFBkC_ZyFHgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmrDY73SxQo/Wu4P0DocVYI/AAAAAAAAyvw/iNjjA8x1kac5emQHbWcGvEHeBkIGtFv-wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I was hoping to get a better view of a Reed Bunting but it refused to come closer. Although they were almost entirely insectivorous during the breeding season, they switched to seeds in late summer, relying on these for the rest of the year. That was why a sizeable flock could be found near the feeding stations of the visitor centre. The males had a black head and throat, white neck collar and underparts, and a heavily streaked brown back. The females were much duller, with a streaked brown head, and was more streaked below. Both had a small but sturdy seed-eater’s bill.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DosE157zXfw/Wu4P1IZTPHI/AAAAAAAAyv0/eRZ3_suIafM-S4JzHFv7I_UsCtb_b0SuQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - March" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - March" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Erve1zZgJlI/Wu4P2UTvw5I/AAAAAAAAyv4/k6aR5VOqsQ0M6VUinjqBhKgohB7HEInUACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b-T--31-03-2018-1%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At 8 pm, I wanted to check out the dazzling blue moon that graced the skies for the last time in years. But, a thick cloud had carpeted the skies<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6x8THSoLfgs/Wu4PK1vIcaI/AAAAAAAAysg/OWLoAzJF-S46APzyYgWngocTI1QOoP_ewCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2?imgmax=800">. It was dubbed the ‘sap moon’ by Native American tribes ‘as it marked the time when maple sap began to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees began’ according to the Old Farmer’s almanac. The rare phenomenon won’t happen again until the year 2020. The last time a blue moon happened on Easter was 94 years ago in April 1923. Blue moons were the second full moon to rise within one calendar month and despite the name, wasn’t actually blue. A pity, I wasn’t able to catch a glimpse of this spectacular moon. Guess, I have to wait in 2 years time.<p align="center"><b><em>March, when days are getting long, Let thy growing hours be strong to set right some wintry wrong. </em></b><p align="center"><strong><em>~Caroline May~</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wm1Cbv4Ww9w/Wu4P3f-cyFI/AAAAAAAAyv8/ZIdYS_a476cb99fFr4XcmWgF_pIpeX9MgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD3100b%2B%2B10-02-2018%2B15-56-24%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iXYYJBjNe-I/Wu4P4O9tK_I/AAAAAAAAywA/lljo47kfohImFUXWU4upWFcc3lh42ETlACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMarsh%2BD3100b%2B%2B10-02-2018%2B15-56-24_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-33229580353770909962018-03-23T14:39:00.001-07:002018-03-23T14:39:46.356-07:00February’s been hard on a heart<p>Candlemas Day used to have great significance in the rural calendar because the date lies halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, so it marked the day upon which winter was half over. It was a time of the year which naturally formed a transition period in winter, a sense we were moving on into brighter and better days.</p><p>An ancient Scottish rhyme :</p><p align="center"><strong><em>If Candlemas day be dry and fair, the half o’ winter to come and mair</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>If Candlemas’s day be wet and foul, The half o’ winter gane at Yule</em></strong></p><p>It meant that if it was nice on Candlemas Day, 6 more weeks of yucky, winter weather was on the way. If it wasn’t nice on Candlemas Day, the weather should get nicer. A sort of Catch 22 weather. This photograph was taken on that day. Be afraid…be very afraid <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--SJBtTLwhk0/WrVzY02DwJI/AAAAAAAAymw/YBaA6H85s7YPxmcnDflR_czhSoCVke4bQCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ONPQ-PbZM1U/WrVzaHGOZfI/AAAAAAAAym0/Vuo0HlZTWl853nS-mCPX5pRaAifA5J-SgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800-BB-DX--02-02-2018-12-5%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRMmOO6LwGo/WrVzbNxErQI/AAAAAAAAym4/9eWHvFLGKwoHk9Cn7dq88DpydOlXJwT0wCHMYCw/Coventry-D800-BB-DX--02-02-2018-12-5?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Around the university grounds, pockets of Snowdrops were popping here and there. They were known as Candlemas Lilies and Candlemas Bells and a welcome assurance that the brighter days of spring were on their way. In the language of flowers, the Snowdrop was synonymous with ‘hope’ as it bloomed in early springtime, just before the vernal equinox, and seen as heralding the new spring and new year. In British folklore, they symbolised hope and purity. But the bulbs were poisonous which led to the superstition that a single bloom in a house represented death.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rMcLGVfRsyU/WrVzcbzb9oI/AAAAAAAAym8/SLP2Dz67VJ45nT6ER1Kx1hUWf3w4r4vbQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2iC086x9cUo/WrVzdgBXVGI/AAAAAAAAynA/0e5KWzVe2p4z00Wtou9Lg8VFWYbXT_lFwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made another visit to Longford Community Nature to see what the Ring-necked or Rose-ringed parakeets were up to. Thankfully, it turned out to be a sunny day and we hoped they would be out in the open. We headed straight to their patch on the Weeping Willow with the branches drooping over the River Sowe. These deciduous tree were often found near lakes and ponds and planted in parks and gardens due to their ornamental morphology. Raindrops that were falling to the ground from the drooping branches resembled tears and that was how the tree got its name.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XgzdKr6EWYg/WrVzeztawwI/AAAAAAAAynE/P-fzPHvRcvAa_YBs_U2ItWbPwzA_QokKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--04-02-2018-13-56-31%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rQIIXi5pzKU/WrVzgXMPS-I/AAAAAAAAynI/E_tYSavJeRIi2d9_zECeNzX4YvkWHnaPgCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--04-02-2018-13-56-31?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Their shrill screeching calls gave away their presence. We looked up and they were chilling out deep among the twisted branches and twigs which was void of leaves. Again, they were playing hide-and-seek with us and when they found out that we weren’t going anyway, came out to play. From our observations and reading, we think that this family consisted of 2 adults and 2 juveniles. The male developed a thin black ring round his neck which ran from his throat, becoming thinner on the sides of the neck where it ran into a light coloured collar on the nape of his neck. The ring developed by about 17 months old and the male was usually sexually mature by age 3, a year later than the female.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nG-IXOcYrQ4/WrVzha-X54I/AAAAAAAAynM/CNXE6N-xZokdW833M-Y-Mr9iMZ8xsXaRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-APBsiH3J_mk/WrVziQgFIgI/AAAAAAAAynQ/EgYhAwdGqa4S6fRfYsnbpSD-hpBa3t1-gCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YJVJCNjzh5s/WrVzjcBFujI/AAAAAAAAynU/JTHdiMlyGbIsgz2DLGpFqjCvieUThrO9gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzbiCZJeFhs/WrVzkiwN21I/AAAAAAAAynY/GS2a4fjnZI0zwrQaxIIMLmcm4oQ1fNL8QCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The female and juveniles either showed no neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings. Bedecked with emerald green feathers and rose-red beak, the family brought a touch of tropical glamour to the park. One was seen speeding through the skies with its stream-lined body, pointed wings and long tail, so graceful and elegant in a brilliant green whirl. It was magnificent in flight. Unfortunately, it was just too fast to photograph. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S2e1dnObXKc/WrVzlnziEhI/AAAAAAAAync/aTAJyffHecQECQfHQv1VwWdp3r2YtZV1gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--04-02-2018-13-49-04%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_NExmpDT4U/WrVzmslAdeI/AAAAAAAAyng/Ss87ZRwDI-I9UkN1rQ7uwMG7JEMiJ58QQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--04-02-2018-13-49-04%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ktk41zef15A/WrVzn910hrI/AAAAAAAAynk/EnmJdb5TAgMyP7rvqPcrmM_vJn-IZ6JngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B19%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7-3LHq2Zb2c/WrVzoyT0_JI/AAAAAAAAyno/rZzdhlYyfU8WctN02tdTBDtJcv5VHAgiACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Yellow catkins were appearing on the trees and in spring, the twigs and branches will be covered with the lance-shaped leaves. These catkins were important for producing an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and insects and we saw the Parakeets feeding on them. They also fed on a variety of fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, grains and household scraps. I am sure they were frequent visitors to the bird tables and garden feeders from the houses that bordered the park.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YktQuAAV_Rg/WrVzp7ZrUGI/AAAAAAAAyns/grHRD2XZeC8tZ2OFMjqxoOU76mHXvNlZACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="463" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rWu89ySeBVk/WrVzqw8qURI/AAAAAAAAynw/EtazRQldqYwvYhkL4fLYO3uWWi3GZoA9wCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wR2n3dRk0Gc/WrVzsHVsb8I/AAAAAAAAyn0/ovCag7QseBAjClLY3YALF1Ww29rMCWtcwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B20%255D"><img width="567" height="484" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HuTBPUP1fSo/WrVztfiFJEI/AAAAAAAAyn4/gCS3L3hTy6Mg1QavuXr1WQKia-SIVYuygCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Native to Africa and Asia, Ring-necked parakeets were now thought to have one of the fastest-growing bird populations in the UK, estimated to more than 32K individuals at the end of the breeding season. These free-living parakeets were descended from multiple large releases into the wild, leading to a genetically healthy population with rapid growth rates. They evolved to tolerate a cold niche due to their ancestral origins in Northern India and was believed to have the potential to be ‘the grey squirrels of the skies.’This was because the mushrooming numbers might displaced other hole nesting birds such as the woodpeckers and nuthatches.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CAG_nvNncIY/WrVzueHS5FI/AAAAAAAAyn8/ozmCCdC1FWAAiPU9KS4YpTm_sebojuwYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCHJuakqQOM/WrVzvUmneCI/AAAAAAAAyoA/IJg4lN6WiT8ps26ZugAZ2bGXdIWiJTbWACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yCFCvDAnWM0/WrVzwKdOqrI/AAAAAAAAyoE/16bs3o7yTO4QgxVZXQliQpNl-ZD23q-UACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Bn_6AQUBao/WrVzwwlC8lI/AAAAAAAAyoI/Y9pdpmbSIcE1NN52m1kD28DfndzEtUd8QCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--04-02-2018-14-%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also popped over to our favourite playground when we found out that flocks of Bullfinches were feeding on the seeds from the dried heads of the Buddleia flowers. In summer, with its purple, golden-eyed flowers full of fragrant glory and was a butterfly and bee paradise as they were an important nectar source. No other plant was such a magnet to them. We had photographed Tortoiseshells. Peacocks, Red Admirals, Whites, Brimstone and other species feasting on them. Buddleias provided nectar and pollen to bees and other insects. On warm nights, moths took their turn. And now, in deep winter, it was the turn of the Bullfinches. What a versatile plant. We’d 3 in our garden and they were always bedecked with glorious blossoms, butterflies and buzzing bees. Let’s raise a glass to the 17th century botanist and Essex clergyman after whom the shrub was named, the Reverend Adam Buddle.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDPsL_46lb8/WrVzx9wfdOI/AAAAAAAAyoM/8-Kuak-9IG4KPRINdT58Xl2thwmP7EXhACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LksNGQkX_4E/WrVzyxk5NXI/AAAAAAAAyoQ/INtra9mv4ksSsXXcuu8havnoKGs35kL_wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Bullfinches were striking birds. The name was said to describe the bull-like appearance with their compact, neckless body and short, deep bill. In Victorian times, they were desired captive birds due to their beautiful plumage and calls. It was believed that the caged bird could be trained to mimic music and it became a popular pastime to play a special flute to the birds. Their call note was a low, piping ‘deu-deu’, while the song was highly variable, quiet in nature and audible at short distances and was often described as ‘mournful’.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SiCQqp4HvfA/WrVzzg-LT_I/AAAAAAAAyoU/X8Bp4wEeoLk02Tf7I-9tMrd4crfmaAvrwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rdRW6H7gM3Q/WrVz0h5hchI/AAAAAAAAyoY/mdNv1xKigywZSxIbZyaknxoh6RB0t0Y8gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The male Bullfinch was unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail with a bright white rump. The female had a brown back and pinkish-fawn underparts. They formed strong, lasting pair bonds and it was usual to see them in pairs all year round. In winter, the resident population was joined by ‘northern’ bullfinches from northern Europe. This pair were feeding voraciously on the seed-heads and because of their huge appetite were once ‘a pest’ of fruit crops.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXxkaTaWma8/WrVz1rWrBqI/AAAAAAAAyoc/e9psQ7_SOycWDzf_6SIc9RYmaAue0bUWACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BzT8KkDcCX4/WrVz2ioMLVI/AAAAAAAAyog/uHmfNB5p2p8hjbzLOeD0LSFCd5JI8VadQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were surprised not to see any Robins harassing us for food when we walked along the path. Perhaps the weather was much better and there were plenty of food around. But we saw one who was busy singing. The sound of a Robin chirping in winter was a good sign. It meant the bird had built up enough fat reserves to survive the cold nights and had enough energy left to defend its territory. Robins traditionally sings in spring to attract a mate, but in winter, when food was short, it faced a dilemma. Should it spent its time hunting for food to get through the next cold snap or burst into a song? Choices…choices. We helped by leaving a large mound of mealworms on the ground.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fVGFQCEmZvo/WrVz380b_eI/AAAAAAAAyoo/OhrOFW16tAMKaa9QqYzTf0kC_Xdk2cOzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nb4Y3iyHZHw/WrVz41RwLXI/AAAAAAAAyos/cTGDoqUcs7ET16u3-z1rJzQixWkO8T_WwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made a pit stop at Baldwin Hide but there was nothing much about. As soon as we got out the door, a family of Long-tailed tits had just landed on the tree near the hide. We watched this cute bundle of fur showing off its acrobatic skills as it gleaned invertebrates from the branches and from under the leaves. The tail was the most remarkable feature of this very tiny bird, and accounted for more than half of its total length. During its short, undulating flights, the tail dipped up and down. The flock moved in rapid surges through the tree in restless waves.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-el0rNmTgN3c/WrVz5yKM0AI/AAAAAAAAyow/xt3cWxgyMCU7_szavGqZf1ansuEJBELBwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VS2P7s51fik/WrVz6uyHRiI/AAAAAAAAyo0/B5tw-IlgpnwLFQXUD0F69CHFT4gDpkM6QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At East Marsh Hide, a pair of Gadwall was swimming quite close to the hide. They were grey-coloured with an obvious black rear end. When seen close up, the grey colour was made up of exquisitely fine barring and speckling. As a dabbling duck, they fed mainly on emergent and submergent vegetation which they gathered by surface-feeding and ‘up-ending’ to strip the greenery from the shallow water. Since such plant material was nutrient poor, they needed to eat vast amounts of it for sustenance.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dm3W078Z3Dc/WrVz7nR6XzI/AAAAAAAAyo4/Vizn4588vc04A4OoSatSGOJ8IU7y2xI-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ot_IPEBudx4/WrVz8YsY4aI/AAAAAAAAyo8/Ay7O0E1Xk44wlflgwBsIICUlWpAbCSX7wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-koFsd4l_ZvI/WrVz9boH7HI/AAAAAAAAypA/kB6aoMwfA4YHe3EUQrkr5kQ7vRqBaROCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y5_xaGmvn9I/WrVz-XPzSAI/AAAAAAAAypE/gmWibhwU6XMuJCAVIeioqgC8V8Y3bgM1wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We scanned the Wigeon banks hoping to see the pair of Muntjac that Babe had seen earlier in the week. As usual, they didn’t get the memo. Muntjacs, also known as barking deer and Mastreani deer, originated in South-east Asia but was introduced to Woburn in Bedfordshire in 1900. Many escaped from their private estates and were now well-established where they colonised woodland and dense scrubland. Active by day or night, they were mostly seen at dusk. They uttered loud barks over prolonged periods and equally loudly distress calls. They were mainly solitary animals but may be seen in family groups. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FtztuYQ07As/WrVz_mU4njI/AAAAAAAAypI/arNf3cDVNqEDBrKbRxlkHHSLV5q_GOaggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3E8uT3yS5nc/WrV0AhF8CgI/AAAAAAAAypM/4R5YIe48hKQvsfVfvvX1EZelNG5R0__ZwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The males, or bucks, had short backward curving antlers which were shed in May and June and re-grown to full size by October or November. These were not used as weapons, but instead the elongated, protruding tusk-like teeth were used. Females don’t have antlers or the elongated teeth. They had a hunched posture due to haunches being higher than their withers. Both sexes had black scent glands under both eyes and a large characteristic tail which was held upright when they were startled revealing a white underside.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gt6k6VX9iOQ/WrV0ByP94SI/AAAAAAAAypQ/N7nZBrqBRU0sQV0NTXodNLC0_L9XIDUJACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aiULwpsqO1w/WrV0DKRK73I/AAAAAAAAypU/BRPMYa_IdIo9yKG2zlcxbe2YxZEHW1HQgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--05-02-2%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>This year for the first time since 1945, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fell on the same date. I guess many Christians had faced a dilemma as they tried to reconcile their faith with the traditional celebrations of romantic love. How exactly do you observe Valentine’s Day on the day Lent began, marking the season of atonement leading up to Easter? Could you be a believer and still celebrated with champagne and chocolate, the indulgent mainstays of Valentine’s Day??? It wasn’t a dilemma for us. We don’t celebrate Valentine in a big way but still exchanged cards. It was good to remind your significant other that you loved them.</p><p align="center"><strong><em>“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return,”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Eden Ahbez ‘Nature Boy’~</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NwvGpuPzCm8/WrV0EO41ayI/AAAAAAAAypY/CsjPuy7bdV0LBvaXcjWtGXKzD9MLowjGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X0gydcBoWgU/WrV0E0tAwVI/AAAAAAAAypc/eqgkqXwnzbwLRClJ-38Yu4Xd1LXVq67vwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I ended February with the dreaded lurgy. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f9uvqxiBccY/WrV0FinmSDI/AAAAAAAAypg/FAG9V1oPhf4N52w0vE-HjLQ4jvsR1kooQCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"> I was so proud that I didn’t catch anything so far when everyone around me was down with something. I coughed for Britain and I think I had woken up the neighbourhood with my persistent coughing. My nose was winning the running race. My constant companions were the hot water bottle, cough syrup, boxes of tissues, Vicks vapour rub and Paracetamol. I took 3 days off work to recover and rest. Resting had allowed the body to focus all of its energy on overcoming the virus. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z3H88JW1zkU/WrV0Gplnw1I/AAAAAAAAypk/EwCnjYy04fUek4sB3t-gs6aY_75hAv29ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B15%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - February" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - February" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_XuHhw71E7c/WrV0HxF-HkI/AAAAAAAAypo/Ut92-7ElhJIRT_B5ua07_UD0V1_12BxJwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--07-02-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-28569376384469593062018-03-18T08:26:00.001-07:002018-03-18T08:26:33.504-07:00January floated down like white coracles<p>There were warnings that Storm Dylan, the last named storm of 2017, was going to disrupt the new year celebrations. The latest storm came after freezing temperatures, heavy snow, rain and wind caused disruption during the Xmas break. But despite the squally start, the worst of the weather cleared by the time people headed out to see in the new year. As usual, our neighbours put up some fantastic firework display as soon as the clock struck 12 pm. We wrapped up warm as fireworks boomed and crackled above our heads. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ruhT7Ui60ps/Wq6CFejSLZI/AAAAAAAAycU/85VasLupLw4Ds9SdhCYV0HxjazTK82flQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-59-044%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OMAu4cPkwFQ/Wq6CGT4oKxI/AAAAAAAAycY/GQSXKmF5soYiF6V3l5PTXRN7q652F-EmACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-59-044_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><div align="center"><pre><strong><font size="4"><em>Only a night from old to new!
Only a night, and so much wrought!
The Old Year's heart all weary grew,
But said: "The New Year rest has brought."</em></font></strong></pre><pre><strong><font size="4"><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pMkINDsp8Os/Wq6CHLSQmDI/AAAAAAAAycc/uaLiiVpz6AEzBW_QlDnQXyvs8-TuxgBzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-57-036%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D3feTGMK4AI/Wq6CIMiDDCI/AAAAAAAAycg/FmZJMIhPRl8j4Up9VIAEjESkTem1hrBBACHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-57-036_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>
The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down,
As in a grave; but, trusting, said:
"The blossoms of the New Year's crown
Bloom from the ashes of the dead."</em></font></strong></pre><pre><strong><font size="4"><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZnKrhHc3Jo/Wq6CI3ord8I/AAAAAAAAyck/LIa1PlkrxvQKFmv_S2seEIyqHAlswdMawCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-57-36%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ggnvOKKsbhk/Wq6CJ0cEGPI/AAAAAAAAyco/KOFs5yKnrRwtckEN77pxL8Qu6O9tQKcIQCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-57-36_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>
The Old Year's heart was full of greed;
With selfishness it longed and ached,
And cried: "I have not half I need.
My thirst is bitter and unslaked.</em></font></strong></pre><pre><strong><font size="4"><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LCdZe0wkgfw/Wq6CKliOw_I/AAAAAAAAycs/DGZeB5qXVQ4iX098NNB8XQ3LvyXPQG-vACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-59-054%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J_YtEQSmgzk/Wq6CLcRjqpI/AAAAAAAAycw/JkiXljLTFIUzleE_Rv3D8IcTRyiiACYZwCHMYCw/Coventry%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B01-01-2018%2B00-59-054_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>
</em></font></strong></pre></div><p align="center"><strong><em>~Helen Hunt Jackson ‘New Year’s morning~</em></strong></p><p>We started the new year with another trip to Draycote Waters to touch base with the long staying Hawfinch. When we arrived, there were a few photographers wandering about in the vicinity which was always a good sign. More pairs of eyes were welcome. I sat down on the nearby bench scanning the bushes and checking out the Hornbeam tree. Dunnocks and Robins were feeding on the bird-seeds scattered under the tree. Chaffinches with their distinct wing bars were flying in and out of the Hornbeam tree. Suddenly, there was a shout and everyone’s lens were focused on something above my head. I slowly looked up and the piece de resistance was perched on a branch above me. I dared not moved.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AZyTFJ9My-4/Wq6CMOA5IMI/AAAAAAAAyc0/i-sfSPzRX0AIQlTeAEywkWxQjST0QdKpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--01-01"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Waters - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RURdUbd46zA/Wq6CNIxxnxI/AAAAAAAAyc4/xE34y2pOHfAnB6bhUPa52VFBSuA6hmdBACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--01-01%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>From my (dis)advantage point, I’d a very close-up view of this very striking bird. At roughly 18 cm long, it was twice the size of the Chaffinch. It had orange-gold feathers on the head which was complemented by a duller brown on its back and a softer grey-brown on its belly. At the tip of the secondary wing feather was an iridescent black. But the most striking feature was that its head was unusually big for its body, giving it a prehistoric, top-heavy look. This was to accommodate a huge massive, powerful beak that was remarkably strong. The hefty beak powered by strong jaw muscles exerted pressures that made cracking cherry pips and olive stones a cinch.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EXjQu5m7c10/Wq6COSF1LvI/AAAAAAAAyc8/sZfsE3GaaVcVrnkZOSzm21Dz7yWfdWxjwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--01-01%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Waters - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kv9fFsx0U9E/Wq6CPKR8FzI/AAAAAAAAydA/cqMei5t3mHkcFnZAJPoRfhRqbeY9cIrjQCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--01-01%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The remarkable and rare invasion of these birds, which was the UK’s largest, rarest and most elusive finch, had been attributed to poor seed crop yields in their winter feeding grounds of Germany and Romania. They enjoyed a near-mythical status among bird-watchers, since they were the hardest of all British birds to spot as they tended to spent their time hidden in the forest canopy. They were true arboreal birds, spending their lives in mature woodland out of sight of our casual glances.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9NWk9_sA_AQ/Wq6CPzgw25I/AAAAAAAAydE/BTAasv6RVKgu64KaIl9NzYfWSWyGySdBwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--01-01-2018-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IBj75l95S-g/Wq6CQnY8dfI/AAAAAAAAydI/xP7tev3jC3wewrrl7IuCByPpp2vNzxBjwCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--01-01-2018-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was a very special experience to have seen this very shy bird, and one not likely to be repeated any time soon. The last time such significant numbers of Hawfinch irrupted into Britain was over a decade ago, so this was far from a regular occurrence. The RSPB described it as ‘once-in-a-lifetime encounter’ and I am chuffed to have seen it very near to where we lived before they returned to the continent. After posing for the photographers, it flew into the Hornbeam tree and stayed hidden. I took the opportunity to nip over to the ladies and saw this flock of Egyptian geese flying towards the reservoir. When I returned, Babe told me that the Hawfinch had flew off and we headed home.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M9GM_-IwoC8/Wq6CRS51elI/AAAAAAAAydM/a99BQPSZsEI_59btOBN1jjnPUl1DD7OqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--01-01-2018-1%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P97GdBMM7jg/Wq6CSFMaOkI/AAAAAAAAydQ/2appQI5YQ2UbuXWI5nc45i6oQlTSWLO2ACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--01-01-2018-1%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>January was also a good start for a catch-up with former colleagues who had moved on to greener pastures. We planned it as a post Xmas and pre-birthday meet so there were presents involved. I’d a fantastic time finding 3 presents for 3 lovely girls and may our friendship continued. While waiting for them to arrive, I was entertained by a group of Morris Dancers showing off their dance moves. I loved watching Morris dancers but it was raining and I took this photograph from one of the shop’s entrance.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8_TJU3wHd4/Wq6CTMvN7DI/AAAAAAAAydU/Eu61ihXTbP4hjv18u3MRrKtlBL41BorVgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--03-01-2018-14-33-244"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8aI-ptwEyY/Wq6CUND_UUI/AAAAAAAAydY/mJY_NCRSapYgK1nXwv61zjSRHGg1KkAIwCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--03-01-2018-14-33-24_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>CC arrived first followed by RC. Since SA texted that she was stuck in traffic, we waited for her at Starb**** for a hot drink to warm up. I’d a hot chocolate in the very busy cafe. We tried to make our voices heard among the din and as soon as SA turned up, we adjourned to my chosen restaurant, Slug and Lettuce, situated right opposite the Cathedral Ruins. When we entered the Grade II listed building that used to be known as County Hall and was used as a courtroom, we were greeted by a judge’s chair and an entrance to the court cells which led to a dining area. I was impressed that the original features were still kept.</p><p>The restaurant was busy but there were plenty of seating. We’d a wonderful time browsing the very extensive menu and I finally chose the breaded plaice and chips with a superfood side salad. I also ordered the Bambini Bellini mocktail which was delish and it was 2 for the price of 1.That was a very nice surprise. While waiting for our food to arrive, we exchanged presents and will open them when we were home. We’d a wonderful time catching up with lots of laughter. There was so much to talk about. Our food arrived promptly and it was really good. We kept on checking each other’s plate and also the plate of other nearby diners<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzuzmr1d-ZM/Wq6CUkxsQRI/AAAAAAAAydc/T9ZaYCiQz3gMCEQv1Qu8mLk5SczgIQaaACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">. After 3 fabulous hours, it was time to leave. We’d such a good time that we planned to make it an annual event. </p><p>I was chuffed to bits when I arrived home to see this Song Thrush feeding on the fruits of the Hedera helix ivy outside our casa. This rampant, clinging evergreen ivy covered nearly a quarter of the boundary wall that separated the private cul-de-sac and another row of houses. Their flowers produced from late summer until autumn were rich in nectar and was an important late autumn food source for bees and other insects. The purple-black to orange-yellow berries ripened in late winter and were important food for many birds like this Thrush. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S9OC_P10h3s/Wq6CVtwVh-I/AAAAAAAAydg/4i8oSNMd1iIQww2vnsNJ4yVSxtegw1gEACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--06-01-2018-10-04-31%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JtnGEKSwz6c/Wq6CW9pE9dI/AAAAAAAAydk/P0PGuB6Fms4sRRCdxKa2LvC7Ioj_2qiyQCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--06-01-2018-10-04-31%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe and I nipped over to our favourite playground to stretch our legs. It was very quiet except for the family of Mute Swans. We witnessed the harshest, most necessary part of a territorial bird’s life that there came a time when the parents driving away their young they so diligently nurtured. The parental ties had been cut and chased away, often quite aggressively as they were getting ready for their next brood. The juveniles had now lost their down and were almost white. Once the feathers and wings matured (8-10 months old) the parents no longer recognise them as their young, but rather as rivals.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nHnnAdjok1o/Wq6CXqWzAjI/AAAAAAAAydo/5Kfi10DdWOwI6FSUGeVU45Po16nX8MF0QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--06-01-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HtXmo_dVfag/Wq6CYa0W9DI/AAAAAAAAyds/C2OPbOME8BINszE9qK6K3b4UnR-deevQwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--06-01-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Some very aggressive displays were shown. The cob with its neck outstretched, tore off, wings flailing to warn off the youngsters. which flew from one end of the pool to the other. There was the aggressively fast swimming approach, accompanied with hissing and busking, which was a threat where the aggressor’s neck was curved back and its wing half-raised. This was his territory and no other’s should be in it. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wvTpE0P2Ukw/Wq6CZS6WEEI/AAAAAAAAydw/dAR3kqFgWaQTSZm3NahCPy8hc_2a4Cs1gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--06-01-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P7XQOypUMnk/Wq6CaHKWTlI/AAAAAAAAyd0/0hNm1uAwvTgjZ37TVvJrdrl5hmINvHmHwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--06-01-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The juveniles often joined the first flock of swans they encountered where they usually stay until they matured when about 4 years old. They then seek out a mate, most often from the flock they were living with, and headed off with the mate to find their own territory. Upon arriving at the breeding territory, the pair engaged in a courtship behaviour, which included bobbing their heads and facing each other with quivering wings. Once courtship was completed, the pair were bonded for life. Then the cycle began again. If another mating pair was nearby then problems occur in the form of a territorial battle, the losers of which moved on in search of another ‘patch.’</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCLis5eIlF8/Wq6CbNUTOGI/AAAAAAAAyd4/KUvwrUa44JYnxPJ9YkhN2SYkArYfPxt3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-01-2"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WP090SezpiM/Wq6CcFy_sEI/AAAAAAAAyd8/ia796hf-vDkNArjHnR_HYVt38uThtxqPgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--10-01-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nearby, a flock of Shovelers were feeding in their customary fashion. They were forming a ‘pinwheel’ as they spun around. The effect of this spinning motion, and especially of their feet raking the marsh bottom, bringing up all sorts of food items like crustaceans, small minnows, insects and their larvae, seeds and aquatic plants. These were sieved by their grooved ridges (lamellae) along the edges of their elongated bill. Water and food particles were drawn in the tip of the bill and pushed through the lamellae with the tongue to exit at the base of the bill, leaving the residue of food particles to be swallowed. To maximize their contact with the particles suspended in the water, Shovelers moved their bills from side to side as they sat, spun and sucked in the medium. By doing this cooperative behaviour, more food particles were suspended in the water.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QEgG26Um4jc/Wq6Cc-1f9gI/AAAAAAAAyeA/a_h5TyOshnAQIVWKs-WMDUrsNsvTbKOtQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AOVpUmaW4TY/Wq6Cd8V956I/AAAAAAAAyeE/FgHszSGp8MkHJkAeveuxragUUake-T6BACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The next day, Babe and I went for a drive to the Gloucestershire countryside to check out a long-staying exotic bird. We left at 9.26 am on a very bright, sunny frosty morning. It was very cold, the mercury reaching 1.5C. We were heading for Plock Court Nature Reserve to catch a glimpse of the ‘masked bandit’ a rare bird from mainland Europe. This rare tit normally lived in Southern or Eastern Europe and was rarely seen in Britain. The nature reserve was very easy to find situated along a very busy A40 and bounded by hedges which provided structure and excellent cover for wildlife. Wotton Brook flowed through the park which developed it into a large wetland area.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TKc0HvpOA6E/Wq6CfSR-VeI/AAAAAAAAyeI/9MapzOuTdeM7o9hJEVXBX6v_oSVuoHYpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-10-54%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z7lHWxWIoXI/Wq6CgD2XgdI/AAAAAAAAyeM/ZKkkfEn_39sAWMp4GmkUk3_cojA8TE0OgCHMYCw/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-10-54?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we arrived, the small cark was nearly full. We could see a small group of photographers and twitchers lingering about in the corner of the field. I put on my pink wellies because we were warned that the place was a bit swampy. The wetland area consisted of a series of separate small and shallow pools filled with Greater Reedmace (Bullrushes). Each bulbous bulrush head had ruptured into a fluffy mass of cotton that stood like miniature mop heads on dead stalks above the bent and broken leaves at their base. It was here where the bird was seen feeding on the tiny insects that lived in the bulrush heads. We joined the photographers/birders who were waiting for it to show itself from its hiding place in the tangled mass of dead bulrush clutter. It was well camouflaged as its colouration blended well with the surroundings.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hUgPZXOvZy0/Wq6ChH0nH_I/AAAAAAAAyeQ/eL-TuOXx0oID0cKX0yqaB8cv7kUiwHDBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-11-06%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPoRRrlLYj4/Wq6CiHoLgTI/AAAAAAAAyeU/rd3ABRURTBAqSZFmyfzkohrMiIRdiE7qgCHMYCw/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-11-06?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bSTXw2zT1y8/Wq6Ci_3Yw9I/AAAAAAAAyeY/EYVqswN3SjsahEiayZ5xwX_ntzZu1KrmwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlM6nbarxTo/Wq6CjvDhVgI/AAAAAAAAyec/E_MEgt3u_w83yuoglHqA-iTqHZxNkPWAACHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it appeared, a dove grey head with a black bandit mask over the eyes, ascended up a stalk of bulrush showing off its rich chestnut upperparts and paler buff underparts. It was a handsome bird with a tiny conical and sharply pointed bill that was used to prise insect larvae from the bulrush heads. All you could hear were dozens of cameras rattling away. Then it flew up and over to the nearby hedges and stayed there for sometime. A few walked to the hedge and it flew further along and more people started following it. Babe and I just stood and watched these inconsiderate behaviours.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0NIXwuZsitU/Wq6Ckb3VJCI/AAAAAAAAyeg/0zUhh4ePyFs6Z9JlDk0R2vRuY8B3AUp5wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B42%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTW8at1vvW0/Wq6ClePGzrI/AAAAAAAAyek/hJaSNLzG5bks0H1OOI3EmskSCNS4J40xgCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3KWka6HhX5Y/Wq6CmbhQBcI/AAAAAAAAyeo/ydOyFAQ5KKEQVu2rHfR5WTNJYg4Zoz4NACHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B34%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xvqTL9jepb8/Wq6Cnd--n3I/AAAAAAAAyes/x-_opwBa_9k8mlIr1NlOsx-fIKL9e8jrwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20"><img width="644" height="432" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K-CbaSzUMp0/Wq6CoNBpshI/AAAAAAAAyew/iJvAZ5441dMx-qfElUo8tsr395D5_vUuACHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it flew back into one of the patches of bulrushes only to be surrounded again as people duly pursued it to whatever bulrushes it had favoured. I mean how close do you want to get??? Some had very powerful lenses and there was a reason why it was powerful. And guess what? It flew right into the patch in front of us. I was nearly knocked over during the stampede!!!! But, I stood my ground and told off anyone who stood in front of me. They wouldn’t dare argue with Babe standing beside me<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzuzmr1d-ZM/Wq6CUkxsQRI/AAAAAAAAydc/T9ZaYCiQz3gMCEQv1Qu8mLk5SczgIQaaACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> We’d some really fantastic views of this stunning bird. </p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3KWka6HhX5Y/Wq6CmbhQBcI/AAAAAAAAyeo/ydOyFAQ5KKEQVu2rHfR5WTNJYg4Zoz4NACHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B34%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--PmkCNrYmaY/Wq6CoyFRDII/AAAAAAAAye0/0vb1IfhvA0wlyRrqGACmkQIOGUXLBDzmQCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ghD-wk6mXY/Wq6CpzX37-I/AAAAAAAAye4/wbdzEryg_BMJiP6ufgssGjRiKRM--zJ6wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B41%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uWJi9Hz9YF4/Wq6Cq1q3-UI/AAAAAAAAye8/CqmkHZxi0SM24wNzXFDHZIchblF3N10VQCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The male Eurasian Penduline Tit was easily recognisable by its distinctive ‘bandit mask’ which was a black stripe across its eyes. The species got its name from the elaborate pendulum-like nests that it built, suspended from branches, usually over water. It had ring on its left leg and we later found out that it was ringed on 28th October 2017 on Alderney, which was one of The Channel Islands as a first-calender year female.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e3ON7UraRMY/Wq6Crn1dgaI/AAAAAAAAyfA/9VCbsHzOSasL8cVVNe5DI-Jb0JKL5y_WQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B21%255D"><img width="600" height="484" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1m8kKXV4Ehc/Wq6CsTI9cJI/AAAAAAAAyfE/Tjtfkj_PmLkGwamxIb6NCr5InXUDU-dcACHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Me-NiHdD1kU/Wq6CtVCNm5I/AAAAAAAAyfI/EfCo3QcbLaU9guluvN1V3IYkoigpF8C2ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B26%255D"><img width="548" height="484" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Jz0NuI6f28/Wq6CuB57onI/AAAAAAAAyfM/GNKR4JjLfxMtSzlaXOP4Rb36yvUVFjXiwCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B32%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We went back to the car to have some lunch and warmed up with coffee. More and more people were turning up. I hoped they gave it some space to settle down and feed. After our short break, we walked back to join the party. Apart from the Penduline Tit, we were chuffed to see a male Stonechat perched on top of the bulrush stalk checking out what the fuss was all about. He was stunning with a striking black head with white around the side of the neck, orange-red breast and a mottled brown back. As its name suggested, it uttered a sharp loud call that sounded like two stones being tapped together, which was quite hard to be heard due to the proximity to the road.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RxxvV_hiZKw/Wq6Cu8_83lI/AAAAAAAAyfQ/7aqt3OeFiqYhqZ9m0LvNrMFaqJW2bn3SgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B27%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-09YgpCEdgCY/Wq6Cv42vYAI/AAAAAAAAyfU/xmQHSlt6vUIO9YxbrblCe5woE5xmmjwjQCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B38%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oumj8mTFcn0/Wq6Cwl-lXOI/AAAAAAAAyfY/kD5bTlvt-Xk9uqgUplPCKt4oY82onodKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="432" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9KCCb-zfIQs/Wq6CxYEts9I/AAAAAAAAyfc/Z_3TW4x9SPItcXMjy_74OysfOUIWj4jlACHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B37%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A small, dumpy bird, he was frequently seen flicking his wings while he perched with an upright stance. Like the Penduline Tit, he was primarily insectivorous, feeding on caterpillars, moths, ants, spiders and flies and that is why they were sharing the same habitat. But unlike the Penduline Tit, he was a sit and wait predator. He selected as elevated perch, watched the ground below and waited for something to show up in its line of sight before flying down and snapped the morsel up.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--NnH2zF4VKA/Wq6CyEiPGfI/AAAAAAAAyfg/HOV8bSlhDRkvTDutY0L7Ppq_RIFcH_z3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B14%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gLHrC6dHvvk/Wq6Cy9JdLbI/AAAAAAAAyfk/Xk6FwlJTWuoPoHydeP9IA6j6OcBnBG0fQCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B29%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFah26g_dE8/Wq6CzlkNwfI/AAAAAAAAyfo/jGacd0sBPuAsup8cjeRSGqyT2SSwuREGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-12-16"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SsBP8WOejtg/Wq6C0XmqKNI/AAAAAAAAyfs/7CUx5d_2tiYURhxscQTt5f9-6KCo4nCAwCHMYCw/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-12-16%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Stonechats were once thought to possess clandestine powers, inspiring poets such as WH Auden. It was the flickering of a Stonechat which led him to write his 1930 poem, The Wanderer. Perhaps, he identified with the tiny wandering Stonechat, one of the few insectivorous birds to tough it out through the British winters.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZWhpSDdgTQ/Wq6C1atH_1I/AAAAAAAAyfw/pkGkp7RYM2khox-7wLgNrPUVM_RXy7rmwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B36%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4VXsRIYSh38/Wq6C1yXuvyI/AAAAAAAAyf0/Qz-Kv42UQQwuq8gJc4INnq4kora4lVs2wCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B25%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“Or lonely on fell as chat, By potholed becks, A bird stone-haunting, an unquiet bird.”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fcg45hWwzcc/Wq6C3H4u1hI/AAAAAAAAyf4/vVtA0CVL72AeeCKuQicjVT7HsLP6VNmtACHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B22%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court D7200 X14 C13 07-01-2018 13-37-42" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court D7200 X14 C13 07-01-2018 13-37-42" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q9DqEs0VZls/Wq6C4EoowNI/AAAAAAAAyf8/LIyf9jOPS6osZRfRG9PjzzErWnmJLGMrgCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>We also found it incredible that a flock of Redwings were hopping in between the dozens of photographers chasing after the Penduline Tit. What!!! These UK’s smallest true thrush arrived here in October from Scandinavia to spend the autumn in hedges and orchards where they fed on fruits and berries. This was why they were commonly thought to symbolise the advent of autumn. In winter, when all the fruits and berries had been stripped and eaten, they moved onto open areas like here in search of earthworms. They were feeding so close that we’d to slowly crept further to take their photographs. They must have been so hungry because they didn’t fly away despite being surrounded by dozens of people. Their harsh contact ‘chittick’ calls could be clearly heard.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NFKYchbjt1s/Wq6C5AmjmeI/AAAAAAAAygA/FzMaqujhjdQNc9KisFiIuHQDkL8xnbr9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B20%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zEcL-MzQhAA/Wq6C5_l4KrI/AAAAAAAAygE/PzAQ_rhGo3caI8HUqS3ivt5i9hr3UrGlgCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>They were easily identified by the reddish-brown flanks and underwings for which they were named. The upperparts of the body were greyish-brown, with a long, conspicuous, creamy-white stripe above the eye, while the underparts were buffy-white, with blackish streaks radiating from the throat. The beak was dark, with a yellowish base and the legs were pinkish-brown. Some old regional names for Redwings included wind thrush, windle and winnard, suggesting a connection between the birds and winter. But, it was more likely that these words originated from old European names such as Weingaerdsvogel in Germany, and the modern Vindrossel in Denmark, which related to the birds feeding on fruit in vineyards.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xqOi5zVChYw/Wq6C66wiv2I/AAAAAAAAygI/8uoxFmfRke0iYweH35uqEVEjqDTGojkcgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B44%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g9oITD5S6UQ/Wq6C7nLTeoI/AAAAAAAAygM/CWq0e68DYDkObcSpO2jztEP3va5mytcvgCHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Redwings feeding at the further end of the pond was being chased away by this Mistle Thrush. It was an aggressive pale black-spotted thrush standing boldly upright and bounded across the ground after them. A statuesque and spirited bird, its upright stance on the ground bespoke avian alertness. It was fiercely defending its food sources like the worms, slugs and insects which were abundant in the wetlands. Unlike the Redwings feeding near us, it was quite wary and timid of humans. When it flew off, the long wings and whitish edges to the tail was visible.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eOJnE5e4MXQ/Wq6C8XYLABI/AAAAAAAAygQ/WSFd2klfxbgRXbFes2wIdKpHy1lJbUHQQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-11-32"><img width="644" height="431" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ftMflxb0Qlk/Wq6C9N9F65I/AAAAAAAAygU/af6zuSwcWqMdyWqrAFpdEIoSR7T-pDZMgCHMYCw/Plock-Court-D3100b--07-01-2018-11-32%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After about 2 hours, we called it a day. This tiny nature reserve had given us some of the best start for the new year with the sightings of the rare Penduline Tit, Stonechat, Redwings and Mistle Thrush. Since it was on the route to Slimbridge WWT, we planned to make a quick detour and check what it had to offer. I think it would be dragonflies galore. It was also on the route to the Forest of Dean, one of the places that was on my list for this year. I couldn’t wait. We checked the beautiful Penduline Tit again to wish it a safe journey home.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-foYcZgZqCKo/Wq6C-HjwCJI/AAAAAAAAygY/GsvYVhRdEeYSxxECsaQEnPnLy27AcEREwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B40%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Plock Court - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Plock Court - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS_UmdyUyrM/Wq6C-yazngI/AAAAAAAAygc/6Hys3QGt6nseNUOGW7dm8aeaiDg99o9hACHMYCw/Plock-Court--D7200-X14-C13--07-01-20%255B39%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We paid another visit to our favourite playground to see how the natives were doing in the cold weather. As we walked along the main path, we were accompanied by at least a dozen Robins. In winter, the resident birds were joined by immigrants from continental Europe, mostly from Scandinavia. These appeared paler than the natives with a duller red breast. They were also generally less tame because they skulked in woodlands while the British ones were out in the open. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g06Buy31ri0/Wq6C_-MC4bI/AAAAAAAAygg/eQisbxwF09MYWrlkYv02ak55feM9zXG1wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--09-01-2018-15-13"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r8oeAogp2Yg/Wq6DA_fPtPI/AAAAAAAAygk/B4VrKNmNsEMEms-j_isyAh8y6r8j7oLWQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--09-01-2018-15-13%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I have no idea where these were from. We knew that if we rattled the tub containing mealworms, they would come flying. This was always our highlight, hand-feeding them. They would perched on a branch before landing to feed. It was the best feeling in the world, to be this close to a wild bird. But some will swooped down and snatched the mealworms, before flying off to a secluded place to feed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pe5SvFO9OUY/Wq6DCPG-JtI/AAAAAAAAygo/W43JvDlKRvsx0NmCCXpD5bjtw2JCn4tZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800--09-01-2018-15-11"><img width="641" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z8b78DRy9wk/Wq6DCtQCgbI/AAAAAAAAygs/8A1jK_YaBJg5H6O5hOlw9TKbVrKotlg3ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800--09-01-2018-15-11%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Robins were territorial all year round but in winter individuals held territories for feeding. They defended their territories to the death, and so in the poem ‘Who killed Cock Robin?’, another Robin rather than a Sparrow was more likely.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g_6b46T64lo/Wq6DDjE5UpI/AAAAAAAAygw/l0dl8gTYPlQTrqO4WEkMOJueUxZD_sbCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-15"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDIVWp_XyY8/Wq6DEdyexZI/AAAAAAAAyg0/eV93RUyy3RE34qL3NmbG3TzjIydY9cC0gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-15%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><em><strong>"Who killed Cock Robin?" "I," said the Sparrow,<br>"With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."</strong></em></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TNNOq6MYfLQ/Wq6DFWrh0mI/AAAAAAAAyg4/tmNG7tMFSwAZkQ55zswjAZfIhTdGCBN9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-16%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="448" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VdAxhghCu88/Wq6DGB3INYI/AAAAAAAAyg8/ZWfJnE1EY5IHlDG1Y-5w0eQF5HsHRqdKwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-16%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>Robins, both males and females, sang to declare and defended their own individual territories outside the breeding season, and their songs were quite identical. Around Xmas time, they began exploring each others territories in the hope of finding a mate.The majority will paired up, like this cute couple, and the females stopped singing. But not the males. They continued singing to declare the ‘ownership’ of a joint future breeding territory.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y68rlP6x6aQ/Wq6DG2E6YoI/AAAAAAAAyhA/knrhuDJltSMGwYUvZI6-omxo2gQxOdVmwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--21-01-201"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OWIrinDiSWU/Wq6DH8UNy_I/AAAAAAAAyhE/zpj3kLs94hcbQce9bJE9CXscpsj8k9_5QCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--21-01-201%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After feeding the Red-breasts, we continued our walk towards the hides. The path was very muddy and slippery. We stopped at Baldwin Hide when we saw a pair of Great Crested Grebe in the middle of the lake. They were still in their pale winter plumage with the white above the eye and a pink bill. They were pair bonding. This display was seen predominantly during the early stages of courtship and was usually performed when the pair was reunited after a period of separation, suggesting that it was used as a greeting and for reinforcement. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6tPTImWFc4/Wq6DIqC7YsI/AAAAAAAAyhI/eb9bTfxIVMYYL6OmGJDBwtbH208z2nsbwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QR2STF63vEk/Wq6DJn1gxmI/AAAAAAAAyhM/yjYQTaMOt6YazkKez6qA1I6y6LrbAMTtwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The head-shaking display was most familiar where the head plumage was fanned into a ruff before they faced each other and shake their heads from side to side. The most elaborate display was the ‘weed-ceremony’ which took place just before the pair began to build their nest platform. It was too early for that so they were still going to continue strengthening their relationship. Breeding pairs were monogamous and only stayed together for the breeding season. When one of them swam away, they make contact calls which was a rolling ‘craa’.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mb7B33Nhoqo/Wq6DKrgeeQI/AAAAAAAAyhQ/ej5uQhVd8n8s7pXtU9rskbWDp2DdqnQJgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ivfUFDLxEQ/Wq6DLULfH4I/AAAAAAAAyhU/9ut5b2aTHjADVIvnF-kGJwQn2bC9Uev5gCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nearby, a Little Grebe or Dabchick was swimming past the hide with a very visible fluffy rear end, a feature often accentuated by its habit of fluffing up its rump feathers. In winter, it had pale buff on its lower quarters while the back was dirty brown. It was a titchy and shy bird, diving when it spotted us and resurfacing among the vegetation at the further side of the hide. Little Grebes were persistent divers, either slipping below without surface disturbance or with a vigorous jump, creating a shower with lobed feet. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xlh0zkvV7CI/Wq6DMSam-iI/AAAAAAAAyhY/ZBH8jifJJQAw95W1ruPrrJXizJGc9WNRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pBxdrubLFBY/Wq6DNHI_ZLI/AAAAAAAAyhc/y6_8nnIf54wF1CYKv-p121ArBFKIE68hACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We then walked through the woods to get back to the car-park. We kept our eyes peeled to the ground as we walked under the trees and was delighted to see these beautiful woodland fungus brightening the gloomy landscape. These were Scarlet Elf Cups, a cup shaped fruiting bodies that were scarlet red and orange in colour that grew on decaying sticks and branches of moss-covered hawthorn, beech, hazel, willow and elm in damp spots and beneath leaf litter. It could also be seen on ditch sides and stream banks. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8cXtwrden9w/Wq6DOMisIaI/AAAAAAAAyhg/E_lbj6ceth0cLB0n0UDs_EcvLD3_ZpsngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-16"><img width="644" height="421" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TtOrrF-HxyM/Wq6DPC_TS7I/AAAAAAAAyhk/C0G0zIAJw4Upa7zpTueudwhrIr3L_643wCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX--09-01-2018-16%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At work, every Tuesday, I joined a group of colleagues from various departments for half an hour well-being walk around the university grounds. It was the ideal ‘stressbusting’ and sociable activity with the added opportunity to make new friends while getting healthy. On one of the walks around Tocil Lake, we came across a Little Grebe fishing in the shallow end of the lake. It was a very nice surprise and a golden opportunity for others to learn more about nature as some of them had never seen one. I returned the next day armed with my camera and spotted it roosting on a tree very close to the path. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eyFsTaMtulQ/Wq6DP3sCbVI/AAAAAAAAyho/9BvVDH9nQXEB8QPnmHbYFytyIezNsnyewCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--18-01-201"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v7snfx07AL8/Wq6DQxSBpmI/AAAAAAAAyhs/1ncjJQeaw8seYb7n48Cfwx4a7ePTXqIuwCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--18-01-201%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe and I had been chasing after Rose Ring Necked Parakeets all over the place. We went to RSPB Sandwell Valley but didn’t see any and was chuffed when we photographed one in Wollaton Hall Park, Nottingham. Just imagined to our surprised and uttermost delight when we found out that there was a family of 4-6 living in a park just down the road. How did we missed that!!! It was sleeting when we went to seek them out. We must be loco<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzuzmr1d-ZM/Wq6CUkxsQRI/AAAAAAAAydc/T9ZaYCiQz3gMCEQv1Qu8mLk5SczgIQaaACHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3iLWHn9p9mg/Wq6DR2S5slI/AAAAAAAAyhw/YsY2djsrnOUcfdSvTxs49UbJq1Zn7EoywCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--f-_I5pxg9k/Wq6DSippxuI/AAAAAAAAyh0/xXcI1UWNudIXYWmMcMFYF_SM-z1-mOd7ACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Longford Park was a surprising large green area with paths joining up with the Coventry Canal. When we arrived, the sleet had turned to snow but we just put our hoods up and zipped our thick coats and started walking. First we walked towards the houses where we came across lots of dog walkers. Then we walked back along the River Sowe that flowed through the Community Nature Park when we heard the familiar squawkings. We followed it and came across a row of Weeping Willows lining the banks and the shrills got louder and louder and when we looked up, they were looking down on us, checking us out. There were 4 pairs of eyes peering at us from different branches.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nW3xjzdb-lY/Wq6DThoWCTI/AAAAAAAAyh4/SU6OmLIH1o4RmA30-qBmNDZxJW-uMqNLQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B9%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cISYlApCRCs/Wq6DURpCudI/AAAAAAAAyh8/MXc3d39qasMis641YudQQjib3Y7LsKLCwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Ring-necked, or Rose-ringed parakeet was the UK’s most abundant naturalised parrot. It became established in the wild in the 1970s after captive birds escaped or were released. Despite their tropical origin, they were able to cope with the cold British winters, especially in suburban parks, large gardens and orchards where food supply was more reliable. They fed on a wide variety of fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, grain and household scraps.They were charming, exotic birds with their lurid green feathers, long tails, red beaks and black and pink rings around their necks and faces, hence the name ‘ring-necked’.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gdM1K6Sy50E/Wq6DVX_kTJI/AAAAAAAAyiA/-QJp9bQGLRE5Fm4TZ7vzGDzq-8aIsC88wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B3%255D"><img width="606" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Llw31K-CM58/Wq6DWRZMU-I/AAAAAAAAyiE/vH_vLm4qs2sWfA_FuJUHRJyqfYKc3AeGwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left">It was a challenge to take photographs because of the dreich weather conditions but we planned to come again now we know where they were. When we walked back we came across some notice boards. From the western end of the Community Nature Park, a path led down to Coventry Canal, and from the western end of Longford Park, was a route to the Sowe Valley foothpath. We planned one day when the weather was good to check out the path to the Sowe Valley. I was also delighted to find out that the nature park was designated a Wildlife Conservation area.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m8B6JOg6vNU/Wq6DXNMlCUI/AAAAAAAAyiI/JzxW17Vy5a03R7BN2b6QY6Y8_NfpJhEZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry D7200 X C13 20-01-2018 13-46-021" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D7200 X C13 20-01-2018 13-46-021" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c5kCuLCsSk4/Wq6DX-vkfWI/AAAAAAAAyiM/MnUe3kgmvFMN7zQM08vtUsKQq4ZC8XYpQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X-C13--20-01-2018-13-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We went for a long drive to Carmarthen to check out a camera shop. Babe had been eyeing a Nikkor 600 mm F4IFED lens from the Carmarthen Camera Centre which he wanted to add to his collection. We chose the most atrocious day to make the 190 miles one-way trip. It was 5.3C and spitting when we left the casa. We drove through the M40, M42 (West), M5 (South), M50 South Wales, A40, M40 (West) and the A48 for Carmarthenshire. In between, we’d a comfort break at the very busy Strentham service. The rain must had been very heavy because there were flooded river plains at Malvern.</p><p>It was in Monmouthshire when we saw the bilingual road signs. It was very foggy in Newport and plenty of water spray near Cardiff. Our tiny car began to aquaplane on the standing water on the road. There was report of an accident at Brigend but thankfully it cleared by the time we arrived in the monsoon-like weather conditions. It was a very slow drive through the Vale of Neath which was shrouded in mist. Finally after 3+ hours, we arrived in a rain-soaked town of Carmarthen. As we slowly drove through the town which had changed so much, we managed to find a parking space outside the shop. How lucky was that.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-csqB9WBN2tM/Wq6DYsl1JpI/AAAAAAAAyiQ/yPPkWBL-rQgP6tdtT18kgsWnjiWVd3HwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Carmarthen-D800-BB--27-01-2018-14-18%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Carmarthen - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Carmarthen - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lSYZWo0Cx6g/Wq6DZR_f_WI/AAAAAAAAyiU/21Nu7WkuXJgRTvRp4a3TV2QX38T3XzelQCHMYCw/Carmarthen-D800-BB--27-01-2018-14-18%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I stayed in the car while Babe checked out the equipment. I was chuffed to find that there was wi-fi hot-spots in a town in the middle of Wales. Isn’t that amazing!!! Babe brought out the lens to test on his camera and started taking shots of the surroundings. Unfortunately, due to the leaden skies and lack of light, it was a challenge. The gloomy greyness had Babe tutting and grumbling about ISO’s and shutter speeds. But he was pleased with the results when we viewed it through the laptop and the lens came home with us. Our initial plan was to check out the town but changed our minds. We’d another comfort break at Tesco and filled the car with petrol. At £121.99, it was very expensive.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5SJ8jPrUA4g/Wq6DaCGobGI/AAAAAAAAyiY/kwqAGLKumTgDUXSL_F9yFzh3LA9V9K19QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Carmarthen-D800-BB--27-01-2018-14-18%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Carmarthen - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Carmarthen - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WrQCsJQKmrQ/Wq6Da7zcsSI/AAAAAAAAyic/afd-PdlPKAEr6aApS_nHGpvLv2NeSuJnwCHMYCw/Carmarthen-D800-BB--27-01-2018-14-18%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we stopped at a layby for lunch on the A48. We noticed there were plenty of laybys on this stretch of road and they were very clean. No full bins and no rubbish laying around. Laybys were intended for short parking breaks to stretch the legs, ‘spend a penny’, for a picnic or pausing to get a photo of the view. Unfortunately, we were in a middle of nowhere. We continued on and we came across very heavy fog at Cross Hands. We’d another comfort break at the Welcome Break on the A4603. It was a slow drive home as the weather hadn’t changed at all. We hoped the weather will get better so that Babe could play with his latest toy.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWDf0yU-tPU/Wq6DbgMbf4I/AAAAAAAAyig/PuRQZOQlr9E3VQLaVkwjQO7R1RsL-CdqQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--28-01-2018-20-57-0494"><img width="433" height="484" title="Shots from Home - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADw_UU7f2cA/Wq6Dcrp2dAI/AAAAAAAAyik/UiOTGReqSqwzsqg53x1fOx65L59PcuUcwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--28-01-2018-20-57-049_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After the long drive, we popped over to Brandon Marsh to stretch our cramped legs. As usual, I brought a tub of mealworms for the hoods and they were were waiting for us. Babe rattled the tub and they came flying in and perched on the branches. They were taking turns to fly in, swooping and snatching a morsel or two. They were too hungry to be territorial of their food supply. We left a mound on the ground for the rest who were not brave enough to join the party.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bWNJVJg4eJs/Wq6Ddt4o4kI/AAAAAAAAyio/iX65uIEcbDs9NxzNVcleUneWoX1sw3FIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--21-01-201%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tpVZMbKnk9w/Wq6DeckiaNI/AAAAAAAAyis/CDiZKemsxPUpTSyLH01mW6GcxBJTKLldACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X-C13--21-01-201%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Along Primrose Bank, we noticed there were plenty of buds on the plant. I hoped they don’t flower too soon because it was still in the deep depths of winter. At Baldwin Hide, a dead swan was floating in the water. Ooh…oh. That’s not a good sign. We’d read news that the highly pathogenic H5N6 flu had been detected in the wild birds in Warwickshire. I hoped no more birds will be infected. This Golden Eye swam past the hide and was very intrigued by the camera clicks and kept on posing in front of us. What a handsome duck.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OHOkIZf_wSo/Wq6EyQd3zlI/AAAAAAAAyjI/N3iowxa2bT0UVy6-4pXmH58h5BslVxxgACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-01-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fipMIgM8Cak/Wq6EzRmPhaI/AAAAAAAAyjM/vAlwODsqvl8hF3XjlGR9PKYReRY8oGLHgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-01-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A family of Long-tailed tits were happily roaming through the woods and settled on the tree behind the hide to feed, gleaning invertebrates from under the leaves and branches. It was amazing watching these balls of tumbling, see-sawing cuties bouncing from from one branch to the next during which their high-pitched, rolling si-si-si-si-si calls were punctuated with percussive clipped notes. These vocalisations helped flock members kept in touch with each other as they moved restlessly through the trees.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PC5hNQbXHQw/Wq6E0TB0lAI/AAAAAAAAyjQ/kqyel17YpGoOYywQ5mnC-mKZViYRztGUACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXeLiH0Vc64/Wq6E1JmPYaI/AAAAAAAAyjU/XmnG1tV3PGIF3M42m7A9U7qet-vNt4y0ACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“A troop of birds on laughing wings</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Came tumbling by in loops and strings:</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>See! See! See! their leader cried …”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Anthony Rye~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hY8_DHsToOA/Wq6E2NRxBKI/AAAAAAAAyjY/gW7O3m-WVi8OKtKNmlrzjHTM3uzUdzdVgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6DAReclJTA/Wq6E2-ROc8I/AAAAAAAAyjc/sYSPqXcYtWQFgQBGzHtbD1UaUjKkZ_pdACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--17-01-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></strong></p><p>We walked to East Marsh Hide and watched a Coot running along the surface the water. Its feet had distinctive lobed flaps of skin on the toes which acted in the same way as webbed feet when swimming. It pattered noisily over the waters, in a flurry of flapping and splashing, before taking off for a few metres and landing and swimming away. Since it had short, broad, rounded wings, it needed a long pattering run across the water with the long toes trailing behind the tail. It relied on its leg power to help in taking off, a process called spattering.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wlX4LP-pXPU/Wq6E3h_s3MI/AAAAAAAAyjg/V_KR1sh3ceg-x1q-R_Vj-cQY_KXlUffmACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ieq6Zut-vAs/Wq6E4fExnaI/AAAAAAAAyjk/kOLiylHVabQ5iwuQJv7J8mRptlyDl3SNgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Coots had a distinctive white beak and a prominent white frontal ‘shield’ above the beak which earned them the title ‘bald’.They fed on vegetation, seeds, snails and insect larvae by diving below the surface. They had a natural cork-like buoyancy and bobbed back to the surface to consume their catch. They needed water with abundant supplies of floating or submerged vegetation to provide the diet for themselves and their chicks.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8kPctu3WR4/Wq6E5YQT0HI/AAAAAAAAyjo/uFmuay62vw4mMAE5lVqQ_DitD_UUfaM_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="428" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7kEGC42Q7kc/Wq6E6RA4YCI/AAAAAAAAyjs/yCS0K4g5ffUk_qaKDXkw8691_H4GdR4OQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>They were sociable birds living in flocks and feeding together, although Coots were also very territorial and aggressively chased off any intruders. At feeding times, they emitted explosive ‘pitts’ noises, like a hammer striking an anvil. These were due to their quarrelsome habits of stealing food from one another. Soon, they switched behaviour from their winter flocking to become aggressively territorial as the breeding season approached. Disputes with neighbours turned into fights, using their sharp claws to strike each other, sometimes causing injuries.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uz9TNMcMCXU/Wq6E7NR4KiI/AAAAAAAAyjw/sPo_4z1ysCUbtGNRJfy3uJQg8xue0lVYACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbAqhrei2gA/Wq6E8LyOHLI/AAAAAAAAyj0/EosOmUa8mFINIdOGPq1yKH97oCwaOWGEQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--29-01-2%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We saw a large flock of Wigeon flying around the reserve but not landing. They did this several times before finally landing on the lake. In flight, these ducks showed white bellies and males had a large white wing patch. They looked finely engineered, slender winged and pre-oiled so that all parts slide freely through the air. They were flying swiftly in compact flock, wheeling and turning in unison. There were now large numbers of them wintering here from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RGnAfLvi6kw/Wq6E8waxihI/AAAAAAAAyj4/ONp0HauGgHw_Uwmb5TwOVcHE1oCOsnCFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--28-01-2018-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NmX8T4fM3Ao/Wq6E9kJsYHI/AAAAAAAAyj8/gzoHN3rUMz0Adq8aZ9WqppQvM55mW2BUACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--28-01-2018-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Wigeon had two particularly striking characteristics, one visual, one auditory, and both commemorated in their common names. The males had a high whistling call, ’wheee-o’ beautiful to hear when they were packed together. Whistler and Whewer came from these calls, and it was possible that was how they got their name. Throughout the pairing season in autumn and winter, the males constantly utter these excited, surprised exclamatory whistles, while the females grunt approvingly. Wigeon were also called Golden Head or Yellow Poll, again from the male who had a vivid orange-yellow streak which stood out brilliantly on his horse-chestnut red head</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TyKnxWT7etc/Wq6E-RaY6YI/AAAAAAAAykA/8idGWrEaCMUMPoF07Goy8aQjno1_yIUwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--28-01-2018-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ua03QTZdCmU/Wq6E-_sr_wI/AAAAAAAAykE/LmSnqxyvjsUNwk303AHAdVo-s5FRw0yXgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D800-DX-T--28-01-2018-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the way back to the car, we came across a flock of birds feeding on the lower branches of the alder trees, overlooking Goose Pool. We crept closer and glimpsed a mixed flock of Siskins and Redpolls flitting joyously from branch to branch. The sweet twittering feeding among the trees was a pleasant sight and sound in winter. Siskins had a distinctively forked tail and a long narrow bill designed for eating small seeds. The males had a yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There were yellow patches on the wings and tail.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g3O6nZF6Vn0/Wq6E_7uBnZI/AAAAAAAAykI/BRW49AYxLIAEmmNrIhDmH_OzXyfGCFt3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X--21-01-2018-15%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DgIf0gVcDGg/Wq6FAu59NgI/AAAAAAAAykM/20morpGpbYQ50OTscq2h1Mjm9ANgoiwzQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X--21-01-2018-15?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We also made another visit to Longford Community Nature Park to meet our new feathered friends. We headed straight to the very muddy path under the Weeping Willow trees and we were greeting by the familiar squawkings from the Ring-necked, or Rose-ringed parakeets. We were so excited to see them again but unfortunately something spooked them off and they flew to the conifer trees overlooking car-park. We followed them and had fantastic views of them out in the open. They were playing hide-and-seek with us and when they got bored started plucking the individual needles of the fir leaves and chewing on them. We just stood below them rattling hundreds of shots. What an incredible experience.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vyX8sD2cDI0/Wq6FBlnnrtI/AAAAAAAAykQ/s7aHb3SYS-wEAX4rBNAcw62ft-_T2xB2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-24-064%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tWlHFGWL9KQ/Wq6FCYAZSmI/AAAAAAAAykU/9qXlIrkJTzU8k0D88iqjpVlLMdpykf2TwCHMYCw/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-24-064_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><div align="center"><pre><font size="4"><strong><em>They talk all day
and when it starts to get dark
they lower their voices
to converse with their own shadows
and with the silence.</em></strong></font></pre><pre><font size="4"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xWYeXJRUnX8/Wq6FDREFkZI/AAAAAAAAykY/_Xwm_bKu_DUK8U5SdkCOuFwUml46gshwACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-25-058%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RSpOKBSWy7o/Wq6FEKXvR1I/AAAAAAAAykc/hraX8tap1Sk0F4KOQ-_NHsJkCRyur5NFACHMYCw/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-25-058_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>
They are like everybody
—the parakeets—
all day chatter,
and at night bad dreams.</em></strong></font></pre><pre><font size="4"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BsBVAktBcDk/Wq6FFEx2zvI/AAAAAAAAykg/p3lgK41ojL0_OQkuOvmGWBzwKiv_SRcYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-32-040%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Coventry - January" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IV_prPgs1_U/Wq6FGAtPAAI/AAAAAAAAykk/woQlvKZ6qLYDdSXGTMszZ0fHpcnVVCMGwCHMYCw/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-32-040_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>
With their gold rings
on their clever faces,
brilliant feathers
and the heart restless
with speech...</em></strong></font></pre></div><p align="center"><strong><em>~Albert Blanco ‘The Parakeets’~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ixi3YfaNE8E/Wq6FHGrgOGI/AAAAAAAAyko/JwXyML9S9kgMM9JqFEPMOEZHQTjBMK2ewCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-49-025%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry D7200 X14 C13 22-01-2018 14-49-025" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry D7200 X14 C13 22-01-2018 14-49-025" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_sGSDP4Y_s/Wq6FIOwLfHI/AAAAAAAAyks/NP6stdgiy-kFLmNKnqAvWJZM6VtDY2jbwCHMYCw/Coventry%2B%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B22-01-2018%2B14-49-025_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>We ended the month with a super blue blood moon and a ‘lunar trifecta’ as it combined a blue moon, supermoon and lunar eclipse. The event, which was the first of its kind to be seen in the Western Hemisphere for 150 years, made the full moon appeared larger than normal and the eclipse caused the moon to glow red. This was also the second January full moon, known as a ‘blue moon’. Unfortunately, in the UK, we won’t see the super blue moon at its fullest or brightest or the lunar eclipse. But, it was still worth looking to the skies for this incredibly rare cosmic event.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nz-d5mHtEoA/Wq6FI_vRUII/AAAAAAAAykw/ubf29o8dl6ID_PT8L7xWJkOQ2ICG3Jf3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X2--31-01-2018-22-37-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Shots from Home - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Shots from Home - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lVK4OJSdp5A/Wq6FJpLaD9I/AAAAAAAAyk0/q3LJa_vHeiEWFXw120dX8uHWYl5h-udlQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X2--31-01-2018-22-37-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-6422313468339503682018-03-10T03:34:00.001-08:002018-03-10T03:34:02.610-08:00I wish it could be Xmas everyday<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r1ugTvdEp0Y/WqPBBLshw0I/AAAAAAAAyTE/Fk9p8myYY5wgnts4Vzm_qNmlNar16d5pwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-184"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NwswkKxrJxA/WqPBCGUoMtI/AAAAAAAAyTI/vCVQHEX7RZkhAvTEOXbiQ_UEmsrmbGKhwCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-18_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Mid-December sped by in the usual flurry of glitter and lists. The Xmas cards had been written and posted. I loved sending and receiving them. The annual catch up of love and news from afar. I have friends from around the world and we only kept in touch via birthday cards, Xmas cards with the occasional round-robin letters. We were very close friends once, but had been apart too long with now with a different outlook to life but we still maintained the friendship. I think it was great that we still made the effort to stay in touch in this special way. The cards got strung up around the room and enjoyed very much.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9iQfmUulSLY/WqPBEHukL0I/AAAAAAAAyTM/3F1KMOWlFJgL7tUPa_USn3PyAg6_3ApOwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-334"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6gDlPWh-8g/WqPBFFeG1PI/AAAAAAAAyTQ/IvKxb5VsRlsEMXjKXrOaqtNz2-D8wJUpwCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-33_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>For the first time, the Christmas tree and decorations were only up in mid-December <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_EMyQxBfinY/WqPBFzHkaSI/AAAAAAAAyTU/EOPJddCRvCcvjmkFOKyGSz8VWbUO-PoegCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2?imgmax=800"> Most of my colleagues had theirs up from the start of Advent. I was just so busy at work and very tired by the time I reached home. I was not even motivated when we drove past beautifully lit windows with a Xmas tree, tall and magical in the corner. This was not me at all and I really had to roll up my sleeves and find the time to dust off the tinsel, opened the box of baubles, decorated the tree and made my casa into a magical wonderland. I did these all during the weekend and I was chuffed to see my handiwork. There was something magical about a tree spruced up with lavish baubles, toppers and lights. Now Xmas had officially started.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PhEY3H4JWoE/WqPBHAcrRDI/AAAAAAAAyTY/iqDKolI7cn4iA92TBLs0CogcXnvpspdIwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-44-424"><img width="365" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jp_ahsTyyFw/WqPBH5r83jI/AAAAAAAAyTc/jlrIVLLbolAjIMQ6lp7w9eniAK07xbMnACHMYCw/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-44-42_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It was Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who brought a tree from Germany in 1841 and set it up in Windsor Castle, reminiscent of his childhood celebration in Germany. Ours was nearly 15 years old and every year I added an extravagant bauble to the tree. I often purchased one from John Lewis when we made our annual trip to Solihull but even this year we couldn’t make it. Instead, I bought a beautiful hand-made bauble from our favourite playground. I also saw a pop-up Xmas tree from Wilkinson which would be lovely on top of the stairs. Unfortunately at £40, I couldn’t justify the expense. But a week before Xmas, it went down to £10!!! Woo..hoo. I bought it but it didn’t fit on the staircase. Instead, it stood by the bookshelf, looking a bit out-of-place. I’ll find it a better place next year.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oeY5CbuhAP0/WqPBI48kbGI/AAAAAAAAyTg/NQ80JUbYrY84m6m40yfhAJIj9SaoJ4kYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-444"><img width="365" height="484" title="Coventry - January" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - January" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sc7JLvf9weE/WqPBJwJX2eI/AAAAAAAAyTk/owLPGAxvsoc0ujz8pd93et_82p12aOt7gCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--01-01-2018-23-43-44_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>My colleagues and I planned to check out the Birmingham Xmas market but we just couldn’t agreed to the date. It had to be on a Friday after office. We also didn’t do the ‘Not a Xmas dinner’ lunch because we couldn’t agree on the location. It was that bad. Thankfully all of us agreed on the date for the office Xmas dinner. This year it was held at Scarman and we trekked there in our fineries on a very wet, windy afternoon. After being seated with a glass of fresh orange juice, we pulled the crackers, donned the party hat and cracked at the silly jokes. It was hilarious.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zyubutk23qA/WqPBLOdLdjI/AAAAAAAAyTo/1WULxSZPD8YKAZWRxopDdI5fzxEQSThCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--13-12-201%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Warwick University - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ksJP5m4CpJk/WqPBMM_LkEI/AAAAAAAAyTs/UVv6gnxUB0EdC8maif5VDZPbAvinCSt7QCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--13-12-201?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we joined the long queue for the starters. As usual, I headed for the seafood which luckily for me wasn’t busy. For the main course, I’d another fish course, baked sole with a lemon sauce and the trimmings with new potatoes, carrots and peas. Since the fish was tiny, I also had the vegetable puff. What a combination. At the table, we checked each other’s loaded plates. Conversations and laughter flowed easily. Dessert was limited for me because I don’t want anything with gelatine or alcohol. That left me with creme brulee which was yummy. After the long lunch, we headed to the sitting room for coffee and mince pies. I’d hot chocolate and cookies. It was lovely catching up with colleagues from other departments. Then it was a slow dawdle back to the office where we sat quietly to digest our food.</p><p>Apart from merry making and food, Xmas was also about giving. This year it was for a very good cause. It was a photo competition for a Dress-down Day to raise funds for the Warwick Cancer Research Centre. We were encouraged to dig out that sparkly festive jumper or favourite comfy clothes around the office. Since I don’t do dress-down, I wore my 3-year old sparkly Xmas jumper. This was not the official photograph for the competition. I took it when my colleagues were still trying out their best pose. Although we didn’t win, we’d a good time posing for a good cause. The Cancer Research Centre brought together the world class of expertise of clinicians, chemists, biologists, engineers and mathematicians to discover new approaches to drug discovery, personalised medicine, diagnosis and patient care.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCyJve3kOAk/WqPBNFJbY5I/AAAAAAAAyTw/ka7NARZWSL88iDCb_06uBsmIJ_x7rZobQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Warwick-University-D3100b--15-12-201"><img width="644" height="469" title="Warwick University - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Warwick University - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0jsWXYYjrLs/WqPBOMY-_iI/AAAAAAAAyT0/VKubC7PAYewd_TpMg4gg1BS83WNH0XstgCHMYCw/Warwick-University-D3100b--15-12-201%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Next was the workplace Secret Santa. Each year, we agreed to pull a name out of a hat, saddling ourselves with the anxiety-inducing task of buying a Xmas present for a co-worker we (in all likelihood) barely knew. Each department had their own and as usual ours was amongst those who worked in the ground floor. Early during the month, each of us had picked a name, bought the £5 gift and deposited it in a Santa’s bag. Then it was time for Santa’s Elf to distribute the gift and we watched the public reaction of the receiver to the gift. Off course, all were received graciously. Then we’d nibbles which all of us contributed and quizzes. Secret Santa was always a great idea when you were high on festive cheer. We also contributed £5 each to a homeless charity. Wasn’t that fantastic? </p><p>The University also laid out a Xmas spread for the staff at the newly opened conference centre, The Slate, overlooking the ‘nursery’ lake. When we arrived, the party was in full swing with an orchestra playing in the background. There were plenty of mince pies and finger-foods to keep us going. The drinks corner was very popular but I stuck to non-alcoholic mulled wine. Sheets with Xmas song lyrics were later distributed and it was time for a sing-a-long. The songs range from Jingle Bells, Let it snow to Frosty the Snowman. Quite an eclectic list. And everyone joined in which was fantastic. It really brought everyone together.</p><p>The 21st was the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of 2017 for anyone living in the Northern Hemisphere and the official first day of winter. Felt a bit strange because we felt like it was months ago. Technically speaking, the Solstice occurred when the sun was directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, or 23.5° south latitude. In 2017, this was at exactly 11:28 am Eastern time on December 21. The Winter Solstice marked the darkest day and shortest day due to the sun being at its most southern position. The world looked pretty grim now, but as soon as the solstice had passed, the days started getting longer again and we can start looking forward to Spring!!! The Winter Solstice was a major pagan festival, with rituals of rebirth having been celebrated for thousands of years. Many of the traditions we now thought of as being part of Xmas - including Yule logs, mistletoe and Xmas trees – had their roots in the pagan celebrations of winter solstice.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T3g4-fwlXFw/WqPBPvuwziI/AAAAAAAAyT4/rYLVDkfhig0olyG2HqOcSsHyQa6rY3-8gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5wBAxz76lE/WqPBQo7tBvI/AAAAAAAAyT8/l30rifpn9EkoBtGTjbcSCsDbcSSrQ8vqACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>My Xmas break started on the 23/12 and back at work on the 3rd of January 2018, 12 whole days. Whoop…whoop. But the weather forecast wasn’t too great. The month started quietly with a ridge of high pressure crossing the southern areas. Snowy scenes across the country had added to the festive mood, but it appeared we’d peaked too soon. In the run-up to Xmas, it was going to be increasingly mild and windy. But whatever the weather, I am determined to enjoy my holidays. First on the list was Draycote Waters, where the winds nearly blew us off but these sailors loved it.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iMT8Zh6-NBs/WqPBR69hFeI/AAAAAAAAyUA/jfjXPcTx42M6YJ7zySdOvI8JxATXvqBkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VDE4h6nNZvY/WqPBUzU8E_I/AAAAAAAAyUE/DxKVhaUhLmQp7X6_5X6Et3i-T0HAUEFVgCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The water levels was surprisingly low that a few sandy islands were exposed in the middle of the reservoir. It had fallen because of the low winter rainfall. This meant that the waders were not swimming closer to the walls. A Little Grebe was swimming in its winter colours with pale buff on its lower quarters while the back was a dirty brown. Also known as the dabchick, it had a fluffy rear end, a feature accentuated by its habit of fluffing up its rump feathers. When it sported us, it dived in and we scanned the waters to see it surfacing some distance away. They foraged on insects, larvae and small fish. It was quite noisy too, calling with a distinctive whinnying trill.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y1QD3TSt4ts/WqPBWL8q8vI/AAAAAAAAyUI/Tbmy0_UYa3gCyJKDn_6MQQJTe1W_d4mogCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2"><img width="644" height="432" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ffd17wEK_i8/WqPBXFeq9dI/AAAAAAAAyUM/BrdTKopB55MKdwajZqHQ0-jRsQqy1jXgwCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We walked on and came across a pair of Goosander busy feeding by diving underwater to catch fish by swift pursuit. These handsome diving ducks were members of the Sawbill family, so called because of their long, serrated bills, used for catching fish. Adult males were crispy patterned with gleaming white bodies and dark, iridescent-green heads. The back was black with red bill. Females were grey-bodied with a white chest and a rusty-cinnamon shaggy crests on the backs of their heads. In flights, both sexes showed large white patches on the upper-wings as the torpedo-shaped bodies whistled by.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-USBsXWsLFKQ/WqPBYNSM1zI/AAAAAAAAyUQ/s7WaOQLWNuwWFMx6RjBrbiMnc9fq-OtFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27SIZfU7lMs/WqPBY42ZxsI/AAAAAAAAyUU/YOsoJwOQYNsrRQhnzqFzsympHWNhl0zxwCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D3100b--23-12-2017-1%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In winter, Goosanders also known as Mergansers, formed large flocks on inland reservoirs and rivers. They stayed in these tight flocks to feed and court during the cold months. Male and female had different calls, with the male producing low-pitched croaking. sounds in contrast to the harsh ‘karr’ and cackle of the females. They’d a couple of nicknames which included dragon, sawbill, big guy, fish duck and Catholic duck. Unusually for a duck, they nested in holes in trees which must be tricky once the chicks hatched. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kcKYZXihjPQ/WqPBZ_MbaMI/AAAAAAAAyUY/ngvWtAE3wwcA-KXmzMwRgGYvDSgojFAogCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l2WcUulbh8s/WqPBaxfanRI/AAAAAAAAyUc/1VUtQy7UjFcfJFQLk3cC4XvqGLkO6CzwwCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued walking, braving the very cold winds. We turned back when we spotted a Kestrel hovering quite close to the reservoir. From where we were standing near the verge, we could see its pointed wings and distinctive long tail. The plumage was light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upper-side and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside. Like most birds of prey, it had keen eyesight enabling it to spot small preys such as voles, shrews and mice from a distance. Once prey was sighted, it made a short, steep dive towards the target and disappeared from our sight.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JKdfWQPabdo/WqPBbzSfN9I/AAAAAAAAyUg/M-QSvGKKiBUKXaJsaKWZ-5cTXhB_Ez-lwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FurdNUT0cAQ/WqPBcvFPYKI/AAAAAAAAyUk/_mvKmFVHB9UnxF2UfLCdxqWXTauQp1EnACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X-C13--23-12-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was also a cue for us to head home. We stopped at the village of Dunchurch overlooking the reservoir. Every year, a group pf pranksters dressed the statue of Lord John Scott a makeover and their efforts for 2017 was a Paddington Bear, standing proud in the centre of the village. It coincided with the release Paddington <em>2, a </em>live-action animated comedy film. Each Xmas, pranksters dressed up the statute in the dead of the night, a tradition which went back to the 1970s. Over the years, it had been transformed into Spiderman, Smurf, Teletubby, Pingu, an Olympian, The Queen, Prince George, Minion and last year was a Stormtrooper.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ht9AvDVwak/WqPBdlTo81I/AAAAAAAAyUo/oBHgzdJnYX0yvtVHvntwW1RnRJLuAvJ4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Dunchurch-D3100b--23-12-2017-15-36-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Dunchurch - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Dunchurch - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qTSvEyv2g0Q/WqPBeh6dRQI/AAAAAAAAyUs/BiYSC8mAYY45DhemA53xROLxDOQ-LtjZQCHMYCw/Dunchurch-D3100b--23-12-2017-15-36-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On Xmas eve, we made our way to Slimbridge WWT. There were no last minute shopping for us. I could imagine how chaotic and stress it was going to be as Xmas Eve was on a Sunday when shops opened late and closed early. We left the casa at 10.13 am with the mercury touching 9.3C. The sun was trying to poke out of the cloud. When we arrived, the place was buzzing as families with young children had bought tickets like having breakfast or afternoon tea with the Elves, visiting Santa in his magical grotto, taking part in the festive activities like icing your own gingerbread man, building an elf den and toasting marshmallows. Sounds fun. How I wished I was a child again…</p><p>As we left the visitor centre, Babe spotted the Mute Swans doing their synchronised swimming. Nearly, all of them swam together towards the end of the lake. We’d seen this behaviour before and I always wondered why. It was as if they were about to fly off together but changed their minds. I think these were the resident Mute Swans where their wings were clipped so that they couldn’t fly off. The sound of dozens of beating wings against the water was incredible. Unfortunately, they don’t do it often. Mute swans were graceful on the water but appeared awkward and ungainly in flight and on land. When swimming, they held their wings over their backs in a puffed position to advertise their strength, and the neck held in a strong S-curve as an aggressive position.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5JprRcoX3qI/WqPBf1E1PeI/AAAAAAAAyUw/-vtEGF8PQAcPKP0j4VJ5NcCZDcv_88g7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYl2yCr1gjs/WqPBhFacFkI/AAAAAAAAyU0/LD843LIGw74YoNE3DoRkcuc4qaRJdqF4ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B22%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We headed straight to Rushy Hide because there were reported sightings of the Little Stint again. The word was out and the hide was buzzing but we managed to squeeze in. There it was scampering around on the small gravelly island amongst the wildfowl. The Stint was a tiny wading bird with a short straight fine black bill and medium-length black legs. In winter, it was grey above and had a very white underneath. Autumn birds had two pale stripes or 'braces' down the back. It doesn’t breed in the UK, but was a passage migrant. This sighting was rare as very few birds spend the winter here, most migrating to Africa. They fed by foraging rapidly along sandy and muddy shores for insects, crustaceans and molluscs. The preys were detected by sight. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wqBvp1y6r5I/WqPBhzk06gI/AAAAAAAAyU4/SM367130xOgn3YIkAnYLHb_fl8V-6LLxACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-12%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="465" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OMpd4xjmA4I/WqPBivQ_Q1I/AAAAAAAAyU8/gt4aYSFaKJE4chA11ckIrJKSLjukNFJXQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-12%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nearby, sheltered in a cove was a flock of Redshank, having a snooze. As its name suggests, Redshanks' most distinctive features were their bright orange-red legs. In fact, Shank was the old name for leg, so its name was just ‘redleg’. They were all huddled up together with their common pose, on one leg. They had a medium-length bill with an orange base to match, brown speckled back and wings and paler belly. Redshanks were notoriously flighty, and had earned the nickname “sentinel of the marsh” or ‘yelper of the marshes’ for their habit of calling as soon as they spotted an intruder. Normally this sets off all the other waders, but today all was quiet as they enjoyed a siesta.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J8sN4u6Ld0Q/WqPBj38p9zI/AAAAAAAAyVA/JZqnQiDyDno9dV3kobeUgn8-WIjp042LwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-12"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BNiTotVEZX8/WqPBk5GutEI/AAAAAAAAyVE/lrWDcqblzLQ73Lh2MOCZhC02P43RTiwRwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-12%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Around the lagoon, the stunning Northern Pintails had doubled in numbers. They were foraging for seeds and insects in the shallow end by upending with tail up and head down, or by submerging head and neck while swimming. Shovelers were bulldozing the water surface, straining aquatic animals, plants and seeds from the water. Cute Teals were picking seeds from the mud. Pochards were either grazing underwater for aquatic plants and insects or having a snooze. The colourful Shelducks were having a siesta on the island. Mallards were dabbling to feed, tipping forward in the water to eat seeds and aquatic vegetation. Tufted ducks were also enjoying a chill-out afternoon. Bewick’s swans were spending their free time either preening or gliding around the lake</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eeWH62fQyyI/WqPBmOM0AzI/AAAAAAAAyVI/RtLGwfIudIQ_Vsz5lJBKLT01NZyWkRdQACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B21%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wpLa5zMSXSM/WqPBnKdn_kI/AAAAAAAAyVM/8ZfRkURJMdIoEY7TxBnnVJr1O3N1IyQLACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We nipped to Martin Smith Hide and was greeted by these flowering Snowdrops at the entrance. That was a big surprise because it was still December. They were striking blooms in the winter months when little else was growing and a walk through a blanket of snowdrops was a seasonal pleasure. They usually flowered between January and March, often appearing en masse and creating a characteristic white blanket coverage. The species had long been associated with winter as the Latin name Galanthus nivalis literally translated as ‘milk flower of the snow’. In British folklore, Snowdrops had come to symbolise hope and purity.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yaZ5LZv54zg/WqPBoWuI7LI/AAAAAAAAyVQ/tsV9LBRlQf4PVEwi-SERhGzNG1AQ83vIACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B20%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kiVQ82I6qfs/WqPBpIZTDMI/AAAAAAAAyVU/CpEv6GJc4k4JrVDtrQd0sG4DgQMbWH-rwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On the Tack piece, a large area of rough grassland interspersed with water-filled scrapes, it was buzzing with wildfowl, birds and waders. According to the sighting board, there were hundreds of Teals, Wigeons, Lapwings, Shelducks, Starlings, Tufted ducks, Northern Pintails, Curlews, Gadwall and Greylags. They were chilling out, preening and foraging. During this time of year, large parts of the tack piece was deliberately flooded to create more habitat for wildlife and attracted them to feed. Lapwings were seen probing the soft ground or patrolling around the edges of floodwater picking up small insects and worms. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aahGcA58Ip4/WqPBqGRU56I/AAAAAAAAyVY/dnI7AJ4X0e0oXxhecpejkeVlXz5lBBUMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B29%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KBU-UY4wO_M/WqPBqyr40YI/AAAAAAAAyVc/4uWm59Uol7snzc9rYSN9IscyJgWRtrU5QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B28%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We stopped at the vole corner to see if anybody’s home. We heard rustling and suddenly it dashed into its hole and refused to come out. We left a handful of mealworms by the entrance and a Robin immediately appeared and had a few helpings. At Willow Hide, there was no sighting of the Water rail but this Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and scattered off the Chaffinches and Tits that were feeding on the feeder. We watched it playing hide-and-seek with us. It was a male because it had the small red nape patch. Then, it flew off uttering a sharp flight call.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bhsHdGmP1ng/WqPBsMuqUbI/AAAAAAAAyVg/46UOCQkVCy8rzPv94OExKuh7JfyOg-vAgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="461" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dQOlhM8KgYs/WqPBtI_ZdiI/AAAAAAAAyVk/ifd5FGPgPHsJtgL6QIjiU9e4tlL_0-KBACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p> We checked out Robbie Garnett Hide and was chuffed to bits to see a large flock of Curlews feeding quite close to the water’s edge. Their mottled-brown plumage made for effective camouflage against the marshland and tack piece tussocky grass, which meant they could go about their business unnoticed, prying invertebrates such as ragworms and insects with their purpose built curved bills. An old Scottish name for the Curlew was ‘whaup’ or ‘great whaup’. A few were wheeling in with their haunting calls. Their bubbling, weightless calls, swelled to a crescendo and gently died away, a fluted, buoyant torrent of sound. We heard them descanting and watched them wheeling above the tack piece in a graceful, droop-winged flight. When they were flying, the white wedge on the rump was very visible. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JLVIe9T7LzI/WqPBt0h1RBI/AAAAAAAAyVo/lqbvKjv67ecX_XVzvuZvzTMNW4AqtNdIACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qerhfexuQM4/WqPBu9skKUI/AAAAAAAAyVs/fWh6NaLmdI8TLlnLnyyQlSoQaAsuuEeAwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center"><strong><em>Hooped over turned earth<br>they stalk between tides,<br>unlooked for but found,<br>approaching, too close almost!</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The stubble of worms<br>they take shaved clean<br>at the root, loose grass<br>on the breeze</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Azbh-9z0AQQ/WqPBwCIRdcI/AAAAAAAAyVw/SL1Dtg4zLSYuI8yb_wTuxPhVRKRlp63kACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKq8PICbyWs/WqPBwwuV1_I/AAAAAAAAyV0/M1Nn36no9vor3E0enlqaZzT3CnC7j0EsQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~David Wheatley ‘Curlew by the Humber~</em></strong><p>Ted Hughes had described the large, tall wader as ‘wet-footed god of the horizons’ with their ‘wobbling water calls.’ A pity that their desirability as food was caught in the old proverb that a Curlew carried a shilling on its back!!!. We were lucky to have seen them this close and this many because they were classified as Near threatened on the IUCN red List, in the UK as an Amber List species under the Birds of Conservation Concern review and as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0ULsfWdric/WqPBx7u46NI/AAAAAAAAyV4/eb4coTZ9sdwvCqR90lYe3X28kDOfgz0IQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B23%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GPanZzlGj5E/WqPBy4bXhEI/AAAAAAAAyV8/hr4BiPwyjHo7oB2CU5KyGVtM3Z0Wqzg7ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We headed straight for Holden Tower overlooking the Dumbles, another large area of rough grassland, stretching to the Severn Estuary. It was originally designed to provide views of the Bewick’s Swans. We were delighted when the Bewick’s took flight and flew past the tower to head out onto the River Severn. It was impressive to watch them whizzing past at eye-level. We also saw a Buzzard sitting on one of the WW2 pillbox surveying the tidal marshes behind the seafront which were alive with hundreds of birds. I just realised that the Tower was also a vantage point to see the Severn Bore roll in. Across the river was the Forest of Dean, nestling between the Wye Valley, the Vale of Leadon and the Severn Estuary.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ws4s9zKfuR0/WqPBz9_MLRI/AAAAAAAAyWA/OpzHJsI0XgYKLOKWsgmHeQlNvt4uLrIdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B27%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YsXe2bDC2Rs/WqPB0u5_FaI/AAAAAAAAyWE/hT3Iups3QkInuRG8fIb8qml2GtsKgDlbACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On the way back we checked out every hide to see if anything new had dropped in. Then we headed for South Lake and was surprised to see an Oystercatcher among the Gulls. Historically known as ‘sea pie’, it was hard to miss as it was a large black and white wading bird, with long orange-red bill and reddish-pink leg. During the winter, they were birds of the tidal estuaries and rocky shores. They were highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks as they were joined by migrants from Norway. It was only during the breeding season, they flew inland.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UoRKGWEzSKk/WqPB1u9o8QI/AAAAAAAAyWI/QT7sEV4I_S4tnkJ9P3oUvSePSW2kLrFKgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-14%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OatGYvkft3E/WqPB2sNQ18I/AAAAAAAAyWM/Ex0upqgiOHYMu3YO8m8wnOBqXSkrh1WVACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--24-12-2017-14?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p> We stopped at Swan Lake to see this pair courting. Mute swans were commonly associated with romance because of their stark white beauty, graceful swimming and it mated for life. They were forming the classic image of devotion, with their curved necks entwined in a perfect love heart. It really brought out the romance and hints of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. It was part of a courtship ritual, in which pairs faced each other and, with a ruffle of feathers and lifted wings, bowed gracefully. Once courtship was completed, they were bonded for life.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iwin3wKN4GE/WqPB3mGBBzI/AAAAAAAAyWQ/ekCCgF-ew70WGadf4VMQo_9kNh2CTtYfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wwAYzauCcgg/WqPB4r76-MI/AAAAAAAAyWU/fEAq9tsNLqM9MIt1BaGX0wB5arlQD9agwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--24-12-2017%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We woke up to a very unsettled Xmas day with colder air tucking in behind a band of rain. There were promises of seeing snow trailing on its edge later in the evening. We started the day with our usual tradition by going for a long walk at our favourite playground. Unfortunately, the heavens opened and we were pelted by hailstones. We rushed to Baldwin Hide and sheltered from the wintry showers. This handsome male glided over to wish us Merry Xmas. Golden Eye males were striking with a greenish black domed head and a circular white patch in front of the yellow eye. The females were smaller, and mottled grey with a chocolate brown head. They were medium-sized diving ducks with a compact, chunky appearance due to their short neck, round body, and a short, grey-black bill. From time to time, he foraged underwater, rarely by dabbling or up-ending. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G6YJ3kcil_w/WqPB56ubrQI/AAAAAAAAyWY/3k6MCHYRCM4_1guWUHZcdu2GGWkUzhU-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-12-2%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PwUyBxbXgX4/WqPB6oLvswI/AAAAAAAAyWc/Hf23b03sg6ws2IsJr76Qv2Pgy_CsMrCeQCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--25-12-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Since the weather was a bit iffy, we went straight home to start on our Xmas dinner. We were having Roast lamb with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, garlic mushrooms, onion rings, parsnips, carrots, Brussel sprouts (For me), baked ratatouille with lashings of onion gravy. Dessert was my favourite Almondy Daim Chocolate Cake and washed down with Schloer sparkling white grape juice. There was so much food that we’d it for three days with the lamb made into a curry for the last day. The heavens opened on Xmas night and in the morning, we woke up to another winter wonderland. We stayed at home on Boxing Day scoffing on the boxes of chocolates that were piling on the dining table.<p>Then it was time to get out for some fresh air. We joined the thousands at Bradgate Park for a snow-crunching walk along the foot-paths which was still covered in snow. I was glad that I has my snow boots on. At first, I thought it was very quiet because usually children would be out and about testing their shiny new Xmas toys like bicycles, roller blades or scooters. Then, I saw a few dragging plastic toboggans and sledges up to Old John Tower which was Bradgate’s tallest hill and Leicestershire’s second highest point, some 600 feet above sea level. The only problem for them had to be the walk back to the top so they could do it all over again.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiLaQGhfYHs/WqPB75-koiI/AAAAAAAAyWg/1y40tIIHNkgoNrIu5HXA72D1VlnqfcWxgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--27-12-2017-11-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bradgate Park - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LXNdfr5HLTk/WqPB9EZT2RI/AAAAAAAAyWk/HBJCuGujNvEW2I7NXW_vxWllXZ44_NtIACHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--27-12-2017-11-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_xgjvS1CU0A/WqPB-Fll3YI/AAAAAAAAyWo/3DTc_u6d4oMCrO2KBBL4sFXutzxE4x3DgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--27-12-2017-12-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bradgate Park - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t653f1js9kI/WqPB_GKjCRI/AAAAAAAAyWs/4LQL_G6rR6c7jyNbiNBLXZJHCHrijnF8wCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D3100b--27-12-2017-12-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We’d to walk on the roads because River Lin that flowed across the park had overflowed and it was a bit risky to walk along it. We’d never seen the waters flowing so fast before resulting in some beautiful waterfalls. The snow was melting which increased the water level. The currents must have been quite strong because it was void of ducks, gulls and moorhens. The deer too was nowhere to be seen. We saw them high up in the woods feeding and also trying to hide from the elements. We walked to the main field near the visitor centre and a small herd of Fallow were feeding. Since there was nothing much, we turned back to the car-park.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r1rpAKlK1G4/WqPCAW1y2NI/AAAAAAAAyWw/c92uO1murQwuSYkHkIL4O4xSOe--uriOACHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-2%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bradgate Park - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x2rVoyDSsj8/WqPCBP5OxsI/AAAAAAAAyW0/_IkPPa-8ujcrg6uDJLEUX7E377a_9ArcgCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-2?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the way back, we walked past Lady Jane’s ruins and saw the family of Peacocks sitting on the trees in the compound. Visitors weren’t able to walk around the ruins because it was only open in summer or certain days in winter. I think the birds were bored and were checking out what was going on outside their compound. Perhaps, they were snowed in and don’t want to get their feet frozen. We knew that if we rustled a plastic bag, they would come running towards us. But we weren’t doing it today.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTJh56RigbE/WqPCCh6UcxI/AAAAAAAAyW4/ShoGqTnJjKoESSfTQWo8NPXCcqtQkdjQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-1"><img width="644" height="434" title="Bradgate Park - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JGmRIkzegSA/WqPCD0jVpEI/AAAAAAAAyW8/i6U4qmhXd1IbZLhvEy2sHbxpz6qUoe7NQCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>This family was quite large and the female was an albino. I think they’d a few albino peachicks too. If I’m not mistaken, some of the chicks was sent to another reserve to avoid inter-breeding. I watched them making their way across the wall and onto the ruins compounds. They were quite safe in there although Babe nearly stepped on a sleeping fox when we were in the compound in summer. We also had seen a dead Peacock in a ditch and reported it to the warden. They were quite vocal too and from time to time will give out a loud hoot. I waited till the last one had made it across the wall before we headed back to the car. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RU6AJqx75Gw/WqPCFBcXEwI/AAAAAAAAyXA/TTs_on94cvs9jktdnjOBl5Li4nE4MLh6wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-3%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Bradgate Park - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Bradgate Park - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYi3UIGt_j8/WqPCGOmIqFI/AAAAAAAAyXE/yrrzHA_REJI4ItPtRxpD0Sc-2QYO-MKGwCHMYCw/Bradgate-Park-D7200--27-12-2017-13-3%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We then made our last trip to Slimbridge WWT for 2017. We left the casa at 9.45 am on a dull morning with the mercury reaching 10.9C. We were quite surprised to see not much traffic on the motorway. I guess most people were either still celebrating with their families or don’t want to be out and about on such a miserable day. We were impressed that Highway England had suspended all road-works during the holidays season. When we drove over the River Avon, the flood plains and surrounding farmland were still underwater.</p><p>When we arrived at Slimbridge, the place was very quiet which was fine with us. As usual, we headed straight to Rushy Hide and we were the only one there. Even the wildfowl looked miserable. A Lapwing was having a snooze, hiding its head under its wing. The Northern Pintails were having a splashing time in the water. A few dozen Bewick’s swans were either snoozing, preening or gliding around the pool. The usual boisterous Gulls were chilling out by the water’s edge among the snoozing Tufted ducks and Shelducks. It was that sort of day.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xb96Tunk4vY/WqPCHcJam2I/AAAAAAAAyXI/h5B-XpkoB9slH_sRJAr_FUiPOTI-uTiTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4f5imD_S5Es/WqPCILEZccI/AAAAAAAAyXM/S3OBwWtqyDsze6q1GbuYs1cwqv5JTdnwACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We moved over to Martin Smith Hide where the tack piece and flooded mudflats were teeming with wildfowl and waders. There were hundreds and among them were Bewick’s, Teals, Wigeons, Lapwings, Shelducks, Starlings, Tufted ducks, Northern Pintails, Redshanks, Golden Plovers and Greylags. They were either chilling out, preening and foraging. During this time of year, large parts of the tack piece was deliberately flooded to create more habitat for wildlife and attracted them to feed. There must be a raptor somewhere. It flushed out a flock of Lapwing, their wings flickering as they wheeled up over the lagoon. At the sound of their kazoo-like alarm calls, the rest of the waders and wildfowl exploded into flight, blossoming across the sky like fireworks. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cd2BSIXGbT0/WqPCJagDspI/AAAAAAAAyXQ/jQQ4QQWCM5wrdGQ2hFuImmEoIhQuxhI6wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--30-12-2017-12%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-Fr-lq91uk/WqPCKrX0ODI/AAAAAAAAyXU/O-rj12mLs0MMf8iKoPQFq-xiyjzohwmWwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--30-12-2017-12?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5dkMKWsewZ0/WqPCLYtrQqI/AAAAAAAAyXY/tzQdUwkSZuA7WUPdClXjMrOsUsGWxgwrQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ARtWxCOhnQ/WqPCMd-5wdI/AAAAAAAAyXc/yNR8itGVJBULKkcbmQcljcedGJtIDaL5wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We then continued to the next hide with a pit stop at the bank vole embankment. Again, no one turned up but we still left some mealworms. Since Willow Hide was empty, we checked out Robbie Garnet Hide. The White Fronted Goose was still around. The salt-and-pepper markings on the breast was why they were colloquially called ‘Specklebelly’ in North America. The name "white-front" noted the white patch or "front" immediately behind the bill. While Canada geese glided down like huge bombers to a landing, these White-fronts careened out of the sky, side-slipping or butterflying down in a near vertical descent. Their voice was distinctive: high-pitched and melodious, like laughter. They gleaned grain from fields, grazed on grass, foraged in shallow water by tipping-up. They might have just finished feeding in the field and returning to the lake for a wash and a rest.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GFKIWeLygvs/WqPCNbPxb6I/AAAAAAAAyXg/rdrVN2rFamcFEKrFbTksvGX37FyhsMjkQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-exWxFkqHRQQ/WqPCOQ2_ktI/AAAAAAAAyXk/xbiDa8_UbsoBaJx5dUVzw8Qjf35JtWMDwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Behind them was a flock of Redshank huddled together, asleep in their customary one-legged pose. A pity they were asleep because they were waders of the marsh and of tidal estuaries and their voice particularly fit in with the bleak and remote places. They were sounds that evoked images of waves lapping over seaweed-covered rocks with them probing for worms in the soft sediments that accumulated between them. This was what Rev. F. O. Morris wrote about the calls of Redshanks in his book ‘A History of British Birds’<p align="center"><strong><em>‘The call note of the Redshank…is loud and clear, merry and not unmusical, and also at times is plaintive and garrulous, and ordinary more clamorous and as if scolding.’</em></strong><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Em0Tqy_wBRQ/WqPCPvFjY-I/AAAAAAAAyXo/6JQ6glZ3fpgN7efkUPiJbYc6dWdZ1NG4gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--30-12-2017-12%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufF58fLTrD8/WqPCQ7Ob4aI/AAAAAAAAyXs/CbtGvh_3gzIISk-vZNmaoGXIQlBar_12QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--30-12-2017-12%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then we headed back into the grounds to check out Hogarth Hide. We were entertained by flocks of Goldfinches feeding on the alder trees that were dotted along the path. As they flew from one branch to another, they made these light tinkling sounds, as delicate as ‘Chinese bells’ and the same ‘conversational’ twittering goes on as they fed together. We watched them danced and dipped to and fro over the alder cones. Their beaks were longer and sharper than most finches and were useful for tweaking out the seeds from the alders, thistles, teasels and knapweeds. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U9Z1YS_bqzQ/WqPCSBAIoUI/AAAAAAAAyXw/4nWKotdYwuAjpz1vkhWqTCIdSRlEVuGyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBrvFdN0SxM/WqPCTKzhO4I/AAAAAAAAyX0/Yaq5E90O108XHu1N5zGUxs-qIxpl7yX5wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Hogarth Hide was snipe heaven. The mudflat was alive with them but they well camouflaged among the reedmace bushes. They were quite close that we could clearly see their short greenish-grey legs and very long straight dark bill which was almost as long as their body. The body was mottled brown brocade with straw-yellow stripes on top and pale underneath. They had a dark stripe through the jet-black eye, with light stripes above and below it. The wings were pointed. Some were busy foraging in the liquid mud, probing or picking up food by sight. They mainly ate insects and earthworms, also some plant material. Food on the surface was located by sight and picked up, but prey under the ground was located using the touch-sensitive sensory pits at the tip of the flexible bill.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChM2eNW9LWI/WqPCUb_agJI/AAAAAAAAyX4/A9obtv7H5qovneuvXA48LYXLz79Chcb2ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B12%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eV-WU5tyrcc/WqPCVr9-ysI/AAAAAAAAyX8/qAIPg-pmUSwLuO179EhlJwNsRr28eyTGgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Some were dozing at the water’s edge or on nearby flattened dead vegetation. They were well camouflaged, concealing themselves close to ground, blending with the mud and dead grass. This was why Robert Burns called them ‘the Blitter frae the boggie’. It was almost as if these birds formed a living whole with the vegetation of the water’s edge on marsh, moor and bog, so integrally do they blended in with their surroundings. As usual, we tried counting them but they appeared and disappeared as if by magic against the background of the reed bed, the beautiful stripey markings seemed to move like the reeds themselves.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-falGlsho5_I/WqPCWz-Q95I/AAAAAAAAyYA/4GmvPj22OxUByCbnmxUVWoFjqwpb15A7wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B13%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oB-C7xzYHKk/WqPCYGKpTEI/AAAAAAAAyYE/-xHUITRe4Acvu1_FST_JfBX4e4VOSh3dwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Their old folk names include "mire snipe", "horse gowk", "heather bleat", and the variant spelling "snite. A group of snipes has many collective nouns, including a "leash", "walk", "whisper", "winnowing", and "volley" of snipes. The Common snipe typically feeds at dawn and dusk, often in small groups, on land or in shallow water, but usually does not stray far from cover. When they were flushed flushed, they uttered a sharp note that sounded like <i>scape, scape</i> and flew off in a series of aerial zig-zags to confuse predators. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xxYzdqIwmiI/WqPCZN0CRLI/AAAAAAAAyYI/4vqbR2igom4uQGY99zVj-bCMdIdz6aFkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDWdtQUngPU/WqPCaBbQcEI/AAAAAAAAyYM/X0V8Fpl9_Tsw7SHdJX79tS3FhoTWuAw7ACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--30-12-2017%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“So lonely his plaint by the motionless reed</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>It sounds like an omen or tale of the dead”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~James Hogg~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-70EWY2mCfDI/WqPCcFayD1I/AAAAAAAAyYQ/Wx3ozVUud7AiAN_HpUj3XJXjihQ2OFKkACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-zbGosPeQs/WqPCdGQLcUI/AAAAAAAAyYU/XMcCFK9VkroUseginjbEsrlBWi2V79QXgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>Nearby a large flock of Lapwings was fast asleep in the shallow part of the lagoon. Their numbers had doubled with the arrival of migrating flocks. Also known as the Peewit in imitation of their display calls, their proper name described their wavering flight. Their black and white appearance and round-winged shape in flight made them distinctive, even without their splendid crests. Something spooked them and panic rippled through the flock. They cried and swoop into the air, an impressive sight, wheeling through the skies with their iridescent green and purple plumage shimmering in the sunlight. This effect gave rise to the common name of this species, which was derived from the old English word hleapwince, which meant ‘leap with a flicker in it.’ When the danger was over, they settled down and went to sleep again. All was quiet and it was also a signal for us to head home.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7xxGAd0MIx0/WqPCe4BaCVI/AAAAAAAAyYY/9Umm0PXe0AkyJhvp_VOnPPx9JJOjd9HIACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TKT7H4Lrc2Q/WqPCgKkjN_I/AAAAAAAAyYc/S5eyt2tMneEvN258IWcpPiJ8rhu2bv_lQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D7200-C13--30-12-2017%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made a trip to the city-centre because I wanted to check-out the sales, if there was any left, and the Xmas decorations. I was surprised that it was very quiet. Perhaps, the rain was putting people off. We checked a few shops like M&S, H&M, TJ Hughes, Next, Clarks and Schuh but there was nothing that caught my attention. Even the sale rails was a bit sparse. What happened??? Most probably because the sales had started very early. We checked the decorations at Broadgate but they were the same as last year. I didn’t take any photographs as there were lots of children about. I managed to snap this at the Lower Precinct. I didn’t get close because last year, the security guards told me that it was private property. This will be the last photograph ever<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_EMyQxBfinY/WqPBFzHkaSI/AAAAAAAAyTU/EOPJddCRvCcvjmkFOKyGSz8VWbUO-PoegCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2?imgmax=800"></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nmX9u8YhlU/WqPChlc2LOI/AAAAAAAAyYg/FPAYgUDj51QUsM3j9MxscaHANW2VvJPggCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-S40--30-12-2017-17-22-344"><img width="641" height="484" title="Coventry S40 30-12-2017 17-22-34" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry S40 30-12-2017 17-22-34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVrOlBVJGhE/WqPCi1qAouI/AAAAAAAAyYk/uHog1DRzFQAcOZQizNA9jICKZ4DSWy24wCHMYCw/Coventry-S40--30-12-2017-17-22-34_th?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We ended 2018 with another trip to Draycote Waters. The sighting of a long-staying Hawfinch prompted us back. It was very cold and there were pockets of snow here and there. Even that didn’t stop people from coming. I think everyone wanted to be out and about, even if it was cold. As soon as we parked the car, we spotted this Buzzard gliding and soaring, circling high in the sky holding its wing in a shallow ‘V’ and the tail perfectly fanned out. The wings were broad and round with finger-like feathers at their ends. Then it slowly glided lower and lower to where we were standing. It was so close that we could clearly see its brownish yellow eye focusing on something.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1PBtuijncLE/WqPCj-jxupI/AAAAAAAAyYo/qllXmNI8DnEZRNeB8tp1J435gd1wycF1gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HJEb7zYFthU/WqPCktw_AJI/AAAAAAAAyYs/KKnR0hxKVbs7uYtA5PogewZwjf3YvEnkACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It flew right above our heads, before soaring slowly towards the ground but immediately flew off. Perhaps, its prey had gone into hiding. They ate small mammals caught on the ground, birds, reptiles and insects. The prey were captured after having been visually located during low altitude circling flights. When it flew off, it started its flight slowly and on a heavy way, it soared and spiralled upwards as soon as it reached a certain attitude. Then it flapped its wings and continued to climb to a higher altitude before flying away in a direct flight to the nearby wood. It let out a plaintive mewing call that could be mistaken for a cat, before disappearing over the woods.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ixau-zbgxjo/WqPClSeAyjI/AAAAAAAAyYw/hETTyNqjkpYlF6gtIcL_ljvTMPRoRhrKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XStbtaUdK8c/WqPCmb_AdcI/AAAAAAAAyY0/JZTbpoyLabQtp576hjbw3krao40p0YmEACHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><strong><em></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“The Buzzard has nothing to fault himself with”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Wislawa Szymborska~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2dnOuVIqWzI/WqPCnE_Y15I/AAAAAAAAyY4/awO5Af6f_p49u8AcohDYU_SvmvnaNIi_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Water-D3100b--31-12-2017-13%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="414" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UW0qWNq02Wc/WqPCn9IblkI/AAAAAAAAyY8/vhYcX-hxz4gX-tm3zR-iuHL8hh27EufugCHMYCw/Draycote-Water-D3100b--31-12-2017-13%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p align="left">Then we headed to the children’s playground where the piece de resistance was seen feeding behind a clump of bushes. I joined a fellow photographer sitting on a bench and made the usual small talk. He’d seen the male Hawfinch flying in and out of the nearby huge cherry tree. There were plenty of Goldfinches, Bullfinches and various tits flying in and out of the tree but they were well-hidden deep in the branches. It was freezing but we stood our ground and finally it flew in briefly. All you could hear were our cameras rattling away.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-arin4hLHnKE/WqPCo1QLThI/AAAAAAAAyZA/ev6KFucHbrsVno1Bzo6oH66ILPF4QYSvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Draycote Waters - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Draycote Waters - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U1EJVgwHFm4/WqPCp6GpQhI/AAAAAAAAyZE/sl7m1MsN134-v0yl2Jxri7Y38I_c9U9SQCHMYCw/Draycote-Waters-D7200-X14-C13--31-12%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The handsome male we were watching kept its distance, offering up fleeting glimpses of its formidable beak, capable of cracking cherry stones. Weak sunlight filtering between the branches briefly illuminated the warm autumnal hues of its plumage, the glossy wing feathers and grey collar, before it flew off. By this time, we were half-frozen and decided to call it a day. We planned another visit as soon the weather weather calmed down. Storm Dylan, the 4th named and final storm of 2017, brought another horrendous weather to the country and put a damper to the new year celebrations.<p align="center"><strong><em>“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.”</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em>~Rainer Maria Rilke~</em></strong>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-20439362715828299412018-03-01T13:34:00.001-08:002018-03-01T13:34:55.171-08:00When Caroline came knocking<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gOrhXlpvX5M/Wphw5fHIQFI/AAAAAAAAyMw/JioAgkvBgpQnSjT5v-MzegJ1coluSacMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-02-5811"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJf7lgKj3xQ/Wphw6pi6EqI/AAAAAAAAyM0/OGvRbt7bj48VPu_mZ8MCBLFhwMsGSQxMQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-02-581_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Storm Caroline was the third officially named storm of the season after Aileen in September and Brian in October to hit the UK. We were hit by blizzard conditions with up to 20 cm snow. The Met Office issued an amber severe weather warning as wintry showers fell across the region at the start of the weekend. The amber alert was accompanied by a yellow warning of winds that brought loss of power and transport disruption. Temperatures dropped and gale-force north-westerly winds brought snow and ice as the drop in pressure. Although Coventry only got the tail end of the storm, we were still battered with gusts of 40 mph and heavy rain. Then it was time to dig out the snow shovels and woolly clothes as an Arctic freeze hit the Midlands. Temperatures plummeted thanks to an Arctic freeze blown over from Russia and Siberia, bringing sleet, downpours and snowfall. The wind chill factor felt like a raw minus 5C. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NiIUSTznN5g/Wphw7hd0IJI/AAAAAAAAyM4/1MFnGeAnSS4VxmMY3KO6kf0Wt-t2FKLXQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-21-5911"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uULNK668fy4/Wphw8UN6SVI/AAAAAAAAyM8/EZxP8zZuLg0ZA3aGz79g5YBo8HU0XyODwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-21-591_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>For the past few days, we’d been promised the white stuff. We’d wisps of snow drifts but that’s it. On Saturday night, it looked promising as the occasional flurries lengthened to a more persistent snowfall. All was quiet when snow fell and if it fell overnight what a magical sight awaited in the morning. And when I opened the bedroom curtains. this Narnia-esque scene greeted me. I was grinning from ear-to-ear and couldn’t wait to be outside. It looked magical blanketed in snow. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. Great feathers of flakes were still swirling, thick and fast blanketing the already snowed-up garden.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDKaUJYsR_0/Wphw9q2VfRI/AAAAAAAAyNA/rFyh5c3DdgEnDD-_jTC_CRgKiFUu-3GCQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-01-0561%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZ92JyaBcso/Wphw-vvMdeI/AAAAAAAAyNE/A67iPwbUrK06ycLiPcoB-VVMp9RGTZ0SQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-01-0561?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>“And she has made a magic so that it is always winter in Narnia---always winter, but it never gets to Christmas. And she drives about on a sledge, drawn by a reindeer, with her wand in her hand and a crown on her head.”</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AL8nVpaV4SQ/Wphw_saLWVI/AAAAAAAAyNI/eQls-cj4D8Yi7cpUS8OSIAQ40gpuXm7IACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-06-0511"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ce9EQYa_tOI/WphxAbe-NJI/AAAAAAAAyNM/VoiTvYIWMJUwkjSGsGjdCLZVH0_x7L-AQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-06-051_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>I have lived in the UK for nearly 22 years now but I am still excited seeing snow. Those fluffy flakes falling down like goose-down feathers as if the angels were having a pillow fight and the feathers were flying down to earth . The time in winter I loved most, spellbound and I wanted to drink it all. I can’t get enough of winter’s bewitching atmosphere. The falling snow muffled the sounds of everyday living. Virtually silent outside except for the crunch of my shoes compacting the snowy floor, and the occasional snow-clump dropping from the trees. Something about a fresh dumping of snow transported me to a different world together.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5iTGH8XG1Ow/WphxBdYq1DI/AAAAAAAAyNQ/0zw-c0n3WvYtLuqMab8Nld8unteKNwkpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-05-1711"><img width="326" height="484" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BguGwwBS3AI/WphxCBo6X1I/AAAAAAAAyNU/s9gr55TaYoUz7jH1qhXR51B5xSl0rP_xwCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-05-171_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Babe and I started having snow-ball fights channelling our inner kids. We were pelting each other with hand-rolled balls of slush. Every opportunity to have a laugh was a bonus and we were taking advantage of it. I bet our neighbours thought we were a bit loco but I’m sure they would loved to join the fun. I wanted to make a snow angel but don’t fancy getting wet and soggy. I tried to build a snowman but it looked a bit dodgy so gave up. I was jealous of Ethan’s, my neighbours 15 year old 4 foot snowman. He got help from the snow that was trapped in their trampoline.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Vi-iiiAxpk/WphxDC3dy8I/AAAAAAAAyNY/p0ymW0ptfE4mQ_x954PcqDsOV1rf8fP5ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-21-0031%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rkjYRZkz-BE/WphxEEDH7LI/AAAAAAAAyNc/7P3v5HAtTFIYLHiC703r5nxO8-zJmlUegCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-21-0031%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The cold theme lasted for a week, when milder and more unsettled weather from the Atlantic forced the current ridge of Arctic air towards Scandinavia. It was fine the first few days when the snow was still falling but then the pavements became a skating rink. I wore my snow-boots the whole week and it was a god-send. During my lunch break. I am out and about enjoying the magical frosty landscape and taking in the wintry vistas across the frozen lakes. The grounds was transformed into a winter wonderland as the frost sat across the landscapes. The low winter sun shone and everything sparkled. Simply stunning. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bX9-L-fyMog/WphxEzeVn1I/AAAAAAAAyNg/mVKY4NgJApYBg5kyRrNvzBriowaSEahdwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-07-0471"><img width="591" height="484" title="Covventry - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HOiPMTg9FXg/WphxFwwif1I/AAAAAAAAyNk/2iZHbwy6bfQkUnzocHbEYCftTzuPPYtYQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-07-0471%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>The snowfall is so silent, <br>so slow, <br>bit by bit, with delicacy <br>it settles down on the earth <br>and covers over the fields. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-In1IS-h1TlI/WphxG04aisI/AAAAAAAAyNo/MnbG4uM4ylwrpmpBjG-FlDR1ysO5pp-GwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-08-0254"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbrYNsI8dUY/WphxHtNiJCI/AAAAAAAAyNs/y8dWEbmKjvAplt2yqQ4odNRG1OWOZDk1QCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-08-025_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>The silent snow comes down <br>white and weightless; <br>snowfall makes no noise, <br>falls as forgetting falls, <br>flake after flake. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cGjmPvasKpc/WphxJMl7Y-I/AAAAAAAAyNw/1UpvHGTEJXwehiVKwJxJG3_k6odmazmhACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-09-0284"><img width="587" height="484" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6bTUb3tUtmE/WphxKB0jz8I/AAAAAAAAyN0/2veOUyOKyDkItn5T0R-Mh-g9hL-cegK2gCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-09-028_?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>It covers the fields gently <br>while frost attacks them <br>with its sudden flashes of white; </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MzRTetMKKJs/WphxLX1MmkI/AAAAAAAAyN4/IVMkvMHBpogeCPz0FYeDMfTStR9HQ_AFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-10-274"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nG_8lH7t5CM/WphxMi80V_I/AAAAAAAAyN8/gErvFIlH9ykelWz2qVmiUq7sqJeiOnUewCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-10-27_t?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>covers everything with its pure <br>and silent covering; </em></strong><strong><em><br>not one thing on the ground <br>anywhere escapes it. </em></strong></p><strong><em></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ZWia7Obe-0/WphxNupDIkI/AAAAAAAAyOA/aXc-US7L3BMD49coVhPDEJDCHG4827H1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-12-174"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ipL4C695h9U/WphxOqBr0wI/AAAAAAAAyOE/rWu8VSkDSXEy2tMH_BRGT8QsoG4Blo2DQCHMYCw/Coventry-D800--10-12-2017-11-12-17_t?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>And wherever it falls it stays, <br>content and gay, <br>for snow does not slip off <br>as rain does, </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zrd08me1jSA/WphxPS7rqeI/AAAAAAAAyOI/N6Gd71kc0TgJd3wcvsRFa8U-yDYYhm_IACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--10-12-2017-10-09-44"><img width="325" height="484" title="Coventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8yHBxIv4Vkw/WphxP8UHvJI/AAAAAAAAyOM/LHeSNDQdY_0MPBVgeOLKbO2NYjkdGXLnwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--10-12-2017-10-09-44%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>but it stays and sinks in. <br>The flakes are skyflowers, <br>pale lilies from the clouds, <br>that wither on earth. </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EbQweEGSnyQ/WphxQmiE3oI/AAAAAAAAyOQ/wsSILukR-OUhW-y46noD6zXAwM97wkB-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kKjAqYoJK7E/WphxRVCm1WI/AAAAAAAAyOU/8Kj6wn0sjE8T0eUnAH4sT7gsCheTeqvAQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>They come down blossoming <br>but then so quickly <br>they are gone; <br>they bloom only on the peak, <br>above the mountains, </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-c67X9trNY/WphxSTSRhxI/AAAAAAAAyOY/WmCvW5lig6UGjT9uVNZcyeGPwfRKcKCkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-0"><img width="644" height="433" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-StcCadavXOo/WphxTAW_0BI/AAAAAAAAyOc/xpW2e6cqyT8dNypfkmeEEA0v06LRFUdIACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-0%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><strong><em><br>and make the earth feel heavier <br>when they die inside. <br>Snow, delicate snow, <br>that falls with such lightness <br>on the head, </em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-77ZA8dnwGeU/WphxUGS2omI/AAAAAAAAyOg/EhUl0zdrDCUkHjm6bOEGX4o7iQJUIedvACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-1%255B3%255D"><img width="620" height="484" title="Covventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Covventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ySLZqbHchfU/WphxUyG1qrI/AAAAAAAAyOk/M4MmraG-Uf47NgqF_W1jfEjvZTJg49wJQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--10-12-2017-1%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br>on the feelings, <br>come and cover over the sadness <br>that lies always in my reason.</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>~Miguel de Unamuno ‘The snowfall is so silent’~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ennG3RY8OY/WphxVzglDnI/AAAAAAAAyOo/oPG6bhRCAZ0akOJuHRXkXdOkw5cy_GFUwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--10-12-2017-10-09-33%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FLLa3h6qbOg/WphxW20TcfI/AAAAAAAAyOs/U7HGX3hqK2EKp1bVO2nJ-mVeEdkRH_rlwCHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--10-12-2017-10-09-33?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>I’d a few things pencilled in my diary to celebrate December. But due to the atrocious snowy conditions, ‘A Christmas carol : a folk opera’ at the Old Grammar School was postponed to a later date. Unfortunately the date wasn’t suitable for both HR and I that we got a refund. Thankfully, BBC Radio 4 Any Questions? at the Coventry Cathedral was still on. Those attending were requested to arrive early because there were security checks and a warm-up session. The audience was also given slips to write down any questions that they wanted the panel to answer.</p><p>There was at least 100 people present in the very cold Cathedral. Babe and I kept our coats on to keep warm as we took our seats at the back on very uncomfortable chairs. The warm-up began at 19.30 and the programme was broadcasted live on BBC Radio 4 at 20.02. Jonathan Dimbleby chaired the programme with the panel consisting of David Gauke, the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions who was currently overseeing the Universal Credit and Gina Miller who came to prominence after taking the government to court about triggering Article 50 to start the Brexit process. Next was Angela Smith or Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Labour Leader of the House of Lords and the 4th panellist was Alex Deane, a managing director at the public affairs firm FTI Consulting.</p><p>The questions touched on current issues covering political, economic, social and moral issues. Those whose questions were chosen had to introduce themselves and ask their question on air. The questions among them ranged from Brexit, the Universal Credit and Coventry City of Culture. The audience was very restrained and quiet and at times I wanted to shout out my opinions. One thing I noticed was that if they don’t agree with the answers from the panels, they don’t clap at all. Aaah…very passive aggressive. It ended at about 21.30. We didn’t linger and headed straight back to the car. It was fascinating to watch how a radio programme was being broadcast live and we thoroughly enjoy it.</p><p>Before Storm Caroline came knocking, we were on the road to Slimbridge WWT. We left the casa at 10 am and the mercury was touching 3.5C. It was very gloomy and drizzling and when we were on the M5, it turned foggy. On the opposite road, there were long traffic queues towards Birmingham. Hopefully, it would be cleared when we were on our way home. When we drove over River Avon, we noticed the low-lying areas of farmland and caravan parks were flooded. It must had rained heavily upstream. At Slimbridge, the place was quite quiet. I think the wet, misty weather was putting people off.</p><p>We took the usual route and noticed that the Caribbean Flamingos had been barricaded in their heated house at the end of their enclosure. A cold weather had been forecasted and they were kept indoors for their safety. Whilst these birds had been inside, the aviculturists had taken the opportunity to re-sand the enclosures. When we walked past a huge fence that was shrouded with ivy, I noticed a very tiny bird flitting in and out. We watched it and it was a Goldcrest foraging for food. There must be others because we could hear the familiar high-pitched contact calls emanating deep from within the hedges.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-imPtJ8Mb3ig/WphxX9CVBpI/AAAAAAAAyOw/qhO266NOYT4PWaig9o-W04CYbs8ju47TgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-17-010%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_37ZV9uXR1w/WphxYvGONtI/AAAAAAAAyO0/rsGYGbHXZiIxXZAn_0f69Px6iGvA0TaSwCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-17-010_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Once known as the Golden-crested wren, the Goldcrest was not only Britain’s smallest bird, but the smallest in the Western Palearctic. They were exclusively insectivorous, with spiders forming an important part of their diet.They generally fed scurrying towards the tip of tree branches or from the undersides of leaves, typically hovering and rarely keeping still. The gold stripe on the crown of the male was more prominent during mating displays. He bowed his head and raised his coloured crest in a bid to attract a female mate during the breeding season. We were lucky to have seen the amazing display at Brandon Marsh. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T-EPCxUkXJc/WphxavoIbKI/AAAAAAAAyO4/RQzUfsmFI70bLBVoTrvwfiMi4__JxgGKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-17-014%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BBSV72mJbjY/WphxcbjF9II/AAAAAAAAyO8/gm1wiIxOu4cltTIE8MUgoIFSLKM-pLnoACHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-17-014_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As soon as we walked into Rushy Hide, a trio of Bewick’s Swan flew in to join their family members on the water. They must have finished feeding on the nearby fields before coming in to roost on the open water. They had a slow, steady flight with their legs dangling as they were about to land, dropping onto the water at steeper angles as if bracing themselves for a mighty crash. They were honking away as they were about to land, a warning sign to those in the water to give them space. They then sailed down and water skied to a halt that ended with a belly-flop.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kee1bQ_0mKY/WphxdhcTOUI/AAAAAAAAyPA/sCPUnCwJLWwRIqiFqL5s8KpnvzzYcUiDACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-22-033%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8iFMbTjHbsw/Wphxeq8-zrI/AAAAAAAAyPE/XqGr_kQzuPkDFNZe8RDKoQuVWEh-jW6JQCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-22-033_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>They were greeted warmly by the family group members. It was noisy, with constant low babbling in the water and indulging in greeting displays, reminiscent of excited dogs. Pairs and families formed particularly coherent units during aggressive encounters involving displays such as bugling and neck-stretching. There were families with yearlings and cygnets, pairs and singles. They then flapped their wings with more musical yappings. After calming down, they began either preening or feeding by sticking their head underwater or upending while swimming for aquatic vegetation.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IOeclrGxoEo/WphxfscuAiI/AAAAAAAAyPI/3Syzy2CTy6QJTpWCk3cgyolw84ySIVMiQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-028%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VThAXkWy9Y4/Wphxgau4BqI/AAAAAAAAyPM/MFc1_5F9nGcmUJRXX2vuDItKFleh2lifwCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-028_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Each year these extraordinary birds battled their way over thousands of kilometres of desolate tundra, wooded wilderness and vast lakes and seas to escape the icy grip of the Arctic winter after spending the summer on the Russian tundra in order to feed and breed. These birds were magnificent visitors to our skies. Some had returned to Slimbridge for 28 years, totalling over 140,000 miles over their lifetimes. But each year fewer and fewer were returning, and it was the same across Europe. It was likely that a number of factors were affecting their survival and breeding success. It was suspected that they were being affected by habitat and climate changes on their breeding grounds. Other known causes included the presence of wind turbines and power pylons in their flight path, lead poisoning and illegal hunting.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TIChhqu2M0I/WphxhL9MMkI/AAAAAAAAyPQ/MMXiuVxcbks45SIX5BK_cB5k9Fcct4CswCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-060%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O_DYylqck28/WphxiGum3hI/AAAAAAAAyPU/S1n4bN_U5wcg4HLf6FZgbqwl63vBJIxPACHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-060_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Bewick’s swans cared for their offspring for a relatively long time.
Cygnets remained with their parents throughout their first winter, staying within calling distance as they were guided along their first migration. They arrived in the UK from mid-October, wintering here until the following March before migrating once again to their breeding grounds on the Russian tundra. The arrival of the Bewicks causes much debate because folklore suggested that it can predict whether we were set to face a cold winter. If they arrived early then it could meant a harsh winter – or even a white Christmas - but later touchdowns indicated a milder few months. This year’s first swan, named Trotsky, was a yearling which arrived on the 10th of November.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4OdKWjGe4B0/Wphxi0XGUQI/AAAAAAAAyPY/78Gbx9mP_-cTopZc9yitL58dY2jkVo7qgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-59-042%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cmPsdHr_NF4/Wphxj__cI9I/AAAAAAAAyPc/a9GF_MvfyBgrlNtOXq_0SdR9o8ndblZjQCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-59-042_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Just as migratory birds,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> We move on,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> From villages to towns,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> From towns to cities,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gS_UJ20UURU/Wphxku2e2HI/AAAAAAAAyPg/9xK-G8tCivwWqUN1TSxeymo6HLeHdQMfQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-51%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S4wkHGpDtHA/WphxlT865nI/AAAAAAAAyPk/9ADRj2icQUwrQfacvFeDAgklK2mYg93ZwCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B16-06-51_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> From cities to foreign lands,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> To return or not to return.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Migratory birds and animals,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> With limited needs,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GGLzQmjJjTU/WphxmaLjwzI/AAAAAAAAyPo/YyPXQCwevcgoGNULitHvVpak-a3vQg6OQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-55-35%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4b3KO10eLnM/WphxnDdHYXI/AAAAAAAAyPs/8xn86HQ-HhkbHszQSsPlMhjHlY76W8mVQCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-55-35_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Like food, shelter, </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Warmth and young ones’ care;</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Move on, to distant places.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Climatic changes,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I9E5lptjOKU/WphxoEd2cII/AAAAAAAAyPw/vDOm_6A52ls93myu25n3XKK1vM3wLVEqQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-43-30%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="441" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W_aMQzbbL68/Wphxo4tyUhI/AAAAAAAAyP0/uts2E0ZVxqk-UOAf8lHIN0bpgpNncCqygCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-43-30_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Like extreme cold and chill,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Push them to warmer regions,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> To be back to their region, original; </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> When, suitable climate prevails.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VIYSnUX2x2Q/WphxpuB675I/AAAAAAAAyP4/fCb2apRMLcA2ODnnaDwkEs6LpnWCKphKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-27-047%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m0IwzScu6Zk/WphxqeuvRGI/AAAAAAAAyP8/fkxtyt33KxYh2moL2BZU72yNtHM1mn6_wCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B13-27-047_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> In adverse time,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> To go back to Siberia, in warmer time. </em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Some animals too migrate,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> To other countries,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Crossing the rivers or hills,</em></strong><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P3x-RwAb__0/WphxrEvButI/AAAAAAAAyQA/6gzvlpgtn6cK7M5b3vRGBTUea2ak4TyPQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B14-52-007%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7xTx3gdnGg/Wphxr9-5YPI/AAAAAAAAyQE/rTvh82ci7q0hF-26CsfPmkQ6QY-y4srAACHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B14-52-007_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p align="center"><strong><em> Only to return home after the adverse time.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Don’t we move to different regions,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> In search of better economic conditions,</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Job, career and education?</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> Yet, some people, to lead a retired life, return.</em></strong><p align="center"><strong><em> ~Anandavalli R Chandran ‘Just as migratory birds’~</em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLj92PDKhFk/Wphxsg0-UrI/AAAAAAAAyQI/i1OrDOBfxK888r0KQXz5hKibwL4WdATXQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-41-011%255B4%255D"><img width="635" height="484" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jPas-OywkSU/WphxtRfR7sI/AAAAAAAAyQM/UVOfeMQE0ZUURuGbtAHOJuKhdpNF8xcwgCHMYCw/Slimbridge%2BWWT%2BD800%2BDX%2BT%2B%2B02-12-2017%2B15-41-011_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></strong></p><p>Nearby, Common or Northern Pintails too were flying in and out showing off their long, pointed wings, slim bodies, long necks and white edged speculum. They were most graceful and acrobatic in flight and had the ability to achieve great speeds while flying. This earned them the nickname the ‘Greyhound of the Air’. These winter visitors joined the hundreds that were already on the ground. Their presence in large numbers had pushed the Teals, UK’s smallest duck, to congregate right at the end of the lake. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zk2Qmc7Ko5U/WphxuMSuYbI/AAAAAAAAyQQ/NSXYbtcVttQWhLYj_u-2FYZlZq92ZnXkgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--02-12-2017-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkdERDVJeXY/Wphxu59QGkI/AAAAAAAAyQU/qE_Okc4EtTMeQIrn4v1LrtgOTrhSYoptACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--02-12-2017-1%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rRkJceYe0lM/Wphxvgr4LGI/AAAAAAAAyQY/VAIWDiE-c6YomrfoBVYG0WMZMB3ZQaMDwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vB3OBz8C5Uw/WphxwP77ziI/AAAAAAAAyQc/l2P5_PZ8MgU9PtBUdMbzWhYKmON5wJ8DACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Drake pintails were stunning. They were sleek and slender, with long protruding tail feathers which gave them their common name. They appeared pale grey overall, but sported a lovely chocolate-coloured head with a white stripe extending up from breast to behind each eye. Under their tails, they were black and cream, and in flight a white, black and rufous bar was revealed on each wing. The females were mottled tan overall, but still appeared to be sleeker and more pointed than other female ducks. In flight, they showed a brown wing bar edged with white. Both had blue-grey bills. We enjoyed watching this pair busy nibbling each other. It must be a bonding session.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eBJgnVddt8/WphxxQw5YaI/AAAAAAAAyQg/Pmx-G97tO2AoifvEl5blHYDbbZ1DEm2WQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--02-12-2017-1%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MwOZNRcXuSc/WphxyfOofjI/AAAAAAAAyQk/fntWoN-KzaEz-CL22GLB3tpDkHwfISzuwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX--02-12-2017-1%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Greylags were also flying in, looking heavy in flight. From a distance, they appeared a uniform grey-brown but a closer view revealed more subtle tones of brown and grey. They’d barring on back, breast and neck. We watched them facing forward, ready for a smooth balance. Then they formed an extraordinary contortion as they battled the strong winds. With their neck twisted 180, they ended up flying with their head and body facing opposite directions. This manoeuvre was known as whiffling, a method of braking. Using such twists and turns, they spilled air out of their wings and slowed down rapidly and reduced height as they landed safely.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ou1FKRNOVs/WphxzUcZQsI/AAAAAAAAyQo/exgv3UL8wAU96V8gkFAkZapmz8ucPkVVACHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8iXoVnm4JnU/Wphx0OYKHbI/AAAAAAAAyQs/aQK48CyRla4kV-au39mlgbEnCyi4TNxAgCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Little Stint was reported to be feeding along the mud-banks but it was too far for a good photograph. Mallards and Tufted ducks were snoozing at the west bank of the lake. They, too, had been dislodged from their usual position by the Pintails. The colourful Shelducks were upending in the water foraging for invertebrates, small shellfish and aquatic snails. Pochards were having a siesta near the observatory. A Pied wagtail flew in with its undulating flight and was strutting along the shingles, stopping here and there to pick on insects. A Lapwing or Peewit, after its shrill call, was having a tussle with its lunch and won.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-stO8aCkacRo/Wphx081XCII/AAAAAAAAyQw/D1yhOOt3S5YR-nsL-R0T0JvlQS3HnGWwgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGRn-UNoFrA/Wphx1ugFVUI/AAAAAAAAyQ0/MRdWWrui1JE4Gs1PtoF0uXl29xF7ZsvAQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We headed to Martin Smith Hide and was chuffed when a pair of Common Crane flew in. Unfortunately, they didn’t land and flew off. Most probably because there was no family member on the tack piece. A moving carpet of Wigeon was foraging and grazing on the grass, leaves, stems and roots. They gathered in densely packed flocks, covering the grassy wards with their bodies, and spilling forward like an incoming tide. Each duck had the unusual combination of a small bill and an exceedingly strong jawbone, which enabled them to pull up the grass with great vigour and used the bill’s cutting edges at the same time. They were very vocal with the males constantly uttering an excited, almost surprised exclamatory whistle, while the females grunt approvingly<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALa3QmNYeok/Wphx2SEHk4I/AAAAAAAAyQ4/_EGZ1Pa-ShEWtYbhc2x-gX6h6_WgvE29wCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800">.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nBiB2V1IxS8/Wphx3yVPCwI/AAAAAAAAyQ8/O5N43hwv1LAscFEOUjoH6XzLGDaNTLJWgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B15%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LJeP9U7JjKs/Wphx40zhFJI/AAAAAAAAyRA/G1NMuZCZ75A_bECPImxrbHgiE8fguL54wCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then we headed to the next hide stopping at the bank vole hole. We waited for a few minutes but no one was around. We left some mealworms near the hole and checked out Willow Hide. We don’t have to wait long when the star attraction turned up. Water-rail was supposed to be secretive and shy, often heard than seen with their loud squealing and snorting noises emerging from the dense reed-beds. But not this bird with its chestnut-brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black-and white barred flacks, a long red bill and tiny cocked tail. It came strutting out probing with its bill on the seeds that had fallen from the bird-feeder. One of the birders mentioned that there were at least 3 out feeding in the next hide earlier this morning. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uGJjjNWXOus/Wphx5jkXuyI/AAAAAAAAyRE/7-mc_SFsH0gByw1-F2OQ8V8_oVXGnEoAQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-12-2017-12%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sscTRci_JsA/Wphx6WdscUI/AAAAAAAAyRI/wi8OjZ45uKgua9hMej-98yl8JeOHLxj3QCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-12-2017-12?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At Robbie Garnet Hide, a raptor was flushing the waders and wildfowl into the air from time to time. We think it was a Buzzard. It was breath-taking as the hunter and hunted twisted and turned in the air. Oblivious to what was happening above them was a pair of White Fronted Goose. The salt-and-pepper markings on the breast was why they were colloquially called ‘Specklebelly’ in North America. Their legs were orange with pink bills. They bred in Western Greenland, migrating during September and October via staging grounds in Iceland to winter here, before returning in April. Crossing the 2700m high Greenland ice cap was a remarkable feat of endurance for a large bird. They had shrill, cackle like calls. The geese grazed and foraged on a range of plant materials taking roots, tubers, shoots and leaves. This pair was much more interested in preening themselves.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--DMelfHEtmM/Wphx7FTFiaI/AAAAAAAAyRM/g5uqjEPvn8o9nWAZS3zXp_AyZvq0-kzAgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-12-2017-13%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="330" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w8JHpes84qk/Wphx73FWdVI/AAAAAAAAyRQ/wAM3Yb9eRuYeyq4AC01DoM4wkUM3dAeuQCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D3100b--02-12-2017-13?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then we turned back and had a rest at Wader Shore, a netted aviary with a coastal estuary theme. The residents which comprised of Avocets, Redshanks, Black-winged Stilts and Ruff were out and about, enjoying the sunshine, which finally came out. We sat on the bench and watched this juvenile Avocet practising its foraging skills. It was so funny to watch because its bill didn’t even touch the water. In clear water, Avocets fed by sight by picking prey from the surface of water or mud. In poor visibility and when locating prey from within the sediments, they foraged by touch, sweeping their long, upcurved bill from side to side through water or loose sediment to locate hidden prey such as aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k0nkO-bRIDM/Wphx8uy3wHI/AAAAAAAAyRU/28ubvRhmIZATAPAb5upvKUhd9y7p0w19gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7-YBV_5eIkE/Wphx9VompRI/AAAAAAAAyRY/hbybiDlR7a4iGIQes50qvEXEs_ZMoFOQACHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>In deeper water, Avocets swam readily and buoyantly, up-ending like a duck to reach food below the surface. The juvenile was similar in appearance to the adult, but with brown colouration in the areas where the adult was black. The plumage on the upperparts was also mottled brown. An important characteristic of these birds was that the newly hatched chicks had to feed themselves because their parents never offer any feed to them. But this was a juvenile and I’m sure it had a lot of practice. We sat there listening to their vocalisations which included a fluted ‘kloo-it’ or ‘kleep’. It was so calm and peaceful to be among them before Caroline came huffing and puffing.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pomz8cgKp8g/Wphx-cd2e7I/AAAAAAAAyRc/q4JfQQGD3og3TaEQATvZPcUIdBwu0N3JgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B11%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Slimbridge WWT - December" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Slimbridge WWT - December" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h8iDyvBJKcg/Wphx_PF0HKI/AAAAAAAAyRg/CZ6azuogEk8avFsBvd6KUoDpBYmJHs7XwCHMYCw/Slimbridge-WWT-D800-DX-T--02-12-2017%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039222457973345565.post-50414636207946952562018-02-17T13:06:00.001-08:002018-02-17T13:06:11.667-08:00That time of year thou mayst in me behold*<p>The weather continued to get colder in late November when autumn was morphing into winter. The month was characterised by falling temperatures, with daily highs decreasing from 13C on the beginning of the month down to 10C by the end of the month. It started with a fairly changeable, mild westerly airflow in which a succession of fronts spread rain eastwards across the country. Thankfully, there were no named storms. But whatever the weather, the household chores still needed to be done and we still ventured out into the countryside.</p><p>I was hanging out the laundry when I heard very high-pitched ‘sree-sree-sree-sree’ calls coming from the Leylandii hedges that screened our garden. I crept slowly and was chuffed to bits to see a couple of Goldcrests flitting among the foliage, foraging for food. I rushed into the house to grab my camera and rattled a few shots. They were UK’s smallest bird, and were characterised by their yellow-orange crest. They were feeding at the end of the branches, fluttering almost hummingbird-like. It was quite hard to photograph as they scurried around.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkjxKNhDlww/WoiXs1TCXpI/AAAAAAAAyEU/nzXYW3eIheYxcf0rvdMdy_IIr7c4ImxfACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D3100b--19-11-2017-09-46-43%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTcnzy9NlZA/WoiXtgHpBgI/AAAAAAAAyEY/QmRo1_I4ge8tZnTFxmXzarNeqg3NCvVDACHMYCw/Coventry-D3100b--19-11-2017-09-46-43%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Since I’d camera, I checked one of bird-feeders and saw this Coal tit again. It was lovely to see him on his own because this feeder was usually teeming with the House sparrows which roost in this bush. Smallest European Tit, with a large head, white cheeks and large white patch on the back of its neck, contrasting with the black crown. The narrower, more slender bill was an adaptation to feeding in conifers. It was once called by Linneaus in his famous work of classification, Systema Naturae, when translated meant ‘black-headed titmouse with white nape, ash-grey back, white breast’. What a mouthful for a tiny tit. It tended to dash in, grab a beakful and dash off again. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8UcrsTwINq4/WoiXuTGsAxI/AAAAAAAAyEc/t8eJcLt172kKMa1k_4JgXUXtf3EwF_fqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2017-1%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_YjGE2cZ2wY/WoiXvCOZLcI/AAAAAAAAyEg/8lGTQKllwK87B-X2CI5m0Ae1q_ATFr4gwCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2017-1%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On the feeding station, a Dunnock was having the place to himself. Quiet and unobtrusive, it was often seen on its own, creeping along the edge of a flower bed or near to a bush, moving with a rather nervous, shuffling gait, often flicking its wings as it goes. At first glance the bird, also known as Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor, looked like a dull sleek sparrow. On closer inspection it was quite attractive with its blue-grey head and breast, light and dark brown streaky back, brown streaked flanks and pink legs. The Dunnock's song was an unhurried sweet warble. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aaQE4n_NMx0/WoiXv3gEMdI/AAAAAAAAyEk/J9qXWyqvuZokO9pXtwQyFn0C3Oesy52TwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14--19-11-2017-11-20"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MJQwMJ3Gd8U/WoiXwkYRVjI/AAAAAAAAyEo/bI5Js8XcgjcrKi2HYVXmDzO8FhUd6o5HQCHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14--19-11-2017-11-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made another trip to our favourite playground to stretch our legs. By the dipping pond, we spotted a flock of Siskins, clinging to the top branches chipping away at the alder cones for the ripe seeds. Suddenly, they were startled by someone walking past, taking to the air in unison and circling high above us, their thin flight calls quite distinct as they dropped down again to continue feeding. The songs were a pleasant mix of twitters and trills. Siskins were small, lively finches with distinctly forked tails and long narrow bills. The males had a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There were yellow patches in the wings and tail.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCJlcHnkuE4/WoiXxf6rn_I/AAAAAAAAyEs/zfqFMpPapjc56zBIt0QKqNgjPtDBoIZdQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--19-11-2017-12-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ihG4NVYv6Ns/WoiXyKSb_OI/AAAAAAAAyEw/06RgbCz5Weo51P9tCS5aD9zZhQPU2yUoACHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--19-11-2017-12-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We made a pit stop at Baldwin Hide which was very quiet. We left and headed for East Marsh Hide and was chuffed to see a Common Snipe feeding on the mudflat right below the hide. It was so close that we could clearly see its short greenish-grey leg and a very long straight dark bill. The body was mottled brown with straw-yellow stripes on top and pale underneath. It had a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below it. The wings were pointed. It was a well camouflaged bird, shy and concealed itself close to ground vegetation It was busy foraging in soft mud, probing or picking up food by sight. It mainly ate insects and earthworms, also some plant material. Food on the surface was located by sight and picked up, but prey under the ground was located using the touch-sensitive sensory pits at the tip of the flexible bill. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gHIZHqN5uj4/WoiXzHeDd_I/AAAAAAAAyE0/iyT92nShIAU3k6rL1QDQkyAQCxI0XLS8ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8fPMitk8Kmc/WoiXz4rnZXI/AAAAAAAAyE4/ZJfBu-RCP5wUjr2kVhxgnmRh69s-ruhtgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Their old folk names include "mire snipe", "horse gowk", "heather bleat", and the variant spelling "snite. A group of snipes has many collective nouns, including a "leash", "walk", "whisper", "winnowing", and "volley" of snipes. The Common snipe typically feeds at dawn and dusk, often in small groups, on land or in shallow water, but usually does not stray far from cover. When it was flushed, it uttered a sharp note that sounded like <i>scape, scape</i> and flew off in a series of aerial zig-zags to confuse predators. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75GQBVXZeWE/WoiX00ZcyuI/AAAAAAAAyE8/0O3OAv0O-XA1jvIg8qpPBAnmPYzpOrm_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JvWGStXPmcU/WoiX1gbc4lI/AAAAAAAAyFA/3lGLpsw8gy4FOba7mMdVlY52I9IzV4EQwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was being flushed by a Water rail which was out and about along the reed-beds. These birds rarely emerged from dense reed-beds and marshes with a thick vegetation cover, and tended to be shy and skulking. They were much more often heard than seen. The calls of a Water Rail was extremely un-bird-like, and produced a wide range of loud squealing and snorting noises, traditionally known as ‘sharming’, which sounded like an alarmed piglet. As sudden as it appeared, it quickly dashed back into the safety of the reed-beds and all we could see was its tiny cocked tail trailing behind it.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AAyQwv1oFog/WoiX23GL9gI/AAAAAAAAyFE/Ni2Oot6_v_0BDp1iBeTZ2ysKik6yVwitQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--19-11-2017-13-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9VJV81QIecU/WoiX34gv0QI/AAAAAAAAyFI/QkwjMXuYrBMEHB2pNW7n5XrntQYh3smNwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D3100b--19-11-2017-13-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A Little Egret flew in and landed on Wigeon Island waking up the snoozing Wigeons . The liveliest hunters among the herons, they fed by walking through water and snapping at prey, or by running and agitating the water with their feet to disturb prey, flushing them into the open where the sharp-eyed bird could strike at them. It was thought that their yellow feet aided this process, being more obvious to potential preys than all dark feet would be in the sediment-filled water. They were highly dependent on visual cues when hunting and their feeding was highly affected if the water was not clear. They fed primarily on small fish, but bivalves, crustaceans, and other invertebrates were also consumed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUrRqtKqNLE/WoiX4glTPUI/AAAAAAAAyFM/0Xou8iEtqikCvCSEaLh2ic5K2TNS_GQ3QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lQuVSOwECxQ/WoiX5acz16I/AAAAAAAAyFQ/jYJHW9aQuFIOYHkqvB2po4ScJ2_g0rjZwCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We left when the hide started filling up. On the way to Carlton Hide, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and was using the tree as its look-out. In flight, five or six flapping wingbeats alternated with closure of the wings giving the typically undulating performance, which showed off the pied pattern of the wings. On the tree, it was less chequered but equally black and white, with black crown and upper parts and bold white ovals on the scapulars. It was a female since it lacked the small red nape patch. It flew off while uttering a sharp flight call. We didn’t stay long at Carlton Hide and headed straight home.</p><p> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0GUqYEo6CO8/WoiX6Bl7jcI/AAAAAAAAyFU/OQ7U2pKExjE9fgNFdDHPl-GTjuLZY0ftwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bzdqVoFgYS8/WoiX6-0t6vI/AAAAAAAAyFY/9bPADFvS1p8MTWM9X_FgKYk78Sy6lGmrgCHMYCw/Brandon-Marsh-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>On Black Friday, we made our final trip to Donna Nook for this year. Instead of spending our hard-earned cash, we spent the day with our favourite hobbies. We left very early at 6.10 am so that we could get a parking space at the Stonebridge car-park. It was 5C and the sun was slowly rising. We came across beautiful sunrises as we criss-crossed the country but there was no place to stop and take photographs. We stopped at Wragby for a comfort break and was pleasantly surprised that wi-fi was freely available. We’d coffee to warm up because it was freezing. As we got closer to our destination, we saw a Chinook hovering over the reserve. Whoop…whoop.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5DGpcjswcdw/WoiX7VaG0cI/AAAAAAAAyFc/IRks-GIhQxsA_ZcaAYeHxU6uxyADcSbGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JEop6haNxiQ/WoiX8G_R0JI/AAAAAAAAyFg/wX5nDihDlOgoeamP2Tf1j_68OdGBxsPuwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we arrived at the car-park, the helicopter was still circling in the vicinity. We couldn’t get out of the car fast enough and thankfully, there was ample parking space since it was only 9 am. We stood there in the car-park and all you could hear were our cameras rattling away. The pilot was very obliging too and flew quite close to where we were standing. The thump-thump-thump of the helicopter got louder and louder until we could feel it vibrating through our bodies. It was amazing. We only gathered our stuff when it flew over the sea to continue its mission and we knew that it was going to come back again.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sbnwRygJ4aI/WoiX8gI2eHI/AAAAAAAAyFk/NUrWtdwYQXsuCHoi6flUIF-ELEBTjb5GgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-13-12-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7WDNCXvQiyU/WoiX9W3O_MI/AAAAAAAAyFo/TaN46HfDl-go8_alULYXTSHpmTr7JO4cACHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-13-12-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The Boeing Chinook was a tandem rotor helicopter operated by the RAF which was based at RAF Odiham. The aircraft was used for trooping, resupply and battlefield Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC), and for carrying internal and/or underslung loads. They could carry up to 55 troops and/or up to 10 tonnes of freight. A secondary role also included Search and Rescue (SAR). They had seen extensive service including fighting in the 1982 Falklands War, peace-keeping commitments in the Balkans, Northern Ireland and action in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8d_ckfl3Og/WoiX9zzqqTI/AAAAAAAAyFs/jMS0sUcUv2YM18RZsWS41iZQW4FzTtKMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-su8-T3WTKOU/WoiX-h5olJI/AAAAAAAAyFw/og5q2AcnV4YjBOinNSZFxavpLmkPptQGQCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After parking and wrapping up very warm, we finally waddled our way to the viewing point. It was freezing and the high winds didn’t helped either. We thought we saw Ropeneck with her pup by the entrance but this wasn’t her usual birthing ground. I asked the warden and she told me that there was a discussion among them that Ropeneck hadn’t arrived yet, which seemed quite late. Ropeneck, a well-known seal, was named by wardens who found her in 2000 entangled in discarded netting and was clearly in distressed. The netting had cut a very deep wound in her neck which was still visible even today. It seemed that a lot of seals had encountered the same predicament judging by the numbers we came across with scars around their necks.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kn9IGtoHH0w/WoiX_W0DIzI/AAAAAAAAyF0/d9m8Wq3Aooo_ULnpXyoaaWOnrLrVCtZjgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-09-26-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--u2Fafv5WBA/WoiYANBSXRI/AAAAAAAAyF4/Nx1BdjejwVg8x4C67K-p7OyE-1DTf7aXwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-09-26-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As we trekked along the chestnut-paling fence that ran the entire length of the viewing area, pups of different stages of growth with their protective mothers were scattered along the beach, among the sand-dunes and reed-beds. Their whimpering cries were echoing around us. We checked out the board and there were now 724 bulls, 1596 cows and 1692 pups. This meant that some pups were left on their own relying on their body fat when their mothers was forced to return to the sea to feed. During this period of intensive care, mothers lost 65 kg of their own body weight. Pups remained at the breeding ground for another 2 weeks living off its blubber reserves before hunger forced them to head out to sea to feed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZZOta702vZA/WoiYBdKZ1eI/AAAAAAAAyF8/FesmUoSnQ-MSnOReteK9AsetUc0J79cWwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-05-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ip6U1bLGQww/WoiYCC0H5rI/AAAAAAAAyGA/yxGvvJqbI3wbssWqwDnTNC5GtEO6BQZrgCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-05-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mZajbJk47hw/WoiYC3HTLnI/AAAAAAAAyGE/UCxJXYNE7IEzyx2X4oTQQ4-2KcZMefT4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-11-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AREemH8XEs4/WoiYDnA2WjI/AAAAAAAAyGI/bepMjlNPsYclOFwZc3-SIZBInWbDCgF7wCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-11-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>There were plenty of heart warming scenes where mothers were nursing their pups. Females were the sole providers of care for their pups while the males provided no parental care. It was lovely watching the intimate interactions between them. A bond was formed between mother and pup at birth, and she could recognised her pup from its call and smell. Pups with their mournful cries were often heard calling to their mothers. Mothers were encouraging the pups to feed by scratching their faces. Pups suckled for 3 weeks during which their weight tripled and gradually lost their pale coat. In the meantime, the mothers lost half of their body fat during lactation as they weren’t feeding.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pRL5b2WtE0w/WoiYEf12WSI/AAAAAAAAyGM/cY_4P0ZHNGIewJKDdmnMP9TuKwPP_fiYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-00-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h--q2zOwQU4/WoiYFKcubbI/AAAAAAAAyGQ/W04CK3uSHVABmtPuXvmQW-iTBfQsbSDxQCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-00-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w4PJ5fARdbE/WoiYGM_mfNI/AAAAAAAAyGU/gE9USRlsw3wjxXeGTCaBoO9oKwjORn5JQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-14-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7g6um7ihuMg/WoiYG2pDYxI/AAAAAAAAyGY/izy8cPxpTFUn3xiTMdUao74z3D4yoyNLwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-14-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Each pup I encountered was cuter than the one before, looking at me with their glossy black eyes like coal, lolling on the tussocky sand. Appearing in shining white colour when born, called languno, kept them warm until they developed an insulating layer of blubber from their mother’s milk. They kept this distinct white coat for two weeks + when the fur darkened and began to shed as they matured. After 16+ days, at the weaning stage, the pups lost their white coat and had the unique grey/dark grey pelage and patterning that remained the same through adulthood. These adorable pups were very close to the fence, checking out the visitors who were busy checking them out, under the watchful eyes of their possessive mothers. If anyone got too close, the warning hisses, growls and waving flippers were issued.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_xU6eqh9FrU/WoiYHr034QI/AAAAAAAAyGc/-mEG7yMJpawM4Q4ah8zDwO7ft8RNpVx2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-17-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xn_h9_IVHIk/WoiYISUMOWI/AAAAAAAAyGg/2_yGdB1QZSwRbsqEDAhfegOKEzY7rDh9QCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-17-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JDUef3hFX0U/WoiYJdzr-uI/AAAAAAAAyGk/4QNwQs_HYhY_avxmqf5XYfgj3rYF_3QcgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D800-DX-T--24-11-2017-12-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yVZznPeS7wI/WoiYKObVyKI/AAAAAAAAyGo/Aw7ePr71SZ4dLCMOzShfvjsDPWlzYRq2QCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D800-DX-T--24-11-2017-12-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R38wB27N-_I/WoiYLF8oXbI/AAAAAAAAyGs/SN0qbxbWhj4WL7f19kQlhmB7jsbYIkZKgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-36-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EptD7pf5mMQ/WoiYMHpbSWI/AAAAAAAAyGw/hml3mcGrA98z670zyEtx4WxgnVYYIDu4QCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-36-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We had missed out on the bulls fighting as most of the territories had been staked out by now. The males tended to be darker than females and had the noticeably arched ‘Roman‘ nose and thickset shoulders, wrinkled appearances and very dark, finely mottled coats. When the females were ready, their uterus developed a fluid-filled sack containing an egg and hormonal changes made her receptive to the advances made by the males. Grey seals were ‘capital breeders’. This was a term which meant that not only do they spent a short time with their offspring before weaning, but also that during their stay on the colony, both males and females fasted, obtaining all their energetic requirements from the metabolism of fat reserves or blubber. Their fast could be more than 20 days for females and over 50 days for males.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uwDhR9G_a30/WoiYNpnWj3I/AAAAAAAAyG0/wOXRBCl4gcs-1tUIy-3V8wIrHMsUVno2wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-11-%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SJNGCBmeKwI/WoiYOmadteI/AAAAAAAAyG4/eFE5Y6q9XiIOtb5Wg2XTPh6IU3a5t02HwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-11-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SJnjceIG8Ww/WoiYP5eMU1I/AAAAAAAAyG8/4DRnMKTVmOMQgsYLw3DVmQQxwM7DJXq3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-11-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUs8BGtkBTM/WoiYQr4zT5I/AAAAAAAAyHA/B28MzkkIKGITHuzcG3iErmcdvEvJLvf-QCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-11-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>At the onset of the breeding season, the hormone levels of male changed. When they arrived on the colony, they competed for space nearest to the cows. It was one, long continuous battle to keep the other males away. There were a few scraps when another male tress-passed their territory. There were plenty of body slapping on the mud. A bull can’t risk going to feed, because if he does, he might not be able to re-establish himself again. During mating, a bull laid to one side of the cow with a flipper draped across her. It would last less than 45 minutes. After mating, they dispersed. This bull was having some crazy wet dreams<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dy3xyQ0FcM/WoiYRJyrlWI/AAAAAAAAyHE/YN6K3r8y6F4V7DnUmpm_KtK3NkZOp4vrgCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-03hhSjbSSkE/WoiYSJSRGII/AAAAAAAAyHI/t7BTcOevTk8Ho0J9gOTINheOjXbAnH7agCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-02-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GeYJ20ZPsaQ/WoiYTXOe9_I/AAAAAAAAyHM/lKgq97TtUkQEbJCgZEhO_8Oy-anaOmEkgCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-02-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We didn’t see any births but there must had been a few earlier because there were plenty of afterbirths laying around with pups still stained from the yellow amniotic fluid. They were relatively helpless and shrivelled, and relied totally on their mother’s milk for 16-21 days. The milk was more than 50% fat, and the pups grew very quickly into little barrel shapes, depositing a thick layer of blubber to protect them from the cold. During this period of intensive care, the mother lost 65 kg of her own body weight. When she was forced to return to the sea to feed, the pup remained at the breeding ground for another 2 weeks before hunger forced them to head out to sea to feed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3guJ6wfVClU/WoiYUVlqsCI/AAAAAAAAyHQ/SfvwiAoU-zs8vqCYf4aC64PmjsMwSXiVgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UV90uax6cKw/WoiYVD5n55I/AAAAAAAAyHU/_lk9F0lIiLA2GEbk1EguKgixbQQ9B1olQCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We noticed chaos out on the mudflats by the sea, as waders and wildfowls were being flushed by raptors such as Merlins, Marsh Harriers and Kestrels . On the mudflats, among the dunes, slacks and inter-tidal areas characterised by sedges and rushes, there were large flocks of Golden Plovers, Shelducks Lapwings, Knots and Dunlins feeding. Unfortunately, their presence attracted these raptors regularly flushing them into several full air displays, swirling around before settling down again to feed. Closer to the seal colony, Turnstones and Starlings as well as large Gulls were happy to grab a bit of protein from the discarded afterbirth.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27HiM1g2waY/WoiYV3UW8lI/AAAAAAAAyHY/tzn6YL2OFIgwU-zbj6UkLopMgCoRsLMLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-38-"><img width="549" height="484" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vZWpxvRug70/WoiYW50LF0I/AAAAAAAAyHc/R4cPexY8WBUJPbA7NIW-q2FfQTvmewcegCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-38-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Starlings were roaming about, wheeling through the sky before mobbing the grassy areas in noisy flocks. We could hear s their non-stop chattering and bickering as they foraged on the mud-flats. They were working their way, moving in a slight zig-zag line and seeming to hurry as they stabbed their bills into the ground every step or two. If one found something interesting, the others would fly in and started squabbling. Although they were resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, Starlings were dazzling birds. Covered in white spots during winter, they turned dark and glossy in summer. The sky was quite clear allowing the sunlight to display all the amazing oil slick colours of their plumage. Suddenly, something spooked them and whoosh they dispersed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1Q9lOPoggs/WoiYX5VzSCI/AAAAAAAAyHg/wYE9D2Mp-g07XUqDpuuLOfuQG0L9A0BkACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OPLMz5DYqOE/WoiYYw61HII/AAAAAAAAyHk/C7lPYJgTG8oCQ-fqZqXuxmMrezxMy3GRgCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5cWeu9RKr3Q/WoiYZxrWupI/AAAAAAAAyHo/4egryLjwYcgqQLxH4imPT0BqL23OlxBgACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yfpgw-ZmPZ8/WoiYbZedZyI/AAAAAAAAyHs/2_dFIcV_7tsYOLUg6lWbLinVOERxLI8cQCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i7sio9F21p4/WoiYc0jmR-I/AAAAAAAAyHw/sNgkbiRzRCIorar9FIgAicPRQziwMK9UACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lz2URiwDuXo/WoiYd_3uANI/AAAAAAAAyH0/5tf2nrgOcTsgDSVZTs2r69ED0rJjU84KwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-12-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We heard the thrumming of the Chinook again although the crews called the sound of the twin rotor as wokka-wokka. I think this must have caused the Starlings to fly off. The sound was predominantly low frequency dominated by the sound of the two rotors. The aircraft had an unmistakeable sound which you could hear well before you spot it. I found it interesting that all the American Army helicopters were named either Indian Tribe names, or Indian Tribe Chief’s names. What a fantastic way to honour the natives who fought bravely for what they thought was right. After doing its practice run, it disappeared back to RAF Odiham.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j5MeJiiy2eg/WoiYevhbXpI/AAAAAAAAyH4/RzU49Wg-0HcB4D9cLYoAyPltUIIzZ-bDACHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l19D_Rv41gc/WoiYfQa1EwI/AAAAAAAAyH8/QM0XLoscjGImbftxnd68DfmtvuvtW-5RQCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-10-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The radio scanner cackled and we heard some very loud rumblings overhead. A flawless grey machine appeared in the horizon and zoomed across the sea. It was an Airbus A400 Atlas, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft. Along with the transport role, the aircraft performed aerial refuelling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment. Operated by 2 pilots and a Weapon Systems Operator, it had the ability to carry a 25-tonne payload over 2,000nmto established and remote civilian and military airfields, or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared strips. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DP5TWxe0Fs/WoiYf6DBZFI/AAAAAAAAyIA/LIR94o2U-HgmhmeUMUOzQJo_x0ck2gRzQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D800-DX-T--24-11-2017-12-"><img width="644" height="433" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UaKx4zoPRbo/WoiYgt5zMwI/AAAAAAAAyIE/VHZd4ewmO4EyLb_09ZAj4IzWtS4xHAouwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D800-DX-T--24-11-2017-12-%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lB-4_Bc1j0M/WoiYhQ2eCiI/AAAAAAAAyII/d98krjSCKpgZ7WDqb0YQoBSAC5pIEhrhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-12-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3HCCJbaH6w0/WoiYh41EEcI/AAAAAAAAyIM/wI7WX5D9h6YaTNmQAnje8-gTdD4GwHaSACHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-12-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ETEUZs2luc/WoiYio1Ha2I/AAAAAAAAyIQ/_17Lu3gaZf8yQ3fp5rSfIFUOC8LBMLfEgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-01-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nnfszp3TUFQ/WoiYjd7OxHI/AAAAAAAAyIU/N2ZIYm5FeP8JPCZ8xn8niA1-fSDvJAMMACHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-12-01-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We were chuffed to see the lasers from the aircraft. The beach had multiple targets on it and markers denoting the range and distance and between targets,. The aim of the pilot was to fly at a designated height and speed fire their laser to the target, then pulled up and bank off, over the sea. The practice went on for quite some time. I wished the aircraft demonstrated its air-to-air refuelling capability which would be amazing to watch. A few visitors stopped to have a chat when they saw that Babe had the scanner. We’d some interesting conversations. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J1LzR1jZxmw/WoiYj90lA9I/AAAAAAAAyIY/YJD56D4cNe0zWSWEPmMarneJ5aaKmzkLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-13-%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pdfBJRbAjsc/WoiYktf2KcI/AAAAAAAAyIc/ckso4jos3s4VVXUdD0kfsyONT9OyNtnYwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-13-?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-whCURPzqsCM/WoiYlafoiBI/AAAAAAAAyIg/coCeUy6Py_0Qc8SfC56gnKvLF_lyuZNIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-13-%255B1%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4spp9YnwJMg/WoiYmH7kCQI/AAAAAAAAyIk/JW9zMY6mI3EG1j0Lu875PHDKpGK9wUgPgCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D7200-C13--24-11-2017-13-%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The wildlife were unfazed by the planes and the flares. They were used to it as Donna Nook was an active military range since WWW1 and was established as a protection point from Zeppelins trying to enter the Humber area. The seals didn’t even bat an eyelid. A flock of Brent Geese were flying were flying around when the practice was taking place. Redshanks and Meadow pipits were foraging on the mudflats among the sleeping seals, picking up flies, sandhoppers and other small creatures hidden amongst the tangle of seaweed, pebble and driftwood. Large charm of Goldfinches were feeding on the teasels while Pied wagtails were strutting about. Acres of scrub on the dunes glowed with orange sea buckthorn, food to the migratory birds. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CwnPikbfLK0/WoiYmx204aI/AAAAAAAAyIo/XZ58gRiEScYwbEJ-bcMnjoqVZRXzXLxsQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-26-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sODlSvETRII/WoiYnkaSbtI/AAAAAAAAyIs/xsdhF8TptjIIZGbz_FHW0iJc6aFTKJPmwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-11-26-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We continued walking towards the end of the viewing area. We saw a crowd and checked out what they were looking at. It was a black seal pup, our first sighting ever. Black seal pups were uncommon but not unusual. According to the wardens, a few were born every year but they were not seen by visitors because they weren’t close to the fence. Black pups were born with the same white ‘lanugo’ coat as all the other pups. The black colouration became visible at the first moult when the pup was 2-3 weeks old. The cause was most likely to be genetic, similar to the black rabbits. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wi2mU8D1Uqo/WoiYooBqivI/AAAAAAAAyIw/Q9mJbQejackT8luCbapyCqeKjAskDdVCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-50-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yQ4BlRktLDg/WoiYpZcMZWI/AAAAAAAAyI0/N_1YMRYx35w5EPrE5w9Oyz5l6ukXt7PSwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-50-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QU6tb1NT_2w/WoiYqaYfARI/AAAAAAAAyI4/ggcXDUZjHXUczOf4aSHDs8my7dE1kTWyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-59-%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q-pBRkZwG8U/WoiYrIxgSzI/AAAAAAAAyI8/IBIM47A1H6EHvmyDfBGjtq3ksD8hwxwBwCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-59-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then it was a slow walk back to the car. We stopped and took hundreds more photographs which was a challenge because more people were pouring in. I couldn’t imagine the numbers on the weekend when the narrow lanes, car park and viewing area became very congested. We said our good-byes to the seals as this was our last trip for 2017. By January, the viewing area will be empty as all the seal pups had returned to the sea. We wished them a safe journey and hoped to see them again, same time next year, insyallah. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9CAE0w1VAC4/WoiYsP80d3I/AAAAAAAAyJA/Io48T1q7QLwYFBUtFakHUWgH7V2oybiUQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-04-"><img width="644" height="434" title="Donna Nook - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Donna Nook - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cBjubpOGYBg/WoiYs6JEsbI/AAAAAAAAyJE/h9f-FoVcvNAb4XRTpGusAsTmnJyZH_O9wCHMYCw/Donna-Nook-D3100b--24-11-2017-10-04-%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After the long drive, the next day we went for an easy stroll at Middleton Lakes to stretch our legs. We stopped on the boardwalk overlooking the heronry. At the moment, it was very quiet and will be a real hive of activity from January to July as the herons began nesting on the 33 nests. But the bird-feeder was buzzing. There were three feeders full of peanuts and sunflower hearts and they were taking turns to feed on it. The Great Spotted Woodpecker monopolised the ones with peanuts while the others squabble among themselves. There were Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Great and Blue tits. Under the feeders, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins and Wood pigeons were feasting on the seeds that had fallen onto the ground.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5lTA6LMJTg/WoiYtmUZqAI/AAAAAAAAyJI/qZHjVV6pPu4ifmTfGgWd-h5tVtdXuxQqACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D3100b--26-11-20%255B3%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tD7Y8qW4bgc/WoiYusiBntI/AAAAAAAAyJM/rgXHzjkIcAccQqMQBB6majdsffCe5YgxwCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D3100b--26-11-20%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Then, we walked along the bridleway that wound gently through the ancient woodlands. At the moment the Bluebells and Wild garlic were still sleeping. The forest was alive with bird-songs but they were hidden deep in the woods. We stopped at Pooh Stick Bridge and on the tree-stump, there were a pile of pellets, seeds and mealworms that had been left by visitors. Robins, Blue and Great tits were flying in and out to feed. We waited patiently and a Nuthatch appeared.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0ax4HimzNs/WoiYvqqej-I/AAAAAAAAyJQ/P3Aes3fHAvMNEw2OcsOUaRb8G-gU0_vTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B7%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wd4ZKMIta0Q/WoiYwYyw4vI/AAAAAAAAyJU/wpMifkoXFbUKbSY_abYZjWaRiV-fsNBPgCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B19%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Nuthatches were often seen descending head-first and hanging upside down beneath twigs and branches, perched up on their feet with bodies and tails held well clear. They foraged for insects hidden in or under bark by climbing along tree trunks and branches. Their habit of wedging a large food item in a crevice and then hacking at it with their strong bills gave them their name. This Nuthatch displayed considerable aggression when other birds flew in to feed, chasing them away. With its sinister-looking black stripe around its head, it was the most Zorro-esque bird in existence<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dy3xyQ0FcM/WoiYRJyrlWI/AAAAAAAAyHE/YN6K3r8y6F4V7DnUmpm_KtK3NkZOp4vrgCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xtyLD6rjWzg/WoiYxb93MVI/AAAAAAAAyJY/TewHmkYogbUzW1Th2iR0P6jTro_g267NgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B8%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EfQhk1EYbDM/WoiYyNRk_cI/AAAAAAAAyJc/rymlzs3PQJAUx4-ysgFi2Xik-HX_5JRvACHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One of the birds that flew in to feed was a Coal tit. with its distinctive grey back, black cap and white patch at the back of its neck with pinkie/orange underparts. The flight was fast and flitting, zipping in to snatch a seed and flying off to feed in the nearby bushes. When food was plentiful, they hoarded it by hiding all over the place so that they could feed when times were harder. Unfortunately, they don’t remember all the locations in which they hid the food, often resulting in seeds germinating in the most unlikely places. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eVVx-1pfMoU/WoiYy491tzI/AAAAAAAAyJg/n0g2tMY7Jq06TZOSrj2eS46Kj63cU1cfQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B17%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wsG2DA6ldk/WoiYzRzFTCI/AAAAAAAAyJk/bL66lfm0WiwfpLCIqC4qgAZgtIjmF7VfQCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We left the birds to their party and continued on. On Fisher’s Mill Pool, Greylags, Mute swans, Canada Geese, Wigeons, Mallards and Gulls were enjoying the sunshine. A few Great Crested Grebes were in their winter colours. We stopped at the first viewpoint overlooking the Jubilee Wetlands. It was very quiet except for a couple of Coots foraging. A herd of Konik ponies feeding on the West Scrape were busy munching helping to keep the habitat just right for the wildlife. They helped create and maintained a diverse landscape, encouraging biodiversity as they closely cropped some areas of grassland leaving other areas untouched.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P6s7ajVm-7A/WoiY0mI4UsI/AAAAAAAAyJo/OchAoEXdYTEGyjWH_MOy_3t5-hfq5476ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B16%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-htoB8nFZ0Jw/WoiY1mpNUDI/AAAAAAAAyJs/_IYXrQs8xd8Tl6u9dBDEBy8IaJRwTugyQCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We walked along the very muddy seasonal trail on the lookout for Stonechats which used to hang out on the fences. But they were nowhere to be seen. We walked on and crossed the footbridge over the River Tame that was opened in summer 2014 towards Dosthill Park nature reserve. This Park was originally part of a country estate and was declared a nature reserve in 2010. We took a break at one of the viewing screens overlooking the lake. A large flock of Greylags had just flew in. A Little Egret was feeding on one of the islands but too far to photograph. The views of the hillside were spectacular. The oak trees shone like burnished copper and all the various shades of yellow and amber and red in the woods and hedgerows were lit where the low beams of sunlight touched them. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPguPheAcBw/WoiY2dPf0KI/AAAAAAAAyJw/4hhoJVCryasVTXwknuMQgev5iH8y2iCCACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B10%255D"><img width="644" height="304" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XOhvEMuq7Cw/WoiY3K_E4AI/AAAAAAAAyJ0/ydpc2NELshATjjZvje0l58vMaxIi-EROwCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We planned to walk round the 12 hectares park one day when we have the energy or when we could find the entrance to the park. It was quite a long walk if you park at Middleton Lake. We slowly made our way back to the car-park following the wetland trail. A white bird was seen flying over the Jubilee Wetlands and at first we thought it was a Mute Swan, then a Little Egret but it was too big. We thought it might be a Great Egret, a bird that I wanted to see for ages. I would love to check it out but Babe was getting tired. There had been numerous sightings here and we will definitely come again.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xsH4HEHoM3w/WoiY3-SrZRI/AAAAAAAAyJ4/Pyt3-uk_WhcQPJcInh8PCkJRKN-P__BTACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B2%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MUNAumNEnbE/WoiY4vD233I/AAAAAAAAyJ8/5szXUV8TwlwEq6vJ9N2F0w1jqg4eeXUywCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>When we walked over Fisher’s Mill Bridge that spanned over the tranquil Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, we heard the familiar high-pitched call ‘sree-sree-sree-sree’. A flock of Goldcrest was flitting amongst the foliage foraging for tiny morsels like spiders and moth eggs. They fed towards the tip of the branches or in tree crowns, often hovering in front of spiders’ web. Their beaks had evolved to be thin and pointed, a tough and able instrument with which to pick out insects from among dense pine needles. Once known as the golden-crested wren, they were not only Britain’s smallest bird, but the smallest in the western Palearctic. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w_TSiTMbf6A/WoiY56IQHFI/AAAAAAAAyKA/YoMes_sDqtA2-pHyKmLfzCDrkuZGbi-XACHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="433" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U5pkTU8bEw4/WoiY6g6eouI/AAAAAAAAyKE/pGGX6IPYb-wc6XAhGXb94s1XGZrwM-w7gCHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D7200-C13--26-11%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As we walked past the Rookery, a large flock of Rooks were beginning to arrive, some gliding, some tumbling, all of them cawing loudly as they got ready for the night, The air smelt of wood-smoke from the nearby farm. There was the ‘chink, chink’ of Blackbirds loudly announcing their intention for the night. I stopped by the feeder and a few birds were still having their dinner, including two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. I waited to see if any Little Egret would fly in to roost at the heronry but nobody turned up except for 2 herons. Babe saw 2 Little Egrets flying past the opposite direction. I guess there must be another roosting place somewhere. We left the reserve when there was a lurid, violet glow and the odd slash of crimson in the sky.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6EcdrM4Rlbc/WoiY7ssPTHI/AAAAAAAAyKI/bs7kl_z6SC84R1bG69wolGygPgdPfAJ0QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D3100b--26-11-20%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="RSPB Middleton Lakes - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fpGB5KmIMA/WoiY8YQJonI/AAAAAAAAyKM/y8pexAH835IJGV8JQ-omk8IbzrwAHgSZACHMYCw/Middleton-Hall-RSPB-D3100b--26-11-20%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> </p><p>We made another trip to our favourite playground to end the month. We spent quite sometime at Baldwin Hide because it had been a hive of activity especially the corner by the island. We scanned the trees overhanging the water and spotted a Kingfisher perched on a branch, looking intently into the lake. It perched patiently, on the lookout for any tell-tale movements in the water below. When it spotted a fish, it made a split-second assessment of its depth and precise location and dived in, bill-first, into the water, With eyes closed and beak half-open,it seized the slippery prey and carried it back to the perch. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FlDtZ1Wq3_U/WoiY9dn45SI/AAAAAAAAyKQ/QfkecK3MdrUgMxkqlLauwsCb2e67YYpLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-34-013%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5KtoofwYbN8/WoiY-Ju-GgI/AAAAAAAAyKU/ZD49ZbItOFg7tis4xLb51FOBU1B3whNgACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-34-013_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Once the fish was caught, it was stunned before swallowing it head first. Though fish formed a main part of a Kingfisher’s diet, they also ate aquatic insects, ranging from dragonfly nymphs to water beetle. After several successful attempts, it flew off into the channel, a flash of blue in flight, with its distinctive flight call, a shrill whistle trailing behind it. They flew at only one pace, fast and straight but could hover when fishing.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XUTO7V6FxGo/WoiY_jEX1jI/AAAAAAAAyKY/gaOwUxWeRyMSHJ8yLVHD26pZdMedCZiugCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-34-024%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_uNcRub3LsU/WoiZAab6EJI/AAAAAAAAyKc/u254Q607y9AS4P4B7wu4WNjvNrq3ihkfgCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-34-024_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A male Pochard swam past with its distinctive bright-reddish brown head, a black breast and tail and a pale grey body. The females were easily confused with other species as they were brown with a greyish body and pale cheeks. These ducks were migratory, leaving their summer territories in Russia and Scandinavia, where they bred in marshes and lakes with a metre or more water depth. They fed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with mollusks, aquatic insects and small fishes. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tDQZkp-b6CA/WoiZBhmXOhI/AAAAAAAAyKg/ZNZwoXS3iakn0xQgbHCKeLJubUYA-62_ACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-47-32%255B5%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9kVLRl2aB2s/WoiZCe-LwQI/AAAAAAAAyKk/-zk1ldByNPIysE1gvB3yNLH8NJ2EIE9bQCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-47-32_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A pair of Golden Eyes was also in the vicinity. The handsome male was striking with a greenish black domed head and a circular white patch in front of the yellow eye. The female was smaller, and was mottled grey with a chocolate brown head. They were a medium-sized diving duck with a compact, chunky appearance due to their short neck, round body, and a short, grey-black bill. They foraged mostly underwater, rarely by dabbling or up-ending. They fed on small fishes, crustaceans, aquatic insects and plants. They were busy diving for food and in such calm waters, their splashing gave them away.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z_6UFiryKr8/WoiZDCkcwRI/AAAAAAAAyKo/f8t_Gyux9jMToRESkw3gjwixSwx6l4sbQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-55-45%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UtK2wpYm9E/WoiZD_GBm-I/AAAAAAAAyKs/v5YLTCRkt4gEy4FiMC6u-oeUXeN9penGACHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-55-45_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was still early for them to think of mating when the male would display by stretching the head backward against the back and then popping it forward. They were quite ducks, only occasionally emitting a faint ’krr’ or a loud ‘zee-zee’. In flight, their wings produced a whistling or rattling sound, giving rise to the species alternative name ‘whistler’. A large area of white on the inner wing was visible during flight. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GbcjcmX_Nyw/WoiZE2scmtI/AAAAAAAAyKw/W_QBQrdZDmQ1CV6C6Qa1Kq13pKOTtcRhgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-55-17%255B4%255D"><img width="629" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Npsiu8hRFec/WoiZFukTitI/AAAAAAAAyK0/6J2yqvykWtUic7YFfEh0Sy61EKVqQytUgCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-55-17_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o0I0T2nKx3M/WoiZGI82ykI/AAAAAAAAyK4/j96RusSZ8y8oGcHMHyCDB1oVdrG9HS59QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-58-01%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rw8wA0biZmE/WoiZHO8QDXI/AAAAAAAAyK8/ere3BBLzqkIO3o-EnhRcOnJFSpV7wcGsQCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B14-58-01_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>A flock of Cormorants joined in the party when 5 of them turned up together. It was quite eerie to see them, an almost primitive appearance with their long necks making them appeared reptilian. There was a hint of dinosaur about them with their wing feathers like scales, startling emerald eyes, agitated head movements and the confident demeanour of a consummate predator. They swam quite low with their bills raised.I could see why they were regarded as black, sinister and greedy because they were supreme fishers which brought them into conflict with anglers and had been persecuted in the past. Known to anglers as the Black Death, they were killing machines, swimming underwater for 2 minutes and diving 80 feet to hunt for fish.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pQATkADTwbM/WoiZH_D2bHI/AAAAAAAAyLA/DIrIp_8C9qQFJGWTDNxdU7lptSvnEghVACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-35-031%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYUHiVMWPpY/WoiZIl0aDJI/AAAAAAAAyLE/n9FLif1nJTk1Kdfv8xvotGYiqUE_Utw-QCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-35-031_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The icing on the cake was when a pair of Little Egrets flew onto the island. This tiny island looked like the airport terminal with birds, ducks and waders flying past. We were quite surprised to see them together because they don’t tolerate others coming to close to their chosen feeding site. They were seen in flocks when roosting in trees or flying to roost. The liveliest hunters among the herons, they fed by walking through water and snapping at prey, or by running and agitating the water with their feet to disturb prey, flushing them into the open where the sharp-eyed bird could strike at them. They were highly dependent on visual cues when hunting and their feeding was highly affected if the water was not clear. They fed primarily on small fish, but bivalves, crustaceans, and other invertebrates were also consumed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d0tv1FXJshQ/WoiZJTHFKRI/AAAAAAAAyLI/4qw4Q-89z2oX5CLId-BACd4Oi8gbMwD6wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-41-033%255B4%255D"><img width="538" height="484" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rgesLBUPZvU/WoiZKB0XO_I/AAAAAAAAyLM/QymjKmhuuZ8fhHwSo_6akctMkJQv3rG7gCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-41-033_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>These silent waders first arrived in the UK in the 1950s and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Colonisation of Norfolk began during the 1990s and the species was now a well established and increasing breeding resident. They were easy to identify with their white bodies and fluffy snowy plumes on their crest and back. Their flight was slow with intermittent gliding on rounded wings, head and long neck retracted, feet extending beyond the tail. Although silent, they made various croaking and bubbling calls at their breeding colonies and produced a harsh alarm call when disturbed.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DN1G0hTLXak/WoiZK4aE2HI/AAAAAAAAyLQ/22fsB0vJLI8EzjY4VzTZqLej62E0__d2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-35-063%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71U6WF8RcNA/WoiZLoPp0tI/AAAAAAAAyLU/gB_Q-sycqiAS2BvWjIsu7bw-8SxLZd79QCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-35-063_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>After rattling off hundreds of photographs, we left the hide to check out East Marsh. A single Common Snipe was feeding on the mudflat right below the hide. It was so close that we could clearly see its short greenish-grey leg and a very long straight dark bill. The body was mottled brown with straw-yellow stripes on top and pale underneath. It had a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below it. The wings were pointed. It was a well camouflaged bird, shy and concealed itself close to ground vegetation It was busy foraging in soft mud, probing or picking up food by sight. It mainly ate insects and earthworms, also some plant material. We didn’t check the other hides and decided to head home. It had been a long day.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lM_hnKxeO38/WoiZM71McgI/AAAAAAAAyLY/kYXNxFXIvGE58SUxbWy0XraFnV57lJsAACHMYCw/s1600-h/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-11-022%255B4%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Brandon Marsh - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Brandon Marsh - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sfXSf1kayTU/WoiZNkjGxCI/AAAAAAAAyLc/H9Dh-57QLP0_bBg3pWZXvW_4Mrr24QtxQCHMYCw/Brandon%2BMArsh%2BD7200%2BX14%2BC13%2B%2B28-11-2017%2B15-11-022_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>I ended the month by checking out a new restaurant in Earlsdon with my colleague, LJ. Street was opened in 2015, breathing new life into the vacant HSBC building specialising in Asian street food. We went there after work on a balmy Friday evening and we were their first customer, but not for long. We were seated in a fixed canteen style table. Mood lighting added ambience to the surroundings. Our waitress arrived promptly and I ordered the yaki udon with seafood and a pot of steaming Chinese green tea. I was impressed that the tea was loose-leaf which was a good sign. The food arrived quickly and it was delicious. It was also a nice touch to supply the sauces in test tubes with rubber bungs. Free chocolates arrived with the bill which was always a crowd pleaser. I would come again although the menu was quite limited. I didn’t take any photograph because I’d forgotten to bring my camera which wasn’t the norm<img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dy3xyQ0FcM/WoiYRJyrlWI/AAAAAAAAyHE/YN6K3r8y6F4V7DnUmpm_KtK3NkZOp4vrgCHMYCw/wlEmoticon-smile2?imgmax=800"> Instead here’s a handsome Great tit demolishing the fat-balls from our garden.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFAlprXNcoc/WoiZOSUjlnI/AAAAAAAAyLg/3hDlVZ_MCcYBVIAgkqVxlMtkbLsbYT9ngCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2017-1%255B6%255D"><img width="644" height="434" title="Coventry - November" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Coventry - November" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cIll-at3NWk/WoiZPIJDCCI/AAAAAAAAyLk/OUA96KoLOF0Qys7eOMgL5ExeX1-k55NZACHMYCw/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2017-1_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><br></p><p>*Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CvzC1ipFYAA/WoiZQeiiJ-I/AAAAAAAAyLo/iN7Jc1i3OVk1VzN1AmjzJTZQlKoLau3BwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coventry-D7200-X14-C13--19-11-2017-1%255B1%255D"><br></a></p>Kevin and Serihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400198514673913656noreply@blogger.com0