Well I know we are technically out of Europe, but I don’t
feel any different. Heard a few
fireworks in Allestree at 11.00pm on January 31, but that was it. I suppose
when I think about it, 47 years ago was the start of a long drawn out period of
progression and change to get where we were last Friday. I suppose not
everything has to change, because no doubt most of the changes don’t need
altering back anyway, but I can’t help wondering what will change.
Can we go back to having curved bananas, and can a costermonger
show prices in pounds and ounces? Will
it matter? Am I bovered? Time will tell.
But coming to today, how does it feel to know that you,
dear reader, are one of 67 million UK people who will be alive on one of the
very rare palindromic dates, this time…
O202 2020
Second February 2020.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Heather, the environmental journalist at the
Daily Telegraph continues to publish interesting birding news developments.
Thanks to a very mild January some bird species have been
laying their eggs earlier this year thereby aligning with the abundant numbers
of insects that warm weather also encourages.
The main beneficiaries are Blue, Great and Long-tail tits,
and I must agree that I do seem to have seen more Tits than usual.
Conversely, 2019 was a poor year for Blackbirds, Dunnocks
and Robins. Numbers were the worst for 40 years
A friend of many years’ standing was bemoaning the lack
of variety in the birds he sees in his now home country in mid-France. Last
month with his family, they returned to France after a short UK visit and straight
away he added a new species to his life list, this very handsome Great White
Egret. It was in a field 150 metres from his house and whilst it does not have quite
the biggest kink in the neck it is quite clearly a Great. Greats are about 50%
bigger than a Little.
This enables them to apply the best
conservation efforts and action to protect birds such as Kittiwake, Guillemots,
Razorbills and Shags.
Sunday 2nd February 2020 time for a palindromic bird walk at
Carsington with Amanda. Not the best start as at 10.00am it was raining, so
Amanda did the walk in the reverse order, and took the c16 birders to the wildlife
centre. This worked well as those new to birding had good close up views of a
number of birds, including a large number of Snipe, Goldeneye, Barnacle Geese
and the Willow Tits that were very visible on the feeding station (and elsewhere).
At about 11 o’clock the weather and the light improved
and the whole group went to “do” Stones Island.
This plan had a life threatening sorry, enhancing experience for one of the
regular birders. Having seen a Firecrest on one occasion, he had never seen the
less rare Goldcrest. Well he did to-day, in spades! Not sure how many there
were but Goldcrests were quite active and visible at a decent height, and not
surprising that it was Bird of the Day for the group.
Considering the weather, it was hugely satisfying for Amanda
to tell the group that she had a list of 44 species…. And that did not include
a Peregrine that flew through at such a lick that only 2/3 saw it…..as is often
the way!
As you will see, sorry you won’t see, I have no additions
to my year list this week. With Slimbridge in mind with Chris on Tuesday, and a
forthcoming spell further afield, I just hope!!! The lull before the storm??
And finally, the QI for the week. 128 years ago in
1892,the longest ever boxing match - 77 rounds, in
Illinois, USA between Harry Sharpe & Frank Crosby
Happy Birding
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