18th February 2012
Just a few words...
I'm still here; still sitting around watching the starlings and wood pigeons. I've done my best to keep my list for 2021 moving along - but at a true snail's pace! I've not taken any pictures for ages I'm afraid. In some ways I can't wait to get out birding but in other ways I certainly will wait. First jab done over three weeks ago. Nationally it's an improving picture as long as we don't all relax and drop our guard too soon!
The year list? Well I've had a few nice sightings from home: buzzard; red kite; sparrowhawk. Kestrel, mallard and pheasant from my trip for the jab. Goldcrest, long-tailed tits in the garden and, pleasingly, good numbers of greenfinch. Total 34 birds this year. The worst start to any year but I'm quite proud of what I have managed to spot. I've certainly put the time in.
So, for the time being I shall leave you with a few oddments...
Two foxes seen every night in our garden on our Browning trailcam.
'Hoppy' the lame fox has been with us for a couple of years and has appeared with fully grown young foxes in the autumn. She obviously copes all right with her limp.
A couple of snow scenes from the middle of last month.
16mm scale model of the Tralee and Dingle Railway inspection car - model now complete [see the November blog] and motor fitted. Just need a son who is good at soldering to wire up 2 wires...then we'll inspect our own track!
Snowdrop galanthus 'Brenda Troyle' an early flowering large snowdrop.
I'm beginning to believe that something approaching normality can happen. So I hope to be back in touch before too long!