Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Well, thank goodness that's over. And what better way to celebrate the new year than with some really rubbish photos? I'd just started the list with 29 whooper swans this morning, when two black grouse went flying high over the plantations, heading south-east.
I took a walk a little way up the track, and soon after passing through the gate in the deer fence I flushed a male which flew off through the trees; a rather russety female stayed put for a while until she, too, flapped unhurriedly away.
Back in the village and feeling lazy, I drove along West Shore Street and sat in my car in the turning circle. Beyond the great grey slabs of rock that form the sea-defence I spotted a red-throated diver and a guillemot.
The sight of guillemots or other auks this close to land makes me uneasy; it often means they're in trouble. I got out for a few minutes and walked over to the rocks; and as I suspected, the diver and the guillemot melted away. Four drake goosanders came snorkelling round the end of the spit, became gradually aware of me, and paddled off with many a backward look.
// posted by Christine @ 11:11 AM 
