Patchy

Is what I've been; on updating, what I've seen, and indeed where I've been...

Work was a bugger last week. There was a lot of it, too. Joy, but what can you do? I did get to see an Apache, which was a) great! and b) my first in Devon. Also the first time I've bounced up on seeing something out of the window and actually then had co-workers not only looking too but interested! Shock!

Anyway, having dreadfully neglected the poor Patch last weekend - what with gallivanting off to weddings, recovering from same, and then twitching Roadrunners [ ;) ] - I decided to Be Good and give it what for. This I did on both Saturday and Sunday, with not only the standard checks and bashings for what might be about but also a survey of berry bushes for potential Waxwing sites. The latter came back very poorly, with the Rowans almost entirely stripped by ravening hordes of Blackbirds! The only decent bushes [ie. high enough and with a decent tree nearby to hold lurking Waxies] were Cotoneasters - not high on the favourites list previously.. Oh well, you never know - maybe Pine Grosbeaks love them...?? [Oh stop laughing..]

I don't have anything as spectacular as 40,000 Woodpigs, but there were still a few finches and pipits on the move. No Blyth's, alas, [[I did ask you to stop sniggering, didn't I?]] but Water was a fair substitute, stopping off briefly on the Nose before heading on. Heading the other way was a female Goosander and sat on the cliffs a surprising Grey Heron. I've not seen one on a cliff before... Also plenty of tit and 'crest bands around, with an Eyebrowed Git amongst one [very sneaky and didn't call - didn't look dull, though], again at the Nose. The Lower Meadow Stonechats had an especially hard time of it, not only being dreadfully harassed by a psychotic Robin, but also pursued by a deranged birder, muttering 'Show me yer arse...'  ;)

A few Gannets were loitering offshore, but the Guilles are gone again and no divers about here yet. Not a bird but great to see was a Daring class [[Yes, we now have more than one, so you need names and it was way too far out to get that with bins..]] passing by, nice to see the Navy has something modern that works. The sea was empty but for Shormorants on Sunday, but on Saturday a flock of 20 Common Scoter were loitering - I know their number exactly due to a couple of gulls, which flushed them and they amazingly took off in a neat line and could be counted!

Evidence in favour of staying at home came in the shape of a female type Blackstart, in the Garden after palm seeds on Saturday afternoon; this while I was in the Garden, playing with some chairs [long story]. I had my bins with me [but of course] but she was too wary to show well. The male has been hanging around, and has been more in evidence than the F-type [sorry]. EDIT: indeed, he's still around on Thursday!

So, many miles wandered for the odd Patch Yeartick and little hope of loitering Waxwings. That's birding, folks.


Finally...
Yesterday afternoon, I went for a wander about Mamhead with the Folks and Sister The Younger. The wind had picked up a bit and was starting to get some winter teeth, but it was still almost summery in the sunshine. It was pretty quiet, bird-wise, with more heard than seen [a couple of Siskin were the best of it, though some Goldcrests showed quite well]. Big event was LBD showing she could be let off the lead*! She's been getting gradually better, now when my parents walk her they can let her off in some places to chuck a ball - this gets number one priority of attention for Tilbury.

She was indeed very good; always coming back straight away when called, no messing, unlike many dogs you see [which don't have any excuses about being rescues who were never trained properly]. She had a whale of a time doing gazelle-style four foot bounces over ditches, tracking down all the animal runs, and even managed to find a ball. This is a talent of hers, she has a large collection she's brought back from ditches, bushes, beaches and even the odd river.. Sunday's ball was a deflated kiddies thing, not her preferred tennis, so only lasted about half a click before being discarded.

I kept my eyes open for passing migrants - in the past we've seen squadrons of winter thrushes coming low over the ridge there - but no joy. Still, it was a nice walk, and seeing Tilda Swindog - and Mum, watching her - so obviously happy was brilliant. Now if only we could somehow get every sheep, cow, pony, and trace thereof off the Moor.... ;)


EDIT: As I've been going on so much about her, here's a photo of the Little Black Hound Of Hell, on't Moor this summer;

 She loves it when a plan comes together.

[[*At least up on Haldon; in areas away from the dual carriageways, where there's room for her to run without meeting other dogs, and most importantly, there aren't any livestock. Or cats. Also, of course, when there aren't any birds nesting!]]