JANUARY
Well hello again .... apologies for this shortened report but the year has not started well for us ... struck down with one of the apparently "clever" viral bugs that evade the annual Covid and flu jabs. Only now beginning to feel 100% after more than 3 weeks of sickness and general lethargy. Almost certainly given to us by another infected restaurant guest ... probably unwittingly .. so doubly frustrating as we try to be careful and follow all the usual guidelines religiously.
Enough of our problem start to the year .. hardly important against a backdrop of extraordinary world events.
I managed to undertake the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch hour yesterday .. almost "armchair" birding through the kitchen window in comfortable warm conditions. All the usual suspects but in our case below the national average .. 19 species against 28 last year. However, it did include a pair of Moorhen displaying only 20 feet away ... a species not even on the standard RSPB list so I was really pleased. Disappointed not to record Great-spotted Woodpecker but my forced confinement has meant that I have neglected re-filling the peanut holder and the usual daily visitor gave us a miss. The extra loud Chip call was a sign that she was distinctly not a happy bunny! You just cannot please all of the birds all of the time.
Yesterday we found the Thornham Estate Walks near Gislingham . .exactly 16 miles door to door and only 30 minutes drive from Sapiston. (Note - Pay & Display car parking). Nice Café/Restaurant and 12 miles of walking paths taking in a superb walled garden (weekdays) and woodland rides .. even a small bird hide overlooking a lake and marsh area. Large playground for the children. Swathes of Snowdrops already carpeting the glades and many interesting wood carvings. It will be wonderful in Spring and I strongly recommend a visit. Dog friendly as well.
Next month I will be opening up the tit boxes (plugged due to unwanted interest by over wintering queen Hornets) and then I can at least sense that Spring is on its way ... hopefully ... roll on!
Brian Taylor
Enough of our problem start to the year .. hardly important against a backdrop of extraordinary world events.
I managed to undertake the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch hour yesterday .. almost "armchair" birding through the kitchen window in comfortable warm conditions. All the usual suspects but in our case below the national average .. 19 species against 28 last year. However, it did include a pair of Moorhen displaying only 20 feet away ... a species not even on the standard RSPB list so I was really pleased. Disappointed not to record Great-spotted Woodpecker but my forced confinement has meant that I have neglected re-filling the peanut holder and the usual daily visitor gave us a miss. The extra loud Chip call was a sign that she was distinctly not a happy bunny! You just cannot please all of the birds all of the time.
Yesterday we found the Thornham Estate Walks near Gislingham . .exactly 16 miles door to door and only 30 minutes drive from Sapiston. (Note - Pay & Display car parking). Nice Café/Restaurant and 12 miles of walking paths taking in a superb walled garden (weekdays) and woodland rides .. even a small bird hide overlooking a lake and marsh area. Large playground for the children. Swathes of Snowdrops already carpeting the glades and many interesting wood carvings. It will be wonderful in Spring and I strongly recommend a visit. Dog friendly as well.
Next month I will be opening up the tit boxes (plugged due to unwanted interest by over wintering queen Hornets) and then I can at least sense that Spring is on its way ... hopefully ... roll on!
Brian Taylor