Keep calm and carry on

The first day of the year also saw my first day of undertaking the Beddington Sewage Farm botanical survey. It sounds rather grander than it really is - it's just me wandering all over the farm for the next twelve months making a list of the species present and commenting on their status and where they can be found. There is going to be one drawback however, and that is that when I am looking down at plants I cannot also be looking up at birds. Because of this, as I was photographing the Annual Mercury (pictured above) a skein of 25 White-fronted Geese flew over my head. A text alert had me frantically scanning the skies, but to no avail. It is just as well that with my new-found zen-like state of being I was able to accept this with calm and grace ...bollocks!!

My birding highlights included a Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, a Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail and 3 Water Pipits. But no geese, no Goosander (a drake flew over) and no Firecrest (not seen today after two being present yesterday).

Comments

Tricia Ryder said…
What about a periscope so you have down and up vision ;)

Happy New Year Steve.....
1 January 2011 at 20:31
Steve Gale said…
Hi Tricia, can you design one for me? Happy New Year to you too.
1 January 2011 at 20:48
Tricia Ryder said…
I'll see what I can come with Steve.... ;)
1 January 2011 at 20:55
Gavin Haig said…
I am grippingly happy to relate that I have seen a skein of Whitefronts over Beddington. Mind you, I was dipping a Killdeer at the time...
1 January 2011 at 21:45
Steve Gale said…
Ouch, Gavin! Your ability to grip someone off 27 years after the event is admirable. Had I seen the Killdeer I could have acted all nonchalantly. However...
2 January 2011 at 14:51
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