Institute of Astronomy: a great day in Cambridge.

Despite the grey, drizzly weather, the IoA was packed for the annual Science Festival open afternoon. Linda and I arrived in good time to set up and, after the doors opened at 2.00 pm, we didn't sit down until 6! As is always the case in Cambridge, there were lots of thoughtful questions to answer and plenty of enjoyable banter. A great day out!

Cambridge Institute of Astronomy: Science Week

Linda and I are dashing across to Cambridge today to participate in the outreach program at the Institute of Astronomy. This is part of Science Week in Cambridge, and is always a well-attended and enjoyable event. Sadly our friend Dr Carolin Crawford won't be organising this year's open afternoon, but we're hoping she'll pop in to say hello!

Our role is to chat to the public about meteorites, their origins and what they tell us about the formation of the Solar System. We also take along a display of over 1000 examples, all of which can be bought!

Linda and I really enjoy spending time at the IoA (it's in Madingley Road) and I've given quite a few talks there in the beautiful lecture theatre: here's one I did for the Society for Popular Astronomy
https://vimeo.com/82790352

If any of you are nearby, it's a great event (with free admission and parking!) and there are lots of fun activities for children and adults alike.

Few extras from Landguard...

Looking through my pictures from yesterday, I see that I did manage one shot of the unringed Bluethroat. I also thought I'd post a few pictures to show that none of us actually 'went in' to get good images: everyone waited for the bird to come towards us. Also: a few shots of the brighter of the two (?) Firecrests: it really had a flaming crown!

 

 

Bluethroat, Firecrest, Black Redstart and Dartford: full house in Suffolk!

Linda, Sue, Peter and I decided to take advantage of the unexpectedly good weather to drive down to Landguard. I must admit, I was unusually pessimistic about our chances of connecting with any of the reported 'goodies', but within minutes of arriving Peter found the first of two Bluethroats: a somewhat drab and unringed individual that refused to pose for a photo! A move along towards the Fort produced spectacular views of two gorgeous little Firecrests feeding close by the seawall in the sunshine.

After coffee we decided on a last walk around the dunes and immediately found ourselves enjoying fabulous views of a second Bluethroat. Loosely associating with a female Black Redstart, this was a much brighter, ringed individual.

We drove north for lunch at Minsmere, pausing at Eastbridge, where there was no sign of the Glossy Ibis - nor the water it was wading in when I last saw it!

Last stop was Dunwich Heath: by now the sky had clouded over and I had to wind up the ISO to 1600 - I really didn't think we stood a chance of a Dartford. Nevertheless, Sue picked one out just as we'd given up: obligingly it came really close and posed beautifully for us. Last good bird was a dapper little tiercel Peregrine that charged across the Heath a couple of times.

Adders on Buxton Heath...

Snakes: you either love them or hate them! Fortunately all three of the 'Summer Wine Crew' are massive fans of reptiles and amphibians, and during the cold days of winter we eagerly anticipate our first snake outing!

Today, given the bright sunny weather, we headed to a little-known section of Buxton Heath where we've always found Adders in the past. Today was no exception! After a longish walk (enlivened by a Woodcock, several Woodlarks and a distant Yellowhammer) we reached our usual spot. Despite there still being a few patches of snow, we soon began to find Adders on the south-facing litter by the track. Often in twos and threes, it was difficult to give an accurate count, but I'd've thought six or seven was about right.

The walk back failed to produce any Woodlarks to photograph, but we did see a mixed flock of Fieldfares and Redwings. A brief stop at Ranworth on the way home added a coy Kingfisher to the tally...

Buckenham Marshes

Just a few birds from Buckenham: still plenty of winter wildfowl, as well as a 'mini murmuration' of Starlings: there were three or four groups of this size - hopefully signs of a return to past numbers of these engaging birds.