'Pink' Moon

Last night's beautiful full Moon rose in the east just after dark. It was called 'pink' by the media: apparently this is the name given to an April full Moon by Native Americans (But which Native Americans?) Something to do with the colour of wild flowers. Hmmmm…

It was, as usual, orangey as it rose (because of dust and refraction) but still a gorgeous sight.

Our new tenants have moved in!

After a few days checking it for suitability, a pair of Jackdaws have begun building a nest in our owl box. Obviously we'd have preferred owls, but Jackdaws run a close second! They are absolutely delightful to watch: their courtship involves presenting each other with sticks as well as ritual feeding. Watch this space for updates!

Mixed messages...

Who are we supposed to believe? Who can we trust? Are there any politicians, pundits, environmentalists anywhere who are acting out of sincere belief and absolute knowledge, or are they all tainted by self-interest and partisanship?

We have 'environmentalists' and politicians flying thousands of miles each week to attend conferences: why can't they use Skype or other media? Here in Europe we are told we must stop eating meat, driving diesel vehicles, use less electricity, recycle, use less plastic, while in the Middle East, South America and much of Asia burgeoning economies increasingly pollute the seas, skies and landscape.

* China's rivers once held unique species of freshwater dolphins and porpoises: not now.
* Vast swathes of rain forest are cleared for the production of palm oil, tea, coffee, beef and cereals.
* In the UK, arable land, woodland, heathland and moorland are built over or purchased for the construction of unwanted and pointless housing projects, airports and hyper-expensive rail systems: all to line the pockets of property developers and corrupt politicians: the proceeds end up in bank accounts in the Caribbean.

I stopped eating meat nearly forty years ago (before it became fashionable) largely because I found out that two large fast food chains were clearing thousands of acres of rain forest to establish beef farms. I haven't flown since I was a pilot in the Navy in 1969: long-distance recreational flights always seemed wasteful of fast-dwindling hydrocarbons to me. (Many people forget that these are essential in the production of plastics, medicines, lubricants etc) Linda and I recycle as much as we can and buy lots of stuff like garden tools, glassware, garden furniture and even clothes from markets and car boots. But this all seems like a wasted effort when I see tick-hungry birders flying off to Scottish islands or the Scillies to glimpse an owl or warbler.

I've sent a few quid towards the rebuilding of Notre Dame: it deserves to be rebuilt - it's a beautiful piece of architecture: a genuinely wonderful monument to the skill and effort of medieval masons and workmen. Now social media is trying to make me feel bad about my donation. Stuff it: I refuse! When trillions are wasted on governmental quangos, armaments, overseas aid to ungrateful and inimical regimes, how dare some political theorist tell me my tenner should have gone into some 'more worthy' cause?

Garganey at Buckenham Marsh

It was such a delightful morning that I delayed mowing the lawn and cleaning the pond filters until after lunch! I decided on a visit to Buckenham Marsh: it hasn't yet been turned into a recreation area for children and, if you arrive early enough, you can often find some decent (if distant) birds.

Today the best on offer was a pair of Garganey (plus another possible female) These spent most of their time asleep, just occasionally putting up their heads for a scout around! I was pleased to be able to point them out to a couple of 'regulars' who hadn't noticed them among the vegetation. Two Pink-footed Geese lingered in the heat haze: both seemed to have damaged wings.

Lots of Ruff, Avocets and Lapwings, as well as a dozen Sedge Warblers, five Cetti's and over a hundred Peacocks: a few each of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell as well.

No SEOs or GWEs, but it was interesting to watch the Lapwings mobbing the Marsh Harriers. (I assume 'Green Z4' is a local bird...)

Cromer Peregrines...

...but little else to show for an eight mile walk! Brian, Norman and I took advantage of the sunny weather and easterly winds for a stroll around some of the migration hotspots. First stop was Cley, where the only newly-arrived bird we came across was a Wheatear at the end of the East Bank. A little hot MMF Mallard action was going on in one of the drains. After coffee, we moved along the coast to Kelling Quags, where we added two more Wheatears, a Ruff and a few Sand Martins to the day's tally. Several Swallows were loitering on the wires by the tearooms, and the hedges beside the path held Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs: in the meadows several Hares chased about

Next stop was Beeston Common: still no Ring Ouzels, just lots more Blackcaps! On the way eastwards we stopped by Cromer Church to photograph one of the increasingly-famous Peregrines, before carrying on to Waxham.

A very long walk out to the chicken farm was disappointing: just more Chiffchaffs but no Ring Ouzels that we could see. Still: an enjoyable day in great company.

Notre Dame...

In the past, Linda and I visited Paris a couple of times a year: both on business and for pleasure. On the Ile St Louis (an island in the Seine) is an incredible meteorite shop, while on the Ile de la Cite are some astonishing flower markets and restaurants. We frequently stopped to enjoy a glass of Muscadet in  the square in front of Notre Dame and wonder at its astonishing gothic architecture, grotesques and gargoyles. It's so sad to see the online images and video of the Cathedral's near destruction: let's all hope it can be restored to its former glory.

Lesser White-fronted Goose, Black Kite and other imponderables...

The Lesser White-front was back at Potter Heigham today: this begs the question - was it he/she that toured West Norfolk and Suffolk yesterday, or are there more than one of these delightful little geese in the region? None of my photos (nor Steve Gantlett's) show a ring, and my flight shots reveal the bird to be fully-winged with no signs of past pinioning. Why, then, is it being 'red starred' as an escape? Isn't it more likely to be from Holland or elsewhere on the continent? It really is wary: when walkers approach its favourite region of bank it is always the first bird to fly off (admittedly only across the river!)

And what's going on with the Black Kite in Suffolk? Now that the famous 'falconer's escape' has managed to chew off its jesses, why was RBA so certain that the bird recently reported at Walberswick and Reydon was a wild individual? Wangford is just a hop away!

Enough is enough!!!!

The mauling to death of a young boy by a dog yesterday brings the number of UK child fatalities in the past ten years to fifteen. That's fatalities, not unreported attacks, maimings, and scarrings. I myself have had to visit casualty or the local surgery on three occasions in the past eight years, following completely unprovoked dog attacks. In every case the owner said:

* He's just playing!

* Oh! He's never done that before!

* He was scared by your camera / telescope / camouflage

I've seen unleashed dogs attack (and kill) other dogs, seal pups and sheep and run though tern colonies, wader roosts and grazing marshes with breeding birds on nests. Would I be allowed to let a pet Cheetah (if I had one!) off its leash on a public beach? Certainly not! So why is it apparently acceptable to ignore 'short lead' or 'no dog' signs and allow Alsatians, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Lurchers and other 'highly strung' dogs to roam unchecked? Virtually every time I visit Holkham, Wells, Cley, Titchwell Beach, Buckenham and Winterton I come across large dogs 'enjoying themselves'  off the lead. And don't even get me started about the green or black excrement bags hanging on bushes or lying on paths...

'Professional' dog walking has reached epidemic levels in rural Norfolk: there is almost always someone unloading half a dozen large dogs out of a light van at Buckenham these days. This begs the question: why buy a dog if you don't have the inclination / time / space to walk it yourself?

How can one small female control six large unleashed dogs?

What can be done?
* Draconian penalties for owners and their dogs that attack livestock, human beings or wildlife

* Accepting photographic evidence for prosecutions

* Reintroduce licences at sensibly high prices: unchipped dogs to be destroyed.

* Dog Wardens to check for licences and chips

* Far more rigid control and licensing of breeding kennels

* Licensing and far greater control of dog walking services

I have no doubt this post will annoy some people, but it's not aimed at responsible dog owners who would never ignore signs or allow their dog to run amok in the countryside.

Garden birding at its best!

Considering our bungalow is surrounded by arable 'prairies', Linda and I do enjoy some pretty special bird moments at times. Long-time readers may have glanced at the illustrated list and seen that it includes some amazing species such as Hen Harrier, Woodcock and Little Egret!

Today, my office work was enlivened by a terrific kettle of raptors that peaked at five Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk: actually in the garden was a feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker that stayed for some minutes. I wonder what he thought of the 'Pileated Woodpecker' on our Eucalyptus tree?