It's been a day to think about things other than racist politicians.
On the recommendation of Duncan MacInnes, who commented here yesterday, we went to Lackford Lakes near Bury St Edmunds, which is now a stunning bird reserve. I had not been for some time.
A great selection of ducks were to be seen at close quarters, as well as snipe, oystercatcher, several types of finch, plus blue, great, long-tailed, coal and marsh tit, nuthatch, tree creeper, and a great deal more, including many more dunnock than will ever normally be seen in a day. Only raptors were notable by their total absence.
And there was a very tame muntjac and his mate.
Well worth a visit.
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Looks peaceful – reminds me to get out more too.
Thanks for sharing.
Really lovely but it did make me see the huge difference in fortune between people of this country and those poor people suffering in Palestine. They don’t get to think of other things rather than racist politicians and facists and enjoy the bird and animal kingdom for a while. They have as much chance of surviving tomorrow as a hedgehog has of crossing a motorway intact. The simple joy of nature, or mere life itself, is removed in (their) gods recreation of Israel if you aren’t on the invited guest list.
Fair comment
It is almost painful for those of us who are able to experience the natural world without any of the horrors that we know are happening in ‘other parts’ of the world. This morning, as I checked my sheep, I was so pleased to see two skylarks ‘sky bombing ‘ my quad bike.The weather (this is Wales) was horrendous, horizontal rain and then I narrowly missed a hare who jumped up out of the clumps of old grass that had been left since last year. It almost made my day……
Both are great – and out and about now
We hopefully all escape the nonsense. Well done x.
It’s good to be able to get away from thinking about politics once in a while. I’m not much of a bird watcher myself. The most ornithological thing I’ve done recently was to take part in an online discussion about whether the yellow bird in a famous story about the King of Wu by the first century author Liù Xiàng is a siskin or an oriole.
Yesterday I attended a calligraphy class and a Chinese painting class at the Camden Chinese Center. The tuition was given in Cantonese, a language I have not spoken for 30 years, and I was gratified to find I could follow it. But what was even more gratifying was to spend five hours in which I did not think about Liz Truss or 30p Lee once.
Such hours are invaluable
I live in King’s Lynn, not far north of you, and we have a large population of muntjacs.
Agreed
They are all over East Anglia
“Muntjac were brought from China to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century. They are now widespread and increasing in number and range.”
https://bds.org.uk/information-advice/about-deer/deer-species/muntjac-deer/
Oh dear. I suspect that Braverman, Anderson and the culture war posse of the Tory Party are wondering what can be done about this. East Anglia must be a hotbed of muntjac radicalism. GB News must be foaming at the mouth.
They can be a bit of a meance, I am told
But I rather suspect that claim is overstated
I am told they were common on Hong Kong island a century ago. I don’t think there are any there now, at least, I have never seen one although I have seen plenty of wild boar and porcupines.
Many thanks. It’s a great spot. West Stow with its Anglo Saxon village is also worth a visit across the river next door.
I went there too many times with our boys….
Sadly not overstated. Muntjac are an absolute pain. Apart from aconites, snowdrops, narcissi, hellebores, symphitum, box, vinca and some ferns, they eat absolutely everything including, over the last three winters, ivy, which for the first 40 years I lived here was untouched. Roe are more damaging to young trees but these are easier to protect with guards. Even foxgloves have been eaten, but that could be rabbits.
That shows what I know…..
You’ve probably just been lucky!