Another Tuesday

 Tuesday November 23

A crisp, cold,  sunny morning, proved that the forecast cold spell had set in. October has been above average warm. Average where weather is concerned is about as useful as Common is an epithet for birds.

Apart from having a minor operation, a facial cutaneous horn removal, leaving me with a row of black stitches down my left cheek, and meeting Maggie and John for lunch, the last week has been uneventful. Oh, and Ole getting the sack after Man U's doleful showing against Watford, losing 4-1 with Harry Maguire sent off. Hardly fair that all the men who played so badly stay on - and get handsomely paid.

 

 

The stitches will be removed on Friday, the result of the biopsy on the horn will probably take longer. Makes me sound like a tup.

Shortly after the unmanned level crossing leading to Buckenham Marshes,  we had to make way for a large tractor and trailor, the latter contained cattle. That probably explains the lack of geese on the marsh, they will have been disturbed by the roundup.

Two Mistle Thrushes fed in a roadside field, their bounding steps alerting us to their presence.

 

Our resident thrushes have been increased by an Autumn continental influx. Several small groups have flown over the garden, always uttering their throaty rattle as they go. 

The biggest drainage channel held a group of Teal, their whistling calls stopping as they were frightened into the air by a passing Marsh Harrier. A very temporary departure, they were soon back.

 

I counted at least seven Chinese Water Deer amongst the Starlings and Lapwings, the only other birds on the marsh. One Buzzard and a lone Cormorant hunched on the gates which scatter the marsh. We haven't seen a Peregrine here for months. 

A Little Egret stood, in a small pool, overlooking the main pool viewable from the Wildlife Hide. 

This pool was teeming with Teal, over 40 Shovellers, a Gadwall, more Wigeon and Mallard. Two Canada Geese grazed the verge. A few hundred Pink-footed Geese flew distantly towards the beet factory, only to land out of sight the other side of the Cantley bank.

A very pleasant interlude before returning to a clean home.