Bikes and Birds

A day of bikes and birds.

Up at 7.20am to check out a new possible regular Kestrel haunt. Within 3 minutes of arriving (up Arthur's Seat) I was rewarded, but the light was such that photos were a struggle, and after it had entertained for ten minutes, I could hang around in hope, or go for a longer ride. So I chose the latter and headed down to the coast for a 'smelly salute' (given this was taken on the sea side of the Seafield Sewage Works).

This route gave me a Godwit which has yet to be identified between a Bar-Tailed or Black-Tailed, so well worth the ride.

Later, having enjoyed breakfast during the second rugby semi-final, we headed out int he car to Longniddry for a short ride on NCN76 to Haddington. Pleasant in the sun, if a little breezy, and spotted by Lady Findhorn after we'd got back to the car after she and his Lordship had used the same starting point to head to Gosford. Always a pleasure, even if brief.

And the day wasn't finished. I very very almost blipped the oft-used Little Grebe from the local park, which has taken on its winter plumage, and gave me a lovely close view in the sun.

Before this we'd done some work in the garden, which included burying Margot. Strange that people (not here actually) can't seem to get their heads round chickens as pets. I took down a comment on a social networking place when the first reply was "Yum, dinner tomorrow." I'm sure there would have been sympathy if the pet had been something like a budgie, or a hamster, or a guinea pig. But a chicken? That's 'livestock', which you can't get attached to. Well, we beg to differ. Spend any time with chooks and you'll know how much their personalities differ, and how much fun they can bring.

When Mecca, our cat, died at the end of last year no-one suggested we eat him. Strange that.