A day of mixed miscellany

The Safari was eager to get out and check the moth trap this morning. The season's first attempt so we weren't expecting much but were hopeful of something in there. Nothing! not a sniff!
No more activity in the pond either although the Frog was croaking loudly again last night.

We went in to make a brew when we heard the familiar sound of geese going over, a dash to the front door was just in the nick of time as we saw about 75 Pink Footed Geese disappearing over our short northern horizon. Also out there somewhere out of sight in the gardens on the other side road to our right was a House Sparrow or two chirruping away, close but not close enough...yet!

A leisurely breakfast followed and we spent much of the morning watching not much happening on the feeders.

After Wifey had gone out we took Frank to Patch 1 or at least Magpie Wood, Frank is terribly slow these days sniffing here and sniffing there as he staggers along but that gave us a chance to have a good look at a Goldcrest working its way through a neighbour's hedge.

Round the corner an enormous bumble bee flew past us. 

Not much else was about and even this short walk knackered the old fella out.

The sun came out in the afternoon and it was quite summery. We chopped some more wood and split some kindling with no shirt on before getting the sun chair out and enjoyed a good half hour sunbathe - wasn't expecting that! Loved it!!!

After Frank was rested and the sun was still out we decided to go to the coast and have a look at the rising tide. By now the sun had gone in and conditions for looking for cetaceans were ideal with a shadowless sea with little in the way of swell and waves.

We've increased the contrast on this pic to show the rays to better effect - the eye often sees things differently to the camera's sensor in real life.

Out a sea we didn't see any cetaceans or Grey Seals but there was a huge flock of Common Scoters right on the limit of our bins. A couple of Dunlin flew past as did a small flock of Oystercatchers, later one came off the sea and flew over our heads going inland to feed while the tide was high. 

Plenty of Turnstones were seen feeding on the steep wall of the old boating pool wall but at this range we couldn't tell if there were any of the Purple Sandpipers with them.

We tried some gull in flight shots but it was too dark by now. 

Frank met a lovely young Pharaoh Hound and for the first time in ages actually wanted to play, initiating the moves - he was a grand looking dog and Frank was smitten, not seen him initiate play for ages.

We sat there for over an hour without seeing any blubber and the temperature failing - time to give up and go and get a well earned cuppa.

Where to next? Back to Patch 2 where we hope Saturday's two or more Harbour Porpoises are still about.

In the meantime let us know what's all blubbery in your outback