Biden My Time

 Well at last we have hopefully seen the last of Trump over in the USA. What an absolute arse. The News Quiz will be struggling for material until something comes out of the woodwork about Biden.

Speaking of Biden, I can't hear his name without being reminded of a song by Pink Floyd back in 1971 called Biding My Time, which to be honest I don't think is all that memorable. Don't know how that came to mind, just word association I guess.

Back to these shores and the mornings have been just glorious lately with great sunrises every day. Cold and frosty as days should be in January with the added benefit of firm ground underneath my boots. The cliffs have been my favoured route and although the wildlife isn't as abundant, you can't beat the views and the peace and quiet.

Westermost Rough wind turbines at sunrise

Looking south

The view to the north

 I love to see spindrift and with the recent westerlies we had a fair amount to see.

 Snow Buntings have appeared every now and then in the cliff top stubble field with about 12 being the maximum spotted over the last week. Skylarks are also there in good numbers and I had 14 yesterday morning. 

Skylarks in flight

Stonechats appear to like the cliff tops too and one or two can usually be seen.

Female Stonechat

At the Mere the long-staying birds (Long-tailed Duck, Smew and Red-crested Pochard) continue to stay with us. Another winter visitor that stays here a long time is the Barnacle Goose. Arriving in late Autumn they linger until late winter before leaving for their northern breeding grounds along arctic coasts.

Over 160 Barnacle Geese over-winter at the Mere

We have reasonable numbers of finches and buntings too, with over 300 Linnet, 20+ Reed Bunting, 100+ Goldfinch and a smattering of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer and Bufffinch.

Male Bullfinch

Male Yellowhammer

 

8 Chaffinch

Mammals seem to be in short supply, at least for me. I've seen the usual - grey squirrel, fox, rabbit and roe deer but I am yet to see otter or brown hare this year. The numbers of roe deer seem to be lower but maybe it's just the weather keeping them under cover.

Roebuck this morning

The water level at the Mere has been falling gradually and this has been made noticable by the ice around the base of the reed beds that has been left high and dry by the lower level.