Saturday 14 June
We love Saturday morning. A more lazy start to the day with croissant and coffee. It’s another beautiful sunny and warm day.
Me and Lisa went into Manningtree this afternoon, then on to the local garden centre. Apart from the occasional face mask you wouldn’t think there was anything different to normal. There maybe the odd polite apology if someone moves past you a little too closely, but even that seems simply to announce their presence. A bit like ringing the bell on your bike when you’re approaching pedestrians.
We invited the grandparents around for a barbecue then drove to Mistley for an evening walk. Whilst walking by the River Stour estuary, on a high tide, I watched a Water Vole chasing what I thought must be his mate, through the grass. Then a scuffle ensued and they both sped off in different directions.
It seemed that this was a territorial thing and often occurs when a male comes too close to a nesting. Especially when the female is brooding her young. Most males will have at least two active nests reasonably close to each other. I was quite surprised how big they were.
I wrote an email to my local MP this afternoon to support the RSPB’s campaign to improve the Environment Bill which is being reviewed and edited by a parliamentary select committee. It will be interesting to see what Mr Jenkins does. https://e-activist.com/page/61937/action/1?locale=en-GB
The Bald Birder 