Quite a crowd of Badgers on our Badger Watch the other evening. Or more correctly a Cete of Badgers. After the adults disappeared to forage we were left watching these young ones playing. We had to stifle a few laughs at times.
Quite a crowd of Badgers on our Badger Watch the other evening. Or more correctly a Cete of Badgers. After the adults disappeared to forage we were left watching these young ones playing. We had to stifle a few laughs at times.
A spring Red breasted Flycatcher is rare enough but this one aside the cricket ground in Overstrand was singing. No red chested songster this one; not even a rose flush. However, the worn coverts concealed the remnants of a partial wingbar. A first year bird … just into long trousers. A smart find for someone … we know not whom.
You will be able to find us at the Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair this coming Saturday and Sunday.
All our tour for 2017 will be open for booking and by popular request I will have a few mounted wildlife photos and cards (Norfolk & Scottish Collections) for sale.
Look forward to seeing you there.
The tour I run to Mull each year includes a boat trip to the Cairn’s of Coll. This year we had a close encounter with a Minke Whale. It was good to see the expertise of the skipper and crew shining through by not chasing the animal but biding time and waiting for it to come to us … and it did … BIG TIME!
From somewhere around 800m away the animal took a beeline towards us. Like any animal it was pushed by inquisitiveness to investigate. The whale finally surfaced it’s 10m bulk alongside the boat giving us unprecedented views.
In the photos I took it’s possible to see the white pectoral fins below the surface of the water as well as subtle patterning and shading on the back and head. Most people think it is only possible to identify individual animals by their dorsal fins. Some have unique shapes and nicks making re-identification possible. Our Minke had a classic notch-less, some would say perfect, dorsal fin. However, the body marks also enable individuals to be identified too. A good camera and a little patience are all that is required … and an obliging Minke of course.
One of the reasons I take a tour to Mull each year is to see the amazing wildlife that resides and returns there. The eagles are understandably a big draw; and most people get a kick out of seeing them. They are undoubtedly magnificent beasts. We had five sightings of White tailed Eagles including this one.