Saw some photos yesterday from Kenfig Pool near Porthcawl, a pair of crested grebe guarding there 3 chicks around the water. Beautiful. Their second brood of the year apparently. They have to keep an eye out for Ernie the resident egret who will take the chicks given half a chance.
When we lived in Brizzle we had membership at Slimbridge. Great memories (and photos) of our daughter as a toddler feeding the geese. Not quite like a zoo as most birds are free to come and go, though some of the environment is artificial. There are a few 'Slimbridge ' type establishments under the WWT banner including one in Llanelli. We've been to Martin Mere a few times but not for many years. Its not too many junctions up the M6 from us. WWT is a fine legacy for Peter Scott.
Just got back from Bucks where Red Kites are everywhere and are even said to have become an nuisance - allegedly, but not to me. There are even signs along the Thames Walk and Higginsons Park in Marlow warning people to beware of Red Kites snatching your food. Anyway, with a wing span of around 6 feet I don't think I'd pick an argument with one if they did. The stone cottage where we stay is set in the gardens of a much larger farm property with huge mature conifers - Redwoods and Spruce amongst the ancient deciduous varieties. The place is swarming with Red Kites wheeling a circling above - wonderful birds and fantastic sight to sit in the garden and watch - with a Peroni of course. Their call is just like a bloke whistling. When we first went there about 10 years ago I was convinced it was a farm hand whistling for the cows to come in.....
I've been a member of WWT and RSPB for 25 and 31 years respectively. Yes, the captive birds are able to (in the most part) roam free but with one obvious restraint in that their wings are clipped. I appreciate that fantastic work is done by using this method to protect and then give endangered species a helping hand in recovering their numbers. Unfortunately, I also see species that aren't in any trouble with their wings clipped just so the public can see them. But that's an entire philosophical debate in its own right. On the whole, the WWT do fantastic work and provide great opportunities to see wild birds in the wild and it's a great introduction to wildlife for children. Locally (for me anyway) I can also recommend the RSPB's Newport Wetlands. I haven't been for a while, but it's a great walk around the site with excellent viewing areas. Of course, if you ever get the chance, Minsmere is brilliant. I was lucky that I have friends in East Anglia that I could stay with when City were playing at Norwich or Ipswich and also when I visited Minsmere.
Just back from the show. Toooooo hot. Only stayed a couple hours. A couple burgers could be made from this beast. A few kilos of sweetbread as well. Not a masky though. They weren't dancing.
Ladies Cricket Watching England v South Africa. Never watched more than a couple of overs before. Quite entertaining especially England scoring 26 off the last over of their innings. It will be a major upset if South Africs score the 177 needed. England very fit and athletic. South Africa need to send half their side to Weight Watchers. Not PC I know but facts are facts. Ask Forest fans.
Caught the last couple overs and now watching the start of the SA innings. Like football and rugby, the standard of ladies cricket has increased rapidly over the last 10-15 years. The opening bowler, Wong, seems a bit sharp. Wont be watching it all as Mrs Remote will be puting a film on for us shortly.
I'm not a fan of beef as it goes but have you herd about the beef diet(spot the funny).....only became aware of it today when watching a Jordan Peterson interview.....seemed to do wonders for him but not sure if its a thing. Ps fk bill Gates lab grown meat idea....like really blaming cows for global warming when he swans around the globe in fuel guzzling machine's and expects us to eat his lab grown meat investment and insects like fking low end bottom feeders
I think Bill Gates complains about the climate whilst 'swanning around in fuel guzzling machines" because he's human and as is default in humans, he's a hypocrite. My feeling is that if we were all honest enough to scrutinise our individual behaviours, we'd soon recognise that there is a hypocrite in all of us. Thereafter, it's a question of degree of hypocrisy. In fairness to Gates, regardless of his background, his hypocrisy is is more than compensated for by the work he does when swanning around.
