Late crepuscular footage. A Starling murmuration is more than a visual/late daylight experience. Here they are making a right old kerfuffle as they settle into their Welsh reedbed. Footage courtesy of my son

St Mary’s winter scene, I think from 84-5 or maybe a year or 2 earlier. The seriousness of the snow can be gauged by amounts on conifers or on top or against the Churchyard wall. Matt pale grey sky held promise of more, my recollection is of further heavy flakes by the time I’d reached The Pills.

Tonight’s sunset from the Phoenix Trail. A rather classic v formation of Lesser Black Backed Gulls passed against this backdrop. Heading in the Thame direction, there were about 50 of them. Heard Song Thrush, Skylark and Yellowhammer and a Kestrel seemingly setting down for the night.

1 of those classic moments yesterday. I was shambling the Trail when just a few metres ahead of me a Raven burst over the hedge, sunk down, raised itself over the opposite hedge and made off barely a metre above ground. All without uttering a sound. Have rarely seen them at such close quarters.

Things have been a bit quieter since the Hawfinch-Shortie-Slime Mould episode although have enjoyed largest local gathering I can recall of Shovelers.Photo is from Wildlife Trusts, as depicted some of the 6 males have been in cracking colours. At least 2 females about but could be more out there.

For a while back in the 70’s this old Thame pub was possibly the closest I got to having a local. 1 of the earliest memories I feel I have was of a piano still being there when I first started going in-a remnant from the era of singalongs? Can’t recall it being played though.

It’s felt like a quiet start to the local owl winter. I live in hope though partly due to a couple of characterful sightings a couple of weeks ago.
A Shortie suddenly appeared at height coming in from the north or east out Moreton way. It descended, quartered a bit then grounded. All hard by sunset.

Snatch of recent chat between
Ross McIvor and a passing Raven. Ross tells me that he can also chat with Tawny Owls and of course, the Cuckoo.
His Old Hat on Facebook is worth checking out

A few days ago my breath was suddenly stilled when I chanced upon a clear albeit too brief a view like this. Image is an RSPB one, my view was barely 50 metres from Towersey Bridge. You can never tell what might turn up

Gratuitous shot of interior of 6 Bells. Rather pleasant way to spend lunchtime and ruminate on matters Mucilago, Hawfinch n Shortie. Yes around 10 days ago the first Short Eared Owl of my local winter season

Whereas I have been partaking of the delights of Oxford United v Ipswich. Just can’t get enough of this sort of things. Anyway back to Musilago Crustacea…

Test…umm. If minded to play with volume up for full atmosphere. Footage by my son in the foothills of a Black Mountain somewhere

Test 4-unable to share lovely footage of tumbling Welsh stream so it’s this shot of local Dog Sick Slime Mould. Amazing in its own way-more on which anon

Test 3-pic of Tamensian Bee Orchid from a couple of years ago