Stormy Weather II

[LMcD]

I know things are likely to be getting bad when seagulls etc gather for shelter many miles away from the Irish Sea, settling on the fields and fells outside my window - HERE!

And there are a dozen or so out there now.

Can you not train a local raptor to get rid of them with one fell swoop?

[cloughie]

I know things are likely to be getting bad when seagulls etc gather for shelter many miles away from the Irish Sea, settling on the fields and fells outside my window - HERE!

And there are a dozen or so out there now.

There is no such thing as a seagull!

[LMcD]

There is no such thing as a seagull!

'University Challenge' regulars will tell you otherwise...

[DracoM]

Gulls, then...................




................................blimey.

And NOW, nearer 30 'gulls' and more gathering. Must be really nasty out at sea for this to happen.

[oddoneout]

Gulls, then...................




................................blimey.

And NOW, nearer 30 'gulls' and more gathering. Must be really nasty out at sea for this to happen.

Or a nearby landfill has had an interesting delivery - eat out to help out gull version...
In my neck of the woods (40 miles inland) gulls are just part of the normal avian scene. I don't know if it's the same core group that seem to spend quite a lot of their time here or different groups that fly in for a while then go away. The oystercatchers are a permanent fixture for much of the year and in increasing numbers as the initial pair that successfully nested on a flat roof have grown to a small colony. They tend to be less in evidence during the winter, so perhaps they head out to the sea then.

[Bryn]

Re oystercatchers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oystercatcher

"the Eurasian oystercatcher, the South Island oystercatcher, and the Magellanic oystercatcher, . . . breed inland, far inland in some cases."

[Serial_Apologist]

'University Challenge' regulars will tell you otherwise...

My father had an alternative title for the Desert island Discs theme tune: The BBC Gulls.

[Serial_Apologist]

Or a nearby landfill has had an interesting delivery - eat out to help out gull version...
In my neck of the woods (40 miles inland) gulls are just part of the normal avian scene. I don't know if it's the same core group that seem to spend quite a lot of their time here or different groups that fly in for a while then go away. The oystercatchers are a permanent fixture for much of the year and in increasing numbers as the initial pair that successfully nested on a flat roof have grown to a small colony. They tend to be less in evidence during the winter, so perhaps they head out to the sea then.

I'm just glad they don't frequent these parts, having experienced a sleepless night at a friend's in central Bristol a few hot summers ago.

[oddoneout]

I'm just glad they don't frequent these parts, having experienced a sleepless night at a friend's in central Bristol a few hot summers ago.

Yes, they can be very vocal night flyers.

[BBMmk2]

A fine day today, thankfully!

[DracoM]

Shivers and showers.

[oddoneout]

Very pleasant first thing, but increasing cloud and breeze have turned it more to chilly and dull. Should stay dry though.

[Serial_Apologist]

Ideal for my 19-mile cycle this afternoon, with gentle winds and temperatures of around 17 C much more comfortable than the high 20s of a couple of months ago. W. Norwood - Clapham Common S - Tooting Broadway - Wandsworth Common - Wandsworth - Putney - Fulham - S Ken - Battersea bridge - Clapham Common N - Brixton Hill - Herne Hill, and home. Which reads rather like a succession of railway stations. Sorreee, train stations. Actually Tooting was a mistake, the result of a wrong turning, and the ride would have only been 17 miles if I'd checked the map more carefully prior to embarking. Most noticeable were the absence of face masks in both of the high streets I passed through, and general ignorance of social distancing - most of those out and about seemed to be young 'uns in groups and families.

Next week offers promises of further bike journeys - I have still to cover one of my favourite one per year strolls, through the Lincoln Fields and Inner Temple districts, breaking for a lunch snack at a little cafeteria in Temple Gardens before heading home. Usually the area is thronging with office workers and tourists - I wonder if I'll find it almost deserted.

[teamsaint]

There’s a nice cricket pitch at Tooting that I always fancied playing on.
Interesting thoughts about Lincoln’s Inn. I have only been there a couple of times, but it is certainly a pleasant place to stroll around in good weather.
A very nice autumn Saturday here. A tad on the cool side, but bright and cheerful. Sunny autumn Saturdays are amongst my favourite days !,

[LMcD]

Ideal for my 19-mile cycle this afternoon, with gentle winds and temperatures of around 17 C much more comfortable than the high 20s of a couple of months ago. W. Norwood - Clapham Common S - Tooting Broadway - Wandsworth Common - Wandsworth - Putney - Fulham - S Ken - Battersea bridge - Clapham Common N - Brixton Hill - Herne Hill, and home. Which reads rather like a succession of railway stations. Sorreee, train stations. Actually Tooting was a mistake, the result of a wrong turning, and the ride would have only been 17 miles if I'd checked the map more carefully prior to embarking. Most noticeable were the absence of face masks in both of the high streets I passed through, and general ignorance of social distancing - most of those out and about seemed to be young 'uns in groups and families.

Next week offers promises of further bike journeys - I have still to cover one of my favourite one per year strolls, through the Lincoln Fields and Inner Temple districts, breaking for a lunch snack at a little cafeteria in Temple Gardens before heading home. Usually the area is thronging with office workers and tourists - I wonder if I'll find it almost deserted.

I used to work in Lincoln's Inn Fields, on the top floor of the former residence of Spencer Perceval, the only British PM to be assassinated. Lunchtime pleasures included watching young ladies play netball and listening to the London Balalaika Orchestra.