The joy of nature

I must admit, it’s probably only the last decade I’ve become more interested in nature.

And once I’m interested in something I want to know as much as I can about it.

In terms of rspb sites, we’ve donated for ages but never really visited anywhere, perhaps in part at first feeling like we didn’t belong or weren’t knowledgable enough. But from the pandemic in particular it’s been a joyous haven given so many tried and tested favourite interests and pass times are now off limits.

Minimal people, nature galore and apps and books help you massively and often there will be signs, boards and information at certain points to help you out.

Maybe try a trip to Old Moor and see what you make of it. The guides are super helpful and even lend you binoculars if you haven’t any (we just borrow the father in laws which get us by).

And if it doesn’t spark your interest, then it doesn’t.

Personally speaking, I can’t say how much nature and trying to help it and understand it plays a part in my life now. For too long I was ignorant of how interesting and delightful it could be. There’s tonnes I don’t know. But I’m happy with that naivety and that if I just give it time and a little effort, I’ll know more tomorrow than I do today.

 

Hope the Snape to Iken stroll was rewarding. Once you get the bird bug it makes travel all the more interesting (different species in different areas/habitat).
The best thing you could do is learn birdsong, it opens up a whole new world. It really is mind boggling what you can hear but can't see especially in the summer. The song gets you looking and you know what you're looking for when you've learnt the sound. I''ve been into birds for years (not a twitcher) and still not great with the song. A walk with someone in the know is a great way to learn. Beware the hides and the elitist birder that resides there!

 

Boris hasn't got a beard

 

The mother in law told us about an app (chirp o matic) which although has a small fee has been really good identifying things that otherwise you’d not see or recognise.

We popped in a couple of hides at minsmere yesterday that were empty and dodged where there were people.

We did say there must be room in the market for a Chris packham in your pocket!

Off to Thorpe ness today, then trying Aldeburgh, but I fear it may be too busy, and then down to Woodbridge to try boyton and hollesley marshes.

 

Thorpeness and Aldeburgh both worth a look. Be interested to see what you make of Thorpeness, I found it interesting,fascinating and wonderfully weird!
Birdnet (free) is an App that identifies birdsong if the technology method appeals.

 

All sounds good. But be on your guard. Let this be a warning.

Many years ago, I took up my bosses offer of a cottage up that way. We went in late autumn and by the time we got there it was dark. Had to make our way up to the cottage in pitch blackness and went straight to bed. Next morning woke to bright sunshine and found that at the bottom of the garden was a fast-flowing stream. We were well impressed. Even better as we watched a huge armada of geese, swans, ducks etc floated by. Idyllic. We were still indoors at the time. I remember the moment they clocked us.

The armada about turned and scrabbled up onto the lawn. All very cute. After a few minutes the approached the glass door. This is where I realised the wildfowl had a very different view of us. They’d been used to dropping by during spring summer and being fed by everyone staying. Come autumn there was no-one around. Except us. It was like a scene from ‘The Birds. They wanted feeding. We had no bread. What seemed like hundreds of ducks and swans, moorhens etc flapping, quacking, hissing, hammering beaks on the windows and door.

I have also been attacked by ducks in Oxfordshire. They trashed our picnic.

 

On a separate note, when we were in San Francisco to get married (mid-90s), we had a day trip up north to Bodega Bay and ate in the restaurant where a lot of it was filmed (the wooden building) watching seals and sea lions pop up in the sheltered bay.

 

We had a lovely weekend around there visiting Minsmere, Southwold and Aldeborough