Whinchat & Wheatears by the Netposts

On the evening of Friday 18th August, after tea, mid evening, the sun was going down but I did see 3+ Wheatears by the netposts down the path running parallel to the Netposts and the masses of ragworts also hosted 2 fine Whinchat. Nice to see.

Yellow Wagtail over the Paget

On Tuesday, the distinctive call heralded a fine Yellow Wagtail which flew over the Burrage Centre, at James Paget Hospital and I saw the bird heading north at 10.40am. In the evening 2 Curlew heard flying over the house, the first bird was seen flying south.

Red Kite low over the garden

On Sunday, a fine Red Kite I picked up early and saw it flying south-west and low right over the garden the headed towards Parkhill Hotel grounds, 2nd ever over the garden.

Hobby over the garden

On the evening of the 7th August, whilst I was watering the runner beans in the back garden, a fine Hobby flew south- west over the garden ay 7.51pm heading towards Parkhill Hotel grounds.

We have lost our beautiful boy, Comet

Very sadly, we have lost our beautiful boy, Comet, a 10 year old black and white cat. It has been terribly sad news as we was a much loved member of our family. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with mouth cancer back in May and by August 2 we had to take him to the vets and have him euthanised as the cancer hasd advanced. We were both with him at the end and he was such a beautiful and brave boy. He had a wonderful disposition and temperament. He loved raising on his hind legs and giving you a friendly head butt! We were introduced him first as a kitten, barely a few weeks old initially he was part of a ball of black and white Kittens at the Cats Protection League and we had gone along in August 2013 after we had lost our previous much loved cat, Cleo. We had initially chosen Haley an 8 year old cat, housed separately, who had come from a difficult home but she had started clawing the furniture and when we brought home Cosmo, a little while later, our incerdibly cute Tabby kitten, we had our 2 cats. Unfortunately, Haley kept attacking Cosmo after 3 supervised introductions and we had to take her back. A choice had to be made, no contest, as we chose Cosmo. Fortunately the CPL still had a few kittens left from the original 2 litters and Comet was quickly chosen by us. When we brought him back, despite being no bigger than a watchstrap, he was full of energy, and we wanted an astronomical related name for him, so Comet fitted the bill perfectly! Cosmo came over and started licking him and he licked Cosmo back, the brothers remembered each other and were very pleased to be reunited. In the early days, they would sleep together as kittens and would often sleep on the bed together or bookend the conservatory sitting chair together. He was a lovely marked black and white cat, with white mittens on his front legs and white boots on his back legs with a lovely black patch on his right back leg. He also had 3 distinctive eye brow whiskers too. He had a wonderfully long 15 inch tail and we often affectionately called him Comet long tail, where he would curl his long tail around his legs and back again! He was a very loving cat, especially with Jenny and I, but always hid up when visitors or workmen called. He used to love jumping up and headbutting you and would always sleep on the bed, making his nest first before flopping on your hand. He caught very few birds fortunately but once did did bring through the cat flap a young Magpie which was bHe felt the cold and on one particularly freezing night outsight he snuggled up all night under the duvet with me, like a papoose cat! He loved going out in the garden and marking his territory and would always run back quickly back into the house. He was a very cautious cat, never ever any trouble, Comet was a highly intelligent Cat and we set him some puzzles, with various cat toys, where the prize was devouring a special biscuit food treat and he always solved those conundrums very quickly and even showed Cosmo how to do it, when poor old Cossie was trying to figure it out! RIP Comet, our beautiful, lovely boy, he is much missed by us all.

Little Gull at Links Road car park

On Monday 31st July, after work at 6.30pm, I drove down to the Link's road car park, initially no sign of the Little Gull, although there wwere 2 adult W Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Black- headed Gull and out to sea a group of 7 fishing Sandwich Terns. Also 15 Common terns seen some on groynes and some fishing. Finally, at 7.10pm the fine Little Gull flew in from across the North denes and settled on the car park and using the car as a mobile hide, I waited until the sun came out and managed a few pics before the sun went in again! The bird was still there when I left at 7.40pm.

Painted Lady again

On Sunday 30th July, the Painted Lady was still around in the back garden.