Good news of the California Condor.

A statement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday gave very encouraging news about the California Condor. Last year more young birds were hatched and fledged in the wild (14 )  than adult birds which died (12 ).  Whilst the margin may have been small it's most certainly a welcome indication of success.

In 2015 there was a total of 27 condor nests in the wild  and the current population is held to be 268 birds in the wild and 167 in captivity.  This has been a very dedicated "act of faith" as it must be remembered that, at one time, all surviving birds were in captivity. The nesting birds now range from California (19 ), the Arizona-Utah border (3) and Mexico's Baja Peninsula (5).  Nests are present in several national parks, including the Grand canyon, which undoubtedly helps to promote the cause given the high level of visitors.

By courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Around 20-40 of the captive bred birds are released into the wild each year.  Here more than 20 can be seen soaring over Tom's Canyon, Hopper Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, near Filimore in Southern California. Following release birds can expect to live for 60 years.   Despite birds having federal protection under the Endangered Species Act ( 1973 ) this highly successful scheme is faced with negative factors that work against the overall success of the programme.  There is still a problem with lead poisoning and two of the twelve deaths which occurred last year could be put down to this cause.   The lead is picked up when birds eat bullet fragments from within animals which have been shot with lead bullets. Why such animals are shot and then simply left in the wild is not commented on , but it's a sad reflection that such success with this iconic species is then undermined by what one imagines are indiscriminate activities !

Congratulations to the US Fish and Wildlife Service !!

Record amount raised for conservation.

News has emerged that the BirdFair last year raised an awesome £320,000 for BirdLife International's proposed initiatives to tackle problems associated with migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean. Absolutely tremendous.  I think we all need to thank the "background staff" at Rutland for making it such a successful and enjoyable event ( repeatedly too !! ).

Each year it gets better, each year it gets bigger and each year targets are met or even exceeded. How's that for a track record...... a commercial company would be over the moon!!

Congratulations to Tim Appleton and ALL his team. Much deserved !  I've worked in conservation all my life, or did do, and whilst there was the odd successes guaranteed success year on was hard to come by and somewhat different. I think any of you looking back and considering what you have contributed to in the cause of bird and habitat conservation over the years should make you feel very proud. Go on, feel smug and fill another glass,,,,,, we all owe you a drink!.  

Watch this space !

With the ad nauseam news of the moment about BREXIT, different campaign groups and the individuals involved none of us are likely to be unaware of the impending Referendum on the 23rd June. But from an environmental viewpoint what might we lose if we do withdraw from the European Union ?   For me the Birds and Habitats Directive sits prominently at the forefront as something which surely is beneficial to our natural heritage.   But how can we evaluate as the electorate what benefits or losses lurk around the corner?

The answer might lie in the announcement made by RSPB that they are co-operating with WWT and the Wildlife Trusts to produce an impartial document weighing up the pro's and cons from an environmental and conservation  viewpoint of being an EU Member State or otherwise. This is due out in March and it's my belief that all people with an interest in wildlife and countryside should read it once it's available and weigh up the situation and what their own preferences are .

Sadly the current Tory Government has little empathy, interest or intention with a majority of conservation issues despite protestations to the contrary.  Just examine the fracking issue, the associated powers of Local Authorities  ( or otherwise on the issue ) to gain an insight into the arrogant and dismissive attitudes displayed by Government.  Consider George Osborne's oft repeated statement advocating a simplification of planning regulations in favour of economic development and the clear implications for our wildlife heritage as has already been highlighted by a few "skirmishes".  Would we be better off as an independent , sovereign nation in the light of these self serving declarations or would the long stop protection afforded our wildlife sites via EU legislation offer a more positive alternative ?   I don't know but I believe it's something we all need to think about and why the above document could be pivotal to the thinking of the many people who value our wildlife heritage.    

The legacy of Martin Garner.

Recently we all heard the sad news that Martin Garner had died.  Since then the tributes have been appearing at an increasing rate and all pay testament to the loss of a truly remarkable man, a very special person with very special skills.  There are many who are better qualified than I to set out the qualities, the work and the personality of a man who will clearly be sorely missed and who had so much more to give. The following is not intended to address such personal  issues but to emphasize how we might all take on board a particular approach to birding and gain more from it, but , most importantly, to ensure the legacy that was Martin Garner is put into practice.

I didn't know Martin at all well, indeed  I'd only spoken with him a few times or attended a couple of talks.  One over-riding , most noticeable thing was that his style of communication was motivating and inspiring......he reached people!  All this coupled with laughter and an ability to listen too.  His presentation at last year's Bird Fair relating to the most recent book, "Winter"  in the Birding Frontiers Challenge Series was absorbing. He encouraged a more open-minded approach , almost an upturning of the apple cart in some senses, aimed at learning even more from our birding but, at the same time, for us to thoroughly enjoy that journey of exploration.  The message is further advocated in the book itself.

The birding world will clearly be much the poorer for his absence;  the patient diligence which clearly led to the initiation of the Challenge Series, and the energy and "teaching" encouraging us all to embrace a more inquisitive approach to our birding.  I find the assemblages of comparative photographs and illustrations absolutely absorbing and suspect more of us will feel additional confidence when examining various species in the future.  Previously, friend and colleague, Andy Schofield and I had often discussed the nature of migration through Islay and the origin of its migrants. I'd long advocated that, whilst many of our birds arriving on Islay originated in Iceland,  some species  might be expected from Scandinavia after travelling SW, spilling down the Great Glen and then appearing in places like Islay, elsewhere in Argyll , Ayrshire and so on.  Last autumn half the story was confirmed with this obvious Icelandic Redwing conveniently posing on my garden wall and allowing itself to be photographed ( not terribly well ! ), a replica of several of the plates in the Winter book  ( see page 77 ).  Simple stuff in many ways but I took great enjoyment from the episode !

  

Over the past few months several Blogs were put out by Martin Garner that advised on his personal condition, his sentiments and beliefs.  Whilst I suspect many birders wouldn't normally have read such material I also suspect that many people did read them because they came from Martin and reflected privately on the content. Few comments appeared but, nonetheless, I guess the outreach was quite wide and caused more than a few of us to consider issues we wouldn't normally visit. I think he'd have been pleased at that!

Finally, it would be nice to believe that someone from the "Challenge Team" might elect to complete the series. A big ask and a difficult job no doubt, but a very fitting tribute and something that I believe would be respected and supported by the birding community. Coupled with all of us taking on board the various messages set out on Page 11 of the Winter book, I guess the collective output from our birding is in for some very exciting times ahead, largely by courtesy of Martin Garner.

Visitor Centre at Spurn soon to be determined by the planning process.

I'm conscious that's it's almost a month since I last put out a Blog, a month that's been a bit hectic to say the least. I'm back on Islay at present , but will soon need to be away for another short period.  Set against all this has been the announcements today relating to arrangements associated with a deal for us to have a reformed basis of membership with the European Union and for the UK to vote on our continuing membership or otherwise on 23rd June.  Changes indeed.

Running parallel to all of this, and of particular portent to many, are the final throes of both the application and objection process associated with the Visitor Centre  at Spurn.  This has gone by so quickly and certainly my own commitments have meant I've not been up to date with events throughout the last two-three months. Previous recent posts can be viewed by referring to Labels opposite and more historical entries are available too.

Perhaps the most immediate change to note is that the communications tower for ABP associated with monitoring the shipping offshore and in the Humber  has been withdrawn from the proposal.  Whilst no official information appears to be available the withdrawal from the proposal is thought to be linked to campaigning about its possible effects on migrant birds, its visual intrusion and various, as yet undisclosed, political aspects.

The closing date for objections is Monday, 22nd February., although the application details ( 1400 hours ) have now been taken down. As this possibly means the process has been closed early I'm not sure what to advise other than to adopt the solution I fell back on (see below ).I confess to having left things to the last minute because of other matters and was somewhat alarmed to discover the cut off point was so close. Whilst in some respects this was because of other personal matters taking precedence, I also became conscious that my disquiet regarding the application was growing despite reading a lot of associated material that, in effect, should have been allaying concerns. I have now registered my opposition to the proposal after a lot of thinking about it. There are site management issues to address since the breach occurred, but I'm not convinced erecting a big Visitor Centre and attempting to attract increasing numbers of visitors is what is good for the site.  Ironically I had problems registering on the Planning Dept website ( a warning against leaving things to the last minute!! ) but hopefully I've managed to arrive at a solution by submitting it through Customer Services (  Customer.Services@eastriding.gov.uk  ) as an Urgent Communication and asking them to forward it to the planner concerned ( Mrs Abbas ). I did receive a dated /timed receipt.

Details of my objection are as follows;

Dear Mrs Abba

Ref 15/03947 /PLF Erection of Visitor Centre at Kilnsea, East Yorkshire.

May I register my opposition to the above application and provide additional comments below. Besides being employed professionally in conservation for most of my working life I first started visiting Spurn in the late 1950's and so am conversant with the various changes over the years.

Whilst I acknowledge the management challenges which face the YWT LTD relating to Spurn since the breach in the peninsula I feel the current proposal to construct a large Visitor Centre and accompanying approaches for visitor management facilities are entirely inappropriate. I have given due consideration to these matters over several months but, finally, feel that the proposal will not lead to an enhancement of the wildlife value of the area , but quite the opposite. Forefront in our minds must be that the area is unique, carries various designations ( Ramsar, SPA, SSSI, SAC and NNR ) and the requirements, in order to retain the very substance upon which such designations are based, must be the primary concern and objective expressed within any future provisions for the area. Sadly, an examination of the proposal and an evaluation of the implications arising from the contents lead one to conclude quite the opposite is likely.The recent "blind" expressions of support , bereft of any evidence to justify the situation, do little to clarify matters other than to suspect such are a product of an orchestrated attempt to improve the numbers of submissions in which "support" is mentioned.

Claims that the future proposals are aimed at wildlife protection and enhancement are erroneous if examined against some of the data associated with wader roosts which has emerged recently. Such points, and many other linked to the wildlife heritage of the site and its contribution it makes to current bird research, have been exhaustively dealt with by other submissions , the contents of which I endorse utterly, but instead of repeating such information I would wish to dwell on the following.

I feel the visitor statistics quoted or sought for by the YWT Ltd are wildly optimistic. However, of more concern is that, if realised , they would lead, not to any improvement of wildlife communities, but a deterioration. Research has shown that visitors to any formal facility, whether a Visitor Centre or even a car park, are unlikely to move very far from that location. A significant proportion of visitors to the proposed Centre would undoubtedly then move southwards to view "the breach" area and , in so doing, provide disturbance to the crucial feeding and roosting area for waders which extends from the Tank Blocks area to the Warren. If the upper limit of visitors could ever be realised this concentrated "footfall" would be deleterious to the overall area. The concentration of visitors is being advocated and directed at an area of value, of restricted extent and is likely to encourage the informal distribution of visitors and an associated diminution of value, which runs counter to the declared objectives upon which the proposal is supposedly based..

Since the breach many people would agree that better visitor management is required, not least from the point of view of safety. However, expressed preferences by any managing organization are not necessarily subscribed to by visitors and indiscriminate access developing by the increase in attendance being sought for would be a threat to the very fabric of an area the Trust is pledged to protect and improve. Promoting the Visitor Centre as a major facility is erroneous in its thinking as precious little is then available for visitors to do afterwards, whatever might be developed, as only a small proportion are likely to elect to walk to the Point. A more modest development based on the Blue Bell would be preferable and provide for what I believe would be a more realistic level of visitor traffic.. Offered predictions that the area is under threat from future inundation cannot be accompanied by any firm timescale for obvious reasons. Dismissing the idea is illogical as an inundation event might drastically affect the more general area and the road access to the proposed Centre with concomitant effects on visitor numbers. If a really imaginative proposal was under consideration then a "Gateway " development at the Kilnsea Wetlands, where footpath networks could assist in diluting the concentrated effect of visitors, might be preferred. The stubborn adherence to the Spurn Visitor Centre providing an all encompassing answer is driven by a need to generate funds via the provision of parking facilities at the potential expense and loss of wildlife value due the concentration of visitor traffic.

In summary I feel the whole scenario needs a drastic rethink and that the management needs of the NNR should come first, with visitor facilities being a secondary element, not being seen as the means by which funds can be raised for a site whose fabric and value will diminish as a result. The primary objective can be achieved in my view by a much more modest provision, which I'm persuaded would adequately ensure the retention of the wildlife value of the site, not by providing an inappropriate edifice which has the potential to become a white elephant, but have disastrous consequences in the meantime.

May I raise what might best be described as a quasi-legal point? The Eon financial support for the Visitor Centre proposal is a product of that company's Community Fund. The funds were granted as recompense to the community for disruption and visual intrusion associated with the company's own industrial developments. Given that the communities of both Kilnsea and Easington are adamantly opposed to the development of the Visitor Centre and the intrusion, in a variety of ways its presence could have on the area, does it not suggest the offer of support to the YWT by Eon flies in the face of the spirit and intent of the core principles of the Fund and, as such, should be challenged ?

May I thank you for your consideration of the above and may I apologise for the somewhat unconventional means of its registration to the process. I would draw your attention also to the various Blogs which have been issued on the subject on the web site and encourage your reference to these if time allows.

Regards,

Winter feeding frenzy.

For well over a week the weather conditions have truly reflected the harsh grip of winter. Low temperatures throughout, combined with short days,  has ensured the number of birds visiting this particular garden feeding station has been high.  The location is west of Inverness, Scotland  with a gradual emergence of higher hills inland , but with agricultural land and accompanying woodlands adjacent to the Beauly and Moray Firths stretching out from the house,  the area has a rich diversity of habitat and bird life.  However, a walk through any local woodland area at the height of winter shows it to be peculiarly quiet in many respects and many such areas must see their normal "residents" flooding out to take advantage of  food provided in the gardens of nearby villages.  Despite the weather conditions improving enormously today ( 22 nd ) good numbers of birds are about and still feeding frantically.

During the series of somewhat poor, past days a wide variety of species has been in evidence, as is shown below ( with the maximum number present at any one time being quoted ).

Blackbird  9
Mistle Thrush  1
Robin  7
Starling  10
Dunnock  6
House Sparrow  8
Tree Sparrow  12
Chaffinch  ca.15
Greenfinch  1
Bullfinch  2
Goldfinch  3
Yellowhammer  7
Siskin  4
Lesser Redpoll  5
Great Tit   6
Blue Tit  7
Coal Tit  8
Great Spotted Woodpecker  1  ( certainly two individuals involved )
Jackdaw  3
Carrion Crow  1

Not a bad haul and a mixture that has provided a never ending tapestry of fascination in what , otherwise, might have been rather dull days. More serious points arise of course. The extent to which garden feeding stations support our bird communities over periods of harsh weather must not be overlooked. It seems fairly obvious that birds "travel" to discovered sources of food and the sudden curtailment of these sources can obviously cause difficulties. Indeed watching various birds approach the garden from the nearby woodland in the morning was proof positive of their preferred "origin" and overnight roosting areas too. Continuity is the key and will repay you many times over with the variety and numbers in attendance improving through time. The simple activity of providing food for "your " birds ( everybody begins to think like that ) is therapeutic, satisfying and can actually add much to what we know about birds.  Please take a look at the BTO website and the details about Garden Birds Surveys to discover what you can contribute through your observations on birds in your own garden.

Simple facts that I've concluded during the last few days

• Bullfinches are only ever present immediately after dawn
• Blackbirds are both the first and last feeders to be present
• Tree Sparrows exploit only the farthest feeders from the house

OK, not rocket science,  but facts that possibly deserve further exploration. I suspect that the improving weather conditions might actually see a reduction in birds after a couple of days as they exploit more convenient resources, but maybe not. Perhaps that's the next topic to explore ?

Highland winter highlights.

Past days has seen the "highlands" gripped by winter with daytime temperatures hovering around freezing and nighttime figures much lower. Calm conditions, unrelenting temperatures and snow have provided the sort of magical scenes people always wish happened at Christmas, but ones that can bring their own series of problems.  Thankfully road conditions have been reasonable, icy but not blocked by snow other than in the extreme.

Suddenly conditions have changed overnight. The snow has gone , the temperatures are up and, after a series of dull, grey days, a hint of sunshine in a blue sky. Odd Primroses are peeping through, accompanied by an occasional burst of song from a Robin, molehills are being revealed and, very gradually , the countryside appears to be coming back to life.

Morning and evening flights of Pink-footed Geese move between the feeding grounds on inland stubble and the roosting sites on the nearby Beauly Firth.  A few days ago the far reaching calls of Whooper Swans could be heard  somewhere down close to the Firth itself  but the birds appear to have moved more recently.  As dawn broke today on improving conditions three Common Buzzards called repeatedly from nearby woodland as if in celebration!

The report of the Aurora Borealis possibly being on display one night prompted a late night walk that, sadly was more dominated by the moon that anything else. However, the calm, quiet, pristine stillness of a "highland" night was an experience in itself  that, surprisingly, was never punctuated by a calling owl or an animal's alarm call.

Whilst the next few days promise to be somewhat mild the future might yet see a reversion to what has gone before or even worse!  Who knows?

Spurn Visitor Centre........the penultimate chapter?

Due to being engrossed in "domestic things" at present I'm a bit out of sync with the timing of all this I'm afraid.  Anyway, shortly before Christmas the planning application was submitted by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust relating to the proposed Visitor Centre at Spurn. The details didn't appear until the New Year but can be viewed on the East Riding of Yorkshire web site  ( details below ). As I understand it the closing date for comments or objections is 3rd February, but may now have been extended until the 11th February, a fact that probably needs checking.

  From a quick inspection of the information available the application appears not to have departed from the declared intentions of the Trust in any major way, but be aware that there are over thirty documents/maps to examine !  Like many people I would have dearly hoped that the clear problems the Trust has to face in managing the site since the tidal breach could somehow have been resolved by a varied "package" of initiatives that didn't involve the construction of a large visitor centre.  Whilst I'm content that the various alternatives suggested were given due consideration the Trust has stuck to its initial preferences which have resulted in the above application. The matter is now down to the Planning Officer concerned to determine whether the matter should be allowed to proceed. Objections can be submitted, but remember that, at this stage, all such objections should be of a "material nature" not simply registrations of dissent against the idea. Advice on what is considered to be "material" is usually available via the local planning department's web site or by direct contact. Clearly, in circumstances like this, local residents have a much greater variety of circumstances upon which they might object due to potential effects on local facilities, property etc.

The Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Committee has advised its supporters that they intend to object.

Dear Friends

As you may be aware the YWT have now submitted their planning application to the ERYCC to build a new visitors centre in triangle field. This is despite the committee lobbying on your behalf over the last 12 months to to try and convince the Trust to change the location. Sadly this was not possible so as previously advised to you in December 2014 we as Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd committee are left with no choice but to strongly object to the application.

Over 80% of our members voted in favour of this action so it is our intention to use the services of a professional organisation that specialises in this work to give us the best possible chance of success. Can I kindly encourage you to visit the link below to obtain further information about the plans and make a formal objection yourself if you consider it appropriate.

The planning details are as below together with a link to the ERYCC website.

15/03947/PLF | Erection of a new Visitor Centre, construction of new car park and associated landscaping work and erection of a 23.0m high radar shipping scanner for Associated British Ports | Land South East Of The Dovecote Spurn Road Kilnsea East Riding Of Yorkshire HU12 0UH

https://newplanningaccess.eastriding.gov.uk/newplanningaccess/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

Time is very limited with this application so can I kindly encourage you to visit the link site as soon as possible.

Kind Regards

Rob

Rob Adams - Chairman and Treasurer of Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd


UPDATE.........as at 0700 hours on 11th January the above link is not working correctly in the sense that you access the  East Riding of Yorkshire's web site, but are told the server is down and to try later.  Try this link for a more direct  entry Visitor Centre application
 All you need to do is to enter  Visitor Centre, Kilnsea in the box and you'll be directed to the various details.

10 years on!

Whilst rummaging around for some information yesterday I discovered that I've been at this house for ten of the sixteen years I've been on Islay.  I shall be sorry to leave in Spring, but new challenges and opportunities present themselves and I guess the best approach is to engage everything new with a spirit of enthusiasm. If the future provides as much satisfaction as the immediate past then I shall be both extremely pleased and grateful.

Living in splendid isolation brings with it a lot of benefits if you're interested in wildlife. Here these have included close encounters with species like Chough, Hen Harrier, and Golden Eagle which can be regular to the extent you might see any one of those more frequently than your neighbour!  It also puts a particular emphasis on what you see at migration times as even a small garden with two ( that's 2 only ) bushes, can provide a magnet for migrants. In a sense too there's a great reinforcement of season as some aspects repeat themselves with uncanny precision. However, some of the "garden birds"  I've recorded have been surprising to say the least.   Black Redstart, Waxwing, Lapland Bunting ( on the wires alongside the house ) and Ring Ousel were all a little unexpected.

But there were many other surprises too..........Common and Lesser Redpoll, Spotted Flycatcher, Cuckoo, a real mixture of warblers ( Common Whitethroat, Blackap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler ), Siskins aplenty, Brambling  and on two occasions only Blue Tit.  Clearly somewhere providing shelter and food is a magnet and is sought out by a tired migrant, be it a Collared Dove or Sparrowhawk, just as assiduously as any of the above mentioned warblers.  Finding a single male House Sparrow  ( one record only! ) chirping away inside  the barn was a surprise as was lying in bed at dawn and hearing ( and seeing after a scramble ) both Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Geese passing over southward. Overall, in the ten years I've had 84 different species recorded from the house and, whilst there's no water body in sight, the coast is only a kilometre away in one direction and Loch Indaal three or four kilometres in the other, so lots of potential around.

Breeding birds have been a joy with regular Starling (great mimics of seabird calls! ), Dunnock , and Swallow around and birds like Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Pheasant  in the immediate vicinity and odd occurrences of Grasshopper Warbler, Whinchat, and Corncrake nearby, besides the predictable thrushes, Chaffinch and Coal Tits in the nearby conifer woodlands.  More particular pleasure was derived from the threatened colonisation by Chough ( in provided nest boxes not used for twenty years since installation) , only for a Third World War to develop with a pair of Barn Owls that both won the conflict and provided me with a summer of absolute delight. Birdwatching in the grand style from an easy chair in the lounge watching their departure each evening as they set out hunting and then diligently returning each twenty minutes or so to feed their young.    I shall miss them!

There's lots more to be told of course. The overflying wintering geese, migrating waders, the croak of resident Ravens, and the wonderful bubbling calls of Curlew and displaying Lapwing in Spring.  I shall miss it all very badly and will be saddened at leaving behind such joyous, unconditional experiences........all such were provided without demand  or requirement. Other things will take their place, of course, things that I've missed whilst being here too, but I shall most definitely look back on my time in the wilderness with a deep fondness, regret at times I'm sure , but. most of all, with a feeling of privilege.

So, here it is, happy birding, it's only just begun!!

Dawn broke with grey skies and a cold south east wind; an all encompassing silence pervaded the landscape until a Raven croaked overhead and claimed its place as the first species for 2016. The nearby coast seemed at least worth a cursory inspection, but, as suspected, produced very little. Around 20 Fulmar already occupied the usual stretch of breeding cliff, a few Shag fed offshore but the moderate swell and boiling sea didn't help observation. A sheltered bay played host to a good party of Rock Pipit,a Grey Wagtail and a large flock of Starling working through the accumulated debris thrown high on the now elevated strand line. Moving to Outer Loch Indaal an immature Gannet was taking advantage of the calmer conditions between Islay and Orsay, but little else showed other than wheeling Herring and Common Gulls.

Moving north on the western side of the loch, odd Great Northern Diver were in evidence, Eider, a  few Wigeon, at least 28 Light bellied Brent Geese and, by now , the ubiquitous Shags. Eventually I got to the head of the loch  but both visibility and viewing conditions were deteriorating. The first of New Year's Day strollers were braving the elements causing odd wader flocks along the strand to be restless, a situation that got worse with a couple of squalls moving through.  Sitting it out produced nothing other than a few Common Scoter and venturing out produced my first soaking of the day!!!

With visibility reducing due to mist rolling in and what appeared to be persistent rain developing I decided to head for home. A rather dark male Hen Harrier was near to Port Charlotte and very distinctive. With the rain abating a little I stopped at Loch Conailbhe and was surprised to find around 30/40 Grey lag Geese, Tufted Duck , Wigeon and at least 12 Whooper Swan on what is a very sheltered loch in some respects but one that rarely has much to offer. A bonus on what now was a day with little prospect. Arriving home the south east wind rose further, with it now whining and whistling in the windows. Initially, tomorrow's forecast looked half reasonable but as successive TV forecasts emerge it rather looks as if it could be a bit of a disaster with high winds and rain.  What's new from this winter!!  But, hey, there's 365 days still remaining for the Year List   ( Leap Year remember ! ).