4 December 2020

 eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S77061529

Weather:  8 am 3C, wind calm  1pm 9C, wind E5

Tide:  10 am  4.7m, falling


"Did you see anything interesting?"  brings out the snarky in me, but this was quite an interesting morning and  a very good one.
 
The weather was gloriously sunny, and the birds obviously appreciated the warmth and sun.  There was a lot to see and hear, quail, assorted LBBs, the usual horde of siskins.  
 

 Even the eagles were more than usually dramatic.  This pair were actually allopreening (in case:  preening one another--no slight thing with a beak like these characters).
 

 I watched for a while, then wondered if I might be being intrusive.  Not that they seemed to mind.
 
I continued to the shore.  The high tide had shifted logs again, including at least one that had been hauled off a sandbar and tied to the jetty.
 
 

The duck population was down a bit, I thought, and for once they were not subject to eagle disturbance as I watched.  

Walking along the path toward the river, the road through the forest gleamed in the sunlight.


And then, along the river, I met with the most unlikely thing I've seen in the Estuary.  (Sorry no photo--individual involved seemed kinda tough and not welcoming of photos.)  There was a woman with a rabbit--quite a large, brown rabbit, but unquestionably a rabbit, on a lead.  I guess one can't speak of "walking" a rabbit--it was hopping along on its lead.   Does one take a rabbit out for a "hop?" This is a first for me.

I continued to the point overlooking the turn in the river and--oh, wonderful!  I heard the dipper!  I haven't seen it in weeks, but sure enough, there it was, singing quite loudly and happily.


I'd not seen it walking into the water like this before, here, although I know it's one of its behaviours.  It was very rapid water.  I don't know how it keeps its footing.  I was happy to see it back.  

The weather is forecast to be clear again tomorrow.  Perhaps another fine day.  I don't expect to meet the rabbit again, but who knows?
 
 

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