Dandelion!

Exciting! Still unable to get about, but improving (slowly) I had a go with the macro in the garden on this captive Dandelion! My life can only get better (can't it?)!

Potential Threat at Napton on the Hill

I have just learned that a potential threat to land through building could occur near the church at Napton on the Hill. This could have a disastrous effect on wildlife that frequents this idyllic and peaceful site. I append below a copy of an e-mail received and a link to the planning application.

Also, when I checked the applications, there is also an application to develop the old brick works.

We are contacting you because you are a keen bird watcher who frequently comes to Napton.

You may not be aware that an application to develop land adjacent to Church Lane has been made that many of us feel will adversely affect the amenity value of the land on the hill.

The application is for one two-bedroom bungalow, but the adjacent plots (owned exclusively by builders) are much bigger and if a precedent is set we could end up with several hundred new houses next to the church.

The application was made rather stealthily (no mention in the parish magazine) and we were lucky to spot the site planning notice before it was removed. We had just enough time to raise a petition and make representation to the district council planner dealing with the matter.

We have met a representative of the Council for the Protection of Rural England and believe that CPRE will object to the application, he suggested that the RSPB would also want to stop the application proceding.

We ask you to look at application 13/00517/FUL on the stratford website (www.stratford-dc.gov.uk) and, if you agree, to put the objections relevant to bird watchers.

Could you also suggest someone at the RSPB whom we should contact?

Thank you.


http://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppDetail.aspx?appkey=MJ6QYOPM03Y00

If you go down to the woods today.........!

A remark made by a dog walker a few weeks ago suggested that Symphony's colour would be complemented by a field of Bluebells! Today, Heather drove me out to Burnthurst Woods - to see if the above prophecy was true and to stop me climbing the walls during my enforced sick leave! Unable to walk a great distance, a patch of bluebells were found and the results can be seen on here. All images have been taken with the Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro lens.

A few plants!

Symphony!

"Eyeing" up the photographer!

Still not able to get out very far so spent a few minutes in the garden with Symphony, our cross Cocker Spaniel / Retriever, who is just over one year old and rather challenging!

Can it get any worse............................?

You will be aware, from my previous post, that I have suffered an injury at work that has (hopefully) temporarily suspended my normal activities.

Yesterday, I was due at the doctors for my diabetic retinopathy checks so I arranged to see the GP prior to my checks to arrange a sick note as I'm still in pain, unable to drive and unable to carry out my normal duties. These combined issues = MEGA frustration! It also meant I was in the surgery for most of the morning, trying to avoid eye contact with patients that I have previously treated for various afflictions!

The GP consultation was swift, resulting in more pain relief and a sick note for two weeks. How will I cope with this? I may need physiotherapy but it is too early to start yet.

When I booked in for my diabetic checks, I was handed a folded piece of paper to read, which I thought was going to be a questionnaire. How wrong could I be? It was an information sheet about diabetes and erectile dysfunction! A note suggested that the subject would be "raised" when I see the nurse and not to be offended! Me offended? When I was called in to see the nurse, she asked if I had received and read the information sheet.........! Oh yes, the one asking if I could get it up or not? No problems there, would you like me to demonstrate? She blushed!

Well I passed my checks and now have to do the routine blood and urine checks. Now for the retinopathy check. Tropicamide 1% was placed in each eye, stinging and dilating my pupils. When called to the test, the bright sunlight was painful and blinding and as I was walking to the van, my leg gave way causing me to stumble! At least no one called an ambulance. It would have been difficult explaining a scruffy appearance, mobility problems and dilated pupils!

Enough rambling! I have to say that I make a very difficult patient!

A Non-Birding Tale of Woe

Once upon a time in ambulance land, a solo RRV responder was sent to standby in a city that he hates with a passion. Carefully hiding himself behind an electricity sub-station, he hoped that he would go undetected. Wrong! Thanks to our considerate colleagues at the end of the excellent and proven 111 system, a job was found for me and off I went. Arriving at the job, I assessed and arranged for an ambulance to take my patient to hospital for further investigation. This was achieved and my colleagues, Michael and Andy soon had the patient down the stairs, chaired and blanketed and ready for the off. It was then, that this hapless RRV responder decided to place his heavy responder bag on his back and cardiac monitor in hand, and start the descent of the stairs. It was not his day. After two steps he slipped, causing his left leg to buckle underneath him at a rather unnatural angle, and with heavy bag crumpled to the ground. The pain was excruciating. I could not move. I felt sick. I may have said a few choice words! I knew, at this early stage that all was not well and this hapless RRV responder was going to end his shift earlier than planned! A crew was rapidly responded to my aid with a cheery Ryan, Czes, Steve and puppy paramedic Grace. My pride was in tatters as very quickly were my trousers as my intrepid rescuers investigated the state of my left leg. Entonox (gas & air) was offered and I was happy to receive it. Ryan was desperately attempting to get me to have morphine, but I declined his kind offer. It was soon clear that I was not going to be able to walk and an ambulance chair was fetched, ably driven by Czes, giving me a white knuckle ride to the ambulance. I have to say that this was the first time I have travelled in an ambulance as a patient! Arriving at Walsgrave Hospital, I had the embarrassment of being wheeled into triage with colleagues watching. I was soon transferred to minors where I confidently told the doctor that my injuries were muscular and not bony - thankfully he agreed. With some strong pain relief, I was assessed. I could not straight leg raise or weight bare at this time, but bony injury and tendon damage was soon ruled out. It was severe muscle damage with pain from hip to knee. The doctor wanted me to have crutches but I politely declined as I could not face any further embarrassment! I was discharged after a couple of hours but wondered if the crutches should have been accepted as my leg keeps giving way, much to the amusement of the hospital staff. With trouser legs flapping, hairy legs exposed and an unsteady gait, I was discharged home with strict instructions to rest for a week.

I would like to thank all the staff involved for their efforts. It could have been much worse, that it was not, I am truly thankful.

Paxton Pits, Cambridgeshire

Common Whitethroat

An early morning visit to Paxton Pits near St Neots in the hope of seeing and hearing Nightingale. Glad I went early as when I returned to the car park, it was full to overflowing! On arrival, I headed along the Heronry Trail as far as the river and then spent the time at Wrays House. This was a good spot that soon produced Nightingale, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, and Common Whitethroat. Someone spotted what they thought was a Goldcrest but closer observation revealed a superb Firecrest! Full sightings can be found at the end of this post.

Nightingale

Common Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Great Tit

Blackcap

Todays Sightings:

Great Crested Grebe; Grey Heron; Black Headed Gull; Greylag Goose; Coot; Common Tern; Wood Pigeon; Green Woodpecker; Tufted Duck; Cormorant; Dunnock; LBB Gull; Blackbird; Nightingale; Mute Swan; Sparrowhawk; Song Thrush; Robin; Chiffchaff; Cuckoo; Mallard; Willow Warbler; Common Whitethroat; Swallow; Blackcap; Canada Goose; Pheasant; Firecrest; Wren; Buzzard; Goldcrest; Collared Dove; Blue Tit; Garden Warbler; Jay; Pochard; Red Kite; Treecreeper; Moorhen; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Rook; Starling; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Greenfinch; Yellowhammer; Bullfinch; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; House Sparrow.