First sunset

What a lovely day to start the year off.  No rain, a bit of sunshine and unseasonal warmth.  So warm, in fact, that I'm concerned Reggie may start stirring underground.  We don't want him emerging, only to be caught by the next cold snap.

Gus appreciated the weather, he asked for an extra walk which was happily provided.  C and I had a walk down to the front to sit on the pier and watch the gulls, looking out for the bird that has been wintering here for 17 years from its breeding grounds in Finland.  I still haven't seen it.  

The 2022 bird list is ticking along, nothing unusual but a reasonable variety.  The robin singing in the garden in the morning darkness was the first species recorded this year.  The tawny owls were having a hoot at the end of the day in the woods above the house.  

I went out to Sandside to see my first sunset of the year over the estuary.  High tide was about 5 hours earlier, but there was still a lot of water.  It looked like the sun was lost in cloud above the woods in the west, but then it emerged for a final flourish.  The days are getting longer.

On the way home a massive flock of starlings came over Arnside heading for Leighton Moss.  If we get a bright evening this week, we shall go to see the murmuration.