Missed migrants

Lade - Lockdown Day 45 - warm, dry and sunny, se 2 - Our morning circuit of the local patch was largely uneventful apart from a Peregrine (107) that at last made it onto the lockdown list chasing down a Woodpigeon behind the `mirrors`, where Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard were thermalling over the airfield. Also passing over high up, two Common Terns, several Mediterranean Gulls and a lone Whimbrel.
  Whilst on site I received a number of messages concerning birds potentially `coming my way` such as Bee-eater, Osprey, Honey Buzzard and several Red Kites on the move, none of which I managed to connect with! But thanks to one and all for the tip-offs anyway. On the bay at low tide still plenty of Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers amongst the Curlews and Oystercatchers, plus a few Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers.
  Elsewhere today there was a steady up-Channel passage of Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skuas reported from Sussex headlands.

   This prolonged and unprecedented period of lockdown appears to be having an unexpected mental effect on some people. Wandering around the local patch we regularly encounter dog-walkers, most of whom we know, who pause for a brief natter (from a safe distance, naturally). During the course of conversations when the thorny subject of lockdown release is mentioned almost all of them state that they don't want the current situation to change! Admittedly, most are retired and in a set routine anyway, but are perfectly happy with the quieter pace of life and not venturing far from home. Some are genuinely petrified of catching Covid-19, even though they`re probably at greater risk from many other serious health conditions that afflict the elderly.
   If this state of affairs is replicated across the country I reckon we in the tourist and leisure industry could be in a very depressed year or two.