I contribute to other blogs in various capacities but this blog, originally called "Tits and things", but re-named "Under Rydon Hill", is about what I do for myself, by myself (usually). It contains a diary of some of my bird ringing, some of my birding and sometimes about my family and friends - to whom it is specifically targetted.
As blogs can be entertaining and educational at the same time, I'll try to cut out the jargon (but not the slang) so that my lay family can understand a bit about things. The old title came from those common of all birds, the tits which are present almost everywhere, and the 'things' I get up to. Now it describes the area very close to my new home where I do much of my ringing.
My photos are taken with a Fuji 610 which has limited zoom and macro (I bought it at an expensive "half-price", eons ago, and have replaced the battery) but it fits in my pocket.
Being the holder of a bus pass now for many years, I don't chase around any more and am content to watch - and catch - the commoner birds, plus the occasional local twitch. Before 2011, it also documented the sale of my house and the moving to a new area and my 'start-up' reconnoitres there.
This blog started in Bedford in 2009 - but why move to Somerset? I know the area fairly well from both work and leisure viewpoints. We used to come to Glastonbury on our cartographic fieldwork, I also went caving in the Mendips as a young adult and I rebuilt a major road bridge over the moors/levels. I also have an affinity with Burnham-on-Sea and with Lynton & Lynmouth in neighbouring North Devon from the time of the disaster there (I was 10 and it was my mother's birthday).
Keep watching ... and I would appreciate your comments and general chattering. Errol (aka Lew).
