An unexpected sighting

It was an early start this morning, as I had an 08.30 appointment at CHEC. It was a fairly routine examination including a visual field test, eye scan/photos and IOP readings. Interestingly these were very different from those taken at Worcester hospital last week.* 

I wasn't particularly impressed by the check-up, but at least I am registered with NHS Ophthalmology, and they do seem to know what they're doing.  Also, I was back home a little after nine o'clock.

I spent the rest of the morning mowing the lawns at the front of the house. The place looks a lot tidier!

At lunchtime my new pair of motorcycle touring trousers were delivered and I can report that they are far better than any. of the other pairs that I have tried on, in the past fortnight ... do I remove the tags?

This afternoon I headed out for a walk with Hobson and TB. Normally there is very little to report about our walks, apart from TB disappearing off in to the distance, and refusing to return.** However, today, things got a little ornithological. 

As we walked down the lane, Hobson was investigating the verges and disturbed a partridge. I naturally assumed that it was a red-legged partridge, as they are not uncommon in these parts, in fact there were two pottering in the garden at the weekend. We wandered on, and then turned to head home. Hobson returned to the same spot and I noticed that he seemed to have something in his mouth. He wasn't willing to give it up, and seemed to have swallowed something. A few yards further on I noticed that he dropped something, so I went to investigate. It was an eggshell, a greenish eggshell.

This didn't seem quite right. From memory I recalled that red-legged partridge eggs are buff with brown speckles. This was completely different. Back at home I hit the internet and was rewarded with an answer to my searches. Hobson had disturbed a grey partridge. I was aware that they are very uncommon in this area, but didn't know that they had been recorded on the Bird of Conservation Concern Red List in 2015.  I shall have to look more carefully if I see another partridge in the lanes over the coming weeks.***

That just about covers Wednesday, although I should mention that a well earned snooze was taken, before I headed up to the Parish Education Centre for this week's Tai Chi session.

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* 18 & 21 mmHg vs 10 & 11 mmHg, a week previously?

** The little sod did that again last Sunday, and was found waiting at the gate to be let in!

*** For completeness I should also report that I heard my first cuckoo of 2026, calling from the area alongside the little brook.