Claxton: Field Notes from a Small Planet

In Mark Cocker’s new book, we see a return to his roots - the chronicling of life in a small and apparently unremarkable piece of countryside.The short essays in ‘Claxton’ were originally written for a variety of publications, notably ‘The Guardian’. Of these pieces, 140 have been assembled here (and some rewritten) to present a natural diary of the author’s home village and its surroundings.

These essays are not confined exclusively to the ‘home patch’. Here the net of experience is cast more widely, reaching Derbyshire, Cornwall, Scotland and even the desert fringe of Morocco. Even when away, though, one senses the presence of home and sudden connections with what has been left behind. The essay on Morocco finishes with an encounter with migrant Chiffchaffs, birds which, notes Cocker, will soon be “singing from the treetops in Claxton”. It is as though one has been jerked back home by a piece of elastic.

‘Claxton’ transcends mere natural history identification and recording, articulating the author’s aesthetic as well as scientific responses to his surroundings. And there is more here too. Some essays, such as those on the persecution of our native raptors and the (now shelved) plans to reintroduce White-tailed Eagles to East Anglia, are much more political in their stance. The overall result, therefore, is a well-balanced mix of art, science and advocacy.

This is, above all, a lyric and literary rather than a documentary endeavour. As we have come to expect from Cocker, this is beautifully-sculpted, elegant prose, clean and precise, never over-done.

I loved it.

Bewick's Swan Numbers show alarming crash

The UK's smallest and rarest swan has suffered an "alarming crash in numbers", the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust has said. The Slimbridge-based charity said more than a third of Bewick's swans have disappeared since 1995, when the total population peaked at 29,000. The latest figures show that, by 2010, there were just 18,000 left.

Scientists believe illegal hunting, power lines and lead poisoning have contributed to the drop in numbers. The charity said it feared the next census, due this winter, would reveal a "further, more worrying decline" in population.

In some winters, the Ouse Washes spanning Norfolk and Cambridgeshire receives 33% of the northwest European Bewick's swan population. Head of UK waterbird conservation Eileen Rees said swans were not producing enough offspring to replace the ones that have died over the year.

"We have two possible solutions - to find out and address what's hampering breeding, and to reduce the number of preventable deaths along their migration route," she added. "We have a plan in place to do both, and much work is underway already, but we need to do it all if we're to change the fortune of our wildest and most beautiful swan."

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust started studying Bewick's swans 50 years ago and it has now recorded in detail the lives of nearly 10,000 individual swans. The charity is currently working on the Bewick's Swan International Action Plan, which aims to stabilise the population.

Bewick's swans breed in the cold Arctic tundra of northern Russia. The western population winters in northern Europe, including the British Isles, while the eastern population heads towards China and Japan for the winter season.

Bewick's are a subspecies of the tundra swan and the smallest swan in Europe.

Mass Raptor Poisoning

Allen Lambert worked as a gamekeeper on the Stody estate in north Norfolk. On 1 October 2014, he appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court and was found guilty of two charges relating to the killing of 10 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk on the estate and possession of pesticides and other items capable of being used to prepare poison baits.

A key part of the case for the defence was the idea that the number of dead Buzzards found was too high to have been achieved through illegal poisoning in one area and that the carcasses must therefore have been ‘planted’ on Mr Lambert. When the experts were consulted, however, BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) quickly provided the robust evidence that refutes this claim.

Counts of Buzzards in north Norfolk from the same time period as the crimes took place (March–April) were extracted from BirdTrack and mapped.

On the map orange dots represent counts of 10–14, red dots 15–20. These counts were logged by birdwatchers (I submit sightings to Birdtrack) during their day-to-day birding. Who could have foreseen that the simple action of recording sightings in BirdTrack would realise the immense value of such ‘normal’ observations in this way?

As well as proving beyond doubt that double-figure counts of Buzzards are a regular occurrence in Norfolk these days, data collected by BTO volunteers was used in court to highlight the recent population increase and range expansion of Buzzard. Data from Bird Atlas 2007–11 and the Norfolk Bird Atlas were used to show the eastward spread and increasing population density since the previous breeding atlas in 1988–91, while CBC/BBS data spanning 5 decades helped emphasise the recent, dramatic population increase.

It's not unusual for birdwatchers' records, provided impartially, to find valuable applications like this, though it's the first time that BirdTrack data have been utilised in such a case. Fantastic!

Riley - Trials and Tribulations

It's day 4. We are constantly on the alert. Introducing a 2 year old cat into an environment dominated by two 'senior citizens' is not easy. The tension sometimes is palpable. We have installed Feliway plug-in diffusers in those rooms most frequented by our cats. The atmosphere should be saturated with pheromones by now. Indeed, Riley, the new introduction, is now so laid back he managed to perform a major 'stretch' on his favourite bed atop the pouffe, and performed a backward somersault and fell off. He quickly regained his perch with a rather indignant look.

So, there we were this evening, watching football on the TV, with three cats, all in the same room, watching each other, with Ros and me on constant alert to intervene at the first sign of "I'm 'avin' you!" But it didn't happen. Perhaps the pheromones have kicked in. I certainly hope so. But I am on a constant state of alert. Shenanigans will not be tolerated. Try telling 'Bertie' that!

But for all this, Riley is now home in our cosy, dry, warm environment, clears every bowl of food presented to him and sleeps like - well - a baby. I have never known a cat to sleep so soundly.

And on that note, it's time for me to get some sleep too. A cat-nap would be appropriate...

Birders: Tales of a Tribe

Since 1972 Mark Cocker has been a member of a community of obsessional people, almost all male, who sacrifice most of their spare time, a good deal of money, sometimes their chances of a partner or family, even occasionally their lives, to watch birds.

As a keen birder I thoroughly enjoyed BIRDERS: TALES OF A TRIBE even though it was published 13 years ago. Cocker's anecdotal approach to what makes a "twitcher" is perfect, some extremely funny. Above all BIRDERS is the story of a community, of its characters (many of those mentioned now dead), its rules, its equipment (this section actually prompted me to buy some Alwych notebooks) and its adventures. A wonderful examination of what makes birders tick.

iOS Yosemite

OK - I took the plunge today and downloaded, installed and restarted iOS Yosemite on my MacBook Air. It took just short of 11 hours to complete the process. I only hope it will prove to be worthwhile.

Phew!

Good Friday for Riley

It's Good Friday for us. Riley is now home at Catnip Cottage. I could see that André was sad to see him go but he agrees that this is the best possible outcome for Riley. There was a little crying on the journey home, it must be bewildering for him. But he has now polished off a bowl of food and has settled down on the sofa next to Ros.

There was an initial spat with Bertie - to be expected, so we will keep them apart for a while. Oliver appears not to be bothered.

We will get there....

More on Riley

I visited 'the village' again yesterday and finally learned the true background to the plight of Riley. I saw first hand where a local resident had provided a cardboard box lined with a towel in his narrow porch, open to the elements, that Riley had slept in until the wind driven rain had reduced it to a sodden mess. I learned the true account of the so called 'owners' who are beneath my contempt. I reaffirmed my promise to re-home Riley, to provide him with a loving home, a permanent home away from the elements, a home where he will receive all the attention he needs, where his welfare will come first along with our other two cats. I know that Riley is just one cat amongst thousands that need a home. We cannot help them all. We can help Riley. And we will - this Friday. All the locals who have fed Riley on occasion want Ros and me to home him. I have heard all the reasons why those who have fed him cannot take him in. Well, we will. To all the nay-sayers your nay-saying is noted. But it makes no difference. We are going to take Riley and provide him with the home that he so desperately needs. That's it. End of.

Eastbourne Beer Festival

It comes round once a year in October and this was my fifth year of attendance. Eastbourne is renowned to be something of a sun-trap and this year was no exception, although the skies did 'open up' for a while as I left the station for the 20 minute walk to the venue at the Winter Gardens. But the skies soon cleared and we were bathed in sunshine for most of the remains of the day.

The Harvey's brewery horse drawn dray was parked outside.

My brother joined me once again for one of the year's really pleasant interludes: sampling from a huge selection of real ales, ciders and perry, enjoying typical pub grub and some splendid entertainment from the Long Man Morris Dancers and The Wakin' Snakes - a very talented band playing blue-grass and folk music.

Long Man

Wakin' Snakes

The entry ticket entitles you to a free Festival glass - well, it would be difficult without one! For the record the following is the list of the beers I tried (only a half-pint each!):

Cromarty Brewery Kowabunga 4.6% ABV

Hook Norton Oxfordshire Brewery Old Hooky 4.6% ABV

Purity Warwickshire Brewery Mad Goose 4.2% ABV

Rudgate York Brewery Battleaxe 4.2% ABV

Phoenix Manchester Brewery Wobbly Bob 6.0% (my favourite, an amber beer with a malty, fruity aroma)

Rectory Hassocks Sussex Brewery Rector's Revenge 5.0% ABV (and which some wag had renamed Rectum's Revenge!)

Thornbridge Derbyshire Brewery Jaipur IPA 5.9% ABV

My brother enjoyed himself; we always have a great laugh when we get together.

And he took a candid shot of me perusing the Tasting Notes.

All in all, it was a most enjoyable day....

Preoccupied...

Had a wonderful day yesterday at the Eastbourne Beer Festival and I will be posting about this tomorrow. Just have not had time today...

On The Subject of Parisian Cafés...

I have no idea how many cafés there are in Paris. Certainly I have visited a great many over the years. So here is another one that you should certainly earmark for a coffee next time you visit the eternal city: Café Au Petit Fer à Cheval.

 

It is situated at 30 rue Vieille-du-Temple in the Marais, the oldest part of Paris, with its opulent palaces and mansions that date back to the time of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. While tourists flock here for culture and chic shopping, locals know the Marais more as the city's prime gay neighbourhood. Au Petit Fer à Cheval - the Horse Shoe Bar - is a friendly, cosmopolitan locale that attracts a stylish clientele, and the couple of tables out on the pavement are desperately sought out as the rue Vieille-du-Temple is the Marais' main thoroughfare. Just opposite the bar, check out La Belle Hortense, a bookshop that doubles as a winebar.

Existentialism in Paris

I have almost completed reading Tête-à-Tête, a weighty tome by Hazel Rowley about the lives and loves of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. It has been a constant reminder of why I love Paris, its broad boulevards, Montmartre, Saint Germain, the Isle-de-la-Cité, the atmosphere and above all, the cafés. Sartre and de Beauvoir were passionate, free-thinking Existentialist philosopher-writers and had a committed but notoriously open union that generated no end of controversy. They would hold court in Paris cafés in the mid-20th century - in particular Café de Flore and Café Les Deux Magots. 

Ros and I visited the latter on our last trip to Paris, after which I posted a review on Trip Advisor. For what its worth, here is my review: 

"So many trips to Paris, so many unfulfilled promises to myself, Les Deux Magots was on my must visit list along with Alice's Restaurant in Malibu, CA. I had read about the pre-war tense atmosphere here when such luminaries as Jean Paul Sarte, Simone de Beauvoir and Ernest Hemingway patronised the establishment. My wife and I finally got to experience the atmosphere of Les Deux Magots in the evening of 30th November. We walked along the vibrant Boulevard Saint Germain toward the cafe rubbing shoulders with Parisians and tourists alike. The cafe terrace draws you like a magnet, brightly illuminated, all ouside tables occupied, even though this was a chill November evening. With some romantic inclination and high anticipation I was expecting to walk into the pages of an Alan Furst novel....
We had made a reservation (only possible by 'phone) and pushed our way in through the revolving door. The attractive receptionist looked up as I approached her console. "J'espère que j'ai une réservation" I uttered. Her smile was enchanting. "Peux j'avoir votre nom monsieur?" she purred. I gave it and she picked up our reservation card from the desk. I looked around, gazed at the two Asian statues adorning the central pillar, saw people in animated conversation, waiters dressed in traditional attire, red leather seats and banquettes. First impressions met expectations...
We were shown to our table and presented with menus by a waiter with a sparkle in his eyes. "Quelque chose a boire ?" he asked. €17.00 later two Kronenbourg beers arrived. Just as well that I had a considerable sum in my wallet, I thought...
We started with Crème de légumes maison, a fabulous rich soup served with a dollop of sour cream and crusty French baguette. €10.50, pricey by any standard. My wife decided on Saumon d' Ecosse grillé sur la peau, courgettes à la menthe as a main course at €24.00 and I ordered Filet de bar de pêche grillé, légumes sautés at €30.00. At these prices this had better be good I muttered. Good, yes, outstanding? No. But the wonderful, crisp, chilled glass of Pouilly Fumé was delicious; €8.50 per glass. The crowning glory was dessert - Crème brûlée à la vanille, amazing creamy base with a crunchy caramel topping that really hit the spot. €9.50. The final touch was espresso cofee (€4.00) and a glass of Henessy cognac. For the price of two glasses, €29.00, I could have purchased a full bottle at home...
So, there you have it. Great atmosphere, excellent service and a bill of €148.00. The waiter shook hands with me and was effusive with thanks as I left a €12.00 tip...
Is any meal really worth that much? Probably not. Would I do it again? Probably not. Did my wife and I enjoy the experience? Damn right we did!
And a nod to Alan Furst as we reluctantly departed and headed back to our hotel..."

Tête-à-Tête

'Tête-à-Tête, the Lives and Loves of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre' is an engrossing read. I'm about half way through. I learned that Beauvoir had a secret tryst with Jacques-Laurent Bost in 1940 at the Hotel Poirier in the Place Emile Goudeau in Montmartre. 'They loved the square, with its chestnut trees, cast-iron fountain, and rundown artist studios (including Picasso's)'.

Wait a minute, I recognised the description. The Poirier is now the Timhotel, Montmartre where Ros and I have spent two wonderful city breaks in Paris. And yes, the cobbled square hasn't changed, the chestnut trees and cast-iron fountain is still there as is Picasso's studio.

I feel as though I have entered a moment in history...

The Timhotel in Place Emile Goudeau, Montmartre - complete with chestnut trees and cast-iron fountain

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The Life of Riley

The 'life of Riley' should mean a happy life without problems or worries. It is not a euphemism for the life of Riley the cat. And so, to say that the most recent development in the tale of Riley has left me somewhat bemused is something of an understatement.

I received a 'phone call over the weekend from André, the individual who first brought the plight of Riley to my attention. Recent communications from him had indicated that Riley was cared for by the locals, contrary to what he told me at our meetings when I was on holiday in the village. Imagine therefore the confusion caused when he told me that, having canvassed opinion from other locals including the lass who works in the pub and who feeds Riley occasionally, they felt that it would be better for Riley if I re-homed him. I am meeting with André and others on the 14th October when a decision will be made.

I have explained that I do have certain reservations, not the least of which is that I would be 'stealing' Riley. How exactly would we achieve the 'lift' with locals unavoidably looking on? I further stated that if this is going to happen then I will return by car with Ros and a cat carrier. The journey takes at least 1½ hours, stressful to say the least, and Ros would sit in the back of the car, with Riley next to her, and talk quietly to him during the journey.

When I related my conversation with André to my wife she said: "Don't let your heart rule your head". I told her that when it comes to the welfare of a cat my heart will always rule my head. So be it. Another chapter in the life of Riley and one that I hope leads to a successful conclusion for Riley.

I would love to give him a permanent home. I just hope my two other cats will be so obliging...



 

Riley - volte-face

For those of you who have followed the tale of Riley - the cat who lives in Rye Harbour village - and my intention to re-home him, I received the following email from the person who led me to believe that Riley had been abandoned and left to his own fate. It has completely taken me aback as it is a complete turnaround from what I had been led to believe. I will be meeting with André on the 14th October to discuss the situation further. It has left me completely deflated, although if the content of the email is true then I have to accept that Riley will be happier in the environment that he knows, roaming as a free spirit. I will still have questions about the permanence of shelter for him when the weather gets colder. The following is the email I received:

Hi Mike, sorry to not have responded sooner, just lots of things to take care of recently.

At the moment I can tell you that Riley is well and he does seem untroubled by his life here. He is fed by the girls at the pub, and I understand he goes home at night for his dinner.

A Hungarian visitor at Harbour Lights mentioned his arrival and gave him milk and I found someone else giving him milk who lives on the other side of the pub. It seems Riley knows his way in through the window and makes himself at home there too with the owners blessing, as he seems to do wherever he goes.

I think he has the same nature as the other tabby Bengali that lived at the back of me, who was in every house and garden in the near locality. He often spent hours here and at my neighbours.

If I thought for a moment anything were untoward, I would be in touch straight away. I can only say he seems well and not at all bothered as he is always relaxed, never nervous or worried.

I don’t actually know the name or the person who owns him, and I feel you would get a negative response, as all the feedback says she doesn’t want to give him away.

I have to remind myself that the lady in question did post a “cat missing” message on the local Rye vets website, but in fact he was at the pub most of the time, where the fresh fish was plentiful.

I certainly would be in tune with you and Ros adopting him if I felt he were in any way at all compromised by his life here, as I know your feelings. As you quite rightly say he is not my responsibility, but several people, including myself, have always looked  out for him, ever since he made his presence felt.

My reservations are calculated. If you were to approach the owner with your name and address as a potential home, I am sure you’d get a refusal.  Should the hypothetical situation arise that he appeared less well and cared for in the near future, and then as it were, I were to inform you, and he disappeared, it may be obvious what has occurred.

I have purposefully not made myself known to the owner in case Riley ever needed cat-napping at some future point. Also I am concerned now, that I feel I may have painted a bleaker picture than is the reality; he is at the moment doing well roaming around all the loving locals who he treats as a cat stop on his travels.  

He does seem such a free spirit, and believe me if I thought there was something wrong I would be in touch immediately. I did initially feel that he needed a home, I feel the reality is that this was the natural conclusion of a cat lover who finds cats on their doorstep, freely feeding, curling up and going to sleep. He just seems at home wherever he finds a cat lover, willing to provide saucers of milk and bowls of food. He does the same here, which is why I wondered if he had a home. The reality is, he does, and just uses it as he pleases.

Obviously it’s not for me to say what you might do to satisfy any inferred concerns. But if you were to meet the owner (sister of owner) she would tell you he comes home every night gets fed and goes off on his rounds again. This is the local feedback. She may even wonder why there should be any concern for him. As I have said already, I have purposely not approached sister of owner, I haven’t tried to find out a name; it’s a small village, news and gossip travels quickly, and I thought it counter productive for any future plans.

I can only repeat that currently Riley is fine, and I am a bit concerned about transmitting what may well be an overreaction about a cat with a roaming spirit  to you and Ros.  

I am more than happy to have a pint and a chat should you feel you wanted to visit.

Best wishes  André

New Airport Plan Ditched

It is very welcome news that a new airport will not be built in the Thames Estuary. The decision is a victory for common sense and I hope that the decision by the Airports Commission will draw a line under any more similar proposals. Any attempt to build in the estuary, despite what Boris Johnson would have you believe, would be disastrous.

Is it not a fact that any expansion in aviation capacity may lead to the UK breaching limits on carbon emissions?