25 Sept 2020

25.09.2020 Silent Autumn?

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 Friday 25th 55-60F, dark cloud and breezy. Lots of rain expected. Though my knees were already painless, I limited myself to a walk to the lanes. 

Where there were countless hundreds of Chaffinches breakfasting on a newly tilled field. Further over about a hundred starlings were moving about in a nervous flock. While above them three Red kites were soaring at the top of the hill. It started raining lightly at about 8.25. I had worn my Ventile, winter walking jacket so was warm and comfy. 

Earlier in the year I often commented about the startling quantity and quality of bird song on my walks. Now scientists have confirmed that the birds changed their songs thanks to the quieter conditions. The absence of traffic noise allowed them to express themselves more sweetly and fluently. 

Now we are well into autumn and long past the nesting season, the lack of song birds is very noticeable. There are still a few swallows around. Gulls are still carpeting the bare soils of harvested fields. Wagtails are more noticeable after a rather thin summer. It used to be one of the most common birds to be seen on my rural rides. They were often to be found in the middle of minor roads. Picking up insects knocked down by passing traffic. Being pale grey they stood out well against the dark asphalt. Their familiar bobbing tails a distinctive characteristic.

It seems the wealthy have enjoyed massive tax rebates when they bought luxury cars in Denmark. A Danish minister is now clarifying how the government intends to get a million half a million electric cars onto the Danish roads by 2030 4030. Prices for cheaper electric vehicles will remain steady [i.e. completely unaffordable!] Rather than suffering the constant rises in import taxes under the previous government. Which was formed by the coalition of right wing, Pig Farmers Rool Party and another, ultra right wing, anti-immigration party. 

Lorries are to pay kilometre road use taxes depending on their individual consumption. Fuels will be made more eco-friendly by mixing with other ingredients. So, no change there then. Let's call it a million EVs by 5030 and be done with it. Shall we? 


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