So I awake to my last morning in the Firth of Thames and I feel sad that it is time to move on. I place the " Welcome to the Miranda Shorebird Centre" marker-board outside as I do pretty much every morning during my time here. I like placing the marker board outside as I know this means it is the start of another day at Miranda. This is then followed by my first cuppa of the day whilst sitting on the veranda outside, taking in the view & wondering what lays in store for the day ahead. It is another glorious New Zealand summer's day and so I have to pack up and say my farewells before hitting the road.
Above shows you a Sharp tailed Sandpiper looking rather "rounded" and so I guess this individual is building up it's fat reserves as this bird will also be moving on soon enough to make its was to the northern Arctic breeding grounds via the Yellow Sea. Below shows a 3-4 day old New Zealand Dotterel chick. I found it quite poetic that I got to see these chicks during my last full day after finding the nest near the start of my time here. It is with a sense of pride I know that this nest was successful.
I depart with Stuart of which I couldn't think of anyone else better to be leaving with. I watch Miranda slowly fade in to the distance behind me I can't help but feel some what lost. I have spent 5 weeks here and even though this is a short time it is still long enough to have become some what attached. I will write a detailed piece on this at a later stage but what I will say here for the benefit of the blog is that I have never felt such a draw-pull on me as I have from Miranda. The place is just "Awesome" (as much I hate using that word, I will do here), The surrounding scenery is great, the birds are excellent and so are the people who never acted like they had a point to prove, trying to make themselves look better than others or be the main focus, climbing a ladder and so I have never met such friendly, warm and inviting people who made me feel accepted, comfortable, welcomed and apart of the team. "Magical Miranda" long may it last......
