2012... the BIG QUIZ !!

[NOTE.... ray is currently changing internet providers... depending on how this goes etc, there might be a bit of a gap until the next post. Just twiddle your thumbs or something.]

Yes readers, here is the traditional January 1st NEW YEAR QUIZ.....

[1] HORSE or BIRD. Yep, all you have to do is decide whether each of these is a racehorse or a bird. Before you complain, let me tell you that "moth or Horse" is much much harder.... so think yourselves fortunate...

[a] Tigerbill
[b] Sweet Mirasol
[c] Kylenoe Fairy
[d] Inca Blue
[e] Ghostwing
[f] Mollyow
[g] Alabanda
[h] Karrical
[i] Little Eaglet.

[2] Talking of birds, each of these phrases ( well, almost phrases) is an anagram of 3 common British birds....

[a] Joinery brawn
[b] Weird feet , tails.
[c] Unthatched petrel krisp.

[3] Now it's the traditional ID quiz.... let's get going!!











[4] Birders in the news.....

In 2011 there appeared in a well-known local paper a picture of two-thirds of a well-known local birder. Who was this fractional person ?

[5] Like the Higgs Boson, but not actually the Higgs Boson.

[a] A particular sort of hide cannot be found at Leighton Moss, despite its potential undoubted popularity. What is it? For a bonus point, can anyone remember what allegedly happens when these hides are installed ?

[b] A popular and widely-advertised bird seems strangely absent from a certain local bird reserve during the summer months. What could it be?

[c] A popular summer migrant is strangely not being encouraged to stay on and nest at a certain popular local bird reserve. What could it be?

[d] The control lever which governs the water levels at a certain local popular bird reserve seems to have gone missing. Cynical people have remarked that some people might prefer the reserve to become a huge duck pond rather than a nice expanse of mud for spring and autumn migrants. Does anyone know where the control lever is?

[e] There is a widespread rumour that a two important photographs have gone missing from the BBC archives. These photographs have a huge rarity value and may have been stolen. Maybe they never even existed. So... look out for these two snaps...
[1] A photo of Kate Humble with her her head upright and not tilted over.
[2] A photo of Michaela Strachan without a stupid grin all over her hamster face.

MUSIC TIME... OK, this is a bit noisy at the start, but it's a brilliant song... it's Вместо Жизни by Блондинка КсЮ ... lovely ringing arpeggios, light and shade, emotion, anthemic... plus it's about Kurt Cobain....and it's got a superb Juchzer or two...perfect...