Wild Wanderings

Friday 19th January 2018

Diary

Three Robins and some Candy Floss

There was a slight improvement in the weather this last few days. Quite bright and spring like but the wind has been Icey and cutting. The river has been very quiet. On Tuesday I watched a Cormorant fishing away. Diving and resurfacing about ten times. Only once did he come up with a fish. From what I could make out it was a Perch wriggling about. The Cormorant deftly jiggled the fish into a position for swallowing only to drop it at the last moment. A lucky escape for that little fish.

The river has a certain peacefulness in the winter. Some days it is mirror like in its stillness, but today it was flowing at a good pace. Only the Canada Geese seem to like it when it’s this fast. There were several along the banks. The honking and general noisiness usually gives them away.

On a walk on Wednesday, taking another route across the wooded edge of the field, I sighted the Kestrel once again. Hovering above the fallow field looking for Voles or mice. Its shimmering wings were almost motionless as they gently brushed the air, its head turning from side to side. It would hover then drop about ten feet before hovering motionless again. And then gently wheel to the left or right before closing it’s wings slightly and cut through the air in a fast glide its tail fanning out to act as an air-break, and then back to the shimmering wings. Beautiful.

The paddock has been a hive of activity today. All the regulars were there. ‘Blackhawk’ made an appearance in his usual bold manner. He seems to be getting used to me now.

I seem to have three resident Robins. I can’t easily tell the sexes, but I think its two males and a female. I draw this conclusion by watching the constant bickering and fighting of two of them. The third just seems to watch it all. The two-protagonist rush around the hedges. Darting up and over the thorny Hawthorn and through the gaps and out the other side. The one being chased settles on a post and then is promptly set upon again. The winner perches on a vantage point, flicking his wings by his side and click, click, clicking away. Before the vanquished returns for another chase around. This has gone on for several days. Such a lot of energy for such small birds.

Among all this commotion and along comes a Long-Tailed Tit. At first, it’s quite a surprise as I haven’t seen them for a while. But I know where there is one there is usually a few more. Right enough another one softly flies in followed by two more. Their flight is so delicate and gentle and all the time they are chattering away to themselves. They remind me a lot of Candy Floss on a stick, with their pretty pink and delicate shades on their chest and their long distinctive tails trailing behind them. They are looking for insects on the bare hedgerow. It has been warmer these last couple of days so there maybe a few more around. They gently dig their tiny beaks into the bark and lift the mossy lichen that has formed. They move around very quickly and make their way along the hedge before leaving as quietly as they had come.

Looking around the edge of the paddock I can see the spring bulbs of Daffodils and Snowdrops are starting to push through. The promise of warmer times ahead.

Till Tomorrow