Distressed blackbird clucks
Disturbance within hedgerow
Smug cuckoo departs
.
n.b. Here is Sir David Attenborough taking you through the dirty work of the parasite obligate we call the cuckoo.
CLP 31/04/2020
Liberté, Égalité, Humanité
Distressed blackbird clucks
Disturbance within hedgerow
Smug cuckoo departs
.
n.b. Here is Sir David Attenborough taking you through the dirty work of the parasite obligate we call the cuckoo.
CLP 31/04/2020
Hear that?
The deranged fluting
Of squabbling neighbours
In hedgerows, on bushes
Ceaseless bickering
An endless stream
Of chiding and chipping
Away one moves
The others follow
From pillar to post
To willow to fence
Unable to let rest
Whatever the matter be
Resolved or not
There’s always more to add
Or subtract from what’s already said
Not happy until everyone’s unhappy
Are the anti-sociable
Flocking, mocking starlings
.
CLP 30/05/2020
At the Salthouse church of St Nicholas a nest of blue tits has been established, despite the extensive repair work to the external flint and lime mortar. The parent birds have found food in a nearby garden and are shuttling to and fro to top up their hatchlings. As one bird leaves and crosses the west face of the church, the other is already flying towards the gap in the stone work with more food.
The birds have done well to find this site for their home. The gap in the wall is just the right size for them to squeeze in, is about six metres up the face of the building and is sheltered from the wind off the sea.
This is a busy time. A blackbird scurries across the dusty street. Wrens are darting into gaps in hedgerows. House martins have returned to the mud bowls under the eaves they have been visiting for generations at a nearby cottage. In the wild plum tree there is a commotion of chirping from a nest full of small birds chiding the adults to bring, “More! More! More!”
I have reached a point where I am unable to deliver, “More! More! More!” of this series.
I am very fortunate to be living in these strange times in such a beautiful place. Knowing that I would be looking out for something to write about here each day, has made my daily exercise more than just a duty of self-care. It has been a blessing to be able to immerse myself in these surroundings.
With the gradual loosening of restrictions on lockdowns around the world, we are now at a time when we must reconnect and find ways of recovering and re-structure our lives together. What I have seen here emphasises to me the importance of doing this in ways that allow the natural world to thrive alongside us. Our good health, in all aspects, depends on everyone working together to ensure this is so.
I will continue posting bits and pieces about wildlife and my natural surroundings while I continue on my travels.
Thank you all for the “Likes” and comments you have sent in about these 59 posts. It has been a pleasure to hear from you.
With Love
Christopher Perry
Saturday, 16th May, 2020
Lapwings squeal at crows
Stealing eggs from open nests
Fear-filled commotion
.
n.b. Dreadful scenes of larceny and conflict marking daybreak on 1st May.
.
CLP 1st May 2020
The year’s first swallow is here
Just the one
Balanced quite comfortably
On the telephone wire
A bright summery note on a four line stave
Flown in on the warm south wind
It sits, calling for the others
It can’t eat all these midges and mosquitos alone
.
Christopher Perry
15th April, 2020
Of all the birds in all the world
My favourite bird is not at all that big
It’s dull and brown
Slender not round
Without distinctive look
Male and female are indistinct
You’d have thought one would make an effort
But even so they get along
And have a pleasant life
They live by the sea
On Cornwall’s coast
Rock Pipit and his wife
(or is the other way about and does it actually matter?)
.
n.b. GloPoWriMo 2020 Challenge. Warm up. What’s favourite bird? The Rock Pipit, innit!
.
Christopher Perry
1st April, 2020