Anyone who knows me well, will also know how much I love my visiting birds. I have a robin who has almost become a pet this winter. He flies to my small walled garden when called and often alights really close to me when I venture out with dried mealworms. For almost a week, he went missing and I was distraught imagining a cat cruelly ending his life too soon. Sheer delight filled my heart on his return and touch wood, he has visited every morning since. Phew!
This weekend will see avid birdwatchers venture out to participate in the Great Garden Birdwatch. The count when collated provides vital information about indigenous populations and winter migrants. I love taking part and if the weather permits I will go to our local park to record numbers of woodpeckers, nuthatches and perhaps a blackcap or goldcrest.
I urge you to get out there with your field glasses and notepads. Your participation is a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge. A link for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is here. https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch.
This weekend will see avid birdwatchers venture out to participate in the Great Garden Birdwatch. The count when collated provides vital information about indigenous populations and winter migrants. I love taking part and if the weather permits I will go to our local park to record numbers of woodpeckers, nuthatches and perhaps a blackcap or goldcrest.
I urge you to get out there with your field glasses and notepads. Your participation is a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge. A link for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is here. https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch.
Birdsong morning
As the dawn lifts the shroud of darkness
the pale sky is charged with legions
row upon row
heading to the killing fields
an airborne whoosh
then another and another.
A shake of the worm bag
elicits a flash of red
as a robin alights on the fence
and two blackbirds
arrive on the rooftop.
Soon the titter of a wren
echoes in the alleyway
and shuffle-wing shares the spoils
the neighbour has put out
for all comers.
The winter-clad clematis
offers cover while the starlings
clamour to devour
the remnants of the feast
chattering and chunnering.
A flight-born chirrup chirrup
heralds the passage
of the grey wagtail
who sometimes quaffs
from the flat roof next door.
My day starts with the joy
of morning birdsong.
Thamk you for reading, watching and counting.
4 comments:
A charming poem, Adele. I heard a news item about the RSPB birdwatch today, suggesting that the robin may be dropping out of the top 10 of garden visitors (to be supplanted by the great tit), so keep yours enticed! Let's hope for good weather on Sunday for a spotting hour in the park.
I love birdsong. I just wish I knew more about birds.
Thank heavens there are people like you who go out and record these birds. I wouldn't have a clue which is shameful.
Delightful poem enhanced with lines like 'and shuffle-wing shares the spoils' and 'A flight-born chirrup chirrup'
Thanks for a lovely read.
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