OBSERVATIONS NOW IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER


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[98wk39]

Fri 25th Sep 1998:
Still putting a little food out every day on hut, but often nothing 
taken for days at a time. The packaged food completely untouched, so 
reckon no corvids at all visiting. Possibly most birds are less 
interested in supplementing their normal diets with a bit of human 
junkfood at this time of year. Less of a busy rush-around now that 
youngsters are fledged. I guess there is plenty of good-quality 
natural food around now for the native birds, and less competition 
from birds already migrated. I suspect there will be more interest 
again when winter arrives.

============

Thu 24th Sep 1998:
Only two HM this morn, but six in the dusk. Oh, and a bat too.

============

Wed 23rd Sep 1998:
At least 15 Housemartins! Why are numbers increasing again now, when 
I keep thinking they have all left? Are these the same birds that 
were born here? (In which case, where did _some_ of them hide for 
the last few weeks?) Or are they birds flown down from further 
north, using this place as a staging-post?

============

Tue 22nd Sep 1998: 
Back in Herriard. Couldn't see any Housemartins feeding, though 'tis 
a fine day. Though I did see a flock wheeling about the M1 motorway 
on Friday pm, Nottingham area. None at all further north in 
Southport. 

Strolled out round corner to catch 4:30pm post. A pair of Martins 
flew over, fast and straight. Not typical feeding behaviour, and 
their chirrups were different too; shorter but more regular. 
Wingbeats were the typical beat-a-few, pause-a-few, but seemed in a 
more regular pattern than usual. Took a topographical bearing and 
checked on 2.5" map a few mins later.... Flightpath within ten 
degrees of due grid-South as far as I can judge. Into about 45deg of 
moderate headwind, and shifting fast.

And a young Rook in another direction shortly after. It made a 
plaintive mewling-cooing noise, umhh... "prow-prow, c-c-cheow?" 
Softly modulated, quite slow. It was following a larger bird at some 
distance, and I had the distinct impression it was saying, "mummy-
mummy, wait-for-me!" Both were gliding, soaring, in no real hurry, 
but the little one kept getting side-tipped by a bit of crosswind.


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[98wk38]

Sat 19th Sep 1998:
In Southport for a long w/e. At a caving-conference, freshwater lake 
right behind venue, so also had an enjoyable time being pecked by a 
few Ducks and Swans. Oh, and Black-headed Gulls are pretty neat at 
catching bread on the wing! Tried talking to a Magpie that was 
sitting on a spire of a derelict old hotel on the seafront.

============

Thur 17th Sep 1998:
A fine day. About a dozen Housemartins, looking busy to make the 
most of it. Gulls were around in field lunchtime, but seemed to lack 
the enthusiasm of yesterday. All took off and circled in the rising 
hill-winds, soaring with wings rigid, just gaining height. Went up 
quicker than the sailplanes using the same wind pattern too. Five 
minutes and they were out of sight, just an occasional sunglint to 
mark their presence. 

6pm, ten Starlings drifted in to land and rest briefly on our radio 
mast. On gliding approach, saw one deliberately 'bounce' another: 
with feet forward outstretched, hit the other bird square on the 
back and gave it a peck too. Much chitter-swearing from the attacked 
as it stalled and flew back up. That seemed to end the matter 
though, for they all landed for a spot of preening and the usual 
more casual chitter.

Ah! And a last observation, just before locking up and going home, 
after viewing nothing but beautifully backlit thin cloud streamers 
across a red and gold and blue sunset: black corvids, three. Heard 
them first, distant caws in the gloaming, but getting louder. So I 
went and stood in the middle of the carpark to see all the sky 
around. Facing their direction and straining to see against a 
now-dark sky. They hove into view, three darker shadows in wide 
V-formation flying high and purposefully across towards the 
Southeast. The leading bird caws regularly, a single quick note 
every two seconds or so. I watch until out of sight, which is not 
long for they are moving fast with their deep effortless strokes, 
and the dusk is well advanced. I can hear them yet, when no longer 
visible, the caws dwindling to half-imagined sounds in the 
stillness. 

Was just before eight of the eve. Too high and dark to be sure, but 
thought they were Rooks, though could have been Carrion Crows. The 
one flying on the left wingside was slightly smaller and looking 
down and around. I cawed back, but was ignored. I could only hear 
the leading bird calling; the other two remained silent. 

I can go home now, and in gladness that I hung around long enough 
for that sighting: I'm away for the next four days.

============

Wed 16th Sep 1998:
Still a few Housemartins around. The Gulls were in the field all 
day. And in afternoon, one black corvid among about twenty gulls. 
Distant, but looked like adult C.corone. Totally ignoring gulls, but 
I noted they kept well out of the way, even moved away whenever the 
Crow wandered too close. Also saw one Gull on flightpath from next 
field: would have directly overflown, but seemed to spot the odd 
black creature, made banking detour to land on far side without 
passing overhead. Intriguing, 'cos these Gulls are big ones, larger 
than the crow, and had strength of numbers. Also it is a big field, 
no need for aggressive competition... indeed, the crow seemed to 
think this, for took absolutely no notice of the gulls, just kept 
head down and ate. No need for anything else.

Late afternoon, wandered outside; a single Gull flew low right over 
me. Very graceful, strong flight in windy conditions. Still no call. 
I raised one arm to it, saw its head turn to look at me with slight 
curiosity, but did not alter flight.

============

Tue 15th Sep 1998:
Really cold this morn. Wore a coat for the first time this season. 
Counted eight Housemartins flitting over carpark and chittering away 
with enthusiasm. Seagulls -- rather a misnomer, as we are about 30 
miles inland -- have taken over the freshploughed field. These are 
big, confident looking birds, soaring strong against the wind. 
Perhaps 20 to 24 inches long, and a good 30 inches wingspan. Bigger 
than any Crow I've seen (Ravens excepted). Not sure exactly which 
species, but white and grey body when on ground; and from underside, 
mainly white with wingtips dark grey, almost black. Went for a quick 
stroll lunchtime. Wanted to see how nervous they are compared to 
Corvids. These creatures also have a reputation for being noisy and 
boisterously aggressive. Well, they all moved away to far side of 
field at my approach. Unhurried, no alarm or calls of any kind. Hmm, 
I said ploughed, but looks like now raked over and sown. Not sure 
whether bugs or grain is being eaten. This field had barley crop (I 
think) harvested a few weeks ago.

Again, saw Rooks gathered on telegraph poles and wires near A3 
Chalton. Think photo possibilities here.

============

Mon 14th Sep 1998:
At least 10, (possibly 12) Housemartins around. 

The field behind us (to west, over A339) was ploughed over in the 
last few days (Friday I think). Quite a few Pigeons in there most of 
the day, typically about 20-30. Seem to be two varieties, Wood and 
possibly Feral type. A few corvids also: Crow, Rook and Jackdaw, but 
only the odd one or two at a time visit for a desultory poke around. 
The Pigeons seem quite unconcerned, and make no effort to keep away 
from any corvid.  

About thirty Rooks, look like mostly young ones, perched on closest 
wires to rookery on A3 near Chalton


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[98wk37]

Thur 10th Sep 1998:
Blustery again. Showers at least for most of the day. Blue skies in 
between, and saw two Housemartins flittering about while they had 
the opportunity. So at least some are still around. Don't know where 
they roost or hide during the bad weather. Not in the remaining 
nests though. Counted six nests downed, only two empty ones left 
now.

============

Wed 9th Sep 1998:
Very windy. Many Starlings gathering. And I counted no less than 
seven young Housemartins at one time around our yard. Perhaps this 
is a gather-point, a departure-lounge for them? Waiting for one who 
knows the way, as it were? Though I think I've read somewhere that 
this species migrate by pure instinct, not needing parents or 
flight-leader. Perhaps they like company, or feel stronger, more 
confident in a group? Share the routefinding decisions? It is a big 
risk for these little birds on their first longflight. I know that 
many do not make it. I'm sure there is more to this than I can see. 

Saw quite a few Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws on the way in. Took car 
for servicing, and was picked up by colleague, so had better chance 
to watch from road as passenger. The corvids, particularly the 
larger, are so confident in these heavy winds. Gusty enough to make 
standing up difficult for me; buffeting erratically, so simply 
leaning into it does not help. Small birds really struggling, and 
being blown back into trees. But the Rooks still fly without much 
apparent effort; seem to take advantage of the eddies, skipping by 
graceful turn of wing from one roiling updraft to dive and soar with 
some other blast; air currents that yet remain invisible to me.

Watching their wing and head movements, I am convinced that they can 
see or sense the easiest route through the bluster. I see their 
strongly-held wings, rigid yet subtly flextured, rarely beating for 
more than a second or two. Does this give some hint as to the 
reasons for their wings to be stubby? Short and broad of wing-chord 
for a bird of this size, and for one who travels a long way in a 
scavenger's busy day. Longer, thinner wings are usually preferred by 
migratory species, the long-distance high-flyers. But the corvids 
are flying in all weathers, mostly low and in obstructed places. 
Their shorter wings are so much stronger: able to resist the erratic 
forces of those conditions for less muscular effort. Only in calm 
airs does the efficiency of a thinner wing become relevant. And on 
still days, I see the corvids flying with a regular, deep slow 
wingbeat when they cruise over on foraging rounds. Such flight is 
often described as "heavy" or "laboured." I assume this is meant in 
comparison with the summer-elegant Swifts, for example. But to stay 
for a British winter requires a stronger and more versatile wing: to 
be moderately good, competent under all conditions; not to 
specialise in one type of flight to the extent that one loses almost 
all ability to fly under other conditions. 

I can quite see why the expression "stormcrow" came into our 
language. The folklore is that the crows call the storms. An obvious 
enough conclusion, because people have observed that shortly before 
the storm, only crows are to be seen in the skies. Well naturally! 
All other avians have already left the country, or have sensibly 
found a strong tree to cling too. But the Corvidae? They will frolic 
in it!

============

Tue 8th Sep 1998:
8:30am. The little Sparrows were waiting for me this morn. More of 
them than I remember, so I guess the food-rumour has spread. Eh, 
then just as well I brought half a loaf in with me. 

Oh, there are _four_ Housemartins still hanging around! Don't seem 
to be associated with a nest: just flying round continuously feeding 
themselves. A little chirruping, but not much, and fairly subdued. I 
think they are very young. Perhaps they are the last-fledged brood 
of parents that have already left? In which case they need to feed 
well, gain strength and fat-reserve for their trans-Alps longflight. 
I guess late broods of migratory species have a fairly low survival 
rate. But they will do or die. Ah... then I wish them clearskies 
luck for that journey. Wherever they go.

I suppose it is a reasonable strategy to stagger the journeys too. 
Some will get a good weather window, wind under tail to carry over 
rising mountain ranges. And though some will perish in storm, 
dropping into the snow from exhaustion and battling headwinds, there 
should be enough survivors... on average... for the species to live.

============

Mon 7th Sep 1998:
Oddly weather today. Blustery rain in the morn, lovely warm middle-
day, now reverting to clouds and wind again for the evening. Food 
all gone apart from that in closed sandwich container. No hungry 
corvids over the w/e then! Though I did find a feather on the 
ground. I think C.corone, but a youngling. Left a few bits of food.

I thought all the Housemartins had gone off on their annual 
pilgrimage in worship of the sun. I hope they all make it safely 
over the Alps. Certainly the nests on our offices are all deserted 
now. The pair above my window evidently decided that it was not 
worthwhile to finish rebuilding their collapsed nest. But I've just 
seen one solitary bird gyrating around the field opposite, 
struggling in the erratic blast, no chirruping, possibly 'cos nobird 
else to communicate with. 

I do so love this time of year. Hawthorn is putting on a good show 
of red berries, and I was eating ripe-sweet blackberries on my 
little afternoon stroll to the local postbox by the pub. I saw a 
rainbow trying to form, but tattered clouds were breaking across it. 
About fifty Starlings gathering on telegraph wires; a close-packed 
group, making the wires sag a little. 


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[98wk36]

Tue 1st Sep 1998:
8:30am. Dull, overcast morning. Saw many Rooks and several Crows in 
flight, perched in trees, or feeding in stubble fields. Perhaps the 
damp conditions have encouraged the bugs to come out. A gather of 
about 200 Rooks flew over me on the Selborne road (B3006). At 
Herriard, about 40 flew down into the now-greening again stubble 
field across the lane from our offices. Thought to grab a few more 
photos. While doing that, I heard a strange thing: "pruk-pruk-pruk" 
from a Rook! A solitary one, and came in from the opposite direction 
from the others, circled an oak tree at the field-edge by main road 
(A339). It went around twice, and each time it was facing the 
ground-feeding group, it made that call. No other birds were making 
any calls in the field: maintaining their usual silence.

I'm fairly sure the call was from this bird; I watched it from first 
looking around at the unexpected note, though could not say if bill 
was opening at the range. After the second circle, it flew straight 
down into the middle of the group and started feeding. Seemed to 
take no particular interest in anybird of the company, and nobird 
took much notice of its arrival. I looked at it closely through 
telephoto lens, and definitely an adult Rook. Looked out again at 
9am, and field empty.

Bread on hut almost all gone over the long Bank Holiday w/e. Small 
bills pecking, and packaged sandwich still around, undamaged.


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[98wk35]

Thur 27th Aug 1998:
Now all the pieces of bread have been nibbled at, but by small bills 
only. The packaged sandwich undisturbed. Noted more Corvids in 
stubble this morn. Mostly Rooks, with many young ones at that. 
Slightly smaller, lighter-built than adults or C.corone, yet without 
the distinctive facepatch of their parents. I guess they are eating 
well to build a bit of reserve against the winter scarcities. Though 
I've never seen a fat Corvid at any time; they always seem a little 
lean and haggard compared to pigeons and other birds of similar 
size.

============

Wed 26th Aug 1998:
Food untouched all day. Well, there is probably so much bounty in 
the fields at the moment, that most birds are making the most of 
that, and have no enthusiasm for scavenging human junkfood. (:>) 
Seen many small groups of Rooks, a few Crows and Jackdaws in 
freshly-cut stubble fields, morn and eve.

============

Tue 25th Aug 1998:
9am. Still a few small groups of Rooks around in stubble-fields on 
my route in to dayjob, but no large gathers. Well, the food is gone, 
container still there and undamaged. (I had left it open for the 
smaller birds) Unwanted vegetable-bits of sandwich left strewn 
around. Though all the avocado gone! Eh, whatever took that has 
peculiar tastes. (:>) Not necessarily corvids though, and no bill-
marks anywhere. Left out a large end of a wholemeal loaf brought 
from home, slightly mouldy. Later, also part of a fresh Corned Beef 
sandwich in closed container.

The pair of Housemartins are busy rebuilding their fallen nest. Have 
to admire their perseverance.

============

Mon 24th Aug 1998:
I've been away from here for nine days total. No-one else will have 
been putting food out to encourage Crows. The Oak tree suddenly 
seems to have lots of acorns now, take as a good sign, though still 
looks tired. The Housemartins have lost their nest and eggs with 
embryos inside. Bleagh! They were doing so well this year too: 
successfully raised two batches of fledglings. This would have been 
the third had the nest lasted. Ah, well.

Put the usual half-my-lunch sandwich out. Prawn, Lettuce & Avocado. 
(That was a mistake, I loath avocado!) Want to see how long it takes 
the corvids or any others to re-visit after a time of nothing there. 
Hmmm, no activity all day, untouched by 6pm. Not even any cheeky 
little sparrow following me today.


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[98wk34]

Thurs 20th Aug 1998:
Driving up A3, North of Horndean, early afternoon. Saw  a group of 
about fifty Rooks perched on telegraph wires in field beside the 
road. Rarely see even one on wires; these shy rural creatures always 
seem to have a deep distrust of anything manmade. Unlike the Crows, 
who seem to delight in subverting anything we accidentally provide. 
(:>)


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[98wk33]

Fri 14th Aug 1998, 6pm: An enormous parliament of Rooks flew over 
and settled in the field opposite! 

...The sky went sudden-dim. This is a warm summer day, just a few 
high thin clouds. So I looked up in surprise from my ill-starred 
little problem-project of the day. Dark wings fill the frame of my 
office window. Hraerk! Corvids gathering in a numberless cloud! I 
have never seen so many in one gather! Well over a thousand birds in 
this host. But in silence; it is only the darkening of the daylight 
that makes them so obvious.

They swirled around briefly, then sank as one body into the field 
immediately opposite. Harvested only days ago: just stubble 
remaining. So I grabbed camera and an old coat out of car. Ran 
across carpark and dived headlong into the hedge. (This is what the 
old coat is for, silly! Though this caused more consternation among 
my colleagues than the rushing about with a camera, which they are 
used to.) Only head and lens reach through hedge, and I'm fairly 
well jammed in it. Carefully moved a few bits of foliage out of my 
view, and just motored through most of a 36-roll. Then extricated 
myself painfully from hedge. [ouch-caws, it's hawthorn] Walked along 
road until I found an easier way right into the field, and used the 
rest of the roll. 

Oddly, the birds did not take the dreads of me, though I was now 
quite overt. Merely moved casually to the other side of field. I 
cawed with gusto, and some looked over at me with curiosity, but 
seemed unperturbed. I wonder if they are less feared in such a large 
gather: the risk to any individual creature from a single 
earthwalker must be fairly dilute. They certainly showed some 
reasonable caution, and all kept just beyond a shotgun range. They 
weren't going to give up that field easily. Though there are no 
nests nearby, so perhaps that is why no birds made any show of 
mobbing me. Just as well. That many of the dark daggerbills could 
probably kill a human, even an armed one, if their collective will 
was exerted against their most destructive unnatural enemy.

Now feeling all the cuts and scratches, and still picking thorns out 
of my flesh. Worth a little blood though, to be among so many of my 
beloved and gentle-natured Rooks. 


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[98wk32]

Wed 5th Aug 1998:
Went to Tower of London. Meeting email-Corvofriends RavenBlack and 
RavenShades. And giving greetings to the Captive Unkindness there, 
that have been resident for something like 900 years. Those Ravens 
are magnificent, and completely in control of Tower Green, despite 
having their wings clipped to ensure their continued residence as a 
tourist attraction, and in circumvention of legend. 


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[98wk31]

Fri 31st Jul 1998:
Late evening, wrapping up to go home. Wander round and check 
security for the w/e. Also a nosing around the other units on 
estate, some recently changed occupants. I realise there is 
something odd, different about unit 6 in the far corner: the windows 
have been covered in a semi-mirrored film. Doesn't look too obvious 
from a sideways angle, but from head-on, the mirror effect is very 
apparent. Ah! So that is what attracts the Crows to that unit! I 
have been perplexed to see them hanging around there in early 
mornings and late nights, on the fence alongside, or on the 
windowsills.  Always a lot of whitewash on the ground too. On closer 
examination of the windows, I note that they are scratched and 
scuffed to the height of about two feet above each windowsill. And 
one window, the film is on the outside: this is severely torn about. 
I wonder if they use as preening-aid, or are attacking rivals that 
won't back down? (:>)


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[98wk30]

Sat 25th - Sun 26th July 1999:
Went to an all-night dancing-party in grounds of a magnificent 
country house near Bath.... "CAW! CAW! CAW! [to techno beat] I waken 
on soft haybales, under the Atlas Pines reaching to the blue 
heavens. Quietly insistent dance-music wafting over from the tea 
stall. A cheerful security guard walks past in the dawnlight, grins 
and tells me I look like a blue caterpillar. Apropos of my sleeping 
bag I guess, but I don't really mind being a chrysalis. Some lovely 
person brings me a cup of tea, and I rub my eyes. There is a Crow's 
feather beside my head. Find several more, then get all the other 
occupants of this haystack searching for the black quills. And none 
of them even express surprise at my request. That is one of the 
things I like about this scene. Heheh! CAW!"

============

Tue 21st July 1998:
8:30am B3006, field beside road, near where I saw Rooks gathering 
last week. Now harvested, and there must have been 500 Rooks 
gleaning in the golden stubble. Perhaps the ground is suddenly 
better exposed, and they are after soil grubs? Don't recall ever 
seeing so many in one place, even in freshly ploughed fields. The 
next field, looks identical, but not a single bird do I see as I 
pass. Wish I had time to stop and observe properly; looks like they 
are set in for a determined morning.

============

Mon 20th July 1998:
9am. Hmm, the tied-down sandwich container remains undisturbed. 
Despite having had a whole weekend of empty industrial-estate. All 
other food gone, apart from a chicken egg I also left out.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[98wk29]

Fri 17th July 1998:
9am. Stuck in a long traffic jam on B3006. An accident involving a 
large coach on this fairly narrow but busy country road. So we are 
all stationary for about 20mins while the police clear the highway. 
This is a good flyway for the Rooks too. A few drift past fairly 
high, looking down with some apparent curiosity at the mile-long 
lines of vehicles. I am quite envious of their effortless queue-
jumping.(:>)

Oh well, nothing to do but sit back and await my turn. There are 
about twenty Rooks across the field to my left, maybe half a mile 
away. Hovering, wheeling, soaring, and always returning to perch on 
a particular tree in the hedgerow over there. That tree is too small 
to be a rookery-tree, but I have noticed them around it before. 
Never had the opportunity to stop here before though. The weather is 
cold, with strong and gusty winds and squally rain. Yet the Rooks 
ignore it, and seem intent on enjoying their aerial display. They 
spiral up and down in a tight group, with an occasional pair or 
several breaking away to perform aerobatic chases. I am sure this is 
not aggressive behaviour, because often a leading or "chased" bird 
will hover, let those behind overshoot and chase in turn. It is a 
very complicated but graceful dance. I'm sure they are in playful 
mood, and seem to take advantage of the rough weather; on strong 
wings outstretched, they ride the gusts, twisting and turning to 
catch the updrafts, then tucking wings in to make recklessly fast 
dives and loops. Occasionally, one loses mastery of the air 
currents, and is suddenly transported a hundred yards downwind. 
These ones then fly hard and frantically -- barely making headway 
against the wind -- back to where they were, or more usually, to 
perch in the tree, presumably to rest a little after their full-
power sprint. 

I watch this display for at least ten minutes, then another, larger 
group of Rooks arrive, high and fairly fast. The newcomers, perhaps 
fifty birds, drop down slightly to join in the circles for a couple 
of turns, and the whole group mingles and gains height. Any birds in 
the tree also join, and when they have achieved as much altitude as 
that hillside-soaring wind pattern will give them, the group turns 
and flies off as a ragged formation, a loose cloud of dark wings. 
They settle into what I call the "serious-travelling" wingbeat, and 
cruise in an unhurried but purposeful flight over the horizon. 

Eventually my own waiting is over. Belatedly onward to work. The 
tied-down sandwich container is undisturbed, but most of the other 
food is gone. Two small black feathers nearby. One is an almost 
perfectly scaled down replica of a larger one I found last week, but 
only five inches long, with steel-blue sheen. The other is just dark 
fluff for the first half, and a very thin, translucent flight-
surface towards the tip. Possibly just a moulted small wingfeather 
and a contour bodyfeather, but I get the feeling they are from a 
young bird. Not such a sharp smell either. I wonder if the local 
pair do have young, and are bringing at least one here?

============

Thur 16th July 1998:
1pm. Left another half of cheese and onion roll. A pair of Sparrows 
with one fledgling are enthusiastically tucking in to the cheese. 
This pair live in some bushes round the front of our offices, and 
are often the first to visit any new food I have put out; I think 
they have watched long enough to know that I leave food there, for 
they often follow me round, and perch on a little tree on that side 
to observe my activity. And this time they have brought one of their 
young with them. Or perhaps it is the first to fly, and won't wait 
in the nest. It is quite amusing, because its wings will barely 
sustain it, and it hasn't quite got the hang of controlling 
direction of flight very well yet. And as for landings... well, it 
just steers erratically and hopefully in the general direction of 
its parents, whether perched or on the tiled hut roof, and when it 
has stopped bouncing around, stops flapping wings and gives a 
breathless little chirrup.

It knows about this food though, and evidently has a taste for 
cheese... but not the knowledge and ability to peck for itself. 
After following parents to the shed, it went straight over to the 
food, but sat beside it, wings a-quiver, and begging loudly for 
parents to feed it still. 

7pm. Much of the opened food has been eaten. But only by small 
bills. I make up another Crow package, various bits in sandwich 
container, but this time I tie it down to the shed roof. Hah!


============

Tue 14th July 1998:
9am. Hmm, the whole sandwich has gone, container as well. Puzzled. 
Left out half a cheese and onion roll, unwrapped. Did not see any 
activity whenever I looked out though. 7pm. Last look around before 
locking up. Found yesterday's container! In the far corner of the 
carpark. Counted 43 paces back to the hut. It didn't blow there 
after emptying: wrong direction. Interestingly, it was still shut: 
looks like one edge jammed by over-enthusiastic bill-stab in the 
wrong place. Heh. A large ragged hole in one side, and several 
obvious bill-marks where attempted starts were made in other places. 
Oh, and there was another black feather in that corner of the 
carpark. Over 11-inches long, perfect condition, but of somewhat 
different form. Perhaps a tailfeather.

============

Mon 13th July 1998:

9am. One opened sandwich container by door. But was windy all w/e, 
and could have blown there. Only slightly damaged. Midmorning, find 
someone has left a whole sandwich in the fridge over the weekend. 
Find who it belongs too, and suggest only any good for the Crows 
now, so please donate. Heh. So left that out, with some smaller bits 
of loose food too. Had need for outside-solitude lunchtime, so went 
to the Shalden xroads rookery. All very quiet, and saw not a single 
Rook. Glad to say that I found no nests obviously downed after the 
w/e gales, though plenty of damage to the trees themselves. Even so, 
could only spot one nest from ground level, of the twenty-plus I 
know to be there. They seem to just fade invisible into the land at 
this time. Hardly seen any last couple of weeks, even on their usual 
flyways. Seen quite a few Carrion Crow, at roadkill, mostly in pairs 
and as confident as ever. And glimpsed a few Magpies. I'm sure my 
two local Crows are around. They tease me by leaving circumstantial 
evidence of their presence, but do not show themselves.


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[98wk28]

Fri 10th July 1998:
9am. All food gone, wrecked container still in more or less the same 
position, the small feather removed but left beside. Hehe. If the 
Crows inspected in my absence, I hope they came to completely the 
wrong conclusion about the local Housemartins. (Hoping I am not 
causing them strife. Unlikely, as the cheeky little creatures seem 
utterly unperturbed by anything.)

So I left a large slab of bread-pudding, in torn paper wrap on hut. 
I know the Crows can carry this off in one go if they want it. But 
the small birds will be pecking at it all day, and it will probably 
diminish rapidly over the day. 

7:30pm. Bother. We had a garden-contractor working on the estate 
nearly all day, with powered implements. Nice chap, and countryside-
knowledgeable. But rather prevented any birds from staying around. 
Quiet now, but I'm going home. Saw one Jackdaw pass over just now, 
backwinged, uttered a triumphant "Chack!" and returned the way it 
came.

============

Thur 9th July 1998:
9am. All food gone. Surprised not to find a little heap of uneaten 
onion. I would have expected the little birds to have left that! 
Perhaps the Crows did get in before they finished, and took the 
whole thing? I can't believe the Crows have developed a taste for 
onion. (:>) Left a few bits to keep some activity going throughout 
the rest of the day. Checked whenever I went past an overlooking 
window.

7pm. Okay, I'm playing a new game now. Took an empty sandwich 
container, and bill-mutilated it with a screwdriver. It was actually 
quite difficult. Makes me think that I would not like to really get 
on the wrong side of a hungry Crow! Anyway, I tore the thing very 
open, half-filled the wreckage with small pieces of various 
foodstuffs and left on ground near hut, deliberately letting the 
contents spill and scatter. And just for good measure, I also 
included a small white and grey feather from under a Housemartin's 
nest.

============

Wed 8th July 1998:
9am. Again, all food gone. The container open but punctured and torn 
about somewhat, and on all faces. No holes big enough to have got 
much out, and I reckon the bird just battered it around and it 
eventually popped open. Some nicely-clear puncture marks though!

Left more food, including half of yesterday's corned beef sandwich 
in its new container. Also half of today's cheese and onion roll, 
unwrapped... when I went home, many smaller birds were pecking at 
that. Good, they deserve some, and also I am trying to get the Crows 
to understand that there is often food in that place, but not to 
depend on the timing, or it being packaged in a way that only they 
can access: if they want it, they need to check quite regularly, not 
merely turn up at dawn. If they don't, chances are some other birds 
will have eaten it all.

============

Tue 7th July 1998:
9am. All the food gone. Container, again undamaged, left on ground. 
Refilled with a large portion of cheese and onion roll. Closed it, 
but not stapled shut, and also left some unwrapped food.

============

Mon 6th July 1998:
8:30am. Drizzly rain but not cold. A neatly opened, undamaged, 
unmarked container. Left beside a door, some twenty-three paces 
around the corner of the building. Hehe, do I take this as a hint 
that they would like it refilled, please? Also another dark feather 
close by. About seven and a half inches long, quite fresh with 
lovely iridescent steel-blue sheen on leading edge back to rhachis. 
Almost-square tip to this feather.

Replaced the undamaged container, with some crisps and a piece of 
chocolate, half-open on the hut roof. Think to let the little birds 
have some. Also a bit of a cake slice, coconut and I even saved them 
the end with an obvious cherry. Wondering if they have a sweet 
tooth.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[98wk27]

Fri 3rd July 1998:
Heh! Pretty much as expected. The empty container, still with metal 
weight in it, on ground approximately 3 metres away. Though I don't 
know why the bird prefers to deal with it on the ground, rather than 
on the hut roof. It must have taken some reasonable effort to move 
it even that far. Perhaps more concerned about other uninvited 
Corvids spotting the commotion, than about ground-predators?

The container is much battered, has been opened by piercing and 
tearing at the moulded apex. No obvious attempt to prise-apart the 
normally-opening end. The ragged hole made is enough to get a 
Corvid's head into, but not to remove the food in one piece. Good, 
the bird must be more selective if forced to do this, rather than 
fly away with the whole bait. Okay, the bird likes the bread and the 
cheese, but the bits of onion were spat out on the ground all 
around. 

For tonight I am leaving them an egg mayonnaise sandwich. Same as 
they tore the container into shreds for, quite unnecessarily, last 
week. Just a normal container, no weight added. I want to see if 
they unnecessarily tear this one apart too.


============

Thur 2nd July 1998:
Intriguing. The food not opened, though has been moved and turned 
over. No visible evidence of any serious bill-attack. I replace it 
in original position.

I surmise that it was left for now, as too difficult to deal with in 
a limited time. I guess the bird has plenty of other food-choices on 
its rounds. But I reckon it will remember, and be back at a better 
time of day with serious intent.

============

Wed 1st July 1998:
Been out until today. Drove in to see a large black feather drifting 
around the carpark. A bit tattered, but picked it up anyway. Nine 
and a half inches long by just under two wide, weight 0.5g. White 
spine at base, but even this is black where the flight-surfaces 
start. Neutral-black by reflected light, rainbows within if I hold 
it up directly to the sun. Probably moulted. A sharp, musty odour.

Check the hut area... opened but undamaged sandwich container within 
a few paces, still with the iron plate holding it down. Looks like 
has been picked up by one slightly crushed (by bill?) corner and 
hurled bodily off the roof. It probably burst open at that point. 
Neat.

Lunchtime. Okay, using same container, filled with remnant of cheese 
and onion roll (the rolls are normally just bag-wrapped). And the 
metal weight. 306g total. Oh, and just for good measure, have 
stapled it up round the edges. Hah!

A couple of tiny white eggshells on the ground under my window. 
Assume more Housemartins hatching?

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