OBSERVATIONS IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Times in GMT/UST (Add 1 hour for UK BST between 28th March & 31st October 1999 if required) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk26] Sat-Sun 3rd-4th July 1999: Gothparty, "The Labyrinth" in Dorset, a huge rhododendron-maze on a hilltop. A quiet little do among the Scary Ones. No-one I knew went, but all that made it there were as mad as hatters, so a fine mopey- time of sitting around a fire in the rain was had by all. That and getting lost in the maze for a long time. On drive to area, somewhere near Wimborne, a huge parliament of several hundred Rooks flew leisurely overhead. Stopped at a pull-in, convenient within moments, but even standing out of car with engine off, had no other sight nor sound of all those big black birds that were like a great dark cloud against the almost-dark sky. How could so many hide so quickly? The walk in was also interesting: had arranged to arrive alone well after darkfall to make the event more eerily-appropriate. Little green lights strewn across the landscape, and suspected someone's little party-trick at first, until examined one closely. Glow-worms, waving their luminous bug-tails across yon blasted heath. Bright enough to read the print on the photocopied orienteering-style directions that I flicked one onto for examination. Fascinating! Let it go a little way off the path and hoped that other people would avoid stepping on any more. I suppose the light is part of a mate- attraction communication, but it does give their position away to any other creature wandering in the dark, whether wishing to avoid harm or to prey on them. Strange and awesome place generally. Apart from the rhododendron at ground level, enormous old pine trees crown the hilltop. (Not sure of exact species.) Many dead ones, some fallen, but no young trees replacing. Perhaps the alien-species undergrowth is too inimical to self-sown tree-seedlings. I guess the area was once a planted and tended garden, but must have been left a long time to go as wild as this. Crow and Jackdaw calling as I late-morn awake in bivvy-bag. In evening, back at home, and a series of phonecalls from friends in Alresford: a displaced fledgling found cowering by a garage door, what thoughts for help and identification? Heh, a puzzle as initially described as *hawk-like.* Another resident reckoned Cuckoo. But it has a forked tail. Ho hum. Suggested putting it in nearest tree but to keep a hidden-eye on. Apparently it took its little adventure with the Scary Ground in good spirit, even cadging a square meal of milk and smoked salmon from the Scary Humans. Bird last seen working its way up and deeply into yew-tree in the dusk. ============ Fri 2nd Jun: Back Lane rookery, checking on a late evening drive-by. All looks busy again, many birds around, one on apparent sentry-duty as usual, but they take little notice of another car just stopping at the give-way junction for a minute or so. Many different caws among the general billchatter, presume youngsters now fledged but not yet so mature and deep of voice. ============ Weds 30th Jun: Warm dry morning. Many corvids out and about. A young Magpie eating roadkill in relative safety of A3M hardshoulder, almost into untended edge of low bushes, but with a larger bird (presumed parent) standing watchful guard on the crashbarrier. Herriard, and note another two eggshell-halves, think from same egg, under newest HM nest. That would make at least three nestlings in that one now. ============ Tue 29th Jun: Savage weather raging this morn, floods and road-closing accidents all around. Got up and noted Pigeon on neighbour's roof, huddling in lee of chimney stack. Looked too bedraggled to fly much further, but had gone next time I looked out. Saw hardly any birds airborne on drive in, but many fledglings skulking under hedges in office carpark. Sparrows and Starlings mostly. If this is the first day out for some, must be wondering why they left the comfort and security of nest. Put bread on shed, and many smallfeathers tucking in, barely waiting for me to move a few paces away. I suppose hungry birds are a little braver, or more foolish-desperate than the wily and well-fed. Some Housemartins braving the conditions, though don't know what sort of insects they can be catching on the wing in this gusty wind and rain. Found a single eggshell under the HM nest above my window to NE -- this is the small odd nest last built, hardly ever see much activity at. But can hear the nestlings chirping from nest above other side of window, to SW -- the regular site that has been inhabited every year as far as I can remember. Later in day find another HM eggshell, sure it wasn't there in same place as the other one earlier. Two nestlings to the new birds then. Driving home later, weather drying, but did not see a single corvid anywhere. Many Pigeons and smallfeathers now out and flying busily for the remaining daylight, but it seems the whole area mysteriously deserted by corvo-kind. Makes me wonder if they knew today was to be pointless of forage, and simply taken a holiday in a warmer area! Even stopped at Back Lane rookery, but utter silence and no birds there. Nests now difficult to see too, and if I didn't know what a caw-busy place this usually is, I'd not easily believe it was an active rookery and roost. ============ Mon 28th Jun: 11:10am. Herriard. Putting remains of my c&o roll in cellophane and paper bag on shed roof. Heard a quiet "Cheow?" from above, look up to see Jackdaw floating into wind, almost hovering, and looking down at me from no more than 30ft above. Reply softly as best I can in that difficult tongue, while trying not to stare. Make a point of re-arranging the bait and iron weights holding it down, giving only casual glances back up. 'Daw alights on our radio mast, surveying the sky and scene below. I walk away slowly, not turning or looking until a good distance away. Another Jackdaw suddenly appears! Should not really be surprised, for it is perhaps more remarkable that I've only ever seen the one bird shed-raiding here. They make a few quiet calls, and the new arrival lands in the oak. First bird comes down, tears open package by flipping it over and beaking through the easier paper-side of the bag. Selects a few choice morsels, and returns to mast, scanning around sky and eating. Second bird drops silent to shed, takes some back to oak. I'm still watching, but silent from respectful distance. Both birds call briefly, and the one I can see on mast is looking over at me. (The bird in oak is hidden.) Then both drop down to shed; one eats while the other stands beside staring back at me. Then, perhaps realising that not much cheese is remaining, suddenly turns and flaps wings in face of other, which backs off with a plaintive little noise. Both fly off together to Northeast, bill carrying more food. I go back indoors, but they are back shortly, as I see them from passing a window on the stairs at back of building. Point them out to people here, and some go to window to see the birds. Five minutes later, glance out of my own office window, and see a Jackdaw on ridge of roof opposite. It is peering over at me, and I can see beak opening in what I assume are loud calls. (Not heard due to closed window and too much noise from reception-area.) Grab some bread and go outside again. Sure enough it is calling, and I can also hear another in distance, together with sounds of a Carrion Crow, from Southwest crow-trees. The other 'Daw floats overhead, and in company with two Crows, all stiffwinged-lazy, and chatting fairly quietly in their different voices. The flying 'Daw seems to spot me at this point, or perhaps is noting the slice of wholemeal bread I'm holding up. It calls in an excited tone and drops lower, but the two larger Crows sheer off in alarm: flap fast but silent to disappear into oak. The 'Daw on roof goes over to enjoin, but seems to have a note of amusement in its calls. I leave the bread in usual place, but don't stay to watch. Let the 'Daws explain to their larger cousins that some strange earthbound geezer often cheows at them in a Rookish accent and offers corvine delicacies. Though they only got bread and cheese today, the smoked salmon being off the menu. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk25] Sat-Sun 26-27th Jun: Portsmouth. Mostly a quiet w/e in at home, but seem to be many townie Carrion Crows around at this time. Went out briefly to local shops twice, one foot, and each time noted a Crow on rooftops. Cawed up at both, and at least elicited a puzzled examination, though in silence. One of the birds was on a street-corner roof within sight of my home, and was there at least ten minutes, eating something. I went and fiddled with car outside, by way of not causing too much notice at glancing up casually to check still there. The bird carried on eating, though I note it had turned to keep a slightly suspicious eye on me. Also heard several unseen Crows calling near back of house at about 4am one morn, just getting light. Not sure where these birds nest; never seen a hint of which chimneys among the forest of same, they might call their home. ============ Fri 25th Jun: Swifts, scythelike over the raised intersection carriageways of M275/M27. Darting among the traffic with great skill. Slowed slightly, partly to have more opportunity to see, but not much chance anyway, with the heavy morning rush-hour traffic demanding constant attention. Evasive action to avoid birds would be out of the safe-question, with every driver jostling for position as two roads merge in a badly-designed curve of lanes conjoining with poor mirror-visibility and ambiguous lane-signage. Crows wait on nearly every lamp-post, perhaps attracted by the number of accidents that occur in this short stretch. Later, in (relative) peace of A339, stop and get car tucked safely out of roadway to photograph fields of yellow and red with the sunshine glowing to bring life to petals and the images thereof. Hear unseen Jackdaws calling cheerily nearby while I am lost in viewfinder-beauty. A usual day of busy work, but still found time to put foodstuffs outside. Not to see or even note when taken, but tidying before homeward-thinking of fine evening, spot large remains of a smoked salmon sandwich in skip. Heh, too good to waste, and in closed container not even damaged by casual emptying of office-bins. Took and left on shed at 5:15, and opened, contents gone within ten minutes. Not a sound heard while checking building and locking up, but from usual type of Jackdaw-marks, reckon a clever bird has got its weekend-feast cached away in good time. ============ Thur 24th Jun: Gloriously warm morn. Has been for most of the week so far. 12:25 lunchtime, outside office. Magpie, definite! Flying sideways- on at less than furlong distant! Long tail and short wings unmistakable. ============ Weds 23rd Jun: Afternoon in Herriard, think I saw a Magpie. This has happened three times this week. Each time has been flying directly away from me, without opportunity to note the give-away of long tail-proportion. And each time has been in a different direction: today it went NE over the pub, but also seen in distance flying NW over field towards old station ruins, and S to where the Crows usually hang out. Wingbeat seems distinctive of 'pie in distant-flight mode, very different to their usual local-flitter, but also subtly unlike other crows. The closest I've ever seen Magpies around here is near the far end of Back Lane, and there are many around A339 passing Lasham Airfield area. Left a cheese & salad sandwich on the shed for Jackdaw. Untouched by evening. ============ Tue 22nd Jun: Herriard Housemartins above my window have been hatching over the last three days. Fragments of at least three (think four) eggshells on ground below. This from the nest I reckoned completed by 1st of this month. 1:10pm, Jackdaw on shed, tucking into large baked potato put out this morning. Starlings and Sparrows had been at it earlier. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk24] Sat-Sun 19th-20th Jun: Out at garden-party all w/e. Old country house in Hampshire, with a family of Jackdaws living in an unused chimney. Saw one come down after dawn, sit on fence to regard the remains of earlier barbecue with some glee. Looked with head on one side curiosity at us the quiet party-remnants huddling on a sofa. Flew back up then, making an excited CHEOW! Perhaps still too many strangers about for these cautious birds, though they will come down if only the resident people are around. I reckon they must have had a thorough feast later then! ============ Fri 18th Jun: Herriard. Sandwich box opened neatly in situ, bread and tuna taken, but egg left untouched. Slightly surprised, because assuming the usual Jackdaw, would have thought eggs as found in farmyards would be well known about. 'Daws have often been accused of stealing such by the farming community. ============ Thur 17th Jun: Several young Magpies seen on drive in. Nervously running onto empty hard-shoulder of motorway, snatching a piece of roadkill and running back onto grassy bank to eat. Contrasting with this, a pair of mature and magnificent Carrion Crows, nonchalantly standing at the edge of fast-lane, in the gravel strip with the crash-barrier. Stretching necks out in each brief moment between the passing cars to peck a bit of something on the edge of the tarmac traffic lane. Cars are screaming past within two feet of their faces, and at typical speeds of 70-90mph. I wonder how they hold on against the turbulent slipstream, which must give quite a buffeting. Some heavy lorries and big coaches too, as they are permitted to be on this two-lane-only local motorway, the A3(M). Onto country roads, B3006 just before Alton, and there is a dead and completely flattened Magpie across the white line in the centre. The primaries of one wing catching and fluttering lifeless in the savage passage-wind of every vehicle. A sad sight, though to be expected. Saw several very lively youngsters and a wily older bird close to this very spot last night. I almost wonder if the Magpies (often successfully raising larger nestling-broods than most corvids, I think?) accept the loss of a few *expendable* fledglings, as part of the learning process for the survivors. Have often noticed that near a dead youngster, another lurks: not foraging, but standing about and looking over from a safe distance as if in shock. "What implacable enemy is this, that strikes my brother down so sudden, casually, without remorse or to even stop and eat its vanquished prey?" Passing Lasham and many fields are bearing flowers of agricultural crop or opportunistic weed of fallows. Red and blue and yellow lift the greens and browns to glow and shimmer in the already-rising warmth. Looks like set for a dry and sunny day. That would be three in a row, so perhaps Summer has happened. Arrive to Herriard to find the cheese removed from box, broken in half, and the pieces and empty container strewn on grass behind the shed. Perhaps the bait really was too old and smelly for even the palate of Corvus monedula! And a black feather left by adjacent kerb. 10.6 inches long. A moulted primary from a right wing, good strong quill in perfect condition, but flight surface worn away on leading edge and tip. Seems too big to be Jackdaw? Looks more like the C.corone feathers I was always finding here last year. Same distinctive musty odour too. Left another sandwich, tuna & cucumber, and a whole uncooked chicken egg, in box on shed. Still there in evening. ============ Wed 16th Jun: Herriard, morning. Sandwich packet opened overnight. Same marks as usual for the clever Jackdaw. Heh. No creature has been into the muffin in polythene bag yet though. Left some old cheese brought in from home in yesterday's box. Still there in evening, though has been opened in situ. Puzzled. ============ Tue 15th Jun: A fine morning. Several young Magpies seen around, mostly in odd ones or twos on drive up. Herriard Housemartins have been busy, making up for lost time... found six half-shells under the furthest nest. (Think that was the first rebuilt this year?) Only two have pointed ends, implying other four shell halves are from four eggs. Puzzled, but not sure if staggered-hatching or concurrent-hatching is norm for these birds. Left sandwich on shed roof lunchtime. Confidently expecting Jackdaw to be down within ten minutes. Hid with camera for fifteen mins. Just as well I left it at that, for untouched bait remaining in evening. Took photos of shed with bait. ============ Mon 14th Jun: 12:30 lunchtime in Herriard. Put a fruited muffin (left in soft polyethylene bag), and remains of pate sandwich in usual rigid box. Within ten minutes, Jackdaw is down. Assuming same bird, seems very confident of opening sandwich box now. Beak-batters it heavily from above until freed from roof tiles, then tips on side and hammers it a few times, followed by picking up by closed end and shaking vigorously. Then drops and batters some more. Lid pops open on this second attempt. Picks up and shakes again, with the contents falling out at the bird's feet. Whether by accident or design, I note that the initial attack on closed end crumpled the smooth and awkwardly shaped hard plastic enough to grip firmly in bill for picking up at second stage of this opening technique. The 'Daw gobbled a few bits, then carefully (required placing one lump on top of another) takes two large pieces into bill and flies off low over my head to south. Examined package, noting as usual that it was not punctured. 5:20pm driving home, A339 passing Lasham. Young Magpie in middle of road, pecking at well-flattened roadkill. Looks up and casts head around at sound of my approach, but seems uncertain about the nature of this possible threat. A larger bird, presumed parent, swoops down suddenly from unseen position on overhanging branch. Don't hear any alarm call with window closed, but imagine the beak waggling rapidly! Does not land, but hovers an instant about six feet above bird in road. Looking down, not at me. Then both streak into bushes on other side of road. I think I've just seen a youngster getting some field-lessons about a useful and easily obtainable source of protein, and the associated dangers. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk23] Fri 11th Jun: Arrive at Herriard in morning to find opened sandwich packet (had put bits of c&o roll and other scraps inside last thing yesterday.) I'm puzzled at the damage; closed end is thoroughly smashed in, but without punctures. There are more dimple-and-skid marks -- typical of attack by a smaller corvid -- on one side of the pack. No visible marks around hinge or opening edges though. I close the box again, and the lid snaps smoothly into place. If a local bird has the trick of opening by bill-twist in the closing edges, why bother with battering it first? Hold the box to light, see if I can see any fainter marks, or overlap of the more obvious ones that might indicate the sequence. On a hunch, I strike the side sharply with straight thumb, jabbing down with nail in attempted simulation of attack by Jackdaw bill (though I suspect a determined 'Daw can strike harder than that). The pack springs open as if by magic. Heh. Repeat a couple of times, seems to be quite consistent. Think it due to shock/air pressure- wave effect. ============ Fri 11th Jun: Herriard. Starling busy bringing food every few minutes to same place under eaves. I can also hear the chicks cheeping away nearly all the time. I would have thought it obvious that there is a nest under there. So why does the parent bird make such a show of subterfuge when returning? Stands on edge of gutter inches away, looking to all points of the compass with beakful of wriggling food plain to see against the sky... but only ducks surreptitiously under gap when convinced no potential predator is watching. 4pm put egg mayonnaise sandwich on shed roof. Look out window half an hour later. Pack open on ground and half the contents gone. No bird in sight. Replaced on shed. About midnight. With companion, take the little Magpie for sky- burial. This one goes into cradle of a Beech. Abseil back down with the candle flame casting spinning shadows on the leafmould below. ============ Thur 10th Jun: Photography of dead Magpie in early morning light. I suppose I will become used to treating lifeless forms as merely specimens, but it still seems very sad, especially as a young bird. It could have had better luck than to be struck down by accident, so casually. The sandwich packet is opened on ground beside shed. Inconclusive of damage marks: scuffed and scraped, no punctures. Looks like perhaps just bill-battered around, on all sides, perhaps until a lucky jab caused it to open. Maybe the same Jackdaw came back to have a more determined onslaught, or brought an ally to do share-deal with. Or just as likely... a stronger creature came by on own forage-round. ============ Weds 9th Jun: Herriard. It appears that no bird here likes peas! That offering has been ignored on both sides of the building. 4pm took some belated post to box down the lane; saw about six Housemartins ahead, gathered at a puddle formed in a hole in tarmac. Taking mud by the many little beakful a time. Ah, so these are the blighters that make potholes in the roads grow mysteriously bigger, eh! Stopped to watch from what I considered a safe distance, about twenty paces, but one took fright and all followed. Curious, for when on the wing, they often scoot past me within a few feet, though too fast to see what they chase. 6:15 and just locking up. Spot Jackdaw from passing window on stairs. Bird is inspecting the closed vac-moulding containing sizeable portion of Smoked Salmon sandwich, donated by colleague earlier in day. I had jammed lip under edge of tiles: not easy to pull out. 'Daw seems familiar with this trick though, and immediately goes to the down-roof end, and seizing edge in bill, gives a good heave and yank. Takes a couple of attempts, but perseveres without any further inspection, as if knows that this is the way to do it. Frees the package, carries to edge of roof and hurls it over. Follows it down with wings barely opened, then walks all round it. The package has not burst open at the impact. Perhaps 'Daw is puzzled at this, for I was expecting it to open myself. Bird sets to a bit of beak-stabbing, but to my mind, is not really going at it with any real power or confidence. Gives up after a while and returns to shed roof for a desultory peck at the consolation prize of half a stale loaf. Returns for a couple more attempts, then flies off decisively to NE. 7pm, drive past Back Lane rookery again. Stop at junction with window open, and as usual, the birds take no notice. Watch one Rook arrive to attend another in nest (could not see whether mate or nestling from steep angle below). A young Magpie is standing alone about fifty paces away on opposite verge, on main road to left. Just standing there in silence, not eating anything. Had not heard any 'Pie alarm calls. To my mind, it bears a bewildered expression. Looking across at me with increasing suspicion, as perhaps I'm dawdling far too long at an empty junction. It sidles quietly into the hedge. Not intending to stay, so pull off round corner to right, scanning verges: there is a bundle of feathers, black and white, seem to be in exactly the same place as the dead Rook of last week. Turn car around at next opportunity and return to park quietly. Soon as I get out, the Rooks notice and set up a hoarse clamour of alarm, leaving trees with alacrity. Walk round corner and sure enough, there is a dead Magpie there. As expected, it is a very young bird, short stumpy tail. Seems to have met its fate in same way as last week's victim: no visible external damage, and I think only neck is broken. Smaller and lighter than the young Rook. Ah well, this time of year it is to be expected to see quite a few dead youngsters. Able to get about, but not so strongly as adult birds... and perhaps more significantly, not as wily. It is still a sorrow though. Seems strange to find a Magpie there though... wonder what it was doing so close to an active rookery? If the parents are the only ones I've seen near here, they are usually to be found about 2-300 paces back down the lane; I think they have a nest in a patch of smaller trees and denser bushes there. Took this body away also. For further examination and photography. The dark rainbow colours on wing and tail are very clear. So glossy and beautiful, even in death. ============ Tue 8th Jun: 12:30 lunchtime, Herriard. Having a fridge-defrost, and put some frozen peas out on shed first. Out again a few mins later, and Jackdaw flies over from SE, descending behind building. Creep around side. Bird is already on shed. Looks over at me, half-hitches wings but continues eating, though facing me to keep an eye on. We are about ten paces apart. Ignoring peas, still hardfrozen in a lump, but snacking on some crisps left this morning. Flies off NE, high. Watch until a speck in distance. ============ Mon 7th Jun: 1:30 lunchtime, Herriard. Had put a large portion of cheese & onion roll on shed behind offices. Still wrapped. Five mins later, look out window on stairs at back of building to see a pert Jackdaw beakstabbing at the wrapping. A hopeful Sparrow stands expectantly by to catch any crumbs. I keep very still, as only a few feet away, looking down on the shed with a good view. Bird is holding package down in the light breeze by standing on the flapping end, and trying to puncture through the cellophane. But even determined attack with the small but powerful corvid bill can't get through, and abandons temporarily to snack on some crisps I'd left out loose. But I suspect the smell of cheese is just too tantalising to ignore for long, for 'Daw returns to the more worthwhile prize. Stands looking at it for a moment, then walks around it, carefully studying from all angles. The bird has moved the whole package during earlier attack, and now the breeze makes it open and flap around. Peers into open end, head on one side, but will not put head inside. Looks around at empty sky and at Sparrow. No allies competent enough to help then. Steps back a little and stares at package, seems attentive to the way it moves. Suddenly bounces over it without any further stabbing attempts, turns and grasps one corner of closed end. Walks backwards, lifting and shaking head from side to side. Food slides about halfway down bag. Jackdaw moves to other closed corner and repeats the pulling and shaking. The food slides right out. Empty bag is cast to the winds with a final contemptuous toss of head. Jackdaw jumps onto the offering, holding firmly down with both feet. Pulling off bits of bread and cheese to eat on the spot. The pieces of raw onion are thrown aside. The Sparrow investigates these with alacrity and disappointment, but does get a few crumbs of bread too. Jackdaw is tucking into the cheese with great enthusiasm. Pauses to look around at times, then wrenches off a large lump to take away, and flies out of sight in silence. No attempt to carry off the whole item this time. Much to the delight of Sparrow, who skitters over quick. I hadn't seen Jackdaw arrive, so didn't see how it dealt with the large plate of iron I'd weighted this offering with. I think it is a fairly young bird, quite small, but with the typical pale eyes of adult. Obviously not the same creature that is in habit of tearing this sort of package to shreds. Went and recovered empty bag, confirm no punctures in plastic. A few slight marks that could be impact-and-skid-off marks from a billtip not driven quite strongly enough to penetrate. Though that was certainly the method attempted at first, and with some confidence, as if believed was the way to get into this sort of trick-food of the humans. Perhaps taught brawn... but found brain better. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk22] Fri 4th Jun: Magpies flitting about hedges again this morning. Only one at a time though. Seem to be not so very nervous of traffic. Just leave the roadkill snack to go onto safety of verges or under hedge. Sometimes up onto a hedge or low tree, there to sit with tail flicking up and down. Probably a territorial display behaviour intended for other 'Pies, though it amuses me to imagine that it is in impatience at my appropriation of their patch of road. Lunchtime about 12:30, I'm outside rummaging in boot of car. Dark skywings catch corner of mine e'en... 'tis Corvus monedula, come to claim the last slice of Raisin & Rosemary bread that I intercepted on a fridge-tidy this morn. This bait, offering, on the shed roof is weighted with the usual lump of iron: the rust-flaking head of a club-hammer. Weighed it at 3lbs. This is partly to keep the chirpy smallfeathers from slowly nudging food off the edge in their little melee of beakstabbing. Ulterior motive is to slow down the corvid- heists, so I can see them a little longer; or in more usual instance, to know that a corvid has been by in my absence. Hehe, well it didn't slow this Jackdaw very much. Probably well-used to my tricks by now. Just landed on the iron, thrust it powerfully backwards, downslope, with those magnificent talons. Seized whole slice of bread in bill and was away in silence, behind dense conifers hedge. Not even a Cheow-cheow of victory later to betray the site of where it comes back to check every day now. 'Daw must have been in my sight for nearly two whole seconds. ============ Thur 3rd June: Kestrel Hovering low over a hedge as a I drive past, B3006 near Empshott. Hanging on air with pointy wings scooping forwards and tail fanned down. Stationary in sky as is rock on ground. Into Herriard. Rough weather still for this time of year, and the Housemartins have not yet added fresh mud to their latest hut. Check shed roof: yesterdays offering has gone, and I find the bill-torn wrapper in a flowerbed. Later, putting more food on shed roof, and a small corvid flies over fast and low. Think Jackdaw to start with, but as banks over, believe it is a very young Rook. Unusual to see one that small without its parents sky-escorting. No calls, and I base my thought on the slender profile and shortness of tail. For all the lack of mature feathering, it is flying keenly, riding a stiff and gusting wind. Warmer in afternoon and evening, Martins are busy about nests and hunting overhead for insects on the wing. One of the Swallows from the farmyard down the lane is also overhead, long tail-streamers flicking quickly as it darts about. 6pm visit Back Lane rookery briefly. Confirm all five nests in Ash are still there. Though perhaps all the occupants have left by now, many of the young birds will not move far from their hatching tree yet. Maybe I shut the car door too hard, for as I did so, there was quite a fuss of alarm-caws and a good deal of flustering about in the treetops. Probably those are the young ones, making such flap- of-wing noise, for the skilled fliers often vacate a tree without a rustle of feather, to join the caw-chorus from safety of several stout trunks away. However they made their escape, by the time I got under nest-trees, not a bird in sight, nor a call within my hearing. Home about 7:15pm, walk round to corner shop. See a pair of Swifts fly over the houses. ============ Weds 2nd Jun: Into Herriard over roads still covered with mud and gravel from floods overnight. Heard of major road closures on radio, but no problems beyond driving more carefully over the slippery areas. Evening, drive past and stop briefly beside Back Lane rookery, but do not get out on foot. Just hoping no casualties from storm of last night. Ash tree is more than swaying: it is whipping around in the heavy wind. But I hear the caws and spot at least a couple of their intact nests. Oh, and I've started leaving food in wrappings on the shed roof again. Over last night, a bit of sandwich in moulded pack. Found opened and emptied in carpark, though damage marks inconclusive. Left a bit of bread and cheese in a paper/cellophane bag out all today, but still there in evening. Weighted down open end with a lump of iron. ============ Tues 1st June 1999: Saw a large raptor perched and taking off from telegraph pole beside main road, A339 passing Lasham. Only a glimpse as took off over me, obscured by closed car roof, but overall impression of pale orange- red streaky plumage of underwing and body, and legs covered in white. Think Buzzard. Too large for much else likely to be encountered here. Into Herriard, note that Housemartin nest above my window completed even more; I thought they had left two entrances on that nest, as had left it that way for several days, but now finished to a more traditional shape. Perhaps they just wanted to wait and see which side gave better shelter or view. (:>) And another pair have just started building, in buttress-angle on other (NE) side of my window. Don't remember ever seeing a nest at that location before, and no old mud-marks there either. Interesting, they appear to be avoiding the expansion joint: building sidewall hard up to one side, but following, not bridging. They have also chosen the only place I can see that has a ventilation hole (just a small gap in a mortar joint) which would then be into the completed nest. Really warm and lovely day, but broke into tremendous thunderstorm over most of South Coast late at night. Magnificent! ============ Mon 31st May: Bank Holiday. About 2am. I'm at a party. We need more tea and coffee bits to help keep us dancing through the night. I want to go out anyway, so offer to go. Two good ladies offer to accompany, and we find the all-night garage some miles away and do our shopping. Then companions wish to help with the last rites, so we drive on into Monk Wood. I am grateful for their moral support and for holding of torches. Park and take the corpse and ropes from car. At their request, I open the small caving bag already prepared. We give the creature a last stroke of head before setting off into the woodland. Find a suitable tree, far from paths. It is an Oak. Of the climb, it was a little terrifying, but at last the young Rook is cradled in the fork and a candle lit. Descend, glad to reach the leafy ground. Torches out, and we behold the eerie glow above for a short period of silence while I recover breath. Heh, we then became totally lost in the woods, came out at another road and had to walk around to find car. Back to party, conscious that we have been longer than expected. Much later, in the dawn, see many corvids about the trees and sky, beginning the ordinary business of their new day. Life goes on. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk21] Sun 30th May: From: Pwl Organisation: Midnight Barrow-Wrights, UK Newsgroups: uk.people.gothic [snip] Ack, I gotta go offline and out shortly. Taking the silent corpse of a Corvus frugilegus with me. Currently in my fridge: wish it to have last resting place in countryside. A young one, barely fledged, believe killed by impact with a vehicle. Black and beautiful, even in death. So soft and silky of headfeathers. I won't xtian-bury though. Leave somewhere high in tree with candle lit beside. Wish to believe that Skylady will send a gentle breeze to claim air-souled back as the flame flickers out. Though mundanes may claim merely consumed by other creatures of the wild. Caw-regards from Pwl. Sad little Hroec, likes gentle heresy, xtian or otherwise. http://www.ptech.demon.co.uk/corvidae/rookery.htm ============ Sat 29th May: Photographing rookish-details by natural light of morning. It is a sad time, but I wish to attempt to record something of the beauty seen, but always too momentarily to easily record. Upper wings have that typical blue and green iridescence usually associated with corvids. Underwings show the more silvery reflection that I have often noticed as bright sun-glints flashing, when a bird banks away in low-angle direct light. A bright little black button of eye, still canny-glittering. Details of bill and of feather pattern. The new pin-sheaths just breaking out to show tips of next layer of flight feathers. The velvety softness of head and neck. Feet and claws at high magnification. Finish film and put the corpse back in fridge. Though I wish the bird could just wake up and fly away. ============ Fri 28th May: 6pm Estate empty apart from myself. Wander round to look at Housemartin nests. No new ones started on other buildings. Sure there were more there last year. 8pm drive homewards via Back Lane again. Rook on verge of Avenue Rd. Right under the overhanging branches of the rookery Ash. One wing trailing over the dusty tarmac. Head tucked down under shoulder and a little blood has seeped from nostrils to form a slight sticky patch of red on the blades of grass for pillow. Was a fledgling and now quite dead. Carefully picking a few bits of twig and road debris from the corpse. Closing wing and smoothing flightfeathers back into place as best I can. Stumpy little tailfeathers, not yet in length-proportion to the rest of the bird. Head seems larger too, giving a slightly comical- Jackdaw look, but already with long straight Rook-bill, with the black base-bristles that they only have for the first year or so. Legs dark neutral-grey almost black, terminating in claws almost same size and shape as cats, but not quite as sharp as a young kitten's. Seems so pitiful to find it here, so close to the nest I assume it came from: perhaps killed on its first flight, or attempt at. I reckon from the broken wing and leg but absence of external damage, probably killed and thrown back up by impact in air with flat surface of a vehicle passing. It is quite a fast stretch of road. Scant consolation that I reckon would have been killed instantly. Find a plastic bag in my car and take the lifeless specimen away. Leave in fridge overnight. To: CrowList Subject: Re: A Sad Day... Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 23:53:35 +0100 [snip] Take this our skychild with soft wings enwrapt against that wind so wild our ashen soul moon-mapped A caw-prayer, this fullmoon night at end of May. For a dark bird hatched high upon a swaying Ash-tree greening in the grace of a Hampshire springtime. But fledged too close to where we drive our chariots, unheeding of glossy-painted steel that does not even dent with the impact of a fluffy-feathered form of hollow bone, and a mind of innocence not yet grown wary to the fields of winter forage or the flashing guns hidden in the hedge. Sorrow-caws from Pwl. ============ Thur 27th May: A fine warm day. Escape for a late lunchtime, visit the Back Lane rookery again. Determined to get my tape filled, though there is really too much road traffic noise. Leave recorder running right under tree. Twice hear a single Jackdaw call, close but unseen. A few small birds flitter around, taking no notice of me or the Rooks. Examining the undergrowth while waiting, sweeping aside nettles to see what is below their fast annual growth. Photographed a few typical spatter-rings for reference first. Then looking carefully at ground, hoping to find another eggshell from the nests above. Don't spot anything under nests (within spatter-rings), and search out towards middle of copse. I almost step on the white bleached cranium of a skull. Carefully brushing aside the leaf litter, find it is whole and undamaged. Not corvid: hooked bill. Photograph and take away, hope for help with identification. Search the area carefully, find some more bones in a little group, but they are a few paces from where the skull was. Walk around the road. The verges have been trimmed. (Think since last night?) Find many more feathers. ============ Wed 26th May: See many more Magpies around on journey to work. Look like family groups, with the younglings being shown around roadside edges to get the easy little snacks of debris from traffic-killed bugs. A dangerous game for them though, and I see a bird shepherding a smaller one further away from the road edge at approach of my predatory beast of savage eyes and cruel tyres. Arrive in Herriard to note that a fresh line of damp mud has been added to the new nest above my window. The other nest, further along our building had the shell finished over the weekend, though birds are still flying in and out, presumably decorating and making a comfy lining. One bird seems to be just sitting inside, with head peeping out for long periods. Laying eggs already? Perhaps. Or just getting used to the idea, or maybe simply occupying the space to prevent Sparrows from attempting a takeover-bid. 6pm, dry warm evening. Going home, but take the Back Lane route. Stop and pull onto verge just before t-junction with Avenue Rd. Seems a quiet evening on the roads, and I can hear the commerce of the rookery there clearly. Caws loud and caws soft, mutterings and callings, and the begging noises of the young ones. I think a few are still in the nest, but most are fledging about now, hopping about branches as their parents entice them away and encourage them to attempt flight to follow. I'm being quiet, loading camera but pretending not to look at trees. Get out nonchalantly and walk further away from rookery, down the lane. A Magpie is hopping along edge of road about 200 paces ahead. I have camera and long lens round my neck ready, and get a frame or two off before it becomes uneasy at my looming presence and flitters silently away over hedge. Back to rookery, quietly. A small stand of mainly Ash, with five nests in one of those. Ah, actually it is two Ash trees of the same age, but trunks starting only a couple of paces apart, so that their branches entwine in the middle. Eye-following back down the forkings from each nest, I reckon four large high nests belong to one tree, and a smaller one on lower on the further side is in the tree on that side. No nests in any others that I can see, and nests are easy to spot in the more open, pinnate foliage of that species. The nest- tree is part of the hedge to the main road. This seems to be an extension of the main colony over the road, part of airfield, and I think in Beech with nests no longer visible. Undergrowth is mainly nettles, with a bit of Holly and a couple of small but gnarly Hawthorns filling in the hedge and around the masonry of an old structure, presume after close examination to be a wartime bombshelter for the airfield -- main buildings of which back onto the other side of what is now the public main road. Airfield Main rookery trees X X ---------------------------------- Avenue Road ---------------- -------------- | | X Ash trees Back | | Lane | | - S | | | | Old bomb ^ | | | | shelter | | | - I have the dictaphone running, now with an external microphone. Think this will be better, though still want to bring some serious recording-kit sometime. Get a few photos from under the trees, though the light is not so good now. A quiet evening, so have a wander around. The Rooks don't seem too bothered about me this time. Find several black feathers, freshly moulted and in good condition. Later at home, play the cassette. I only have the first few minutes of the recording: must have knocked the off-button. Hrak and Botheration! ============ Tue 25th May: Housemartins are busy building in Herriard, despite a great deal of activity in the carpark. People working on vehicle-radio installs out there, but the birds ignore them, twittering merrily as they argue over every beakful of mud to daub. By the time I go home, they have built their new nest to about the halfway point. ============ Mon 24th May: The Housemartins are back above my window! Wonder if it is the same pair, or whether just another pair making use of the site if the previous territory-holders not returned? Though I am pleased to note that suddenly there are many more HMs about this morn: counted 10, whereas only about 4-6 seen at a time over last few weeks. From overlooking window saw a single Jackdaw eating wholemeal bread on the shed. Eating in situ too, not carrying off a half-slice as I had left there. Definitely an adult bird, full size with pale eyes. Something took a whole slice earlier in the morning though. A male Bullfinch and a Sparrow were queuing up for crumbs behind the 'daw. Wouldn't go closer than about two foot away, but didn't look worried at that. Just waited impatiently until the corvid moved away, then went in for the rest. The 'daw sidled away, sat on edge of roof for a few moments, looking around, then had a good head-scratch before taking off in silence. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk20] Thu 20th May: Herriard, lunchtime fine and sunny. Three Housemartins are nearly finished building their solitary nest on the NE corner of our offices. It is set in the angle of a buttress, right under the wooden soffit board. Across a mastic-filled expansion-joint in the brickwork, and I wonder if that is the cause of so many nests falling from these buildings: differential movement of the substrate makes one side of the nest pull away, or cracks across the whole mud-edifice even if the side-anchorages hold. I note that the only nest that survived from last year to be re-occupied was one built on a flat section of wall on another unit. Though our one remaining nestsite only collapsed finally a month or so ago, after I noted Sparrows prospecting it. So perhaps there is some merit in making the nests not too strongly: else find the place squatted on return from the long foreign holiday. (:>) And yes, there really were three Housemartins building that nest, or at least there were three at it this morn. Hearing more twittering- noise than a single bird could account for after one flew from mud- daubing on the outside, I stood and watched: another two wriggled out the entrance shortly after. Intriguing. Far too early to be a this-year nestling. Surely the eggs for those are not even laid yet. So I surmise that the "extra" bird is from last year, presumably the offspring of the two older birds returned to the same site. In which case, is it yet mateless, and "helping out" or perhaps learning technique from parents at the old nest... or does it also have a mate and is wishing to claim the ancestral site of its own birth? As I understand their migration habits, the young usually fly abroad _not_ in company with parents. If so, then have they just met up again? Or do they find their own family group somewhere in the vast expanses of Africa during the winter? Fascinating creatures. Then a second lunchtime: company visitor over from Ireland, I've not seen for ages, and nearly all of us go out for pub lunch. I'm not eating again, but say I'll catch them later. Drive off, but take a wrong turn in the maze of little lanes on the way. An isolated little road with no traffic, a valley in farming land. Spot two birds behaving oddly high in the sky ahead. As I approach, looks even odder, so pull over and switch engine off, get out to view better. Sure enough, it is a Crow, and hassling a much larger bird. Well, it's a raptor about twice the size of Crow! Broad straight wings, leading-edge of tips rounded back to flat trailing-edge, tail short and fanning slightly to rounded end. I reckon on Buzzard then. Whatever, Crow seems seriously annoyed with it, screaming continuous high-pitched, aggressive-seeming caws and darting recklessly at its tail. No sound from the larger bird, which tilts and sideslips away, but maintaining course, giving only an occasional slow flap of great wings. Does not turn or attempt to retaliate. Seems to be pointedly ignoring Crow as a minor irritant of the season, to be borne with as much dignity as can be mustered until passed the territory. Which it probably did, as both birds moved swiftly across the valley: for with a last circle and dive at raptor's tail (evaded with a spurt of speed), Crow soared back up, stiffwinged, to turn a couple of slow circles behind the "retreating" enemy, gave a few triumphant hoarse cries, and glided back over my head towards its presumed nest-tree, the other side of valley. Perhaps both birds considered the victory their own though. I saw no actual contact, and no feathers drifting down. Later, make the most of a warm evening to go and look at the A339 xroads rookery on foot. Wind window down on approach, and park quietly on track right underneath. No sound from trees above. No movement. Cannot see the nests, though I know they are there, well hidden by the rapidly growing canopy of dense Horse-chestnut leaves. There is a lot of storm-debris about on the ground, but no sign of fallen nests. Step out quietly and lock car, start moving up the track. The sudden panicky whirr of Woodpigeon wings must give away my presence if not already noted. But no caws or exodus of black Rooks. Well, I walked up and down the track, then over the noisy and brittle-stick-underfoot rabbit paths between and around trees. Still no sign or sound. Manage to spot a couple of nests with some difficulty: but move ground-level sight-line a few inches in any direction, and they are hidden again. Watch one for a little while, but no sight of youngsters peeping out. If they are there, they must be sleeping. Puzzled though, for I would expect there to be a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing by parents feeding, and a clamour of those awaiting last turn of the daytime. (:>) Walk down to the main road, sit quietly on bank, part hidden by bushes to watch and wait quietly with a view of what I know from past drive-pasts to be the usual flyways to this rookery. Not a bird in sight, nor any in the other nest-trees across the road: those are not so dense of foliage, and from this angle, I can see several nests. Also a view of favoured perching trees where I've often seen Rooks gathering: dead trees with a good and unobstructed sky-vista all around. No birds there either tonight. Eventually cross the road, and clamber up the bank on that side. (Alton direction from lane opposite.) Never been right under these trees before. An easy stroll along, less undergrowth and more light: only a few of these trees are Horse-chestnut, with many Maples, a Scots Pine or two, and several dead trees; some fallen or leaning against others. Still no sign of activity around nests, which are harder to spot from the ground. After a couple of hundred paces, reckon past last nest-trees and turn towards road to check position and look back at the main rookery from this vantage point on bank of cutting. Still no birds anywhere that I can see. Retrace my steps, looking more at ground for signs of nesting activities above. Find several circles of whitewash-spattered ground, though not so obvious: perhaps the heavy rain of last night has washed over most. But do find one disturbing and upsetting thing: a large clump of black feathers. It is most of the left wing of what I think is an adult Carrion Crow rather than Rook. I study for a while, wondering what sort of predator could shear through swathes of quills in such a butcherly-efficient manner: the two main clumps are still stuck together, though not a scrap of skin remains, and the end of each quill is showing the hollow shaft, still perfectly round, without sign of crushing, and only a little splintering. I take the grisly remains with me for further examination. I'll keep them for reference purposes, though I won't be using any of these feathers for quill-pens or personal decoration. I cast around for further remains, but find no more. But there is a typical Crow nest in the next tree. It looks empty now. My sorrow. Trek back to car, drive past Greatham rookery on way home. Plenty of activity there in the deepening dusk, birds arriving with full bills and distended pouches, and others dropping down to fields behind, presumably to gather a few last cargoes of grubs before settling for the night. ============ Wed 19th May: Seeing a lot of Magpies, suddenly where I've not seen them before. Only over the last few days, so probably young ones just left the nest? Interesting that these ones seem to be alone. I would have assumed parents and siblings close by. Perhaps they are, but being wily: the ones I see appear to be quite fearless, reckless even, and pecking at verges without even looking up at the approach of vehicles. Perhaps they have to be taught their "normal" wariness by parents, or learn it by experience? Housemartins have nearly completed rebuilding their nestsite further along building, but no sign of any attempting on the old site right above my window. Perhaps too early to be sure, but I have the feeling that there are less of these birds around here this year. Late afternoon, a thunderstorm with severe lightning all around. Our power fails. No lights or computers, so we think we might as well go home early for a change. Drive slowly past the Back Lane/The Avenue rookery in lashing rain: difficult visibility, even to see nests from right under tree. But the Rooks are at home, with birds sat on nests with outstretched wings, presumably sheltering their young from the stinging, leaf-stripping downpour. Other birds are hunched stoically on branches beside, and I hear a few morose, guttural caws while they wait it out. Not all though, for I see at least one bird fly in with food in pouch and feed mate. How it flies at all under such conditions is beyond my understanding, though I note it flapped very heavily, and landed with enough force to make the branch whip up and down. Not the usual delicate gracefulness of Rook-manoeuvre! It also shook itself very thoroughly before edging carefully up to nest. Drive on to A339 xroads rookery, but can't see anything. More from the dense Horse Chestnut foliage though. Take the lane opposite, to see if I can spot birds on the roosting-trees further out on that side, but in the conditions, cannot even see the trees which are perhaps 200 paces from the road. In fact the road has turned into a shallow river, rippling down the hill. I grind up it in low gear, hoping that it won't wash up into the engine electrics. Certainly can't see any birds out and about! I suppose a duck could paddle. ============ Mon 17th May: Much activity of people and vehicles milling about offices and carpark this morn, but about 11:30am has gone quiet, so leave some food around. As I'm putting a slice of bread on the shed, two corvids fly over, in line. I give a rookish caw up, and both birds look down. One returns a deep Rook caw, quiet but distinctly querulous, the other, trailing at some little distance, gives a double Jackdaw cheow. I lose sight of them over roof, and walk away round front of building. Two Jackdaws arrive, fast flyby, then circle, calling. Another arrives and settles to top of Oak overlooking. But it is not looking down at the shed, but carefully shuffling around on flat top of badly-lopped branch, peering around the sky in all directions. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk19] Fri 14th - Sun 16th May99: Off caving to Yorkshire Dales. Saw many corvids: Rooks more in the river valleys, Crows on the uplands, the felltops and sheepgrazed slopes. Jackdaws everywhere, seem to be equally at home on village chimney pots, scavenging tourist picnic areas, or soaring on the hill winds. Still not seen Raven in the area yet, though I'm convinced they are there somewhere. Would probably take more than a harried weekend to find the wily creatures. Dry weather, little water flowing underground. An easy upstream wander through Upper Long Churn, and found a handline left hanging down the waterfall into Dr. Bannister's Handbasin. So climbed up it, first time ever due to raging floodwaters making that entrance impassable on previous visits... to emerge to daylight in a little gully, and right underneath a Rowan. Crow peered down at me, evidently curious about the slithering noises from the dark hole. Soon as realised it was a wretched human, sneaking up from underneath, flew off fast and low, with a disgusted caw. I got out of the streambed and sat on the moor, just enjoying the solitude in warm sunlight and a gentle breeze. Listening to all the other birdcalls, which are quite different to my typical southern sounds. Almost dried out by the time I'd strolled down the hill to rejoin companions at another cave entrance. Saw Crow again several times, not sure if the same one, but always big and glossy and wily, using the drystone walling for cover to duck behind. Back at vehicles in track by road, and see a solitary Rook methodically quartering the adjacent paddock. I lean over the wall, watching for a long while; it must know I'm there, but seems unperturbed, though only twenty paces away. Hops and flutters up onto rocks, looks quizzically over at me from one eye and then the other, pausing still and silent and attentive as myself. Then decides I'm harmless, and diverts attention to some tasty morsel seen or heard in the crevices or long grass between rocks. Bill down, a pounce with wings half hitched, a little scrabble and snap of bill, then pause again to regard my strangely-clad head and shoulders, so very out of place against the weathered stone walling and muted green of moor: I've still got my white helmet on, and the bright red nylon oversuit. Oh, well, it's a popular place among Cavers, so perhaps Rook is used to us. Saw many Housemartins, Swallows and Swifts darting around the campsite near Ingleton where we stayed. Unfortunately, the owner has blocked off the old privy-block that I saw and photographed Swallows nesting in last year, on top of an electricity meter just above head height. This year they were flying around the old building, clearly seeking entrance. Then trying the new installations, a line of blue plastic rooms with toilet, basin and shower all plumbed in and hygienically smooth of finish... pairs fly in and out of any that have doors left open, chittering and flashing wings and tails as they try to move slowly in the confined space. Probably not easy for such energetic birds that seem adapted purely for speed, though very agile in the turn. They always seem to just fly straight into walls, turning upwards and stopping instantly to cling with little claws at the last moment: I almost expect to hear a screech of tyres. But there is no rough stone to cling to, nor generously-proportioned wooden beam of unceilinged roof-truss to hold a few scraps of straw and feather for nest. In these strange new things, even the liquid- soap dispenser on the wall has a sloping top. I hope they find a suitable place soon. ============ Thu 13th May: Late in the dusk, stop on way home at A339 xroads rookery. No birds in residence, apparently. If there are any chicks remaining in nests, they are being absolutely still and silent. I can see many birds, presume adults, perching over the road... not in the nest trees there either though, but in an isolated tree a long way off. Too distant to be sure, but it seems that they are gazing back at me and the nest trees, but pretending disinterest. I wander around in the little patch of woodland, trying to spot the nests -- which were quite visible from a quick glance while driving past only a couple of weeks ago -- but are now hidden in the fresh foliage. Several I cannot find, but position probably given away by circumstantial evidence on the flat areas of leafmould: a rough circle, perhaps a couple of paces across, beneath each active nest.... a scattering of loose twigs and many whitewash marks. Nests that are above areas of tangled undergrowth are not so obvious from these signs, but the clues are still there for anyone looking closely. Carefully examining one of the more obvious circles, I find a half- eggshell. Dark green with brown markings, somewhat over an inch in diameter. ============ Tue 11th May: Jackdaw on roof opposite quite often today. Bread left on shed disappears quickly and without trace. ============ Mon 10th May: 8am. In to Herriard fairly early, leave slice of bread on shed roof and some more round front. Note that the Martins have started a nest on one of the other units, but no sign of attempt on ours. Ten mins later, note that bread has gone from shed. Replace, but weighting down this time. Also left a tray of leftover cooked rice. 11am, colleague calls my attention to "one of your crows" noticed through back window. Sure enough, a Jackdaw is tucking into rice. Bread also gone by lunchtime. 2:10pm. Wings across my window make me look up quickly: there is a large Carrion Crow, hovers to perfect landing on thin twigs of hedge outside, right over where I have left a slice of bread and part of a jam doughnut. Peering down, as if trying to work out how to get the food out: not much space for a Crow. Possibly attracted by the activity of smaller birds that can easily get into the dense growth. It could certainly have reached at least one, with a little effort, but perhaps disturbed by carpark activity, for suddenly flew off fast and low around corner. The bird was about seven paces away from my face behind glass, but don't think it was me disturbing it, as was keeping still and half-hidden behind monitor. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk18] Sat 8th May: London, Stamford Hill area, in the late dusk: silhouette wings of Crow chasing a much larger bird: some kind of goose from outline. An aerial chase that went on for several minutes; it seemed that Crow was intent in keeping the other away from a large tree, presumably nestsite. Whether Goose wanted to land on it -- or far more likely, was simply flying over enroute to a more suitable place -- was not relevant. Crow kept turning it back by flying hard into its face. Didn't see any actual contact, and don't know if talonstrike by corvid is at all damaging to such a larger bird, but Goose seemed unwilling to put this to the test, sheering off and attempting to circle and gain altitude with the power of big wings. Crow then followed in tightly, jabbing from underneath, and looked like got bill into tail several times, though did not see any feathers floating down. All this seemed too much for the wanderer, though made three attempts. Repulsed with vigour each time. Perhaps after that, they had drifted far enough to one side for Crow to no longer object, and was permitted to pass, though Crow circled between it and tree until out of sight. Don't know why such a fuss made, for would have thought the other bird fairly obviously not any kind of hawk. ============ Thu 6th May: Dry and sunny evening in Herriard, think to check oil and water etc on car before going home. Find a dead bird on front of radiator. Small, with rosy-red patch on crown, sharp-pointed narrow little black bill. Saddened to think I probably hit it -- or it simply flew across too close in front -- but I never even saw it. Could have been at any time this week. It is rare to hit a flying bird with car though: most seem to get the timing very well, even (or perhaps especially) those that dive in front of traffic to catch insects. ============ Tue 4th May: Sure enow' it is all grey and with a blustery wind this morn. Coat back on for going back to work. Left a slice of bread on shed, weighted down with lump of iron again. To stop it blowing away, and to ensure that only a fairly strong creature could take it in one go. Sure enough, look out of back window about an hour later, and gone. There is a Crow sat on the roof of bus-shelter over the main road, looking back over at me and preening contentedly. Had also put a bit of last week's C&O roll in front hedge. Smallfeathers are still gradually diminishing that. Nearly all gone by end of lunchtime, but obviously billchewed by small birds. ============ Mon 3rd May: Bank holiday here in UK, and visiting local friend in small town of Petersfield, just 20 miles up the Mway from home. So much more rural and civilised than the cities. We went for a stroll in the evening, warm enough for T-shirt and no coat. Not sure how long it will last, so making the most of opportunity. (:>) Saw a lovely Crow in a field, near path we were walking on, so kept slowly on towards. Ignored us until quite close, then flew up into tree further ahead. We walked on to that, but stopped under, with the bird trying to hide quietly behind leaves. No use, for I had noted position. The bird quietly sidled and branch-hopped through tree to other side... away from these unusual people that keep staring and following. It flew from that side, onto fence about a hundred paces further on, sat there looking back. I cawed a few times, but it only gazed back in silent perplexity. It never seemed too perturbed by our presence and interest, just being wily- cautious. Eventually flew off out of sight. A little later, companion spots a feather on ground right in front of feet. Black with a white end, and I reckon Magpie. Seems recent, perfect condition. No odour that I could detect. Put it in her hair, and continue. Circle back into town, seeing several Magpies and Crows about. Wander into a Public House with dance-music blaring: "Spice Island" (I think called) on the Square, been to a few times before. Chat to bar-staff, and show feather. One says had picked up a Jay's feather nearby. Get some takeaway food and stroll back to house. Realise feather is missing. Eat first, but then go back, carefully retracing steps. Not really much chance of finding it over the mile or so since last seen? Heh. Well, we found it again. Still undamaged, on pavement a couple of streets away. Later, out of curiosity at the unusual design of the quill, looked at it under UV. The solid white area fluoresces brightly. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk17] Fri 30th Apr: Driving in to work, a lovely sunny morn, winds of yesterday have gone. Many corvids flying about busily with stuff in their beaks. Presume for feeding nestlings. New-ish rookery at Greatham looking very busy, as always recently. But Nancole Copse still looks silent and deserted: a shame, because there seem to be many grand ancestral nests up there. Huge tangles of twig and bough visible from along the road at up to a mile away, at least when the trees are yet to come into full leaf. 8:30am Herriard, a single Rook flies over, heading northerly. ============ Thu 29th Apr: 8:30am, Butts Green, Alton. A dozen or so Rooks, and a single Magpie, all just amicably grubbing about on the grass. 12:30 Lunchtime at work. See a single Carrion Crow alight skilfully on ridge of roof opposite. Looks like calling, ducking head and projecting up with open bill, though I can't hear anything but the howling wind through my closed window. Open it a little, but the bird has stopped and flies off shortly after. Seems to be going slowly over rest of estate, and dropping down towards the pub garden. Close window and gather my scattered papers. (:>) Go outside and place a piece of cheese & onion roll on the shed at back of unit. The poppyseed bread I put there earlier has gone. Go indoors to make coffee, and then glance out of window on that side. The food has been snatched already -- five mins at the most. Go out again and place another large piece of roll, and also a slice of wholemeal bread, but this time I place a large lump of iron on. Hehe. Indoors, sat in office, and a shadow passes the corner of my eye. Crow, smaller than the one I saw earlier. Go outside again, and the bird is sat on top of oak over shed. I keep still and watch. No caws or eating movements, and flies off again after a minute of peering around at the sky. Think does not see me, and does not even glance down at shed. Go over and check shed again.... all food gone. I've also been leaving that same food under hedge at front of building. The smallfeathers flit over and I can watch them demolish whatever I leave in a fairly short space of time, but they do this in-situ. Examine partly eaten scraps, and it is obvious that little beaks have been at it. Also they carefully peck around the inedible, like raw onion, which gets left behind. But the wily Corvids take away anything of interest in one piece, to examine at their leisure and eat in secret. 5pm, locking up. Crow flies overhead, low and slow, looking down at me. Possibly scared and/or curious by the loud beeper on the alarm system that indicates arming sequence on door exit. Another Crow takes off from roof above me, and a third from the oak. All fly away to the north-east, over the pub. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk16] Fri 23rd Apr: On homeward commute. Had noted funfair setting-up on Butts Green at Alton over last day or two. This evening it is in full swing. Noise and bright lights and lots of people. Rooks in rookery hard by seem to be ignoring all the fuss. I can see birds sitting on nests, with mates perched just beside in the dusk. The lights on the big wheel are flashing across the trees. Sentinels in tops looking outwards, barely even glancing at the fuss below. Not worth making a caw about: these humans are obviously simply mad but harmless. (:>) I expect the older birds are used to it anyway, as this town-green fair is a local tradition.... I don't know which has been there the longest: that, or the rookery. ============ Thu 22nd Apr: Seventh Egg ~~~~~~~~~~~ Hail and rain this day From blue sky it falls Rook on nest will sway Eggs in her high halls Dreams of life for May Yet far-croaking calls The dark conjoins away ~ Pwl, April 1999 ============ Wed 21st Apr: Herriard, 11am. Buying food from sandwich-lady in carpark. Turn around to go back in, and there is a Crow on top of our Oak. I hold up my egg-mayonnaise sandwich and give a few gentle Kraaahs. No reply, but the bird stops preening, looks around and back at me. Not sure if it gets the idea, but the carpark is rather busy with noisy people anyway. Flies of after a minute. I leave a large chunk of sandwich on the back shed roof: quieter there, and overlooked by that tree. ============ Mon 19th Apr: Took colleague to Alresford, then got closed-roads diverted around long country lanes route, Farleigh Wallop area. So many Jackdaws around there! Seem very tame, barely glancing up from disporting on verges and close-cropped lawns of old Country Estate gatehouses. Saw one choosing twigs from roadside hedge. Glancing out of office window from time to time, Sparrows and Bluetits are in the hedge, snacking heartily on my offerings. A corvid flies past my window, low and fast, and see reflections of others in windows opposite: that would mean they are passing eaves above, out of direct sight from the angle of my view. Only a glimpse of ragged black wings, but think they were C.corone. Flying towards trees over the lane, southward. At least five birds, and I heard corone-calls from over there again today. 4:20pm, and a single Crow landing on ridge of roof opposite; the flash of huge black wings in the corner of my eye attracted attention momentarily before the strident Kraaaah! A magnificent bird, full-glossed and with the cold wind ruffling unconcerned breastfeathers. Peered intently around sky for a minute or so, then suddenly flew off and down other side of building. 6pm, about to go home, and see the (same?) Crow on the cropped top of conifers close to the same roof. Perched and preening nonchalantly for a while, then flew in the expected direction. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk15] Sat-Sun 17-18Apr: Clubbing in Islington, intended meet of netfriends. Homewards dawn drive via Brighton, M23 route. Many Carrion Crows on London roofs, and in trees of the street. The metropolitan parks and wilder commons of suburbia also attract corvidae. Saw four C.corone strolling together on asphalt paths of Tooting Common. Magpies in hedges nearby. Further south on motorway over downland before first Rooks and a skyline-rookery seen. Wonder how close to central city they will build, or even forage to. Companion pointed out distant corvids wheeling around cliffs by tunnel at Lewes. Could not look properly while driving, and no calls heard, but possibly Jackdaws? Later awoke on strange spare-floor with sunlight streaming through curtains to sound of 'daws calling. "Prettily-paired on every chimney," as I had already been told to expect. ============ Wed 14th Apr: Awoke to soft slushy snow, but the savage, icy winds of yesterday have abated. Saw one Rook flying over motorway, carrying twig. Seems late in the season for building new nest; hope it is only minor repairs required after slight storm-damage. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk14] Thu 8th Apr: 6:50pm. Drove home via Back Lane/Avenue Road in the dusk. Rookery at junction seems well-built now, with many Rooks in residence. Note that each nest has a single bird roosting very close. I suspect this is the male, with the female bird hidden, snuggled in the deep cup of the nest. Have to check this by observing arrivals sometime though. I'm right under the main nest-tree, and the angle is too steep to see if any are peeping over the edge. But I have my window down, and give a few good caws directly up at one large bird. He shuffles around on perch, peering down to utter a single deep hoarse caw. I repeat the note as best I can. He and a bird on a neighbouring branch both give single higher notes, querulous sounding. I repeat that. Silence, though both birds look down and half-fan their tailfeathers. I repeat my caw, but try to make it seem even more querulous, but gently and politely. Both birds gaze down at me, glance at each other then back at me. Several other birds are making fairly quiet little caer-caer? sorta sounds in the background by now. The first bird gives a hoarse double bark of a caw, a loud, commanding, interrogatory tone. I try to repeat that back, though I know I cannot match the sheer power and volume of his notes. The whole rookery falls silent for a moment, then the background sounds come back at slightly higher intensity, and with a tone of puzzled excitement. The big male just gazes down. I think he is a bit nonplussed at the strange challenge. I make a few conciliatory little noises, and we are back to his querulous caws and fanning the tail halfway. Enough for the night: been only a minute or less, but I think it could be more useful to adopt a little-and-often strategy here. Seems a good place for these experiments, and they don't seem to fear me while I remain in the car. Onward, homeward on usual route, noting that Nancole Copse rookery seems to have no birds roosting. Plenty of activity at rookeries in Alton and Selborne. At both of those, see at least one bird flying in or making circuits. These rookeries get a longer twilight though, from streetlamps in the vicinity. Don't see anything southwards of those, but too dark of sky to see any against by casual glance while driving past. ============ Wed 7th Apr: 9am. Late away this morning, but I can see where at least one of my Portsmouth Carrion Crows are probably nestbuilding: by good luck of route and traffic-timing, followed one from near my house for about half a mile. It went into the top of some odd little towers (poss. chimneys in disguise?) on a tatty old ecclesiastical building at junction with Kingston Crescent. I was stationary at traffic lights, so could see it settle carefully on top, then it seemed to drop down inside. Lunchtime in Herriard, and hear Crow calls again, usual direction. Stroll around corner to lane, and sure enough, can now hear them much closer. This side of A339 main road, in a medium sized Oak. Three C.corone, with one right atop. They all fly away before I get near, go into other trees across main road. One already there too. They caw to each other a bit, then all fly out of sight. Don't think it was my presence disturbing them, as much further away than they normally seem to worry about. Went up for closer look at trees, but can see no evidence of any nestbuilding activities. Wondering if any of them are the same pair that were visiting last summer. 2pm. Think I've just seen Housemartins! Too distant to be sure, but right wingform and flight behaviour. I was just looking at the remains of old nests above our windows too, thinking the HMs will be back to inspect in two or three weeks. Might have to argue for possession with some Sparrows that were prospecting around an intact nest last week though. ============ Tue 6th Apr: Back to work in Herriard, and a cold damp morn. After a break of four days though, surprising how much vegetation has suddenly burst into green leaf. Mostly bushes and small plants in flower, that were buds last week. If I want some good rookery photos this spring, I need to get them quick then, before growing foliage obscures. So I'm hoping for a bright dry day soon. 11am, out in carpark and hear Carrion Crow making what I take to be territorial noise: always three or four notes, regularly spaced, and from static position. Cannot see where, but other side of conifer row screening our SW side. Have often noted C. corone type sounds from over there, but never seen any. 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