OBSERVATIONS IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Times are in GMT/UST (Add 1 hour for UK BST between 28th March & 31st October 1999 if required) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk39] Thu 30th Sep: Fine morning. Many Rooks, again seem to be flying about in a somewhat sportive manner. At least six Housemartins around over Herriard as I arrive. Last day of working directly for this company, so no more everyday regular commuting. I think I shall miss the rural drive morn and eve, passing the rookeries... to at least spare a glance, even if no time to stop. I shall miss feeding, and the playing of little tricks on the local Corvids... puzzling at sandwich containers on the shed roof. Never did get around to setting up a video camera to record their antics. Though not had any visiting for a few months now. I shall miss the various smallfeathers that hang around the office carpark and hedges. Remembering the very first day of new-job excitement as I started here, over five years ago in the unexpectedly heavy snow early in a January... and feeding a cheeky Robin that peered into window of temporary workspace round other end of the building. And my thoughts the next day after struggling home for three hours of closed roads and traffic jams: I must be mad to take this on! But that was not typical, and the routes and crafty timing of travel became refined to usually under an hour each way. I shall miss this office with lovely view out across farmlands, a thatched cottage in the middle distance and the wide sweep of sky. Often filled with gliders from the airfield-club a short mile away. I wonder if many creatures will miss me? Or even notice as such. A melancholy mood descends this eve as I type from memory-jog notes and prepare to upload a week's update. 4:40pm early evening, packing personal belongings. Magpie seen out of window passing on stairs. A _pair_ of them! Perhaps fifty paces away, and only seen momentarily crossing the gap by the old wooden bus-shelter. Stealthily hedge-flittering, low and invisible apart from that break across tractor-entrance to field. Only time I've ever seen them this close: oft puzzled as to why, for know there are pica pica families maintaining their territories within a mile in each direction... but here always seemed like nobirdsland to them. 7pm full dark, and locking up building. Feels strange, as I'm the one that's leaving. (:>) I still have the keys, so guess I'll have to go back sometime then. Bat flickers past again. And strange squealings and squeakings from over the main road. Possibly Owls, though not as I usually know their calls around here. ============ Wed 29th Sep Heavy rain and complete cloudcover. Yet several Housemartins seen on way up to Herriard. These along B3006, heading north-westerly in a determined manner, so in wrong direction for a migration flight. Perhaps just a stopover for food though? Not seen them at this spot before. Quite a few Rooks around between Selborne and Alton, groundfeeding by road. Even in the rain, closest birds gleam with reddish-purple sheen in diffuse morning light. ============ Tue 28th Sep: Bright clear morning of blue skies, though getting noticeably cooler of the season. Several Jackdaws in company of three Magpies passing Petersfield. Another 'Pie near Greatham. Many Rooks there also. Seem very relaxed and feeding casually. Assume the youngsters of this year are more independent now. Those that have survived so far are perhaps turning their thought and emotion more to matters of social behaviour. I have the distinct impression that "playtime" is strategically important to all the Corvidae. Perhaps tactical alliances formed tentatively at this easy time of year will develop into successful food-foraging groups for the winter.... and perhaps pair-bond friendships into mated-pair status as the birds mature in their second year or later. There certainly appears to be a good deal of mock-chasing about going on. Flying hide-and-seek games, and a general buoyancy of spirit in aerodynamic challenge. Perfecting showmanship and clever wing-stunts. At least one Housemartin still flying around Herriard. Local Jackdaws out and about, carefree and exultant in the strong wind. Homewards early, garage run and swap vehicles. Rooks abound. ============ Mon 27th Sep: Working in Petersfield and seeing Jackdaws hanging around. Seem to like this quiet housing estate in rural location. Scoot out to get some printer consumables, Portsmouth and to check the Magpies of Burfields Industrial Estate and shopping mall with too many people rushing nowhere. 'Pies heard but not seen. Companion as passenger able to look harder in traffic situations and spots several though. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk38] Sat-Sun 25th-26th Sep: Starting with a quiet day at home in Portsmouth, for partying later. Crows fly over while checking oil in car outside on the street. Pair of them, with typical triple-caw. A long and enjoyably hectic w/e, including some Sunday-morn shopping in Camden Market. Get there quite early and hardly anyone around. Find a cafe for breakfast, sit outside in rising sunlight under blue sky. Pigeons still roosting on open ledges of building opposite. A single Crow streaks over in silence and disappears out of sight behind chimney. An interesting place, but don't see any other Corvids. Sure they are there, but not as visible as the ubiquitous Columbidae, who are so used to the churning crowds of people that they almost run between your feet in pursuit of any edible scraps. Never seen one get kicked or stepped on, so perhaps are still maintaining the alertness and agility of all wild creatures. For although they are tame enough to take food offered from the hand, they are not cagebirds: acquiring food is still a competitive activity for them. These are London birds, feral and streetwise. Quite different -- in behaviour -- from the shy rural creatures. Earlier heard distinctive rattle of Magpie in a tree somewhere near Archway, but the bird remained unseen, even after looking hard into branches. Implications of all this are quite interesting. Driving back South in afternoon, dreadful traffic jams, but quite a few Crows strolling in parks and any other green spaces. ============ Fri 24th Sep: 6pm and getting dark quite early after a day of mostly heavy rain. But a ragged and skyweaving group of about seventy Rooks fly over in silence. At least six Housemartins still here. One bat flittering past my face as locking up. ============ Thur 23rd Sep: Another day of mixed weather and of unsettled birds. Just the odd one or two Housemartins today around Herriard, including one flying in fairly heavy rain, but saw several streaking down motorway this morn. Certainly overtaking the southbound traffic of the opposite carriageway. Perhaps not so difficult, for all roads slow this morn. Rooks and Jackdaws in small groups scudding about the skies. Taking an office-colleague to garage in Waterlooville: get there minutes to spare in midst of rush-hour traffic. Decide not to struggle back through lengthening queues to motorway, observed to be almost stationary on way past. Take the long but gentler -- and ultimately quicker -- slow route of country lanes. Many Rooks about, and field of them groundfeeding in field of those round haybales. Many birds using these for convenient perches. Lazily elegant Magpie hovering almost hawk-like into wind rising off the steep scarp of Portsdown Hill as I float down off the coastal foothills towards my dwelling somewhere in the flat city spread out below. Still back home earlier than usual. Heh. ============ Wed 22nd Sep: 8:30am Alton, waiting in a traffic queue at roundabouts under railway arch. There is a rookery on the embankment, almost directly above. Nearly always a bird or two in evidence. But the strange thing of the morning: a Magpie is wheeling about in those treetops. And in company of three Rooks. One black bird breaks out of the circle, soaring lightly into wind, and the pied one gives chase, short wings beating as fast as I've ever seen, and the long tail compressed into a thin streamer. Seems like it's doing the best it can to catch up, but the lead bird just gives a little wingbeat and shoots off. The other two Rooks accelerate past, then slow down, and the 'Pie jinks to almost intercept, being very agile in the turn. Almost-caught peels off in a diving turn but then reverse-loops to get right in close behind the long-tailed one. Then all four birds are circling again, climbing higher and tighter. So what is all this about? Makes no conventional orni-sense for a slower and smaller species to be "chasing" several larger and faster birds in their own territory. In that connexion, the Rooks are obviously not trying to simply outpace the Magpie, but lazily keeping just out reach. And noting that several other Rooks were about but completely ignoring this little fracas. Seems to me like they were playing tag, and all enjoying most thoroughly. Explanations of distracting a notorious egg-thief seem implausible at this time of year. Still a puzzle, but would need longer watch to see what happened next. Traffic-jam dissipated though, as reasonless as it had formed. Pity, for I was actually enjoying that one. (:>) Herriard, midmorning. Seems to be a time for many species to be moving around the landscape, unsettled, whether they are a migrating species or residents. Corvids amongst, though only in small groups. Carrion Crow flaps heavily over, beating strongly South in a gusty drizzle against leaden skies. Everywhere I glance, distant black specks beating corvinely under the low and almost unbroken cloudcover. 2pm and ten Jackdaws flying over to SW. Around 4pm, take the post. A thin rainbow after thunder and lightning, but quite sunny now. Rook, unusually alone and cawing loudly, travelling NE. A little later, six Jackdaws in roughly the same direction, cheow-cheowing fit for a dozen, then two more following at some distance in silence. Possibly gaining slightly, but not seeming anxious about it. All flying with that steady wingbeat that implies pacing themselves for a good long journey. Reckon we still have the full complement of 30-40 'Martins here though, assuming they are the same individuals. All swooping around over the pub and field opposite, a favourite afternoon hunting ground. A moment of excitement as a fast raptor flashes towards them from SE. Think Sparrowhawk, though only in sight for less than a second: the Housemartins open up, scattering high and low, chittering in loud indignation. But perhaps this Hawk already knows that alerted HMs are almost impossible to catch on the wing, and perhaps they are merely on the flightpath from here-to-there for a fast hunter of the less agile.... For this raptor does not deviate from bearing, and flashes through like an express train disdainfully passing through a minor station. Of course, if any silly little inattentive creatures got in the way, sure it would be all over for them very savagely. 5pm skies clearing in a stiff breeze. Low clouds scudding fast to reveal heavier clouds above, and some thin layers yet higher still. Starlings inspecting the world from radio mast, as is their little afternoon-way. About a dozen of them as per usual for recent days. A whole row of them on the 8-element low-band Yagi, busily preening and shaking out their wings, mostly to the accompaniment of their "hweeeh" calls addressed to the sky in general, though occasionally one will chitter eloquently to a neighbour, or to a fresh arrival. For one or several often seem to fly off for no apparent reason, go to sit on a chimneypot for a minute, and then return. If there are pair-relationships established within this group, it is not very obvious. They all seem to greet each other with good cheer, but no allopreening partners observed. A lawless-looking band of small ruffians. Then they sit in companionable silence for a minute, their toilette perhaps accomplished.... And without any signal that I can discern, they go tearing off in purposeful manner as a close group. 5:40pm a very interesting sky to collect, so shoot out with camera. Seven Jackdaws cruise overhead in line abreast, almost due West. Calling from three obvious pairs, and one singly out on the right wing. Two silent Rooks gliding northerly and trading altitude for resting pinions: watch them descend into trees on corner of Bagmore lane about half a mile away. One lands directly, the other wheels up and comes around again before dropping behind foliage. A few more Rooks, several Jackdaws and a pair of Crows pass over within moments of each other, all in different directions and faster than I can note. 6:15pm last Housemartins of the dusk-hunting flicker closely past my head while locking up the office. ============ Tue 21st Sep: 8am home in Portsmouth, just going out to car, hear Carrion Crow calling but can't see it for the density of humanoid-housings. (:>) Drive off in bright dazzling sunshine. Turn right at end of street, and a moment later there is a very lovely and confident Town Crow on a lamp-post, leaning forward and giving all the effort of shoulders into a good long caw-session. Ignores me as drive right underneath, and can hear the sky-calls over engine with windows closed. Onto the motorways, nothing but Seagulls near the coast today. And even near the rookeries beside A3 Clanfield area, fields filled with vast flocks of white specks, bright on fresh-tilled earth. Northerly road suddenly drops down into fog for all of the weather-entrapment bowl of Petersfield and the river valleys nestling sideways-on behind the predominantly E-W folds of the South Downs. Still dense fog by Greatham, though with a sense of a brightening, thinner layer of condensates above. Small group of Rooks crossing junction of A325 and B3006 here. They keep close and low though, within easy sight of ground and local landmarks 10:30am. A Kestrel hovering stationary over the hedge in front, facing me scant fifty paces away! Moves along ten yards and holds position for many wingbeats, peering down. Evidently not finding indication of rodential activity, turns suddenly and goes back across fields to perhaps the more mouse-abundant and isolated hedges. 12:40 lunchtime, wander out to enjoy a now-warm day. A solitary 'Martin overhead. We enjoy what is left to us of this place then. The bird departs for warmer climes soon, and I leave this company and delightful rural office on the last day of this month. Hoping we both will survive where next we go, and the journeys to wherever. ============ Mon 20th Sep: Foggy morning, dull with rain. Rooks fieldfeeding near Selborne, but looking somewhat bedraggled: note they seem to walk about in fields rather than their more usual tactic of flying to next grub-patch, even if only yards away. Minimising surface area exposed to the drizzle? A few are perched in tops of the several dead trees beside the road: this is the highest point along ridge-route, so assume lightning exacts a heavy toll among the few trees that make it beyond the seedling stage on this fertile but wind-scoured upland. But the imagery of the black creatures openly standing sentinel on blackened, ruined trees, shaking out water from ragged wings, while uttering hoarse oaths and other imprecations against inclement weather... perhaps goes some way to explaining why they have been less than loved by the superstitious. (:>) Well, can't blame them for grumbling, while many of their smaller cousins are cheerily preparing to fly South for the winter. It is a traditional occupational pastime among Resident Brits to complain while we shiver. They probably perch so openly because an adult Rook has little to fear from any natural enemy during daylight hours. So no merit in hiding in the hedge -- and a clear viewpoint is better for spotting any potential predator attempting to approach by stealth. It is reasonably argued that "sentinel-posting" does not occur as such. Yet however the situation arises, a few birds -- perhaps already replete with a cropful of grubs and waiting for slower eaters -- will take a high stance overlooking the area. They are the ones most likely to notice any untoward activity. Rooks certainly warn their brethren -- and any other creature that has a mind to hear -- of the approach of anything or anyone behaving in a suspicious manner. 8am. Herriard, and note last Housemartin nest is down. (#3) After weekend of heavy gusty winds and driving rain. A few Corvids fly over at various times. High and fast, don't hear any calls but seems most times I look up or go outside there is at least one or two passing over, mainly in SE direction. 3:20pm, walking back from post. Plenty of Pigeons and smallfeathers around local fields, but only one Corvid: flying N this time, and calling. Rook by the note. Sky clearing but still quite cold in the wind. 4:55pm, Carrion Crow alights briefly on ridgetiles of unit opposite. Another flies over, hovers a moment above, low and with feet outstretched as if in intent... but does not land. Then both continue to South. No call heard. 5:30pm driving home. A pair of Carrion Crows, near Lasham, fast and furious, low over me on the road, and cutting the bends to overtake me. Catch up on a short straight at a cautious 50mph on greasy tarmac. Slow for the next bend, and they are past again. Reckon groundspeed about 45mph "As The Crow Flies". Sustained level flight over about two miles. About the same as most other times then. But I've had them pass me at about 80mph after a good dive with wings tucked in close. Surprised to meet a large group of Housemartins swooping over open valley before Alton. About forty birds, look like feeding rather than on direct migration flight, but never seen even one in that place before. Many Rooks flying about, but nearly all in smaller groups than I usually see them in. Think the most I saw in one troupe was seven birds near Alton, and there are rookeries and roosts close by. More Rooks near Greatham, and watch one descending into an isolated tree with the erratic wind eddying the falling leaves into complex air-patterns. A difficult landing, but accomplished with apparent ease. Though looks like the bird is concentrating hard. Quiver and slight flex of cupped-open wings, and the tail working hard, twisting sideways to keep on an even keel while the feet come out for a perfect two-point landing on a fast-whipping branch. Wish I could fly like that, even in calm skies! Dropping off a package to friend and colleague in Petersfield on way past. Many Housemartins above her house, reflecting the warm light of sunset from their silvery undersides. Old nests under eaves, but have not used for many years. Have they returned, or is this just a temporary staging-post, perhaps species-remembered as a place where once they lived? By the time I've drunk a coffee and driven off again, they are all gone, though the sunset seems not to have moved much lower in the sky. Homeward, and the rain starts again a little later. Hammering down for most of the night. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk37] Fri 17th Sep: Herriard, late morning. My first intimation of Jackdaws passing over came from a single Starling sat upon the chimneypot vantage of cottage opposite. It is making a "Cheow!" call. Shake my head and watch closely. It does it again. Heh. Quite a recognisable and passable attempt at Jackdaw-language. Doesn't fool me, for the imitation has neither the power nor resonance of the true Jackdaw note. How that metallic and percussively bell-like tone is produced at such high volume by our smallest Crow is a mystery to me, and none of our other Corvidae make any similar sound. (Excepting Chough which are nowhere near here!) I can do no better than the Sturnidae at imitation of that difficult sound, and it is a rare pleasure if I can get a 'Daw to even glance towards me by making calling-cheows from the ground. But within seconds, the prediction of the Starling is proven: five Jackdaws fly over, fast and low in silence. Hidden from me by our building, but would have been visible from the chimney-heights. Starling-sentinel went back to native "hweeeh" contact note, but seemed in a pleased-with-itself tone. Preened with a *clever-me* smugness too. Heh. Late-lunchtime, wander outside with coffee and a sticky bun scrounged from a colleague. (Missed the sandwich-lady while on phonecall, and either starve or eat slightly stale bread saved for the birds, who are less fussy.) It is raining a bit, and suddenly from behind me erupts the full-throated yells of an excited Jackdaw. Heh, perhaps it knows I have something more interesting than plain wholemeal bread to offer, and is also being fussy! Don't think this is the case though, for the bird races on, twisting and jinking fast in the rising wind and intensifying rain. A few moments later and thunder rumbles close at hand. Perhaps the bird is looking for a good tree and species-fellowship to sit it out in. Or to show off stormflight skills! It is certainly calling loudly, and seems in exhilaration. Thought there were at least two birds to start with, but the 'Daws also seem to have the trick of overlapping distinct notes in a polyphonic manner. That is even more intriguing, for I know of no other creature that can shout to itself as if from two beaks. Even humanoid ventriloquists usually talk to themselves in turn. A wind-driven day of mixed weather: blinding hot sunshine and heavy rain from dense black clouds for alternate hours. Housemartins still flittering around for the summery moments, perhaps making the most of what could be the last of the year. 3:25pm, just coming back from taking the post down the lane. Pied Wagtails! Don't think I've seen them around here before. Fairly unusual to me anywhere, though have seen an odd one or four on open lawns. These ones seem to have a fascination for the biggest puddle in the middle of carpark. About a dozen birds, and one at a time venturing into puddle, to be cautiously joined by another. Stepping daintily on their relatively long legs around the edges, tails flicking comically up and down, then springing with a bound to splash and ruffle themselves into the water. Eight birds in there at one point, but not the best time and place for a long communal bathing session: the whole of our little industrial estate seems to go home at about this time on a Friday, and this puddle is right on the only way in and out. Between the splashing of the cars and the birds in turn, that puddle barely regains enough composure to reflect the blue and cloudwracked sky above. (And what a beautiful variety of clouds we have had this day!) Wagtails seem a nervous and high-strung species too. A motorcycle on the main road, other side of buildings, is enough to panic them into alarm-chittering flight. But tenacious of their chosen puddle. Keep coming back to it, and in spite of the scolding of the solitary Robin that seems to resent this scatty band of travellers claiming even temporary refuge of squatter's-rights on *his* car park. Again and again the Redbreast rushes out from under a parked car to behave in as menacing a manner as possible to any isolated or straggling bird.... which flitters away too quick to follow, and into the midst of its own kind. Heh. The sturdy aggressor seems perplexed by this behaviour, but will not approach too closely to the group, and seems like does not want to get his feet wet. The Wagtails seem to like the water though, and even while standing idly about, do so from the middle of their puddle. ============ Thur 16th Sep: Rooks a-plenty on way in: field full of them just before Selborne. A wet morning, and a rainbow further along over what was their more usual field when first ploughed, but no birds there now. Housemartins still around in Herriard. Late afternoon, and I am struck by a sudden silence from all the smaller birds. Even the Starlings, as a group of five on chimneypot opposite huddle together in silence. Though unlike the smallest, they hold their position rather than disappearing under hedges. Yet something keeps the attention-span of the busy Sturnidae for a long time; they stare in silence, fixedly at a point over the lane. I follow gaze. Yes! there it is: a hawk or falcon of some kind, high and distant to identify, though the hedge-quartering movements and sudden stop to hover are typical of a hunter. Too big and wrong sort of hover for Kestrel, but didn't soar like Buzzard. Whatever type of hooky-bill, seemed all other birds had at least a little fear of it even from great distance. Hunter receded in distance out of my sight, yet the Starlings watched for much longer. Quite a few more Magpies on drive home, both in rural hedges and on motorway verges. They seem to have favourite places though, and as usual, only see them within a hundred paces of where I've seen them regularly before. Then a gap of several miles before see any more at all. ============ Wed 15th Sep: Junction A3 and A325 on way in. Two Magpies sat on top of a large black and white roadsign, with their tails hanging down over the front, with backs to the only traffic. Like a pair of bookends. I don't suppose the effect intentional, but quite amusing. Although apparently ignoring normal road traffic from behind, when I slow very slightly to glance longer, they both turn around to see why one car of the sparse queue has altered the normal sound-patterns. They did not turn for the vehicles in front or behind. Such awareness of environment! Apart from them, and one or two Rooks quite close at Greatham, hardly seen any Corvids the last few days. Plenty of Pigeons. Cold and blustery morning, clearing in evening. Five Jackdaws wheeling around Greatham, but no Rooks seen there recently. ============ Tue 14th Sep: Next field, to NW now also under the plough, but seems to attract no attention from any birds. ============ Mon 13th Sep: Herriard. Field to northern side of main road under the plough this morn. A solitary black corvid, too great a range to identify further, cautiously following tractor, and always wheeling up to alight behind whenever the tractor turned at end of row. A few Housemartins flitting about over farmlands to East in afternoon: counted five, but think there were a few more. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk36] Sat-Sun 11-12th Sep: Party in the woods all night. Mostly for the dancing and loud music with a few hundred beautiful and thoughtful creatures of mine own species... which can be great fun and very relaxing, even to a stressed-out naturalist. (:>) But wandered off on own a few times; stroll cautiously away under the trees in almost absolute darkness, for no moon tonight, and densely overcast for all the warmth of the night. A little clearing and short dry grass to sit upon. Sound of dancefloor is a distant exuberance, rhythms wild to the sky. But nice to have a quiet little rest. Lie down flat and gaze at that sky. Must be at least a little skyglow behind the clouds, though nearest town is several miles away. Drifting slowly, very little wind. Not a rustle of bough or bush unless some living creature disturbs. A silent little spider is inspecting my face: think it is considering my nose as an anchor for a new web. I quietly blow at it without moving my head, for don't wish to see the fruits of arachnid labour wasted. Not much other wildlife moving around that I can hear. A few other humanoids evidently also wishing to enjoy the night to the full: wander past nearby, usually in couples with soft giggles. Hear the distant quavering of an owl; only one species tonight, and perhaps our presence in numbers has caused them to shy away. Must be fairly used to this though, for I believe this little patch and shelter is hired out for various celebrations most weekends. Back to the party for most of the night. Numbers decreasing as many people drift off to go home before dawn.... which heralds a lovely morning. One of the best things about staying over and awake at these events, in-my-beaky-opinion. (:>) Housemartins very high above, just wing-glints in the clear sunshine. Very corvids today though, only a pair passing over fast and high. Think C.corone. Go for another walk, with companion this time. Cups of tea in hand, and bleary-eyed, but clad in party-garments, now somewhat the worse for a night's dancing. Odd looks from early-morn joggers and dog- walkers as we cheerily bid good-morn. A path leads us onto a lane, tarmac-surfaced and we choose to follow that back, eating wild blackberries from the wayside. Walking quiet and slow, and in field beside, Rooks are billpoking at the ground. An early breakfast. About a dozen are perched on a water-trough, not sure whether drinking or having a bath, for they sit still to watch us pass: evidently well-used to people wandering harmlessly along their own made-roads, but still to be warily watched. Heh. A little further along, and a group of Beech trees. Not sure whether a rookery or just a night-roosting place for this time of year, but from the caws, many birds in residence. Don't think these ones have spotted us yet, and the field-feeding birds deigned to consider us unworthy of alarm-caws. So close by, I let rip with my best and loudest CAW! Utter silence and stillness from the trees, and after long moments, can make out birds peering out of hidden leafy spaces. Companion moves and is spotted. A querulous little caw, which I return. The hubbub of morning caw-chatter resumes, but several birds fly out. A few cautiously overhead and peering down suspiciously at our own upturned faces. Wander onwards ourselves, picking up a few black feathers. Many around, but not fresh. Moult-season should be over by now, so would be as expected. Help out the end of party tidy-up. Sweeping the concrete dancefloor and bagging the refuse. Won't be anything left from the bbq of the previous afternoon for any scavenging Crows then! Can yet hear the beat of techno wafting on the wind though. Another party still going on somewhere. Knew there was another, from a few puzzled visitors to our own do, lost on way to theirs in the night. Made welcome and redirected when they wanted to attempt to find their own crowd. Anyway, two of us decide to return the compliment, and leaving vehicle, hike the two miles across the forest to find. Easy by daylight and with only one sound to guide. Burst out of trees to find the other party, mostly winding-down by this time also. A couple of Crows pass over while we chat with some friendly strangers. In partywoods, seems all creatures recognise each other. ============ Fri 10th Sep: Portsmouth in long 8am queues of bad new traffic-lights, junction Chichester Rd/London Rd. Two Magpies flying about overhead. Flittering from one rooftop to another. Never seen them around here before. Don't know what they were doing, though observed for about ten minutes. ============ Thu 9th Sep: Evening drive homewards. Long warm day. Three Carrion Crows in usual field near The Avenue. Then some excitement nearly into Alton: Four Rooks chasing off a Kestrel. Seemed quite casual about it, taking turns to dive fairly slowly at its tail, while other birds kept in close-escort beside, perhaps to stop it turning. It is still something of a puzzle to me as to why -- especially as the Rooks themselves seem to know Kestrel is no threat to them -- do they persist in driving them away? I wonder if there is an automatic *this is enemy* flee/fight response at sight of any hooky-billed bird, but the primary and instinctive response is then modified by the knowledge and experience that the mouse-eating and relatively gentle-natured Kestrel does not even raid for baby Corvids. Of course, they might just be after a taste of fresh-killed mouse! ============ Mon 6th Sep: Herriard 9:15am. Disturbed by a great chittering of Housemartins outside my open window. Step outside, quietly and slowly, though these birds usually take very little notice of people. Goodness! HMs beyond my counting, and swirling all around. Estimate 80-100 birds, as very rough guess. Very noisy: chittering in usual fashion, plus a long high note not noticed before from the species. They seem mostly interested in the nestsite on our building. (Only nest #3 still remaining.) Several birds were hovering about the old nests, some landed and clung to the adjacent brickwork or even the outside of the nest. Then all shrieking off again. Happened several times. Not sure if was the same birds landing each time, but the whole flock were taking a close interest. Yet I saw no bird attempt entry of that one nest. Wonder if some other species had appropriated for a late nesting attempt? Could not see any creature looking out or calling defiance from within though. Only other birds seen were the usual group of sparrows on bushes, and the usual solitary Starling commenting cheekily on the whole world from high vantage of radio mast. But all ignoring the nearby fuss. Something had certainly got the HMs very agitated though! Seems too early in the autumn to be seriously getting ready to emigrate, but perhaps they are just getting a bit of practice? 3:30pm taking post down the lane. A small hawk, think Kestrel, but just passing through, not hovering... over the field opposite. My attention drawn first by the Housemartins who are mobbing it with a furious twittering. A fairly aggressive but uncoordinated attack, and the Kestrel seems to be ducking and jinking in every direction at once. The melee eventually drifts beyond the next field, and the HM's gradually slacken their attacks, with many individuals returning to food-catching flight as the distraction takes them. 5pm and packing up for the day. Checking windows closed around back, become aware of slight movement in the grass, almost under my feet. An insect with long wings, long legs, and a pointed body. We call them generically "daddy longlegs", though this one is clearly a mummy longlegs. (:>) The pointed body is a bit of a give-away: the males are blunt of bottom. This female, is shuffling her pointed rear-end down between the blades of short grass, attempting to find or make loose cavities in the soil. Therein to place her eggs. The insect quarters the ground over an area perhaps a yard square, and I see this procedure repeated about a dozen times, at about ten-inch intervals. On a couple of occasions, she seems to struggle long to find a cavity, gives up and moves just an inch or so to try again. Intriguing, for it implies that the strategy of an optimal spacing is not only understood, but understood in a manner that permits a sensible modification to itself, based on experimentation history. It is often argued that such behaviour from a creature of "lowly" brain cannot mean "intelligence" as such -- it is purely mechanistic in response to problem solving, and blindly selected for in each generation of successfully breeding individuals. A valid argument perhaps, but any system that exhibits observable behaviour like this, is surely indistinguishable from our own self- modifying strategies. Whether this drive is recognised consciously or simply followed blindly because any other approach tends to lead a species to extinction... is irrelevant. I believe it to be a matter of degree, not of substance. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk35] Fri 3rd Aug 1999: Hardly any Corvids seen around Herriard during day. Fine weather. Driving home 6:15pm almost into Alton, and a large crowd of Rooks passes overhead. Several hundred and heading into sunset, roughly SW along the lane toward the old Abbey or whatever then. Have tried to follow those birds before, but not good visibility or access as soon as leave the main A339, and lost sight of within moments. So carry on to my home tonight. Through Alton, out on the B3006. Car window open on this lovely warm evening, and hear the distinctive alarm-chacks of Magpie very close... couple of them burst out of hedge right into my path. Already braking, as this does not seem to be the usual "playing chicken" games that I am used to not being browbeaten down in. (:>) They seem to be escaping from something in or behind hedge, and that is where their attention is directed. But one of these wily ones appears to realise fresh risk, chacks once more and they both bounce back into hedge just a few yards from whence they came. Barely touching the tarmac in front of my wheels, and seemed the second one did not even look around at me, but took the death-warning from presumed mate at chack-value. Magpies certainly seem stronger of leg than wing. Most impressive to see them jump so powerfully high and then open wings to control the hedgetop landing. 6:30pm on the A3 passing Clanfield and a dozen Rooks fly over, again into sunset. A very lovely sight to see these birds beating casually over: seem so relaxed and confident in their ragged group. 6:45pm Almost into Portsmouth on the A27. Perhaps fifty Gulls in long but fairly tight V-formation. These ones heading easterly along the coast, ie towards me out of the sun. Although about the same size as Rooks, knew they weren't, merely from their far more regimented flight positions, and long before I could see their slender and pointed wings or pale colours. At this time of evening they are all just black dots in the distance against the sunset. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk34] Fri 27th Aug: Very few corvids around in obvious places recently. Apart from the Rooks flocking to whichever field seems to offer the most bounty. A couple of magpies gracefully soaring across a motorway cutting this morn, an odd Jackdaw or three in the distance. The Housemartins over Herriard seem active this sunny evening: counted over twenty high in front, then realised just as many behind me. A solitary Starling on the radio mast. Were some Sparrows nibbling food left on the shed roof earlier in the day. But no Corvids appear to have been near for quite a while now. Skulking and moping elsewhere while having a moult perhaps? ============ Thur 26thAug: Taking colleague to home in Alresford, point out Crow in usual field on west side of A339, near junction with The Avenue. Only the one tonight. ============ Wed 25th Aug: Morning. Fields A3006 being ploughed. Rooks following the tractor quite closely. Must be a feast of turned-over grubs for them! From their general behaviour in this area, think they are not persecuted. Have seen scarecrows, bits of string, and those gas-powered rook- scarers at certain times of the year, but never seen any evidence of fatal attentions. ============ Sun 29th Aug: Awoke in a van in a rural carpark after a small dancing-party in some Hampshire woods. Heard both rooks and Jackdaws calling earlier. Went for a little stroll, and watched seven Rooks form an ascending spiral overhead. Intriguing, for they flew in from several different directions, but all calling to each other long before I could see them or ascertain what they were doing. Then another arrived, low from behind me in silence and turned in under the circle. Calling now, and beating strongly to rise fast. The other birds just soaring with wings outstretched. Assume they are in a small and weak-rising thermal, for they hold altitude in their tight wheel. The latecomer catches up to them, and they beat wings lightly to rise, all cawing now. Go around for quite a long time, higher and higher, fainter and fainter. Then the group splits; not all at once, but one or two at a time dive out and go drifting off into blue distances. In different directions. So were they all from the same local rookery, or from adjoining territories? Was this some kind of high-level ambassadorial meeting, or a casual get-together of distant friends? Did the birds even know each other? Were they just sharing a thermal in civilised peace, and calling hail-traveller-well-met? The society of Rooks and of Humans is of greater subtlety than I can yet understand. Such my lighthearted thought of a partymorn. ============ Mon 23rd Aug: Driving home in evening, and as passing A3006 stubblefields, a large (twin rotor) military helicopter flies over, very low and very loud. Large numbers of Rooks and Gulls come tearing over the hedges, away from under the flightpath of the machine. The birds are evidently rather agitated by it. Get a look at one field, just as it all happens; interestingly, it is all of the Gulls, but only about half of the Rooks that fly up. Many look up, hitching their wings a little, but remaining on the ground. Some few birds, bolder than the rest, give no more than a casual glance up at the sky, and around at their fellows, before resuming feeding. See several birds directly under the rotor wash. Bits of stubble and dust whirling about them, but they just hunch down to the ground until the artificial storm has passed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk33] Fri 20th Aug: Morning, see Rooks around A3M near Liss. Homeward bound in eve, and the C.corone family in their usual field. Four of them this time, but no Magpie in evidence. ============ Thur 19th Aug: Rooks in fields A3006 again. 4pm, stroll outside and note pair of Carrion Crows in field over main road to NW. They fly over to next field, and a Magpie flitters out of the dividing hedge and follows closely. Sparrows seem to have rediscovered food source of hedge outside my window. A few Housemartins about, but not seeing any activity around nestsite. ============ Wed 18th Aug: Many Rooks in stubblefields again, morn and eve. Large flocks -- few hundreds -- in most fields beside the A3006 between Selborne and Alton. Youngsters are evident, by smaller size and darker bills. Making the most of exposed ground, soft with all the recent rains. A good feast while it's there, and to build strength and mass for the coming season of cold and harder foraging. Saw the C.corone family party of three in the same field near Lasham again in eve. This time in company of a solitary Magpie. ============ Tues 17th Aug: Many Rooks in stubblefields on way in. Good, for hardly seen any around recently. 5pm locking up, and a pair of corvids half-hidden in the stubble of field behind offices. Might have been my Jackdaws. (:>) Gave them a good caw and cheow across the main road in gaps of traffic. Looks busy tonight. Maybe lurk here awhile longer myself then. Raining hard by now, getting cold and dark quite early. Three C.corone in field by Lasham, presume family group. One did look a little smaller. ============ Mon 16th Aug: 9am Herriard. Doesn't seem like I've been away for a week: surprised to find Jackdaws' food on shed untouched. Housemartins still flittering about, single nest remaining. Couple of Carrion Crows flew over to SE, spaced far apart and cawing at regular intervals. And where oh where are all the smallfeathers? No Sparrows, Dunnocks, Starlings, Blackbird or Finch. Even my cheeky little Robin is not around. Left scraps out in usual place in front hedge, but never a bird in sight whenever I glance out. Seem to have forgotten quickly. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk32] Fri 13th Aug: Truro. Feeding a solitary Jackdaw among many Gulls by a bridge in the town centre. And trying not to stare too hard at a magnificent Crow sat nonchalantly just above the shopper-crowds, unseen on a trade-sign projecting over the street at first-floor level. It knew immediately that companion and I were observing it though. Allowed us to stand right underneath, but grew agitated at even our occasional upward glances. More City-Crows and many other Jackdaws around the town, scavenging happily ============ Weds 11th Aug: Cornwall. NGR[blah], 10:11am. The day the sky went dark. Heh. For two minutes anyway. Total Eclipse. The local Jackdaws seemed to be _expecting_ it. A puzzle. Perhaps they just picked up on the sense of expectation and excitement from the crowds of humanoids though. The birds certainly seemed to be staring out across the darkening sea in awed silence with everyone else. And cheer-cheowed when the second dawn broke. Heh, then back to usual 'Daw-business of raiding crowds for unwatched-edibles. Reckon they had excellent pickings this day. (:>) An awesome experience for me though. Unforgettable. Went dark so suddenly compared to a normal nightfall. Automatic streetlamps came on, and the headland opposite (where the big crowds were) became a mass of twinkling little camera flashguns: assume mostly from people using compact-cameras that flash automatically. Unless they weren't trying to illuminate the moon. (:>) Gulls seemed very disturbed by the sudden dark. Heard them screaming all around. Didn't see or hear any small birds singing. But the Jackdaws were silently stoical about the whole thing. Just before First Contact, most went onto the roof of one house, peeping over ridge at sky. Apart from one pair who went streaking out over the water towards the other headland: perhaps they thought to get a better view from over there. (:>) Certainly seemed excited but purposeful in their flight: high and fast, not looking down or back, with just the typical "hurry up" contact-calls. I reckon they made landfall on the Coastguard lookout-hut with several seconds to spare. ============ Thur 5th August 1999: Housemartins rebuilding nest #2, or at least surveying the wreckage with much twittering: perhaps they are arguing about the location or constructional technique. Only nest #3 remaining, which is the one that is not built across an expansion joint. Heard calling of Crows from SW direction several times during day. Had been all quiet over there for many weeks, assumed no longer around. No sight of any, but that is not unusual for the birds over in those trees. ============ Wed 4th August 1999: Three C. Corone on traffic-island pavement of roundabout A3/A325 this morn. Only slight differences in size and appearance between them, but reckon easy to tell which is the juvenile, purely from behaviour. The two adult birds keeping themselves between young one and traffic, staunchly facing it and giving the contemptuously solid but wary eye to every vehicle, passing within a couple of yards. This traffic is slow but accelerating out of the turn. Crows are on outside of the turn, so subjecting themselves to the maximum scare value of a predator roaring towards them. Though I know they are safer from predator-attack on their raised kerb than in the fields, and I suspect the parent birds think so too. Sound and fury, signifying nothing. And sure enough, the one I believe to be the youngster is flinching and flirting up wings in involuntary reflex of threat-escape at every car. Looks generally nervous and wild- eyed. The two very slightly larger birds are calmly picking over the loose gravel. If they are finding anything to eat there, it can't amount to very much. I suspect they have chosen this location to give lessons in Applied Nonchalance to offspring. Into Herriard, note Housemartin nest #2 is down. Contained at least two new eggs. Now just splashes of yellow yolk and a few fragments of shell among the lumps of dried mud. So it seems they were going for a second brood, implying the earlier youngsters are no longer dependant on the nest, though they were certainly returning to it earlier in the week. Food on shed still untouched. ============ Tue 3rd August 1999: Picked up an odd black feather in Herriard. Had been rained on, slightly bedraggled but still water-repelling. Dried easily. Clearly a tailfeather, but lighter and more flexible than usual corvid. Very green of sheen, tinged with gold. Neutral silvery-grey reflection on reverse, though less so than others I have examined. 5.7 inches long. Wonder if from Magpie? Shorter outer tailfeather? Have not seen any 'Pies recently. Doesn't seem to be their area, though did see one a month or two back. ============ Mon 2nd August 1999: Food on shed gone over w/e. But the stapled-shut container has disappeared completely, so I have no idea of who and how. (:>) Left more out. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk31] Sat 31st Jul- Sun 1st Aug: Too hot to sleep indoors. Went out with a few friends to local woods, wild and lonely downlands near Winchester. A quiet little fireside-gather by night under clear and cooling sky. Went for a long wander, silent on my own, magic of mist rising in 2am moonlight, and at least two species of Owl hooting and quavering overhead. Returned before dawn, most asleep, but three of us saw a strange light in sky passing over. Looked like ordinary star, white colour and fairly low magnitude, but moving too slow for a meteor. Faded gradually in a straight line over transit of perhaps under a minute. Seemed too high and fast for a plane. Satellite catching high sunlight? Packing up in daylight, 23 Jackdaws flying over in a ragged group, but in a purposefully straight direction, beating along leisurely at about 150ft. Only one called occasionally and fairly quietly: unusual for them, and a larger group than I usually see for that species. Perhaps on some stealthy raid. ============ Fri 30th Jul: Met the lady who took the HM chicks home, asked if they survived. They didn't. As expected, but still a sad news. Left plenty of food on shed, including a sandwich in container... but stapled shut. Want to see if the Jackdaws are as good as the Carrion Crows of last year at this additional challenge. ============ Tue 27th Jul: Housemartin nest down in Herriard. From the large unit opposite. Seems another nest had been built there, and must have been quite recently. Some kind people there had already found the wreckage: two dead chicks and two still alive. Had also phoned some bird-place, and been advised to improvise a nest on the wall as close to original position as possible. Well, an open-topped plastic box was nailed at about head-height above the ground. Shame this was all done before I knew of the incident, for sure I could have got up to the original nest position, if they had invited. But I did not want to disturb them any further by that time. Perhaps it would not have made any difference in hindsight, for the nestlings had not been calling for food, and I'd guess Kept an eye open, but did not see any bird taking an interest in the box. In evening, went out to see the helping lady checking for signs of life, and saw the chicks myself. Hmm, too small for much hope. Not even feathered or opening eyes yet. Suggested she take them home, try to get some milk and fine-mashed insects into them. Also try to find out what is most suitable for the species' chicks that small. Slender chance, but might as well try on basis that nothing can make things worse at this stage. If she can get them through the night, find out more at leisure. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk30] Mon 26th Jul: Herriard, and looks like all the Housemartin chicks have fledged. That is in itself a bit of a puzzle, as I reckon nests #2 and #3 started about a week apart. The third nest took the birds a lot longer to complete too, and my assumption is that it was the first construction for this pair. (Query: do successful, surviving pairs stay together? My guess is that they do, though I believe they suffer a high mortality rate.) Anyway, the young birds are flying, but returning to the nest and being fed there. Saw three birds from nest #3 jump out in quick succession with much chittering. One after the other, like a team of skydivers anxious not to get too far apart in the drop. One-two- three, quick-quick, and don't hesitate at the hatch! Though noted they flew in different directions, erratically but strongly. And gaining height, which must be important for any species that doesn't seem to like the ground very much. The adults can certainly take off from flat tarmac, but I've only ever seen them do that when building nests -- collecting mud from a shallow pothole. No Corvids in evidence today, though packaged food placed on shed disappeared over w/e. Left more out, but still there in evening. No birds around Back Lane rookery on way home. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk29] Thur 22nd Jul: 8:00am, group of about 50 Rooks wheeling and descending over field beside motorway just N of Horndean. Wondering where they had got to, as not seen recently. Herriard, and note packaged food on shed not taken. (In hard plastic moulding.) Left over from Tues, as I was not here yesterday. Seems to be a time of year when Corvids are less predictable of movement. Put more food out lunchtime, in paper and cellophane wrap. Still there in evening. ============ Mon 19th Jul: Herriard in morning. Housemartin nest #1 has failed, fallen over the weekend. Just a scattering of dried mud on the ground. Hoping the young flew first, or perhaps just learned to fly very quickly! They looked like they were about ready to go. Perhaps they knocked the nest apart in first-flight attempts of clumsy nestlings. Had a look around on ground, and no evidence of dead birds on the concrete this year. Only some old nestlining feathers in the debris. Inconclusive, for plenty of time for cats or other animals to have taken a flightless youngster. Or even the Jackdaws, who would probably be quite partial to fresh HM chicks if the opportunity was presented. And Corvids have certainly been around, for all the food from last week gone from shed, and a magnificent plume left on the grass there. A flight primary from right wing, 10.8in long, undamaged, perfectly preened but well-worn. Not much sheen on topside, but a silvery-grey gleam to underside. Musty smell. ============ Sun 18th Jul: Portsmouth 6pm. Burfields Road, shops closed (forgot it's a Sunday) but pleased to see local Magpie flock are around and scavenging the empty carpark. Having to argue for scraps with many Gulls, believe the Black-Headed variety, fairly small. The 'Pies seem to do alright in this competition, perhaps because they are more inclined to co- operate, whereas the Gulls take a more selfish attitude. No paradox really, for it simply means that the strategy of smart selfishness fills one's belly better than a more foolish and short-term selfishness. (:>) On way out, other side of industrial estate, saw a Magpie without a tail foraging on pavement. Seemed quite plump and well-fed though. Not sure if could fly easily or at all. Perhaps just has fierce friends that will distract predators until new feathers grown. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk28] Fri 16th Jul: No evidence of the Herriard Jackdaws over the last few days. Indeed, the wrapped food on shed from yesterday, and more placed today... remains untouched as I lock up to go home. Housemartins busy all day though: every time I've been out, at least a few circling and chittering about. The young are waiting eagerly with heads poking out nest-entrance, and gaping pinkly before the parents have even landed. It seems to be a case of stuffing food into bills with the greatest speed and efficiency possible. The adults work tirelessly at their self-imposed task. The chicks clamour for more. I think they are almost ready to fly. Set the alarm and lock the door, but see no youngsters peering out the nest tonight. Yestereve they chirped with curiosity at (but quite unafraid of) the loud bellbox within a yard of nest. Perhaps they have already flown, though I'm sure they were there earlier today. (Nest #1) Homewards via Back Lane. Can tell the Rooks are in residence tonight, because I spy out the sentinel on favourite perch from a long way off. Although the bird is motionless and pretending to be a clump of leaves; one wing held crooked, out slightly to break the distinctive symmetry of bird outline. Heh, but I know the shape and leaf-patterns on that bough off by heart now, and as I drive closer, the distance no longer hazes over the slight colour difference against the dull sky. Switch off engine and coast in silence for the last hundred yards. Hear Rook and Jackdaw, all just chattering casually at close of day. It is 7pm, but most cars on the main road already have some lights on. The long twilight of an overcast midsummer day. Don't know why they are back tonight, as they were not around the last few evening drive-byes. No others corvids seen on rest of route, apart from a single young- looking Magpie strolling fairly cautiously along hardshoulder of A3(M) near Horndean. Arrive home to find a kind friend has sent a lovely old book with a Crow tale of c1900. ============ Thur 15th Jul: Housemartins all still in nests, far as I can tell by standing under each and chittering up at them. Only when these birds are so young can they be induced to take much notice of humans. The chicks poke their sweet little black-and-white faces out, and peer down at me with apparent interest and optimism. I've even seen them beg from the busy Sparrows nesting under tiles just above their own eaves- nests. Fortunately perhaps, most humans don't take much notice of HMs either. Always surprises me when, as happened at lunchtime, I greeted someone from larger office unit opposite, by asking if their Martins were doing okay. The response made it obvious that the presence of their single nest, and our three, was completely unknown. ============ Mon 12th Jul: In to Herriard, hot day already. First thing noted on arrival are many Housemartins wheeling about close to nests, not landing, but chittering wildly at every pass. Wonder if some have fledged over the weekend. Observe later that all three nests have at least one youngster peeping out. Lunchtime have a good look, standing quiet in shade, and not much other activity going on in carpark. See a strange thing: Adult arrives at nest, clings and is thrusting head inside to feed the vociferous brood, when another bird lands beside, calling loud. First bird immediately turns head and feeds that one instead. Surely not a case of one parent passing food to the other for further preparation and distribution, because they both flew off again. (Don't think this species does that anyway?) Perhaps a just- fledged bird, wanting to fly yet coming back onto outside of nest to be fed? Both birds looked to be about the same size, bracing with strong tailfeathers while hanging on their small feet. I suspect there is more to the social interaction behaviour of these birds than I can yet understand. This is at the central nest, which was last-built, so least likely to have fledged any free-fliers yet. Last year, the first day or two out of nest, the youngsters I saw were sat on the roof and being fed there. They must have been able to fly to get there, but seemed reluctant to do more than a brief flight to return to perching. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [99wk27] Fri 9th Jul: Last thing leaving Herriard in evening, check that Housemartins all okay. All nests contain young peeping out and being fed by parents clinging on outside rather than entering the nest. Though did see one bird enter the central nest as well, so presume not all of the later nestlings are at same stage. Drove home via Back Lane rookery, but not a corvid anywhere in sight or sound. ============ Thur 8th Jul: Leaving my house in morn, hear much bird-screeching overhead: about thirty Swifts screaming around at perhaps 200ft. Presume they are busy munching on whatever flies and assorted bugs are up there, too small for me to see. But the birds are darting and twisting at high speed, wings flickering to fast to count the beat... so I reckon they must get their plentiful energy from somewhere! Occasionally pausing to glide on their distinctive scythe-like wings. Swifts that live their lives upon the wing. According to popular tradition, and at least one of my field-guides. Wonder what they do at night? By strangechance, learn later in day that the fledgling found in Alresford -- flapping about with more enthusiasm than skill -- was found again next day, this time being identified as a Swift: on the third attempt, it discovered it really could fly after being gently hurled up into the sky. Glad to hear it. I've certainly heard that even adults cannot take off from level ground. 4pm, hear a single Jackdaw above. A different voice to the usual one, with a more guttural "Chark!" to its note. Step outside and look up: 'Daw is on our radio mast, looking about the sky and charking a bit more. I endeavour to copy the call, and it looks down at me, perhaps a little puzzled that the only response is from an unexpected direction and creature. Regards me for a while, and I studiously look away and chark again. Glance up, and the bird almost seems to shrug its shoulders before opening wings to drop out of sight behind building. Check from a rear window, and sure enough, the bird is having a go at the cheese & onion roll leftover in bag. Seems to be struggling a bit, attempting to unravel the corner folds. Gives up a couple of times to go to edge of roof and stare moodily around. But I reckon now has the smell of the cheese firmly in mind, and besides, a cheeky Starling has also come down to inspect and comment. This is clearly too much for 'Daw to put up with, and goes back for another go. Next time I look, it is eating. Recover packaging later and examine: sure enough, the bottom seam has been undone. ============ Wed 7th Jul: Back to Herriard. Just walking to building, see Housemartins to-ing and fro-ing busily. Nestlings peeping out of the two oldest nests to be fed by parents clinging to outside of mudhuts, but parents still entering inside the later nest to feed those younger chicks. Leave packaged remnant of a prawn sandwich on shed for Jackdaws lunchtime. Gone by late afternoon. Many Magpies around on homeward motorways. | (Office Building, Unit 3-4) | | NE> |------|_|-----------|_|-----------|_|----------|_| | | #2 #3 #1 _ Grid North |___| NEST NEST NEST /| |Front door (Carpark area) / |& porch / | #1: First nest. Building c19/5/99 - 26/5/99 (Fell down by 19/7/99) #2: Second nest. Building c24/5/99 - 1/6/99 (Fell down by 04/8/99) #3: Last nest. Building c1/6/99 - 29/6/99?? (Fell down by 20/9/99) Above is approximate sketch-plan of Housemartin nests on frontage of buildings. All on modern brickwork (c1990) and built into corners of external buttresses. Sheltered by flat eaves above. Nests are about 14ft above ground level. ============ Mon-Tues 5th-6th Jul: To Truro in Cornwall at short notice. A good old friend died suddenly, believed of unexpected heart-attack. Taking another friend and the widow to sort out all the official-stuff: they expect to be there all week, though I'm only involved for moral support and chauffeur-duty. Tragic and strange circumstances to be first-time visiting the deceased's new residence. A lovely cottage tucked away in a little valley-hamlet, a secret-mile from bustling town. Sat on patio up steps at back of garden, but looking out over roof, so steep the contours. Jackdaws playing around in the dusk, and two Magpies calling to each other across the valley. One hidden behind me somewhere, but spot the other on a treetop. Several times a corvid flies only yards over my head, perhaps not realising I am sat quietly there with my other thoughts. In morning, stroll near cottage with companion and we find quite few feathers, including Magpie. Also saw 'Pies having a little gather on path ahead. On long drive home, see a determined-looking Magpie bill-carrying a large piece of tangled brushwood. Thin light stuff, but almost as big as the bird. Seems an odd time of year for nestbuilding. [end of file] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ D:\PERSONAL\ROOKS.DOC 01/10/99 [spellchecked, one correction; now 15/02/01]