December 19th: Little owl Returns
Huge shadows were thrown across the icy field as I filled the feeders - Coal tit calling impatiently - winter wheat frosted & turned lemony by a fireball orange sun that was climbing the horizon's trees. Deep frost. Ice blue sky.
Beautiful.
Out along icy lanes - puddles frozen, earth iron. Past Skylarks & Yellowhammers to check out a particular tree. For the first time in months the Little owl was back on its usual perch, crouching in a bough-bend & squinting into the sun, back like bark.
Mist rising from dung heaps by the paddock; a Buzzard sits sentinel on the fence. Along the hedge a Kestrel huddled against the bite.
Out along the frozen canal - inch-thick ice shattered by boats & re-frozen: a track in water. Down to ditch-side willows I put up a Woodcock - it rises, legs dangling. Then a Snipe goes up into the sun, keeps on going, then circles & dives for cover. Over the north horizon three Buzzards jostle between crackling power lines. On a big willow a Great-spotted woodpecker perches at the pinnacle.
A Robin in the hawthorn checks out a rival - it's a Tree sparrow. In a patch of sun-filled meadow a mixed flock of Starling, Fieldfare, Redwings & Blackbirds progress. An owl pellet under an ash - grey fur & cream bones. From the hedge a Bullfinch moves off discreetly but cannot resist one fluty note.
In the grass a single drop of ice-melt bends sunlight into a minute rainbow: a tiny sphere of fire.
Along the river the "Green sand." pool is an ice sheet. No waders. Even the ox-bow lakes are frozen. The alders hold a Goldfinch flock quietly feeding. Amongst them a single Siskin.
Then, in the quiet, a Green woodpecker "yaffles" nearby. The sound echoes in frost. I don't see it. The Ring-necked parakeet clambers in a beech.
Past the frozen duck-deserted ponds. Nuthatches calling.
To the waterwheel to check for Kingfishers across turf so hard it rings under my boot. I'm reminded of my favourite line, "So I stuck my fork into the ringing ground and followed her, like doom."*
Running water but no Kingfisher.
I meet BF member Henerz1 & stop & chat awhile.
Three more Snipe & one Heron in the unfrozen stream - still no Green sandpipers though. Back across the river, the mill roof with its Grey wagtail. On the big yew a Goldcrest flicks & hovers. House sparrows chirp merrily. Today is a beautiful, bright day.
* First one to give the author/book? No prizes - its too easy.
