Special sightings happen at unexpected moments. As I always say, trying to see animals doing the spectacular is the biggest gamble in the world. Like the big things in life, it happens when you least expect it, I was hanging out the washing... on a grey January day 

and heard a familiar slow steady wingbeat, looked up... three swans flying low overhead! The sound of big wings evokes images of birds on long distance flights, organised groups in dynamic V flight formations, shining water, rivers... These three were in that energy conserving, flight-efficient V. They were steadily winging their way to Bradford, the river no doubt. Even more exciting was that it happened again, the next day! These big birds are amongst the heaviest flying birds in the world; mute swans can reach up to 23 kg (50lb), on the edge of weight/flying capability hence their wide wingspan, truly majestic.







One often forgets to look up above... predators such as a buzzard (2) or sparrowhawk scouting or hovering for a likely meal; heroic single crows, rooks or jackdaws mobbing them; rooks enroute to their home tre; seagulls calling; red kites (3) wolf whistling to each other, sounding like 50’s ‘teddy boys’; and early in this morning’s mist – 1st Feb - 4 ducks. Or... up a tree in the sun a splayed squirrel warming itself (4); up on a telegraph pole a perching pair


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Down below on the ground, check again who is there in your winter wildlife garden, it always brings surprises, and you can encourage them and multiply them.

Thickets, evergreens like Juniper, ivy carpets, damp ferns around a puddle sized pond all shelter tiny invertebrates like midges, gnats and tiny rather obscure types!

And these in turn are a regular magnet for our regular wren – every lunch time and evening... precious moments! The definitive pert sticking up tail is the ID giveaway!

Wrens are everywhere, foraging wild food, not one for bird feeding stations. They are one of the tiniest and most common garden birds, but hard to spot. Admire the tiny flitting and foraging on the banks as well as the beautiful big swans on the river when you go to Bradford!

If you miss them and don’t glimpse the exciting mammals there, our glorious river life is the subject of Chris Wardell’s wonderful photography talk at our next NC Event!



Photo credits: 1-3, 6 Nicolette Scourse; 4, 5, 7,8 Peter Scourse. poster photos Chris Wardell.

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