Sunday 31 January
So, as last week suggested and yesterday proved, the birds are on their way back. Whilst walking locally yesterday afternoon, in one tree a robin proclaimed his territorial status, and in another (almost ‘next door’) a chiffchaff patiently repeated his two-note call.
Today, at the start of our walk, a Buzzard drew broad circles overhead, sweeping the fields for prey. At the end, a pair of dunnocks played out an acoustic joust in a hedgerow. What was noticeable was the amount of birdsong all over. The sun was out for part of our route and, although it was still cold in the wind, everything felt just that little bit lighter and brighter.
February is a thoroughly frustrating month. It’s still very much winter, weather wise. But it also presents the open door to spring at the end of a twenty-eight day, all too long and dark, corridor. I am sure that’s why there are so few days in it. Who would be so cruel as to put additional days in February when they can be tagged on to March, May and July instead?
But then, thats why we have been so thankful of our walks. And for the option to go a different way or extend our walk. Today, we had a bit more time, so we went a slightly longer route and came across the nicest part of the walk. If we hadn’t done so, we also wouldn’t have come across the clumps of snowdrops on the banks of the footpath. I can’t remember the last time I mentioned a plant or flower in this blog. That is a really good feeling and another sign that the seasons are changing.
And with the optimism that our walk gave me, I ‘met up’ with my pals in the Gents Film and Leisure Club online to discuss our next walking adventure. We have decided to test ourselves, and have signed up for the 100km non-stop sponsored trail-walk along the South downs next September. This includes walking overnight. It will be the weekend after we have taken Stanley to university.
Although we are still trudging through a pandemic right now, we are looking beyond it too, and making plans for life after lockdown.
The Bald Birder 