Westwards

Once the cooler nights arrive the pattern is set for early morning bird traffic. Crows, mainly jackdaws and rooks move westwards to their daily feeding grounds having roosted in the woods to the east of Blacka. They fly in groups of every size, from individuals, small gangs of five or six and large parties sometimes over fifty.

Another feature these mornings is the flocks of smaller birds.

These look like the thrushes that spend winter over here having flown in from northern regions of Europe. Sometimes the sense of a world on the move is very strong.

One character showing no desire to move on is our persistent robin, singing for his breakfast at 9 a.m. in the contrast of deep shade and bright morning sun.