Outdoor Life

It's been mild and not a proper winter, they are saying. Hardly refutable statistically, but yesterday's continual heavy rain followed by a cold night was hardly the preferred choice of those who spend their lives outdoors.

Overnight a group of hinds and young deer had moved over from the more exposed parts and were occupying a part of Blacka that offered some protection from the keen morning breeze.

The conditions had affected the corvine commute in another way. Gone was the frenetic soaring and diving of small and moderate sized groups we've seen battling the winds in recent days.

Today the jackdaws were gathered in immense numbers always moving west in calm and stately progress. I find this a spectacular and thrilling sight.

One thing alone detracted: It was hard not to be reminded of newsreel coverage of the massive bombing raids at the end of world war two as the allies tried to settle things once and for all. Wellingtons against the previous Stukas I suppose.

The regulars at the bird table were as keen as the wind.

A roll call showed good attendance although blackbirds, having satisfied their sharpest hunger pangs soon had other things on their minds.