Field notes
Short, dated entries. Nothing scientific, everything affectionate.
A foggy morning roll-call
Tuesday, early
Visibility maybe forty metres. The flock arrived in twos out of the
grey like they were being introduced. Gru first, of course. By the
time the fog lifted there were nineteen of them on the wire, all
facing the same way, like a tiny board meeting waiting for the sun.
Courtship on the gutter
Last weekend
A male spent twenty minutes bowing, puffing and turning circles for
a female who was, frankly, more interested in a crumb. He followed
her along the entire ledge doing the full routine. She left. He
cooed at the spot where she had been. We've all been there, friend.
Rain-puddle bath club
After the storm
The flat roof opposite holds water after heavy rain, and that puddle
becomes the most popular spa in the district. Today: five birds,
wings open, flicking water everywhere, completely undignified and
completely delighted. Stayed far longer than I meant to.
Cold snap headcount
First frost
Everyone fluffed up into little grey spheres, tucked one leg, and
shuffled together along the warm side of the chimney. They rotate
positions so nobody stays on the cold end too long. Birds figured
out shift work before we did.