In post # 1126 I was worrying about Waxwings ...last year there were NONE round our way. So .. I've got out all the local bird reports I've been able to find, and some of my relevant finds as well, and here's what " 1st Arrival Dates" I've found ...so far. 1988 14/11 1991 26/11 1996 13/11 1998 2/12 1997 22/11 2000 13/12 2002 6/1 ( the only one I saw that winter) 2003 23/10 2008 21/11 And if you put them in date order you get this ... OCT NOV NOV NOV NOV NOV DEC DEC JAN 23 13 14 21 22 26 2 13 6 So ...now you know. The second half of November looks like the best bet. You can, if you wish, calculate the mean, median and mode. And the best of luck for all of us Waxwing-Wanters. Or, if you prefer , Bombycilla-Baggers. And, what with Autumn Approaching, what we really really need is a poem about Autumn birds. So ..here is one ... by John Clare (1793 - 1864) AUTUMN BIRDS The wild duck startles like a sudden thought, And heron slow as if it might be caught; The flopping crows on weary wing go by, And greybeard jackdaws, noising as they fly; The crowds of starnels whizz and hurry by And darken like a cloud the evening sky; The larks like thunder rise and suther* round, Then drop and nestle in the stubble ground; The wild swan hurries high and noises loud, With white neck peering to the evening cloud, The weary rooks to distant woods are gone; With length of tail the magpie winnows on To neighbouring wing, and leaves the distant crow, While small birds nestle in the hedge below. * ..to make a rushing noise. So .... it is music time.... let's have some action ... .... Hey ... I managed to get some petrol today ... I was very thoughtful and only put £10 -worth in. Anyway, it's a chink of light in glum times.
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AuthorThat's the author up there ... I was young and sprightly then. Archives
October 2022
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