Friday, March 13, 2009

Raven again...

Working at the house this morning and I had just taken a break outside when I heard it call, softly, deep and woody from behind the copse next to the garden. This time, the Raven flew slowly right over the village towards the south east, heading for the Howick Dean. It's large cruciform shape was very distinctive with long heavy head almost as long as the tail and deep elastic flapping flight.

Where it has been for the two weeks since my last sighting we can only guess at. Probably between Dunstanburgh and Low Steads I'd imagine. well and truly on the garden list now ( last time, heard from the garden and seen from over the field behind).

It would be great if they nested nearby...

In the Howick woods, 6 Teal and 7 Mallard were on the pond and a Heron could be heard cronking away up in the Scots pines, probably on a nest. Towards Cullernose, 2 Hares were rolling about in the sandy soil.

Back at the Longhoughton house the Pheasant competed with the Rat for some seed (God I hate my feeding station. I remember the days back at Stobswood where Bramblings and Siskins competed at the feeders).

5 comments:

Alan Tilmouth said...

Nooooo, what time, don't tell me I don't want to know how close I was.

John Malloy said...

I doubt many Northumbrian birders have raven on their garden list Stewart. I expect you'll add a goody or two during the migration periods too....

Warren Baker said...

hi Stewart,
Thanks for the encouragement! You're right of course, stand back, take a breath, and get back to it.

Stewart said...

AT - 10.30am.
BS - Not the birders near the coast anyway!
WB -Stiff upper lip Warren....

Ghost of Stringer said...

CRONK !