The early morning mist the sun has kissed, meeting the river to die.
With the gentle sigh of bird wings as they flit importantly by.
A chorus of birds chirping delicately at first, before uniting their voices to give their songs a full burst.
Welcoming the new day full of cut and thrust.
The dews heavy coating in drought, encouraging insects out of their hideouts to stray.
So it begins this morning the new day.
🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Looking out the door, I saw a bird I had never seen before. Hopping here and there, vanishing under a garden chair.
I waited, wondering, is it still there?
Patience was rewarded as out it popped again, chewing on something in his beak, tasty enough to eat.
I hoped it would stand still, so I could have a good look at this new visitor to our garden.
Would it stay? Hard to say, as I had no idea what it liked to eat.
I would hate to offer worms if it is much preferred seeds for a late supper treat.
Dusk began to drop when it took the final hop, over the fence and away. Sadly, I still do not know who came to call.
I hope it returns when I have my camera ready.
With one click, I can capture my unknown visitor, to share with others until someone can give us its proper name.
🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐞 🦅 🐦 🦆 🐝
© 2024 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
In the silence of the early morning arising, I sat writing, greeting Facebook friends, when a fluttering noise halted what I was doing.
As I looked out the window and listened, the bush outside came alive.
A flock of sparrows, too many to count, were interested in something inside the inner branches.
Occasionally, one popped out, immediately finding a way back in.
A quarrel occurred now and then and two birds would burst into view, only to retreat quickly out of sight.
The chattering noise was so lovely to hear but it did not last long.
As suddenly as if on command, the bush became alive with lots of sparrows with much to say, struggling their way out, lining up as a squadron and flying away.
It made me realize that sparrows used to be a very common sight in my garden. Not any more!
So I was delighted with this visit, which showed there are still quite a few around.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
On walking through from the bright sunlight, into the cool and calming soothing dappled tree line.
To the change of noise with bird song coming to the fore, the quiet plop of falling leaves perhaps never heard before.
A scurry overhead as squirrels chase from branch to branch and tree to tree.
The gentle music added from the slowly flowing stream, with fish some resting, others browsing in weeds trying to remain unseen.
Water bubbling louder around some rocks, forcing it’s way through.
They were crossing the bridge, echoing a different sound, startling some rabbits having a chew.
How I love a walk in the country, you should try it you really should.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Little sparrow sitting on the bough.
Trying to decide what today’s weather might bring.
Yesterday was terrible and onto a sheltered branch, he had to cling.
As the wind ruffled and tugged at his feathers.
Today looked more promising, the sun was shining.
The wind just a gentle sigh passing by.
He flew to the highest branch of the tree.
To bathe in the sun and sing a joyful song for you and me.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Illustrator by Francisca Ferro Duarte
My husband was grumbling, "Do you remember those blueberries I planted?" I nodded in reply.
"Well they have masses of berries and some are blue, but every time I go to pick them, none are ripe enough. What a waste of space they are!"
I noticed a while ago that he had netted them to protect them from the birds.
With my interest alerted, I began to take a closer look at the blueberry bushes.
Suddenly a flurry of black feathers landed on the net, it was a blackbird.
I sat quietly watching and caught the thief at work.
He looked around to see if it was safe to start his robbery.
He pecked at the blueberries through the net, as it was a tight mesh net he could not pull the berries through.
That did not stop him from picking the fruit.
How silly is that I thought to myself, to just destroy the fruit?
Then he flew down to the ground and there laid out before him was a carpet of juicy blueberries.
He quickly crushed and swallowed them, staining his yellow beak blue in the process.
My husband decided, he would have to be up very early to beat the blackbird to his Blueberry breakfast.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Three young birds, feathers all shining and new, stood by their mother, admiring the view.
Their mother said, ‘Please follow me all of you and do as I do.’
She spread her wings and gently flew to the branch of a nearby tree.
‘Come on now, don't be frightened, just do what I showed you.’
They seemed a bit scared, so back to the roof she went.
Once more she called to the little birds, ‘Come on darlings, do what I do.’
The birds watched once more, and then one of them was tempted by his mother's call.
He landed on the tree with a bit of a wobble and shouted, ‘It’s great, come on down you two!’
The others would not be outdone, so they launched themselves into the air and found it was such fun.
Mother bird said, ‘You know, we are the lucky ones, as only feathered birds can fly like us. Humans need a ticket, sometimes a passport, and have to wait for hours at an airport, to fly in a big airbus.’
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo by Maurice Schalker on Unsplash
The rain was pouring down, and on the top of my neighbour’s roof sat a pigeon. He was soaked by the heavy rain. I thought what a silly pigeon!
Slowly he tilted his body over to the right allowing the rain to soak under his wing. What a way to have a shower, just like us. Otherwise, the underside of his wing would never have had a proper wash.
Having washed one side, he lowered his wing and raised the other to do the same. Next came a head-to-tail shake and ruffle of feathers, followed by an all-over good preen. (No soap or deodorant, though). He’d had a proper bird shower.
After a final shake, he flew up under the eaves to dry off. He slowly preened himself again all over before snuggling down, with his head tucked under his wing to go off to sleep.
Goodnight Mr.Pigeon!
If there is no rain, birds have a dry sand (or earth) bath. While sitting on a dry patch, they flick, fluff, and shuffle the sand or earth up through their feathers.
This is done to get rid of mites that live in their feathers and make them itch. I feel itchy just thinking about it, don’t you?
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo by Daniela Silvia Serban
Arising early,
Sitting in the half-light,
Grasping a warming mug of tea.
Straining to hear,
A blackbird’s welcoming dawn song.
Approaching nearer and nearer,
Sitting on the fence,
Singing especially for me.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Swanning along, swans on the Thames have their yearly health check today.
No idea how they manage that: they are powerful birds, always on the move.
It is a tradition going back a thousand years and is called Swan Upping.
The swans are the property of the Sovereign, now King Charles III.
Swans used to be a delicacy, but now they are carefully protected.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Anna Almeida
I stood in silence, stealthily scanning the ocean shallows, prepared for the vicious snap.
To capture a dinner to swallow and regurgitate right back.
The ground shook and the fish dived, in disappointment, I stood.
I had forgotten the train timetable and lost my long-awaited food.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A dart of movement in the garden caught my attention.
It was so small, hopping in and out of the bushes, moving as quickly as a flash.
Watching to see where its next hop would land.
I wonder what type of bird this new visitor might be.
It must have found something good to eat or wanted a rest.
I had to wait patiently in the cold, ’til my bird knowledge could be put to the test.
It’s a Jenny Wren! A Jenny Wren!
I wonder if it’s nesting nearby?
What a treat that would be, to watch the hatching of the shy and secretive Jenny Wrens: a pure delight for me!
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Millions of birds fly super-flights in search of food and safe nesting sites around the world. They just had to judge and fight nature and one another to survive.
Now, human beings are adding a large threat to them, with pollution on land and in the oceans, and shooting and trapping.
Our houses, with vast panes of glass windows and doors, and fences and walls, kill a huge number of birds. Our pets, especially cats, kill many, many more.
Humans are changing the sites where birds have traditionally found refuge after large journeys, removing trees and ponds and replacing them with houses and roads. Electric wiring and fences electrocute thousands. We now have a bird flu virus, which is killing millions more.
The latest figures are a real wake-up call to the loss of a once much larger population of birds.
Birds and humans are dependent on one another; we need to help them, and we can: plant trees and leave bird migration habitat especially for them; plant food they enjoy in our gardens and countryside; stop weed-killing spraying — birds cannot tolerate that; keep down the stray cat population by neutering.
I am sure I have missed many things that harm our birds; we just need to think about how we can protect them.
So that, in generations to come, we will have birds helping us keep the insect population down and spreading seeds to grow necessary new plants for us all to enjoy.
Look to the sky and watch the birds fly by.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
SEAGULL:
"I see those cakes, but how do I get in? Gather around mates, perhaps if we stare in long enough, they will open the door and invite us in."
NOTE:
This story starts with a large seagull tapping the glass and parading to and fro. It was joined by a pigeon, a magpie, a jackdaw, and a blackbird.
They were very determined to be invited to the party.
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
On swishing open my curtains this morning, I shocked a big black crow into flight.
I apologised as she was having breakfast on the lawn.
‘Don’t go Mrs Crow.’
What a stately bird, every feather is gleaming and in place. Eyes looking at me eye to eye.
‘Please do not go, enjoy your breakfast.’
Breaking her stare, she turned her back on me, to return to her search for food.
I became a silent admiring watcher, wondering what she liked for breakfast.
After winter, crows have to eat as much as they can, ready for the hard work, to build nests on the tops of trees,
For their young birds when they arrive.
Spring is a busy time!!!
2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
We bought a metal owl-shaped bird feeder on a spindly, twisted, slippery pole. We were assured it was completely squirrel resistant, and expecting a triumph we carried it home.
On it, we hung three types of birdseed containers, dangling, to meet most seed bird's needs. It took a while for them to feel safe enough to drop in for a feed;
Cautiously flying down to inspect it before trying a single seed.
Early one morning as I opened up my curtains, I saw to my shock and dismay. A squirrel dangling from a container, holding on by only one toe, upside down and swaying, at the seeds, he was having a good go.
He pulled out the seeds with his teeth and passed them to his eagerly waiting hands. As he quickly chewed the nuts, his cheeks began to expand. Time and time again he tirelessly repeated this movement, as fast as he possibly could.
One by one the birds started to arrive, inspecting the ground for bits of seeds that might have survived. It started with sparrows, greenfinches too,
Pigeon’s strutting in quietly for a free nibble without a coo.
Now we are quite pleased the feeder failed, as we have early morning squirrel and bird parties. Come to think of it!
Early evening rave-ups are quite commonplace too.
Though we do not partake in the menu, laughter and stifled giggles we have more than a few. As we watched, hidden by the curtain, from the furry and feathered party revelers cautious view.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
We have a pair of pigeons nesting in a bush in the garden.
Constantly being viewed, when passing through, by three foxes, always on the lookout for an opportunity for a quick meal.
I love listening in on their conversations and wish I understood pigeon talk.
Lily the cat has to be a spectator to all the goings-on outside in the garden, as she has to be wary of the growing size of the foxes. If they are hungry enough, she too could be added to the menu.
The pigeons have all the mod cons: drinking and bathing facilities, including dust mite cleaning service, as well as insects galore, and just planted runner beans, the crop we love growing the most for fresh tasty greens.
We have to keep going out to move the birds away from the bean patch. I just hope we have saved enough for plates full of runner beans later. We shall just have to wait a while.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Yet the picture captures my eye. Rolling meadows, flower-decked, as far as the eye can see.
Till hitting the towering, majestic mountain’s frozen skirt, pristine white with slashes of dark earth, as the sunrise reveals all. And eagles soar, making their early morning call.
Circling higher and higher, hunting their breakfast on the run, deadly but necessary to find food for their young.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Slowly moving after a night folded up tight against you, my darling.
We slipped into the water in synchronised motion, with you leading from the front.
Lifting wings to flap upright with feet looking almost as though we are walking on water.
To shake loose feathers, dust and mites as far as possible out of sight.
Then feather preening and realigning, as, once again, pristine white,
We dine with heads dipped in water out of view.
Oh darling, this is the life for me and you.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
As I opened the door, it started.
In the wakening dawn, a bird started its morning song.
I had to stand and listen in the cold air, as the chorus grew into a sweet neighbourhood conversation.
It is amazing to realise that, though we live in such close proximity, there are only limited times when we connect and listen to one another.
Screams of fear and rage, no matter when, make me move to a door or window, ready to repel a stalking cat, or larger bird, leaving you to live in peace.
There are times when I have need of quiet contemplation at the beginning or end of a day. Your lovely singing intrudes, capturing my attention, soothing away any concerns I have.
It is strange, as you must listen, too, to the ups and downs coming from our house, making decisions when to hide or pop outside, dodging the neighbourhood cats who often saunter around our garden on an adventure or just passing through.
I value our coexistence; long may it continue, and I hope you think so, too.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
