Monday 31st January (Looking at Naked Trees)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see that the leafless trees had a thin layer of frost. The sun was rising above the horizon. Fortunately for Mr. Kite planned to go bird watching with his birding companion.

By ten o clock the two bird watchers were cycling along the Old Canal on a still frosty and sunny morning. Soon they locked their bikes to a sign post in Uffington and were walking up an avenue of trees looking and listening to the familiar sounds.

The most vocal and prominent were members of the Paridae family; Great, Blue, Coal and Marsh. A flock of Redwing kept one step  in front of the birders and corvids landed in the fields. With the trees bare it was an opportunity to look for woodpeckers. Treecreepers and Nuthatch could be seen and the odd Greater-spotted Woodpecker. For such a clear and calm day it was quiet; those woodpeckers were playing hard to see in the naked trees. Every sound and every flutter raised the optimism of watching the elusive Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. A small group of deer watched curiously as the bird watchers examined bare bird less trees. They remained still not wishing to become the focus of attention. Walking through the trees on the frosty firm ground in the winter sunshine was a pleasure; birds and deer were a bonus.

Now the birding competition was close and Mr. Kite was in the frame to win. When the two birders left Haughmond Hill the birding companion needed three birds for a draw; so it was a return trip along the river. Very soon the draw was on with Mute Swan, Moorhen, Mallard, Goosander and Cormorant.

After a pleasant day out Mr. Kite returned home for a tipple of Tetley tea. Cha and a good health to the birds of Haughmond Hill.

Sunday 30th January (One for Sorrow, two for Joy)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see two magpies eating chips. Now living a hundred metres away from a chippy that sells crisp tasty golden chips it is not surprising that in the morning a few chips are scattered around the area. Staggering drunks often feed the birds inadvertently. Mostly black-headed gulls have the pleasure of a good chip but today it was the turn of the magpies.

Reading that the magpie population is increasing and that a scientific cull is planned to decide whether magpies and carrion crows are responsible for the decline of the song bird Mr. Kite was going to have a tour around admiring the magpie. Starting with the two chip eaters Mr. Kite was impressed by the way they  emptied the contents of the polystyrene container onto the ground before holding the chip in their feet and devouring it.

Now today Mr. Kite bought a newspaper before his bike ride. This paper had a picture of a magpie and a recent quote about a lord caught fiddling and alluded to 'the thieving magpie'. Who does Mr. Kite have more sympathy for a thieving magpie or a thieving lord? The gregarious chattering magnificent magpie of course. Put the lord in a cage.

About midday Mr. Kite set off in the sunshine on a magpie appreciation tour. He saw a few on the way to Atcham and a few more in Attingham Park where they flew between the trees. Their large bodies and long tails stood out as they glided onto branches with such precision. On the return trip Mr. Kite watched three more hopping about on the ground bouncing along jerkily, noisily and confidently.

Mr. Kite gave plenty of encouragement to these birds and thought to himself; before blaming the demise of the British song bird on the magpie why not have a few years where pheasants and red-legged partridge are not reared and released into the countryside to be shot. Let the countryside have a few years where alien birds are not released into the woods, fields and copses and study if the number of song bird still continues to decline.

Anyway after watching magpies, and  supporting them, until some conclusive evidence is produced Mr. Kite cycled home in the fading light for a tipple. Todays tipple was Wells Bombardier Burning Gold. Good health to all the magpies.  

Saturday 29th January (All Things Bright and Beautiful)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and was amazed by the spectacular sight of the crescent shaped moon shining brightly along side the planet Venus. This was a good start to the day and if Mr. Kite was a Druid he would have danced in delight. The street was quiet. A few cars passed and occasionally someone walked towards the corner shop. On a cold clear frosty morning a warm bed seemed a good spot but not for Mr. Kite; he was going to watch the birds.

On this chilly morning Mr. Kite had a small bowl of Dahl for breakfast. With a warm stomach he cycled along the river to toward the Quarry. The goosander, mallards, cormorants and black-headed gulls seemed to be enjoying the ice cold river. Birds were diving under the surface, others were happy just to swim along whilst others chose to land on the surface.

On the footpath Mr. Kite stopped to look at a pied wagtail. Now Mr. Kite's first interest was the word 'pied' because it means particoloured having sections or patches different colours and usually bright. This bird was black with bright white sections and patches. Secondly Mr. Kite was amazed by the white head of this bird that shone as bright as the morning star. If it was not so pied, black and white, Mr. Kite could have mistaken it for a white wagtail furthering the debate about Motacilla yarrell and Motacilla alba.

With only himself to debate the issue Mr. Kite cycled to Polemere nature reserve. The pool was covered in thin ice except for one small patch where the wigeon, mallard and teal congregated. In the still air and clear light Mr. Kite could see the delicate colours and patterned plumage of the ducks.

Mr. Kite has studied mathematics and specialised for a time in probability and statistics so he often thinks about chance and coincidence. Today as Mr. Kite approached a dwelling called The Curlews he noticed in the field opposite a solitary curlew feeding. Now thats what Mr. Kite calls coincidence, good luck, chance or even god moving in mysterious ways. Stopping his bicycle he looked at this lonely silent curlew. This large browny-gold and black wader was prodding the ground with it's long curved beak. This bird had found a watery hollow in the meadow that was not frozen and was probably enjoying the delights produced by Mother Earth.

Now Mr. Kite enjoys the sights the sounds and the smells of the Shropshire countryside. Today Mr. Kite had seen lots of memorable sights. The sound that Mr. Kite enjoyed today was the 'babbling brook' that he crossed using the ford. With the water level low Mr. Kite carefully rode the two metres to the other side and stopped to listen to the continuous sound of the brook. Why did Mr. Kite enjoy the sound? Because it was not too loud and it provided back-ground sounds to the birds calling in the nearby trees. Mr. Kite knew he was in the countryside and this leads onto the smells. Just after this was a hundred metre long pile of cow muck that smelled strong. Mr Kite is a positive person so he has to say that he has smelled better things.

After a day of enjoyment sensing Shropshire Mr. Kite has one more sensory experience to savour when he arrived home and that was his daily tipple. Todays tipple was Badger Fursty Ferret. This is a tawny amber ale with a sweet nutty palate and a hoppy aroma with hints of Seville oranges. Now Mr. Kite had air cooled this bottle outside the back door to perfection. Cheers from a bright and beautiful place.

Friday 28th January (That Friday Feeling TGIF)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window as the gloom was lifting. The sun was just below the horizon and people were striding down the road with a slight smile. It was Friday and the working week was nearly over for some. Fortunately for Mr. Kite the working week does not begin.

After a leisurely cup of warm breakfast broth Mr. Kite was cycling to meet his birding companion for a few hours idly bird watching. The sun was warm and the wind was cool as they set out. House sparrows were making the most noise as the rode towards Sharpstone Quarry. The trees were leaf less and the hedges were bare. Just a few unappetising berries remained so the birds were feeding on the ground.

Fieldfare and redwing seemed hungry as they purposefully fed on the ground presumably building up their energy for the imminent trip back to Scandanavia. In a filed near Sharpstone Quarry hundreds of lapwing fed in the field feeding on the emerging creatures stirred by the warmth of the sun. This desert of sociable short-billed black and white birds with two antennae were unmistakable against the green background. Looking closely Mr. Kite could see their metallic green upperside and black bib. At interval one would take to the air showing their broad rounded black and white wings. The wing shape gives them manoeuvrabillity and the flying 'peewits' called 'peewit' as they flew straight, banked steeply and tumbled quickly back onto the ground after a short energetic flight.

Now Mr. Kite and his birding companion visited the usual locations on their way to Venus Pool looking at the usual common species. By the time they left Venus Pool Mr. Kite was losing the birding competition guestimate. To cut a long story short he needed four more birds for the draw. Atcham produced the pheasant, grey heron and kestrel; just one more species required.

Having shortened the story so far Mr. Kite will now elaborate a paragraph. As the two old men were cycling back towards Shrewsbury along the footpath eagerly searching for a pied wagtail, wren or hawk they saw a couple walking towards them. Mr. Kite stopped and perched himself on a barrier to let them past as it was narrow. Now Mr. Kite had his hood up in the chilly North-easterly and was looking towards the river. The male walker recognised Mr. Kite as an old working colleague. After more than thirty years they had not met because today this person was back in town on their way to a wake at the Mytton and Mermaid. So Mr. Kite had a very pleasant and engaging conversation with the 'man going to the wake' who also spoke to Mr. Kite sensitively about Mr. Kite's loss. C'est a vie.

Mr. Kite felt pleased to be remembered after so long and this person knew of Mr. Kite's sadness. With these thoughts Mr. Kite and his birding companion headed for the last location of the day; a pool on a housing estate. On arrival the birding competition was a draw; a moorhen was feeding on the grass. Now being a pool on an estate the birds are familiar with people and come towards you expecting to be fed. As the ducks and geese walked towards the bird watchers Mr. Kite looked at the long yellowish legs of a coot. What he noticed was as they retracted their legs their web foot closed and then opened as it approached the ground. It was a smooth and rhythmic action.

Soon the birders parted company and Mr. Kite headed home. In the garden he watched a blackbird flicking over the dry leaves under a bush picking at morsels on the ground. The dry leaves made a familiar sound that is often heard at this time of the year near shrubbery. Shortly after another common sound was heard, The releasing of gas as Mr. Kite removed the top of his tipple of Marstons Double Drop. Cheers to the workers; TGIF (thank god its Friday).

Thursday 27th January (Birding Blogs)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the real world again. Today it was cloudy and people walked purposefully along the pavement rather than sip coffee and tea looking out of their caravan windows.

Today Mr. Kite was going birding by blog. That is googling to find a bird blog and reading it. So for much of the day Mr. Kite googled away discovering the world of the birding blog.

Later he enjoyed a tipple of Tetley tea as he read and read and read. Cheers from the blog world.

Wednesday 26th January (Another Tick; a Black Swan)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a cloudy Bristol with that persistent red robin still singing  his heart out. After breakfast Mr. Kite packed up and drove to Clevedon pier to see the sea and a few birds. Plenty of black-headed gulls flew and cried around the elegant Victorian pier waiting for some person to throw them a crust.

On the shore sat oyster-catchers with their heads tucked in to stay warm in the bracing chilly breeze. A small flock of waders waded but being far away it was impossible to identify them. The only other bird was a dark pipit of the seashore; a rock pipit. In a chilly wind it was time to sit in the warm vehicle and look out before setting out for home.

Now the last tick of Mr. Kite's excursion was near the Riverside, Cound, where on New Years day three species of swan were present; today another species was present making it four species. The fourth species is not a white swan but a black swan; made well known by the Australian stamp of Mr. Kites childhood.

Soon after Mr. Kite was having a tipple of Tetley tea. Cha.

Tuesday 25th January (Mr. Kite Scores Three Hundred Year Ticks in a Few Hours)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the pale colours of the housing near the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A robin was singing nearby. Today it was another day of birding. That could be bird watching, listening to birds or just looking and thinking about birds and flight.

Now being in Bristol Mr. Kite went to the Bristol Art Gallery and Museum birding. The warm interior of the museum was a sharp contrast to the chilly wind that blew in the street. Inside the entrance a Jupiter radial engine was on display alongside part of the power plant of a Harrier jump jet that once had the name Kestrel. The lobby had a Bristol Boxkite suspended from the ceiling the first complete flying machine of the day.

Being Bristol Art Gallery and Museum there was a display covering Bristol flying machines and a history of their production and development. It was here that Mr. Kite saw the first bullfinch of the day. Slightly different from those red, black and white species that he normally sees this one can best be described as camouflaged braced parasol monoplane with roundels; being Bristol this was a model Bristol Bullfinch based on a 1922 real machine.

With this ticked off Mr. Kite visited the South-West wing, notice the pun, where wild life from the local area was on display. With an abundance of flora and fauna, whelks, winkles and water lovers Mr. Kite was soon ticking off smew, red-throated loon, fulmar, kittiwake, little auk and common tern to name but a few. But of course these birds were very cooperative as they sat nailed to their perch in the glass display cases. Later a copy of Audubon's great-blue heron was etched on a glass Steuben plate and nearby pictures painted by Edward Bird. Soon after Mr. Kite viewed all the birds, and animals, of the world in Jan Griffier's painting of Noah's Ark depicting the creatures entering the ark two by two.

Having visited every section of the gallery Mr. Kite only had one more gallery to visit; the evolution of the creatures locally including an early bird dinosaur called archaeopteryx. From here Mr. Kite slowly strolled along the remaining gallery to the British Birds where he completed his tick list with a few hundred more birds including swift, swallow, and sand martin.

With the staff in the gallery looking at their watches and putting on their hats and coats Mr. Kite knew that this was not going to be a Night in the Museum so he left the building with his notebook bulging. The last thing to do in Bristol was to make the Space Signpost point at a few planets. Disappointingly the display screen had the common error message 'disk error 394'; insert boot up disk. Mr. Kite only had his notebook and nearly empty pen so he went back to his holiday home to enjoy a tipple of St. Austell's Brewerys Cornish Indian Pale Ale. Cheers to the birds and beer of Bristol.

Monday 24th January (A Bus ride in Bristol)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see cloud. Jackdaws could be heard making a noise. Soon after breakfast Mr. Kite departed for Baltic Wharf Bristol. On the way he stopped at Stanton Drew a place that Adge Cutler wrote a song about. Mr. Kite stopped to look at some large stones near The Druids Arms. The pub looked tempting but Mr. Kite was driving and drove past.

When Mr. Kite arrived at Bristol and parked on the camp site he could hear goldfinches. Looking up he could see five in the top of a short tree. Soon after he traveled on the bus into Bristol expecting to leave in the centre. Mr. Kite missed the stop and before long he was back where he started; so he stayed on the bus and go off in the centre. He strolled around for a few hours looking at the buildings before going back to the camp site.

In the evening Mr. Kite had a tipple of Batemans Lincolnshire Best Bitter. Cheers from a place near the S.S. Great Britain.

Saturday 22rd January (A day at Weston-super-Mare)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto frost and icicles. A wonderful winter landscape. Without too much thought Mr. Kite drank coffee and ate toast and then traveled to Bath to pick up one of his little boys. Now Mr. Kite witnessed a parliament of rooks. These black birds were on the ground picking on one unfortunate thing; he or she was pecked, sat on, bullied, and made to feel worthless. Sadly no one went to the birds aid including Mr. Kite. Not speaking like a rook Mr. Kite thought it better to say nothing.

After picking up a little boy of thirty-two complete with partner Mr. Kite drove towards Weston-super-Mare. Not far along the journey Mr. Kite stopped at the end of Chew Valley Lake. Whilst people fed the ducks with bread Mr. Kite searched the lake for birds. In front of him sat a black-headed gull. Why would a black-headed gull attract Mr. Kites attention? Simply because it was sitting on a mute swan and having a free trip. Sitting on the swan's back the gull was being ferried around the lake.

Mr. Kite saw two people with a telescope and asked them what they had seen. Two bitterns was their answer. Dipped again on the bittern. Never mind.  Mr. Kite looked and looked and looked and looked but did not see the bitterns. Mr. Kite was happy watching a black-headed gull sitting on the back of a mute swan.

So the Kite family went to Weston-super-Mare. Bird watching was out of the question as the family wanted chips. coffee and bargain rubbish in the charity shops. Mr. Kite watched a large flock of waders flying in formation along the sea shore. Soon after this Mr. Kite was eating a massive portion of chips in a cafe. Now the Kite family like value for money so they picked up handfuls of sachet sauces and ate their chips swamped in brown sauce, red sauce and mayonnaise.

Walking towards the Grand Pier  Mr. Kite noticed common gulls, oyster- catches and herring gulls. The oyster-catchers were not eating oysters and the herring gull was not eating herrings. In the Grand Pier Mr. Kite spent ten pence in the arcade and lost the lot. It was not too much of a loss so he did not mind too much.

With the evening drawing in they returned to the holiday home and traveled back to Chew Valley for a drink in The Red Lion Bishop Sutton. Mr. Kite's tipple was Sharps Doom Bar and Wadworth's Henry's IPA. Good Health.

Friday 21st January (A Day of Ducks)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a small tree with bird feeders with a few caravans in the background. Last night was a clear frosty night and now the ground was covered in frost and the branches on the tree were iced by jack frost. Today Mr. Kite's bedroom window is small and rectangular and nearly two metres above the ground and facing east so he could see the sun peeping above the horizon.

After breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Kite walked down the icy lane to Chew Valley Lake in the county of Somerset. Woodpeckers, song thrush's and gulls could be heard. They had a pleasant stroll along the path by the lake in the warming sunshine. Eventually they sat on a seat and listened to the bird song. As the sun warmed the earth there was a hint of the smell of spring. They then returned to the warm and cosy holiday home for coffee and sandwiches.

Mr. Kite the took his scope and rode to the Bernard King Hide that overlooks part of the lake. Now let Mr. Kite tell you something; almost all the hides in Shropshire are five star being cosy, comfortable and clean. Mr. King's hide is one step up from a urinal but it has good views. Being a lake with ducks Mr. Kite was more interested in the Anas species although he enjoyed the other. He saw mallard, teal, tufted duck, pochard, wigeon, goldeneye, shoveler, pintail and gadwall.

Now Mr. Kite was very impressed with the male pintail on show. It was an elegant creature with a patch of cream near the rear, longish tail, a mottled grey and black body with striped wings of more black and grey. Then a white stripe starts on the body and tapers to finish on the brownish head. A pretty good sight. Then the gadwall with it's squarish head, delicate grey and black body with a distinguishing white patch near the tail end with a triangular patch of black. Another pretty good sight.

Mr. Kite had another good winters day and finished the day with a tipple of Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger. Cheers from the land of cider drinkers.

Thursday 20^th January (Four Birds)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom windows to see the sun rising above the Wrekin. Now recently this has happened on many occasions but this is not always the case; often Mr. Kites looks out of his bedroom window to see rain, snow, wind or just dull cloud.

Today Mr. Kite has a confession; he may be a birder on a bike but he sometimes leaves Salop, a name he likes for Shropshire, and goes birding elsewhere. Of course he could cycle elsewhere but he has a holiday home with four wheels and a bike rack. So this afternoon Mr. Kite was taking Mrs. Kite, and his bike, traveling. Mr. and Mrs. Kite would sit in the comfortable front seats whilst the beast would be strapped to the back of the holiday home in the dirty cold slipstream.

But before the holiday began Mr. Kite had a few hours to spare so he looked out of the kitchen windows bird watching. Wood pigeons often sit in the trees in Mr. Kites garden or walk on his green lawn. Looking out of the windows he could see two pigeons sitting side by side on the branch of a tree. Mr. Kite thought that he ought to name the birds that inhabit his garden so that he could learn their individual characteristics. Looking at the two pigeons Mr. Kite assumed that one was a male and the other a female; a pair. So as pigeon starts with ‘P’ he thought that their names should also begin with ‘P’; Peter and Polly seemed appropriate. Looking at them sitting comfortable by each other with the odd coo and peck Mr. Kite wondered who was Peter and who was Polly. Fortunately for Mr. Kite they did turn around and show their front and back to him; the problem was that he could not tell the difference between them. These pigeons were identical so Mr. Kite had a problem. After another cup of coffee Mr. Kite decided that he needed to find a way to distinguish these pigeons.

Eventually it was time to leave and they left Shrewsbury and headed towards Bridgnorth, followed by Kidderminster, the M5 and other M roads until Bristol and ending up in Bath Chew Valley, Bishop Sutton near Bristol.

Darkness descended quickly as Mr. Kite arrived at the caravan site. With the temperature dropping and jack frost making his presence known Mr. Kite parked his holiday home turned on the heating and then did a little bird watching. Song thrush’s sang and blackbirds made all sorts of noises. Mr. Kite mentioned four birds; the first two were pigeons and the other two blackbirds. Why does Mr. Kite mention two blackbirds? These blackbirds were male, noisy and intent on fighting, pecking and being aggressive. Mr. Kite stood still as these two young men scraped one metre away. Ignoring Mr. Kite they grappled, turned each other onto their backs, retreated, attacked, pecked, chased, intimidated, and showed utter contempt for each other. Pecking indiscriminately, using their feet as claws, making unearthly noises they were in conflict for more than a minute. Suddenly they both flew away. Mr. Kite was astounded by the aggressive behaviour of these territorial birds. But that is nature. Mr. Kite was pleased to think that Mrs. Kite did not behave like this.

Anyway after the excitement of the journey, the blackbirds and the thought of a few days away Mr. Kite settled down to a tipple of Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger and Shepherd Neame Spitfire as a reminder of flying aggressive fighters. Cheers.

Wednesday 19th January ( Twenty attend the Murder)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto another blue sky with sun rays shining on the trees. Well what could be better; Mr. Kite was going birding today with his birding companion.

In cool sunshine Mr. Kite cycled from his home down the cycle track where he watched a magpie on the path. The magpie is a gregarious, noisy and elegant bird with a black head and neck, plenty of white on the body, hints of blue on the black parts and a long tail that can look black, blue or greenish. Most people recognise the magpie as they are very common in the countryside and in towns. Mr. Kite finds magpies attractive because of their behaviour that has given them a reputation. Country people will tell about how they destroy nests, eat young birds and a thief. To Mr. Kite that sounds like a pretty intelligent bird.

A magpie is a good bird to watch because there are plenty of them and they display a wide range of behavioural traits. Today Mr. Kite watched the magpie bounce along the path in front of him then take to the air and fly jerkily into a field where it joined a murder, gulp, tittering or tiding of fellow magpies. Now this was quite an amazing site; twenty chattering, noisy squabbling, bouncy and magnificent magpies enjoying themselves in the wintry morning sun. Mr. Kite did not understand what they were doing or understand the reason for their behaviour but he enjoyed the sight before moving on to meet his birding companion.

 By 1030 the competition was on as they cycled along cycle tracks, roads, country lanes and tracks. The sun was becoming warmer and the birds were everywhere and easily spotted in the naked trees and hedges. Eventually Mr. Kite and his companion reached the Mire after crossing The Bridge over the River Tern with it's lookout post. Generally when approaching this pool you can hear gulls, ducks and lapwings but today it was ominously quiet. Peering over the bank the birders saw mallards, teals, wigeons and four shelduck.

Shelducks are unmistakable. They are a large pied goose-like duck with a brown band around the body black head and neck with a bright red bill. Four together was a good sight as they are not that common in Shropshire.

The birding competition was progressing well and from the Mire it was now a return trip home via Upton Magna nd Uffington. Mr. Kites birding companion was in a good position to win as Mr. Kite had over guestimated. This was becoming a serious competition as a few more birds were needed for the draw. So serious was the birding at this stage a number of open public houses were passed; one was a free house that was particularly tempting. It was agreed that he competition would end at Greyfriars Bridge. After the Station Bridge three more birds were needed for the draw. Tension was building, eyes scanned the river, house roof's and ears were pricked hoping to pick out a wagtail or song thrush. On the river at Greyfriars a goosander, a mute swan and nothing else; Mr. Kite had lost.

After a good day out Mr. Kite went home for a tipple of Tetley tea. Cha.

Tuesday 18th January (Good News and Bad News)

Mr. Kite looked out of his east facing bedroom window to see the sun rising over the Wrekin in a clear blue sky. Today he would be saying 'good bye' to a young Chinese trainee hotelier who was returning east to China; that is the bad news. Every cloud has a silver lining and one less China man in England makes a English duck's life safer as Peking Duck is a favourite in a Chinese restaurant. To dogs and mules Mr. Kite can only say that he has never seen them on the menu in a Chinese restaurant in England so provided their owners don't take them to China they should be safe. But they are on the menu in the Chinese city of Harbin.


After the farewells Mr. Kite cycled to the Monkmoor Lagoon where only a pochard and shoveler sat on the water. These two birds were very attractive in the sunshine. A grey heron then appeared from the reed bed and waded slowly through the water with it's head stretched forward. Against the golden reeds the grey feathers on it's body looked coarse and in good condition. It's long s-shaped white neck had a black pattern on the front with a small white plume hanging down. The heron kept it's head still showing a clear yellow eye, a black stripe on the head, a long sharp yellow dagger shaped beak and a black plume flowing from the back of the head.

Today this bird looked like a hunter; the plumes hanging down, the slow measured gait, the intense gaze into the reeds and the dagger shaped beak opening and closing. Then the heron showed patience and stealth as it walked slowly in the water stopping at times to look intently at something. Standing motionless it watched and waited and then moved on surreptitiously until it stood motionless again. This time the legs and body remained unmoved as it withdrew it's head slowly like a the string on a bow being pulled back and primed ready to fire it's weapon. The weapon here was the heron's dagger shaped beak and in a flash it shot forward into the water and then retreated with a silver roach wriggling with it's head protruding one side and it's tail the other. A few short sharp movements of the heron's head and the unfortunate roach slid down the heron gullet. The heron raised it's head, opened it's mouth and then sipped some lagoon water to wash the fish down and then shook his head sharply to dispel unwanted fragments of fish and water. Yum.

Now Mr. Kite wrote about Peking Duck early on; this is not a species of duck but a dish served and eaten in China. Just after the heron had consumed 'lagoon roach' a spring of teals landed on the water followed by six shoveler. Mr. Kite thought to himself how much easier it is to be a duck rather than a heron. The heron has to stalk and hunt his food and be patient whilst the teals landed on the water and were soon grazing on roots, shoots and other morsels on the grassy bank. The shovelers just land on the water and then start filtering the plankton from the pool.

Although it was now late afternoon it must have been feeding time. With the teals grazing, the shovelers filtering and the heron scoffing the odd gudgeon it must have stimulated the appetite of a sparrowhawk. From out of the trees a fluttering hawk appeared and sat on a branch watching the banquet. This adult male had a blue-grey back and a white front with reddish-brown horizontal stripes. The only part that moved was it's head as it scoured the reed bed for something to surprise and eat. Very few small birds were flying so the unfortunate hawk was unable to swoop down and join the banquet. But Mr. Kite did notice that flapping teals did attract it's attention; duck might be on the menu in Peking but is not suitable for a hawk in Monkmoor Lagoon. In life there are winners and losers. Today the duck was the winner whilst gudgeon, roach and a hungry hawk were the losers.

Now Mr. Kite is often a winner and today was not an exception. A slightly emotional morning, an entertaining afternoon watching feeding birds followed by an evening of drinking Tetley tea.
Bon Appetite.

Monday 17th January (On Song)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window into a dark morning. He arose early today because it was Monday and he had an appointment at eight o'clock at a garage where his holiday home was to be certified fit and well. Now Mr. Kite had a smile on his face because he had a day of cycling and birding planned. The workers on the other hand had long faces because they were going to spend hours adjusting brakes, draining fluids, refilling systems and bleeding them.

So Mr. Kite took his bike from the rack of his holiday home and cycled towards home with the sun rising and the birds singing. Heading along Sydney towards the weir Mr. Kite heard a familiar song for the first time this year. He slowed down and quietly headed towards a bush from which he could hear a loud, bold and clear song that Lord Grey, whoever he was, described as resembling the words 'did-he-do-it'. This was one of the most popular song birds in Britain the song thrush. Some listeners of their song claim to be able to recognise a repertoire of more than one hundred phrases; and they seem to have the ability to mimic other birds and trim-phones. Whatever its skill this bird was a true song thrush. Mr. Kite could see this spotty bird, about the size of a blackbird, but at this moment its song made him even happier. Soon after Mr. Kite was cycling across the Castle Walk where another song thrush was singing in the fresh morning air.

Mr. Kite collected his saddle bags from home and set out to meet his birding companion. After drinking coffee the two aging birders set out for a competitive few hours birding. The day was promising as they cycled along ticking off, and watching, common species of birds. The air was still and the sun rising steadily in a blue sky. A tour around the edge of Sharpstone Quarry revealed another member of the Turdus family; the larger mistle thrush.

After the mud and water of the off-road excursion it was back on the road to a small pool by Weeping Cross island where the rooks signaled the beginning of the construction of their rookery with a steady, 'caw, caw, caw,'. The watery theme continued as the birders visited Betton Pool, Berrington Pool and Venus Pool. Betton and Berrington had one mute swan between them whilst Venus Pool had a colourful selection of common ducks and some lapwings.

With the cloud increasing, and the temperature dropping, it was time to speed up and keep warm. On the move towards Atcham Bridge gulls were seen floating on the water in the flooded fields with corvids feeding on the muddy ground. A few goosander drifted around on the flooded fields near the bridge. With time running out, and a holiday home to collect, it was back to Weeping Cross island to listen to the single trill of a greenfinch and then home.

Having spotted forty-four species of birds Mr. Kite lost the competition to his birding companion but it was a good day out. Mr. Kite holiday home was certified fit and well and he celebrated another successful day with a cup of tea. Cha

Sunday 16th January ( A Day of Wind and Rain)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the tall trees on the other side of the road bending in a strong westerly wind. The cloud hung grey and the weather forecast confirmed the gloomy outlook. Mr. Kite then went downstairs to look out of the kitchen window that faced south to see a similar situation; wind and low cloud.

So it was a relaxing day reading yesterday's unread newspaper and today's paper. Now Mr. Kite enjoys watching birds, and watching nature, and this can be enjoyed in the comfort of his home peering out of the kitchen windows.

The garden is about thirty metres long and six metres wide. To the left is a wall with ivy and other greenery growing. To the right is a hedge that extends to the wall at the bottom of the garden. From the kitchen there is a patio followed by a lawn then a shrubbery, small pond and a Laurel Tree. Near the house to the left is a Sycamore tree and each side of the shrubbery is a Ash tree. Looking over the wall to the left is a row of terraced houses. Over the bottom wall are more gardens with tall trees. To the right is a garden and other tall trees.

So Mr. Kite has a suburban view looking out over a suburban environment. To encourage birds Mr. Kite has put one nesting box in the Sycamore tree and one nesting box in the right hand Ash tree. On the Sycamore tree is a feeder with nuts. The two most common birds in Mr. Kites garden today were members of the Paridae family; the Blue Tit and the Great Tit, It could be said that the Blue Tit, or 'Tom Tit' is a tiny garden favourite with its bright blue, pale green and light yellow colours. A bird that is often seen hanging upside down on feeders enjoying peanuts. Now the bigger Great Tit, or 'saw-sharpener', has vivid white cheeks on a blue-black head and a yellow breast with a dark stripe down the middle. Mr. Kite giggled like a schoolboy when he read that Great Tits are also known as 'Dolly Partons'.

If the only birds seen in a day were Blue Tits and Great Tits then it could be said that it was a good day observing some favourite and entertaining birds. So after a good days bird watching Mr. Kite settled down with a bottle of Courage Best. Good Health.

He had another one later for the road.

Saturday 15th January (Life and Death)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the rain gently falling. Today Mr. Kite was going, with his wife, to place some pink tulips on a special grave. Pink tulips were not really appropriate for this grave but they flowers had decorated the dining table in Mr. Kite's house and were just about to flower.

In the morning Mr. Kite watched a Wood Pigeon sitting on a branch in the garden. The bird seemed very content perched about two metres off the ground surveying the surroundings in the drizzle. Just before noon the rain cleared and the sky brightened slightly so the Kites set off with the flowers and some candles.

On the way to the church yard Mr. Kite passed the field where two weeks ago three species of swan grazed. Today about thirty Mute Swans were feeding. The herd included six grey and white juveniles. Soon Mr. Kite arrived in the village near the grave yard and parked the vehicle. Mr. Kite walked along an avenue of trees towards the church and looked at the first delicate white Snowdrops of the year growing near the shelter of a wall. Some plants were blooming others in bud but a reminder of how the circles of life go round and round. After the winter solstice, when the days are darkest and the plants at their barest, this was the first sign that spring is approaching.

There was life anew but sadly nearby was a mole trap. Mr. Kite removed the trap from the ground and held in the jaws was a shiny black mole with a sharp nose, whiskers and four feet with claws that act like a shovel. The poor creature was dead. Mr. Kite put the trap back into the ground and walked into the church yard.

Mr. Kite walked past the church to a grave by a hedge on the boundary of the yard. Last time Mr. Kite was here, just before Christmas, it was covered in fifty millimetres of snow. On his last visit Mr. Kite placed holly and ivy on the raised grave along with some greenery from his garden. Today the greenery was lying on the short grass on the grave and looked as fresh as the day it was placed there.

This church nestles at the foot of a hill that has wooded sides. Cows and sheep graze nearby. It is a very peaceful and beautiful place where Mr. Kite often sits contemplating. Today it was breezy and brown crisp leaves were blown across the grass and a Robin sang perched in a small Hawthorn bush. This Robin was not making his territorial 'tic tic tic' noise but singing a clear melodic sequence of fluty whistles and rippling notes. The Robin's song was cheerful and reflected the touch of spring that was unfolding.

Mr. Kite tidied the grave as he listen to the Robin and in a nearby tree he could hear the 'thk, thk, thk' of a Nuthatch. After sprucing up this special grave Mr. Moved a metre and carefully tidied up another grave that was also covered with holly and ivy. The bunch of pink tulips was separated and seven flowers placed in a earthenware pot on the special grave and one flower placed on top of the other grave. Most times Mr. Kite lights a candle on the grave but today this was not possible because of the gusty wind. But Mrs. Kite was prepared because she placed a battery powered t-light on the grave near the tulips and turned it on.

After an hour in this place of life and death Mr. Kite walked back towards his vehicle past the church. By the avenue of trees he met a lady and inquired about the mole trap and learned that this was arranged by the National Trust. So Mr. Kite decided that the National Trust have questions to be answered. Mr. Kite will seek answers about the needless killing of a fantastic creature. Mr. Kite walked slowly back along the avenue of tidy small trees where Snowdrops are growing and where one mole lay motionless. As the French would say, 'c'est la vie'. Now to use a French phrase in this village is appropriate because the name of the village ends in ville, and has French roots.

Mr. Kite then went home to socialise and play some games with friends. After a trying day Mr. Kite enjoyed todays tipple of Finchley's India Pale Ale. Good Health

Friday 14th January (A Trio of Sparrows)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and saw some sunshine. That inspired him not to go back to bed but to prepare himself for a days birding with his birding companion. So he made some coffee ate some toast and took the beast from the shed. If the beast was a creature Mr. Kite would be in court for neglect but as it is only a bicycle it can be left covered in mud and uncared for.

At half past eight Mr. Kite was on the road heading towards Meole Village. A few familiar bird song could be heard but these were back ground music. When Mr. Kite arrived at Meole Village his birding companion was drinking a large mug of tea and putting on some warm clothes. Now Mr. Kite and his birding companion have a competition on their expeditions to guestimate the number of species spotted. Today Mr. Kite's guestimate was forty-three and his companion was thirty-seven.

So it was game on. The usual common birds were ticked off and counted as they headed towards Sharpstone Quarry. Some rather smart Stock Doves fed on the ground and looked stunningly blue-grey in the winter sunshine. Sharpstone Quarry was disappointing as the workers planting trees had scared the birds away.

As the two old birders sped along their clothes became more covered in Shropshire mud from the spray off their unguarded wheels. Their mottled backsides and backs looked unsightly but this is birding on a bike. Pressing on they reached Atcham Bridge where a flock of Canada Geese grazed on the grass. At this point the plans changed as the rain poured down the clouds lowered and the light dimmed. The two old men sheltered under the old bridge at Atcham talking about beer and cider and working up a thirst but the cool breeze stopped them nipping into the Mytton and Mermaid for a pint.

After half an hour the cloud lifted and the skies cleared and the set out towards Venus Pool along the wet, watery and muddy country lanes. A Pheasant was the highlight as the mud and spray enveloped them. After about fifteen minuted they arrived at Venus Pool; a Mecca of Shropshire birders. The pool had the usual ducks and geese that entertained them as they ticked them off and the bird count increased.

Walking to the members hide at Venus Pool Mr. Kite noticed a tiny dark brown streaked bird with a black chin and red crown sitting in a bush near an alder tree; this was a Lesser Redpoll. Soon after this bird flew into the Alder tree and was joined by two more Redpolls. All three then hung acrobatically upside down feeding on tiny seeds. In the sunshine the husks could be seen falling to earth. This was a spot of the day so far; three feeding Redpolls showing their delicate and striking plumage.

The members hide offered nothing special for the price of membership and its exclusivity only a shelter from the increasing breeze. Then it was onto the top field for a walk along the hedge towards the Trout Pool. Mr. Kite and his birding companion looked at the clear blue sky and wished they had put their shorts on as the temperature rose. Now three species of birds sat in the hedgerow and summarised the winter meadow. The first was a yellow slim and long tailed bunting. The second a richly coloured bunting with rufous brown, cream and black and a broadly white-sided tail. Lastly a bird with a brownish cap, black bib white cheeks, and a black beauty spot and a sparrow. These birds feeding in the field and perching in the hedge were the Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow. The name sparrow suggest a common bird but Tree Sparrows are not easy to find so the two old birders were pleased to come across these unsung heroes.

If this was a football match you would want to know the score and know who was winning. At this stage Mr. Kited birding companion had lost the competition as they had spotted forty species so Mr. Kite was nearly there. A Raven put Mr. Kite in the frame with forty-one. Remember his guess forty-three: plus or minus two. With time passing and wives expecting the return of the bread winners the two birder set out towards home. To make the competition a draw five more species were needed so that the number of species reached forty-six.

A stop at an artificial pool produced two Goosander. Some Lapwings in a field closed the gap. A bobbing Greater Spotted Woodpecker flying across the road brought on more excitement. Two more birds were needed for the draw. Tension increased as they approached Condover with a ride up and down the village as a Pied Wagtail was heard. The wagtail was elusive so they set off to Bayston Hill for the down hill trip towards Meole Village. Just before Bayston Hill a Pied Wagtail was spotted. One more bird was needed for a draw. Approaching the top of the incline at Bayston Hill the game was over a Long Tailed Tit flew across the road and into the hedge.

A good days birding was coming to an end. Within a mile Mr. Kite and his birding companion parted.

Birding is a funny old game. You win some; you lose others. All birds are worth watching but today a few rather special birds were watched; that is bird watching. Acrobatic Redpoll, scarce and unassuming Tree Sparrows and yellow canary like Yellowhammers. A pretty good day.

To finish off a good day Mr. Kite's tipple of the day was Finchley's Golden Pale Ale. Cheers to a good birding, good companions,  and good finches including Goldfinch, Bullfinch. Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Thursday 13th January (An Amorous Anas)

Today Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and saw two Communtiy Police Support Officers strolling along. That reminded Mr. Kite that some unfortunate people still have to work to support the country on the other hand Mr. Kite had a busy day socialising and not too much time to go birding.

So Mr. Kite decided that he would take his telescope to Monkmoor Lagoon and spy on the new arrivals. Yesterday when he departed from the lagoon there were five Mallards, one Shoveler and three Mute Swans, so Mr. Kite was interested to see if any other birds had arrived. Less than ten minutes after leaving home Mr. Kite was looking over the lagoon and counting the birds; eight Mallard, four Shoveler and one Cormorant. The three Mute Swans had left.

Yesterday the Shoveler present was a colourful male and Mr. Kite assumed it was the same bird. Now the Shoveler was also called Blue-wing Shoveler, Kertutock or Broad-bill by Thomas Bewick in the 19th century. The female Shoveler is remarkable bird with her long, broad and heavy bill and at a distance can be mistaken for a female Mallard but the male is unmistakable. Mr. Kite likes Bewick's description of the male Shoveler. Bewick wrote, 'the irides are a fine pure yellow; the head and upper half of the neck of a glossy changeable green: the lower part of the neck, the breast, and scapulars, white: the back is brown: belly and sides chestnut bay, and the wing coverts of a fine pale sky blue, terminated with white tips, which form an oblique stripe across the wings, and an upper border to the beauty spot, or spangle, which is of a glossy changeable bronze, or resplendent green, and also divides or crosses the wings in the same direction: the greater quills and the tail are dusky, but in the latter the outside feathers, and the edges of some of the adjoining ones are white: a ring of white also encircles the rump and the vent, behind which the feathers under the tail are black: legs and feet red. Such a magnificent description explains why this male had three female admirers that swam close to him.

 Yesterday Mr. Kite watched this male Broad-bill as he was swimming in circles filtering water, using his broad black bill, to feed from the plankton, floating seeds, insects and crustaceans but today this amorous anas had other thoughts. Now the ice had melted, as a result of the warmer weather, this male thought spring was in the air and used his broad black bill to hold the back of an admirers head whilst he sat on their back and submerged them for other reasons.

Now Mr. Kite then had to depart because of his busy day ahead. In the lane near the lagoon Mr. Kite met a fellow birder. The fellow birder with a dog asked Mr. Kite, "Did you see the Bittern?",
"No." replied Mr. Kite. "It was only there two days", the birder with a dog replied. After a little more conversation Mr. Kite and the birder with the dog went their separate ways. Mr. Kite knows this birder is a reliable source of information so he concluded that the Bittern was there and well camouflaged.

Never mind Mr. Kite had a good day and enjoyed his tipple of Tetley tea. Chow.

Wednesday 12th January (Normal service about to Return)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see grey clouds and a dull dawn. But the beast was usable, and the chores complete, so Mr. Kite was going birding. The weather forecast was for rain but as the saying says there is 'not bad weather only bad clothing'. So Mr. Kite found his water proofs and warm clothing.

After coffee and toast Mr. Kite was off birding. The roads were wet and the clouds low but that did not matter. Mr. Kite was cycling along listening to the sounds of House Sparrows, Robins, Long Tailed Tits and Starlings making their familiar and reassuring songs. Having seen these birds many times Mr. Kite was pleased just to listen.

Within a few minutes Mr. Kite reached the tow path of the River Severn where the water was just a little lower than the path. Cycling under the station bridge he headed upstream noticing the usual Mallard, Goosander and Mute Swan. Near the English Bridge Mr. Kite noticed a Gulp of Cormorants standing on the river bank looking very black and menacing. A few metres on some colour was on show with a Grey Wagtail walking along the path showing it's grey and yellow plumage before bobbing onto a house roof.

A few miles further into the trip and Mr. Kite had crossed the bypass and was in the country where the sodden fields held the surplus surface water but Corvids and pigeons were on the ground feeding. The brown water was dripping off the beast and Mr. Kite's clothing was also turning brown from the spray thrown up by the passing traffic; but Mr. KIte was happily cycling towards the reserve at Polemere.

Turning onto a minor road for the last few hundred metres a wary Grey Heron stayed put as Mr. Kite passed within fifty metres but it was prepared to spread it's large grey wings and fly away as it kept an eye on the cyclist. Reaching Polemere Mr. Kite noticed that the ice had thawed and some birds had returned to the pool but the Greylag and Canadian Geese were grazing in the surrounding fields.

On the pool were colourful Teals making a gentle whistling sound along side Coots, Moorhens and a Dabchick. In the fields Mr. Kite noticed that the Greylag Geese were feeding less and becoming more vocal with their loud coarse honking. One group of six then took to the air; glided over the hedge before landing on the water after a short flight of about one hundred metres. Mr. Kite noticed as they glided over the pool before touch down how coordinated they were. Soon after another small group took to the air and Mr. Kite watched carefully this time to analyse their flight.

After a few short steps these flapping Greylags were airborne and about six metres off the ground they stopped flapping their wings and glided over the hedge and towards the pool. The glide lasted a few more seconds as they lost height to about two metres then it was feet down glide to just above the surface then a quick flutter, head back, feet forward, stall and then schhhh. as they touched the water where the wings were tucked in against the body. During the next ten minutes all the geese flew from the fields to the pool. Mr. Kite watched them saying to himself, "Glide, glide, glide, flutter, head back, feet forward, stall, schhh., wings in and float". It seemed that all these geese had attended the same flying school as the take-off and landing were the same.

Now Mr. Kite found this pretty exciting and looking around he could see Mallard landing and preparing to touch down on the water. So it now time to watch the Mallards technique. Mr. Kite looked into the sky at the more agile Mallard as they turned and climbed sharply. Their descent was steep compared with the lumbering geese and the wings in a downward arch before the head up, body down, flutter, stall and plop into the water; not such a gentle touchdown as the geese. Mr. Kite then watched Teal approaching and landing. This was similar to the Mallard but more inclined to drop into the water with less control. A quick conclusion the bigger the bird, the more gentle the glide and softer landing on the water probably because the large wing of the goose is more vulnerable.

What Mr. Kite saw next was also interesting. Once in the water the Greylags started to bathe in an excited and creative way. Mr. Kite noticed the different bathing techniques and these included; submersion, rolling over head first, rolling sideways over and over, lying on the back and kicking the legs. The birds seemed to be enjoying the activity with lots of honking, splashing and flapping around on the surface and flapping on the spot with the body just off the water.

Mr. Kite asked himself why did the geese behave like this? Was it to wash off the dirt from the fields or the warm water after the recent icy condition or just for fun; who knows. After an entertaining time at Polemere Mr. Kite headed towards Venus Pool via Condover. It was a slow ride as he was enjoying the sights and sounds of the Shropshire countryside. Just outside Condover is an artificial pond used to store water that is used to water crops in dryer weather. Mr. Kite walked up the embankment and peered over the parapet to see a Spring of Teal and a Company of Wigeon.

On reaching Venus Pool noticed that the birds had returned now that the ice had melted. The Greylags were bathing and noisy. The Northern Shovelers swam in circles feeding on the surface; the Pochard and Tufted Ducks dived. under the water in search of food. On one of the islands a Desert of Lapwings 'peewited' and occasionally silently took to the air with a rapid flapping of their rounded wings before returning to the same spot. In the fields flocks of Reed Buntings, Chaffinch and Goldfinch flew from the hedges to the grass and back to the hedge.

Mr. Kites last visit of the day was Monkmoor Lagoon. He gently cycled along lanes to Atcham and then to the lagoon. A thin layer of ice covered most of the water and five Mallards and one Shoveler stood on a frozen part. Later three Mute Swan landed on the water before one climbed onto the thin ice. So Mr. Kite was happy to see the birds are returning to the roost.

After a good days cycling and birding Mr. Kites tipple of the day was 'sparkling water'. Schhh.

Tuesday 11th January (To the Lagoon)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom and watched the low clouds scud across the grey sky. The gloom increased as Mr. Kite thought about the chores he had to do this morning.

However by the end of the morning the holiday home was booked in for a service and the rear wheel on the beast was rounder and Mr. Kite went birding. Feeling less energetic than normal, and with a strong wind blowing, Mr. Kite took himself to the two miles to Monkmoor Lagoon with his telescope.

Mr. Kite reached the lagoon to find it covered in thin ice and without a bird in sight. Monkmoor Lagoon is owned by Severn Trent and has a hide looking out over a pool approximately two hundred metres in diameter. The word lagoon suggests a tropical blue water with a coral reef but this is a settlement pool from the sewerage works. But that does not stop it being a good environment for 'creatures from the lagoon'. To the right of the hide is a long reed bed and just in front, to the right, is a small island.

Having set up his scope Mr. Kite searched the reeds, trees and the island for life. Lastly to the left is a pole with a platform designed to attract an Osprey. As the Ospreys are still wintering in the warm parts of Africa the platform was vacant so a pair of opportunist Stock Doves started their courtship in full view of any prying eye. Today it was a gentle and restrained odd peck and flutter with a bobbing of heads then a fly around before landing again on the platform for another short flirtation. Now the sun was shining, the black lines on their wings stood out against the grey body and the metallic green patch on their neck glistened and sparkled.

The problem with choosing a prime spot is that other birds become envious waiting for their chance to take their turn there. When the doves flew around the lagoon and settled in a tree nearby a Common Buzzard took the opportunity to fly up from the ground and perch on the elevated platform where it sat and inspected the surrounding area with it's 'eagle eye'. Eventually the buzzard walked to the edge of the platform, braced it's body, opened it's large broad wings and glided purposefully to a spot on the ground amongst some short trees where it touched the ground feet first. It then proceeded to use it feet and beck on some poor small morsel.

With the platform vacant the courting doves once again returned where another admirer appeared for a short time but they were not encouraged to stay. Looking out of the hide Mr. Kite glimpsed a small brown thickset falcon fly fast from right to left just above the ground before disappearing into a clump of trees. This swift and agile hunter of moths and small birds was a Merlin. Mr. Kite has learned that fast flying hunters are often only seen briefly before they are out of sight but then falcons need to be quick to catch small birds.

With the light fading it was time for Mr. Kite to return home after another interesting bird watching experience for todays tipple of Tetley tea.

Monday 10th January (Not a Day for Birding)

Mr. Kite woke up and looked out of the bedroom window and saw the holiday home and thought, work to be done as the brakes were stuck on and they needed freeing by tapping the brake drum. In short it was a morning of repairs to the holiday home and the beast.

But there was an opportunity to watch three Eurasian Collared Doves cavorting in a tree. This attractive plain grey dove with a black collar on it's neck is interesting because until about the 1930's these birds only lived in South-East Europe. In 1956 the first pair bred in Norfolk and they are now common.

So what stopped Mr. Kite birding today? Repairs to transport and an afternoon and listening to a budding philosopher.

Mr. Kite tipple today was Tetley tea.

Sunday 9th January (The Ice Age Continues)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see a blue sky and ice in the gutter. As it was Sunday he walked one hundred metres to the paper shop and purchased a newspaper. He then made some coffee and went back to bed to read it.

Shortly afterwards he went downstairs to put the breadmaker on, mix some batter for Yorkshire pudding and boiled the chestnuts for the nut loaf. With a few people expected at tea time some of the food was prepared before he went birding.

Mr. Kite thought long and hard about where to go for a few hours. The wind was chilly, guests were expected for tea, ice covered the main pools and the beast was not up to scratch. After some thought he decided to take his telescope to the lagoon and look closely at the wild life there. So with the scope and tripod on his back he cycled the two miles to the lagoon.

On reaching the lagoon he noticed that the ice was thicker than previously and once again the birds had flown. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over as a small flock of Black-headed Gulls noisily flew in circles over the water. Mr. Kite then set his scope to about fifty times magnification and scoured the trees and bushes a few hundred metres away. Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves sat perched as the chilly westerly wind blew. In the fir trees, with the pristine cones, Mr. Kite expected to see some of the Aegithalidae family hanging around pecking at the fruit; but nothing appeared.

Generally Mr. Kite sits in the hide at Monkmoor lagoon on his own but today a fellow birder arrived. This birder took out his note-book and recorded his sighting; this did not take long so the 'birder with his note-book' chatted awhile before they both left leaving the lagoon and its hide in peace. On the return trip the beast had a front wheel puncture but Mr. Kite nursed the beast back to the garden shed where it would spend the night.

Now thoughtfully Mr. Kite had put some beer in the fridge before he left. So when his guests arrived in mid afternoon they all enjoyed some Lindemanns Kriek (Belgian Cherry Beer). However they did go on to eat Chestnut Roast, Yorkshire Pudding, Vegetarian Glamorgan Sausage and drink too much red wine, white wine and Becks beer. Prost.

Saturday 8th January (Life is not all Birding)

Mr. Kite went socialising today with his wife. They went for a lasagne lunch and a tipple of Bulmer's Strongbow Cider. Whilst enjoying his lentil lasagne Mr. Kite noticed a large plump Wood Pigeon on the hosts garden shed. Although the conversation, food and drink were first class Mr. Kite could not resist looking at this magnificent bird. To some a pigeon is a pest, to others a tasty casserole in red wine, to me a very colourful and attractive bird with it's blue, black, white, pinkish plumage with a splash of green on its neck.

Mr. Kite had a very pleasant day and although drank too much he still maintained control of himself and was steady as a rock winning every game of Jenga.

Friday 7th January (Colours can't be seen but Bird Songs can be Heard)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window this morning and saw the snow gently falling and the road was covered with a thin white layer. With car sliding around on the road, and the odd bump, Mr. Kite decided not to risk life and limb on the road. The alternative was Shank's pony.

Now the morning went quickly by as Mr. Kite relaxed in front of the warm fire dreaming but just after midday he decided he must make a move. The cloudy sky was being replaced by a thickening fog and the air was still. Without colour Mr. Kite thought that this was an opportunity to listen to the bird songs. Fortunately Mr. Kite lives near to the River Severn so he thought he would take Shank's pony for a walk along the river bank.

Walking towards the river Mr. Kite could hear the 'chirp chirp' of House Sparrows. A very common but distinctive sound but very clear in the still air. Having seen many House Sparrows Mr. Kite did not bother to look for them; hearing them was sufficient.

In the fields near the river a flock of Fieldfare were feeding and roaming across the land every now and again Mr. Kite could hear the harsh 'chak, chak, chak'. A little later two more similar harsh bird calls could be heard; the first a rasping 'skairk, skaik' and the second a chattering 'schrach-ak, schrach-ak'. From experience Mr. Kite knew the first to be a Jay and the latter a Magpie; sure enough with seconds of looking both birds came into view.

For the past few days Mr. Kite has looked for a little Wren. At times he thought he had a glimpse of one flying across the road in front of him. Walking near some defoliated shrubs Mr. Kite heard a familiar loud rasping and repeating 'tr tr tr tr tr tr tr '. Mr. Kite the said to himself, and any creature listening nearby, "A Wren". Looking to his left he spotted a little plain bird perched on a branch with it's tail cocked up; a Wren.

Mr. Kite felt pleased with his afternoon's bird listening. Lastly near the of his walk Mr Kite noticed an attractive black and white duck with a greenish-black glossary head with a large white spot; a splendid example of a Goldeneye diving for food.

After another good day Mr. Kite went home to enjoy a Felinfoel Double Dragon Welsh Beer followed by a Bank's Best Bitter. Cheers.

Thursday 6th January (Colourful Birds with Colourful Names)

With birds dropping down dead, and falling out of the sky, in the United States and Sweden Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window this morning expecting to see the road outside his home littered with the corpses of Blackbirds or Starlings. However it was only littered with the usual fish and chip papers and polystyrene food boxes.

So he took the beast out of the shed and realised that a few new spokes were needed in the rear wheel. Before his birding expedition started he made some minor repairs to the machine. Having read the internet Mr. Kite knew where a small flock of Waxwings should be feeding. The information gave the location very clearly so within five minutes of starting from home Mr. Kite was a few metres away from fourteen crested soft-plumaged grey, pink purple Waxwings with added red and yellows splashes of colour. These amazingly coloured birds were feeding in a low bush in someones front garden. Although Mr. Kite has seen many Waxwings he always finds them a thrilling spectacle.

Today Mr. Kite planned to search the fields behind Haughmond Hill for partridge and birds of the countryside. Cycling along the Old Canal another wonderfully coloured bird flew slowly alongside for a  while. This was a red, black and grey male Bullfinch with a distinctive white rump. After flying nearby it darted into the hedge and out of sight.

Further along the canal an aerial dual was taking place between a Magpie and Sparrowhawk. The hawk was more agile in its manoeuvering around the sky but the Magpie was brutish; persistently flying straight at the hawk until the hawk glided down into a small clump of trees.

Mr. Kite was also persistent in his plan to reach Roden. The incline over Haughmond Hill was no obstacle and soon Mr. Kite was free wheeling towards the large green-houses of Roden. In the fields pigeons, doves and the odd Pheasant fed with the odd flock of Fieldfare and Redwing.

Off the main road, and onto the country lane, Mr. Kite scrutinized every fold in every field looking for Grey Partridge, Meadow Pipits or any bird. On seeing something on the ground Mr. Kite's heart beat increases anticipating the opportunity to observe the less common or obvious bird behaving like a bird; whether feeding, fighting for territory or courting.

Today the birds were mainly interested in feeding as a result of the cold weather but some beautiful Red-legged Partridge were spotted with their black and white heads with red beck. More colour was on show when a Jay flew along the hedgerow with its pinkish body and blue feathers on the wing that were used for hats in Victorian times. Lastly a Green Woodpecker flew up showing it's large green and yellow body and red crown. So Mr. Kite cycled along satisfied having watched some stunning birds.

The trip was slow because Mr. Kite scanned the fields and stopped in the pleasant sunshine to enjoy the flock of field feeders. After all he was out to enjoy birding, good weather and the countryside. Eventually Mr. Kite reached Atcham Bridge where the River Severn was higher than normal and a light brown colour. Mallard, Goosander and Canada Geese were in groups near the river bank but in the middle of the river two birds appeared with different silhouettes; round-headed with a stubby bill. These two birds would dive under the water after being on the surface for a few seconds and stay under for upto fifteen seconds. This went on for ten minutes and they did not stray far from where they dived under the water. When these birds appeared on the surface their golden eyes shone; not surprisingly these diving ducks are Goldeneyes.

With time passing quickly, and the light fading, it was time for Mr. Kite to visit the lagoon just in case it may hold a surprise. However it was frozen over and life less; but that is bird-watching, some you see some you don't.

So Mr. Kite had a good day looking at colourful birds with colourful names. Now Mr. Kite stood on some scales this morning and the pointer went far past where it should have stopped therefore he has decided that today's tipple would be a Tetley tea bag.

 

Wednesday 5th January (A Fox joins in the Search)

Mr. Kite had an lazy morning watching the rain dropping from a gloomy sky. At about two o'clock a few breaks in the cloud appeared and he decided he must make a move and go birding. With the unpredictable weather Mr. Kite decided that he would visit the lagoon in search of a Bittern or a Water Rail.

Once again he dressed up warmly for a chilling few hours in the hide. To help him search the reed beds Mr. Kite took his super telescope. On reaching the lagoon Mr. Kite noticed that there was still a thin layer of ice on the water and most importantly for a bird-watcher the lagoon was bird less. But he set up his telescope and looked at the Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves that were perched on trees outside of the reserve.

Every few minutes he scanned the reed beds carefully trying to pick out a camouflaged Bittern or a plain Water Rail. This went on for hours with the odd break to watch Black-headed Gulls, Mute Swan and Corvids fly over. A few ducks flew over and chose not to land on the icy wet surface.

With darkness creeping on Mr. Kite noticed a visitor on the left hand side of the hide. It was a Red Fox and he trotted on the ice towards the reed beds that Mr. Kite had watched so keenly all afternoon. This helpful animal started at the near end. Now Mr. Kite thought to himself 'blimey Raynard will flush out that elusive Bittern'. At any moment he expected a large brown and gold bird to break cover. Raynard continued walking along the edge of the reeds stopping at intervals to put his nose into the reeds. It surely was just a matter of time before something appeared but no. The fox reached the end of the reeds and walked off into the undergrowth. Mr. Kites conclusion the Bittern was not there.

After such an anti-climax it was time to go home for a cup of tea; and not a drink of beer.

The Story so Far

Introduction

Mr. Kite has decided to write a blog about his birding, biking, beer drinking and excursions discovering the sights, sounds and smells of Shropshire. He can be described as a birder on a bike; most of the time. He has an interest in all wildlife and the environment. Cycling along the lanes and tracks of Shropshire, and elsewhere gives him enjoyment and the chance to think, work up a thirst and write.

Now a picture tells a thousand words but Mr. Kite prefers the written word to the digital photo. Partly because he is too mean to buy a camera when his beloved bike is wearing away and will need replacing but also he does not want to be bothered with all that extra equipment. A pen, notebook, Collins Field Bird Guide and a pair of binoculars are enough.

Saturday January 1st ( The White Swan)

Mr. Kite woke up on New Years day feeling worse for wear. You would think a man more than half way to his centenary year would know better and not poison his body with beer on New Years Eve but he did. This is not the first time it has happened, and probably not the last, but I do not think he will learn his lesson unless he joins the Abstention Movement and he does think there are more interesting groups of people to be with.

Anyway Mr. Kite had a late kick off for the new birding year and did not leave the back door till nearly midday. But his timing was perfect because four Mute Swans flew over his garden heading north-east. Now that was a good start to the New Year because normally he looks in his garden and spots a Wood Pigeon or a Collared Dove which is still exciting but not as much as four large majestic swans powering across the sky necked out stretched and the rhythmic beat of their wings.

Mr. Kite then took his bicycle out of the shed in preparation for a few hour birding. Now his bike was his pride and joy but it is now becoming a bit of a beast. The front and rear wheels were replaced in the last six months but they are now showing sign of wear with stretched spokes and 'untrue wheels' and the bearing on the crank are loose and need replacing. However Mr. Kite headed towards Berrington Pool along the country lanes and then onto Venus Pool. To cut a long story short both pools were icy and fairly devoid of bird life although Venus Pool had more bird watchers than birds.

So now for the interesting part. White Swans have now become a feature in a field near the Riverside Inn, formerly the Cound Lodge, on the Cressage Road. In this field there were not just Mute Swans but more Bewicks Swan than the two Whooper Swans showing their heads. This is a great spectacle three species of White Swan on display giving Mr. Kite the opportunity to compare and contrast them; better than any book. So that was a highlight for Mr. Kite.

Other bird-watchers appeared and marveled at the sight but as with all good things it must come to an end. Mr. Kite then set off for Atcham Bridge via the muddy, slushy and wet lanes of Shropshire as the drizzle started to descend on a damp cyclist.

On reaching Atcham Bridge the cool drizzle was turning to cold rain and the dank cloud were darkening and the light was fading. But there was another highlight for Mr. Kite; a European Treecreeper. This little bird was clearly on view walking up a completely dead tree so that it's whitish underside and slight curved bill were clear along with it's streaky plumage.

With the cold intensifying and clothing becoming wetter it was time to drop in on the lagoon at Monkmoor as a final visit. Mr. Kite has visited this hide most New Year's day but today it was covered in ice and the only bird on display was a Grey Heron; although the log book recorded a Bittern. Well Mr. Kite braved the cold but did not see it. Never mind.

Mr. Kites count for the day 34 species.

Mr. Kite returned home for a well deserved tipple of Ridgeways Thames Valley Ale and a Bulmers Pear with a couple of Becks thrown in for good measure.

Sunday 2nd January (Problems with the Beast)

Mr. Kite did learn something about alcohol consumption because he was up bright and early and cycling towards Polemere by nine o'clock without a poorly head. Cycling through the Quarry there were Goosander diving down for food and a Raven of the Sea joining in. The Quarry was full of people enjoying the cool clear air. Although Mr. Kite kept on eye in the trees and on the river for birds no one was run over or upset by a cyclist more keen on the surroundings rather than the road.

To cut a long story short Mr. Kite reached Polemere and believe it or not it was mostly covered in ice. But there grazing on the grass and whistling gently was a company of Wigeon. These birds are a wonderful colour with pinkish plumage and the male has a yellow streak on their head. Mr. Kite will let you into a secret; Polemere has a clean hide, picnic table and and views over a pool fields so a wide variety of habitat is visible.

Mr. Kite then headed towards Lyth Hill stopping at Lea Cross to watch four Buzzards feeding on the football pitch. Now these birds kept their distance from each other and were obviously enjoying the pickings.

Now this is where the day went downhill; the beast had a puncture. Mr. Kite does not mind fixing punctures but when the wheels are cold and muddy it is not pleasant. Hands become dirty, cold and covered in oil. A big thorn was extracted painlessly from the tyre, the hole covered with a patch and Bob's your uncle; Mr. Kite was gliding along the country lanes again until a few miles further on when another thorn punctured the tyre. So the process was repeated and more dirty hands.

At the end of last year thousands of Waxwings arrived to enjoy the numerous red and orange berries that grow in the trees around supermarkets. So Mr. Kite went to Sainsbury's car park and the Park and Ride in search of these fabulous visitors but none could be found.

Lastly it was to the frozen lagoon to find a Bittern; the Bittern was too well camouflaged in the brown and gold reeds.

Mr. Kite returned home to enjoy a glass of Old Speckled Hen and Fullers London Pride.

Monday 3rd January (Forgive my Trespasses, but where are the Birds)

Mr. Kite did a few shabby repairs to the deteriorating beast before setting out towards Atcham Bridge following the river along the A5. A large flock of Canada Geese were swimming close to the river bank stopping at interval to graze. Then it was onto Attingham Park to watch a small flock of Siskins. An attractive bird to see. Males are lime-green and yellow with a black cap. The trees in the park are mixed and a good place to see Nuthatch and Woodpeckers.

The park attracts cars all year round and today was typical, car after car after car. But still a good place to cycle amongst some cows with long horns and the sights and sounds of Rooks and Jackdaws.

Mr. Kite cycled past Berwick Wharf stopping to watch a small flock of Linnets and a large flock of Chaffinch flying from the bushes to the ground and back again. The white wings of the Chaffinch make them easily identified in flight.

Then it was down a bridleway over to Tern to trespass. Mr. Kite does not trespass very often but there is a pool not a millions miles away that often has lots of duck, geese and gulls. Today trespassers were not rewarded; when Mr. Kite got there, the pool was bare. When he says bare he means bare, not a sausage, not a bird, only pigeons flying overhead.

After the excitement of the trespass it was time for Mr. Kite to amble along the narrow lanes around Isombridge looking for birds. These lanes are relatively traffic free and the low hedge line gives good views over the fields. Todays highlight was a very spotty Mistle Thrush.

Then it was Rodington, Upton Magna and Uffington and to the lagoon to spot the Bittern. Instead Mr. Kite had the pleasure of watching two Grey Herons skating around on a frozen pool as the ice made fishing impossible and learning to skate is something they cannot do very often.

Here are some of Mr. Kites statistics. During the past three days he has noted 48 species of bird and cycled 74 miles. That is 0.64 birds per mile. How useless is that.

One more statistic. Zero alcohol units consumed. Mr. Kite is not ill but looking after his liver.