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.