Monday 28th February (Aerial Displays)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see rays of sunshine. This made him feel better because he had a slight headache as a result of the birthday celebrations, too much beer, too much wine, too much food and too much noise. Actually Mr. Kite is wrong here you cannot have too much of a good thing. Anyway Mr. Kite put the house in order and made several trips to the recycling centre with the empties.

Then in the afternoon Mr. Kite went to Monkmoor Lagoon. The sky was cloudy and the wind was chilly but the air was fresh. Opening the hide window and looking around the lagoon is always an exciting event. Mr. Kite noticed Shovelers, Tufted Ducks, Canada Geese, a Mute Swan and a number of Pochard.

Pochard are very handsome ducks with their rufous head and neck. The body is light with black at the front and rear. Mr. Kite watched this group swim around the lagoon in a very sociable manner with the occasional dive. Now Pochard are good to eat but Mr. Kite prefers potatoes and cheese.

In the sky a flock of around one hundred Black-headed Gulls appeared in the sky. From the ground it was a grand aerial display as they circled and banked forming a cylindrical shape of birds moving slowly towards the west. Returning home Mr. Kite observed another aerial display; twenty four Starlings sitting on an 'X' shaped T.V. aerial. What stood out was the symmetry of the gathering; six birds perched on each of the aerial arms and evenly spaced.

With the excitement of these aerial displays Mr. Kite cycled home to enjoy a tipple of Pays D'Oc Chardonnay. Cheers from an aspiring middle-class white wine drinking Mr. Kite.

Sunday 27th February (Green Loaf Pi)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see that the world had returned to normal. Stereo pictures and double vision were a thing of the past. Peering into the mirror Mr. Kite could see that his eyeballs had lost that red tinge. Today Mr. Kite was having visitors to celebrate the birthday of a Lady Who Enjoys Singing.

With food and drink to prepare Mr. Kite had little time to go bird-watching so he thought carefully and decided to make a bird anagram. Enjoying food, drink and birds Mr. Kite thought about a bird that is overlooked and not admired; in fact they are discouraged from sitting on buildings by placing mesh and spikes on likely perches.

So Mr. Kite made a Green Loaf Pi. Now those letters can be arranged to form the name of a species of bird with two words. The first being five letters and the second six letters.

Clue: A wild bird that hopefully will not be made into a Green Loaf Pi. (5,6)

Now Mr. Kite has just spoken to a birthday so is now about to drink a good health to her. Mr. Kite is now enjoying a tipple of bath ales Dark Side. Cheers from a happy and sober Mr. Kite.

Saturday 26th February (A Day of Doubles)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the road twice as wide, people with identical twins and trees in twofold. Mr. Kite realised that he had drunk too much and went back to bed.

When normality returned Mr. Kite cycled into town to meet His Lady. Now over the town centre Mr. Kite watched a Common Buzzard casually drift over the shops and shoppers. Only Mr. Kite looked up to see this large bird as everybody else were busy window shopping. After buying a few items Mr. Kite returned home for a little while before heading off to Monkmoor Lagoon.

With the sun breaking through the thin clouds Mr. Kite pedaled the beast slowly down the road with the rear tyre deflating. Such was Mr. Kite's determination he continued his trip down the road and along the lane to the lagoon. On arrival at the lagoon he could hear the sound of Canadian Geese. Mr. Kite quietly opened the metal gate and went to the hide and unlocked the door.

Now today the lagoon there was little on the pool but the birds were big. Eight white Mute Swans sailed around in a group and six Canadian Geese swam around the small island honking before settling onto it. With the sun sinking behind the trees, and with a nearly flat tyre, it was time to return home. As Mr. Kite was closing the hide window four of the swans flapped their wings to move forward and gain some lift before paddling across the water for twenty metres. Then all four became airborne at the same time. Slowly gaining height they banked to fly between a gap in the trees before flying out of sight and into the sunset. By this time Mr. Kites vision was normal so the swan count was correct; four birds not two.

Mr. Kite reached home to enjoy of tipple of San Miguel. Cheers from a Mr. Kite who is now going for double bottles; double bottles.

Friday 25th February (Tits; Great, Blue, Marsh or Willow)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and thought , 'What a nice day'. The traffic light, near his window, shone green so Mr. Kite knew the world was in order. Today Mr. Kite and his birding companion were going bird-watching. At ten o clock his birding companion arrived and they cycled towards Haughmond Hill.

The competition was on and they ticked off birds as they cycled, walked and chatted merrily throughout the day. Towards the end of the day it was a draw but Mr. Kite was trailing; then they saw a Tit. It was not Great or Blue, but Marsh or Willow. The old farts watched, discussed listened and recorded this single solitary bird. Was it's cap shiny or matt? Was it stocky or not? Two old farts listened to a little bird sing and sing and sing and chirp and chirp. To them it was a Willow Tit but they were going home to listen to those birds songs, on a CD, to confirm the sighting.

Now Mr. Kite went home and enjoyed a tipple of San Miguel as he listened to his bird songs. He fell asleep, drank too much and talked rubbish but met his birding companion in the pub to decide whether it was Marsh or Willow. With the competition a draw after a late surge of birds on the river Mr. Kite and his birding companion decided in the pub this was a Marsh Tit. Cheers from a tipsy, drunk and well oiled Mr. Kite drinking his tipple of Becks.

Thursday 24th February (Sunshine and Colours)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see a few rays of sunshine peering over the house roof across the road. The forecast was good so Mr. Kite did some chores, drank coffee and prepared the beast for a short trip.

This was a day for shorts and sandals. So with wearing the appropriate attire Mr. Kite cycled towards Attingham Park past the gleaming, shiny and splendid Welsh Dragon. At the entrance of Attingham Park the Daffodils were showing a yellowish green head from which the yellow large trumpet shaped corona will burst through.

Inside the park Snowdrops carpeted the ground amongst the trees with a sprinkling of purple Crocuses thrown in for good measure. Surrounded by fresh colours, and trees shimmering with small light green buds, Mr. Kite felt a happy and privileged bird-watcher. Cycling slowly along the road towards the house Mr. Kite searched the large trees for signs of life. Little birds flitted from branch to branch and tree to tree. Soon Mr. Kite crossed a cattle grid and stopped by the pond on the left to enjoy the warm sun and examine the mixed tree on the far side.

With conifer, Alder and deciduous trees in sight Mr. Kite could look closely into the varied habitat. Leaning on a metal fence Mr. Kite was also the subject of a inquisitive crowd. Hairy brown, black and greyish cattle with long curved armour piercing horns came to watch a bird-watcher. In the conifers a pair of Coal Tits hung gymnastically from branches showing a white streak on their heads and a warm, almost peach coloured, olive-buff flank. A Siskin fed in the top of an Alder and Mr. Kite could see a Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Stock Dove in the deciduous trees. The sunshine enhanced the colours of the Coal Tits but more noticeably was the greenish hue on the multi-coloured purple Starling and the dazzling and handsome Fieldfare that had retreated to the trees from the field. Perched in the sunlight and moving around the branches these winter visitors showed shiny grey heads and rump, orange-buff chest and black spots.

Above the park other birds were on display and Mr. Kite watched a Raven and Common Buzzard circle and soar in mock aerial combat. Once these birds had realised they were equal the Raven rolled over, tucked in it's wings and dived head first out of sight whilst the Buzzard glided gently away.

In the middle of the afternoon Mr. Kite cycled slowly home to enjoy a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from a warmer Mr. Kite.

Wednesday 23rd February (The Peacock and a Dragon built by a Peacock)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto the cavalcade of Plumbers, Plasterers and Painters traveling along the road in search of work, on their way to work and in many cases avoiding work. Now Mr. Kite is in the latter group and finds any excuse possible not to work, and find a reason why he wants to go bird watching on his bike.

Taking the beast from the shed and lubricating the chain, and gears, Mr. Kite set off in the direction of Venus Pool. The sky was grey and the westerly breeze was mild but Mr. Kite still wore gloves and a hat. The first bird Mr. Kite stopped to look at this morning was a Peacock. This Peacock was painted on a sign for The Peacock; a public house. Having only just began the ride Mr. Kite thought carefully, licked his lips and decided not to go for a pint. He was quite amused by a sign that stated, 'Watch Live Sport Here'. This seemed a good excuse to bird watch and have a pint of bitter but common sense prevailed and Mr. Kite continued on his way to Venus Pool.

Just past The Peacock Mr. Kite noticed green Daffodils shoots ready to flower next week for St. David's Day. The hedgerows in the country lanes were showing signs of growth but the catkins took Mr. Kite's attention away from them. Soon the growth on the hedgerows too would burst into full view. Around Mr. Kite could hear and see the usual birds.

The lanes were wet and muddy and Mr. Kite was speckled with brown Salop mud when he arrived at Venus Pool where flocks of Lapwings flew up high into the sky, circled and then returned to the pool. Occasionally the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls would take to the air, leaving the duck and geese on show in the water. Staying in separate flocks the Gulls kept low and moved forward whilst the fast flapping wings of the Lapwings took them quietly into the air before returning to stand in the shallow water. On one occasion a Sparrowhawk glided below the flock of Lapwings and parallel with the Gulls. Without the element of surprise the Hawk stayed hungry and the Gulls and Lapwings were safe.

With the air warming the sky was where the action was taking place. Over the trees on the edge of the reserve ten Common Buzzards were soaring in circles and gently drifting downwind resembling Vultures in search of food. As they banked the white underparts, and black trailing edge to their wings, showed clearly. Today the Wake of Buzzards only soared, glided and banked sharply; no diving or rolling with their partners. Mr. Kite enjoyed the ten Common Buzzards effortlessly moving around the sky by changing the shape of their wings.

Mr. Kite then cycled to Atcham Bridge. Standing on the old bridge he looked down stream. Soon he noticed a brown flying creature heading up stream just above the water. It resembled a Sand Martin but Mr. Kite knew it was too early for one of these to appear. Focusing his binoculars he then realised it was a Bat. Then it flew around the bridge where Mr. Kite had good views of it before it disappeared into the trees in the churchyard. This was a small Bat; probably a Pipistrelle.

Returning towards Shrewsbury Mr. Kite scoured the river and saw Canada Geese and Goosander. But this is one sight near Atcham that is always worth looking at and that is The Dragon located in the car park of Salop Leisure. Most towns, including Shrewsbury, are littered with abysmal sculptures and works of art that are appalling  but the metal dragon at Salop Leisure is exceptional. Now funnily enough this Welsh Dragon was built by Mr. Peacock. Today was the day of the Peacock. Mr. Peacock's Welsh Dragon is a splendid piece of metalwork; if Mr. Kite was an art critic, and not a bird watcher, he would take pictures of it and put it in a book rather than write about it in a blog.

The last stop today for Mr. Kite was Monkmoor Lagoon where Pochard, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Ducks and a Grey Heron were enjoying the mild weather. Following another pleasant day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from Mr. Kite who is in Salop for a while.

Tuesday 22nd February (The Final Furlong)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see small snowflakes gently dropping from the sky. Today Mr. Kite was heading home. The wind was chilly but Mr. Kite had a few more hours bird watching. So far he had identified sixty species of birds. Now that is not many but Mr. Kite is happy because it is not about numbers, or species or twitching but about enjoyment. So after an enjoyable trip to Norfolk Mr. Kite went home to enjoy a tipple of Abbot Ale. Cheers from a cheery, chirpy and chubby Mr. Kite.

Monday 21st February (Bathing Huts, Birds and Bogs)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto the winner's enclosure in the first light of the day. A Barn Owl could be heard making a high pitched rasp but could not be seen. Being tired and lazy Mr. Kite looked for the Owl but did not put on his shoes and go outside. After five minutes the Owl was silent and Mr. Kite put on the kettle and made some coffee.

After breakfast Mr. Kite and his Lady along with Mr. Kite's 'bruv and wife' drove to Wells Next the Sea. Walking to the beach in a bracing wind the old people wrapped up warmly. Looking towards the sea they realised that this was Wells where the sea used to Be because the sea was far away. But today this old group of people had come to the beach to look at the bathing huts that were now a screen saver. As you might expect they were not sure which huts were in the screen saver but it was an enjoyable walk although the wind was cold. A large gulp of Cormorants flew over and landed on a sand bank. After the exercise for the day they traveled to Titchwell for a look at the RSPB reserve.

Now the old people liked Titchwell because in the car park were toilets and old people need toilets often. So everyone was happy the old ladies had bogs and the old men went bird watching. Today Titchwell was busy, very busy. Twitchers, birders and Uncle Tom Cobbly had descended upon Titchwell, and the birds were also on form. Thousands of ducks, geese and waders were on the reserve alongside the people. Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' visited every hide and watched birds through the super scope. In the cold breeze the hides were perfect providing the windows were kept shut. Mr. Kite enjoyed the 'pied' Avocets swinging their curved black beaks side to side as they walked along the waters edge. And he enjoyed the short stubby, stocky and chunky Purple Sandpiper. It was not purple but had a well defined plumage.

After another good day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Meantime Brewery Greenwich London Porter. Cheers from the winner's enclosure at Fakenham.    

Sunday  20th February (A Visit to the Shrine)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the winner's enclosure, the racecourse and clouds. Mr. Kite cycled to the shop to buy a newspaper. On his return he saw a Pied Wagtail. Feeling quite content Mr. Kite read the paper all morning.

At thirteen thirty Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' went on a cycling pilgrimage to the shrine at Walshingham. Now Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' are reasonably intelligent so they decided to follow cycle route one to Walshingham; however they followed the signs for one kilometre before losing them and getting lost. So two old men cycled along roads, down tracks and through housing estates until they found cycle route one. Back on track they pedaled towards the shrine along roads, tracks and mud trails. A few birds appeared including a cackling group of Fieldfares and large brown Hares running across the fields.

Near the Slipper Chapel a few pilgrims were seen walking and praying. Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' were also on a pilgrimage and soon they saw their mecca, The Bull Inn, Walshingham. Parking their bicycles out side the front door they old gits were welcomed into the shrine by a Barmaid Bird. This bird was very chatty, friendly and puffed away on a cigarette. Now Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' sat down by a warm cold fire and enjoyed a tipple of Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and Beartown Bear Ass. In the warm cosy and friendly shrine the Barmaid Bird served beer lovingly. Sitting by the bar was another bird; a slim, elegant and petite little bird; a Pretty Bird. She wore a blue jumper and blue jeans and chirped, smiled and was ravenous. Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' enjoyed the pilgrimage, the beer and the birds.

The Barmaid Bird came and talked to Mr. Kite and showed him a book called, 'Pedals, Pints and Pulpits'. This book described the adventures of a cyclist in Norfolk who pedaled, drank beer and pulpited. What a book; describing some important things in life. With the evening approaching it was time for Mr. Kite and his 'bruv' to return to Fakenham.

Cycling along they stopped to watch a Short-eared Owl flying over meadows in search of food, Hares running across fields and a Little Egret daintily fly along a stream. After a very enjoyable day Mr. Kite and his Lady, his 'bruv and wife' enjoyed a tipple of Hepworth Brewery Sussex Golden Ale and Shepherd Neame Canterbury Jack. Cheers from a slightly tipsy Mr. Kite.

Saturday 19th January (The Winner's Enclosure)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and saw Rabbits, a caravan and a Jay flying into a nearby tree. A very pretty and handsome bird. Also this Jay was calling in a harsh voice. Well that was a good start to the day because within minutes the drizzle began and soon it was raining.

Today Mr. Kite was leaving Sandringham and going to Fakenham Racecourse for a few days. About thirty minutes later he arrived at the racecourse and parked by the winners enclosure; in fact next to the winners position. Mr. Kite likes to be a winner and camping by the enclosure suited him because he could look out towards the last furlong and hurdle.

Now Mr. Kite was here to bird watch and so he did. Looking over the white fence of the racecourse he could see Black-headed Gulls, Rooks and Jackdaws. The rain became heavier, and the ground wetter, but Mr. Kite was happy sitting in his warm holiday home reading the paper, watching birds and nodding off.

Mr. Kite has siblings and he had arranged to meet his 'bruv and wife' on Saturday night on Fakenham Racecourse. Last week included two funerals; one attended by Mr. Kite and his Lady, and the other attended by his 'bruv and wife'. At nineteen hundred hours his 'bruv and wife' arrived so they all celebrated with a tipple of Badger Tangle Foot and Fullers London Pride. Cheers from the winners enclosure in Fakenham.

Friday 18^th February (A Cool Wash)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a cloudy sky and Rabbits on the ground. Earlier Mr. Kite had listened to the hooting of a Tawny Owl.

At ten o clock Mr. Kite and his lady started their journey to the South Beach at Heacham. This was only a few miles away so soon they were parked in an empty car park fifty metres from the sea defence. Mr. Kite took his super telescope, and lady, on the sea defence and put the scope on the tripod.

The view was amazing, although the South-easterly wind was cool. Looking out over the mud the shallow dark rippling North Sea was in the distance with a grey cloudy horizon. Behind the car park was empty, the doughnut cafe closed, the burger bar deserted but in front the whole area was alive and well. Gulls were sitting in the shallow water occasionally moving to the shore to peck at a shell. Wader’s poked their long bills into the soft watery sand to locate worms, and then extract them to eat, before rinsing their bill in the cold salty water. In the distance vast dense clouds of Lapwing and Golden Plovers flew into the air, circled, turned and then landed on the mud turning into the chilly breeze.

Mr. Kite was happy to watch all this and groups of Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits searched the mud and the waders fed in the shallow water. Mr. Kite looked very carefully at the Godwits trying to identify a Black-tailed one; but could not. After half an hour it was time to move onto the North Beach.

Luckily the holiday makers were still at home saving their money and looking forward to the day when they too can go to the North Beach and enjoy the amusement arcade, club with discos and the chip shop. Mr. Kite and his Lady were the only ones near the beach, on the beach or even wanting to go on the beach. The caravan parks were closed and all the buildings shut up and locked; it was peaceful. Mr. Kite took his telescope to the beach and looked at a group of dark bellied Brent Geese feeding in shallow water. These geese looked sombre with their black bodies and head with just a little white streak on their neck. Sometimes one of them would make a nasal ‘kroonk, kroonk’. It was not long before the bird watchers were cooler than cool and then returned to the warm holiday home before driving onto Hunstanton.

Arriving at the Victorian Seaside Town of Hunstanton Mr. Kite drove along the quiet seafront and parked near the light-house. Within seconds Mr. Kite was surprised to see a gull-like bird gliding and soaring with stiff straight wings. This stocky bird with a white head was a Fulmar. This petrel then sat on the cliff top where it’s nose tube could be clearly seen.

In the bracing wind Mr. Kite set up his telescope on the top of the fenced off cliff and scoured the vast expanse of mud and North Sea. With tears in his eye from the biting relentless wind Mr. Kite resolutely, and methodically, searched for birds he had yet to tick off. Soon he had located one stocky thick-billed Grey Plover moving across the sand stopping to feed before moving on. Lastly a group of Turnstones quickly walked along the waters edge turning stones and feeding. Now even keen and dedicated bird watchers have to call it a day. A man can only take so much cool wind; but The Wash is a cool place.

Now Mr. Kite has now identified fifty species since arriving in East Anglia. To celebrate his half century Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Badger’s Golden Champion. Cheers and looking forward to the next fifty species.

Thursday 17^th February (A Right Royle Tour)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto rabbits, conifer trees and the toilet block. But he thought what a wonderful sight although the skies were grey. Being on holiday in East Anglia Mr. Kite was pleased. Earlier in the morning when he was returning from the toilet he saw a Tawny Owl fly over his holiday home.

After a leisurely breakfast Mr. Kite mounted the beast at eleven o clock at set out for the RSPB reserve at Snettisham. Cycling down the quiet country lanes he saw Stock Doves and Pheasants. Now being on the Sandringham Estate Mr. Kite thought that the other Royle’s were obviously not good shots as they shoot on the land and the Pheasants were feeding in the fields quite unperturbed. Reaching the village of West Newton Mr. Kite watched Jackdaws cling to the church tower like Wallcreepers. Now back home in Shropshire Jackdaws do not cling to church towers because the stonework is made from smooth large blocks of stone but in East Anglia the stonework is small rugged attractive stone that birds can cling to. As he passed through the village Mr. Kite noted Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Starling and Black-headed Gull.

Being on the royal estate Mr. Kite gave the victory sign to all the people he passed on his route to the big house in Sandringham. To every four by four, game keeper, walker and subject Mr. Kite raised those two fingers until he reached the gates of the big house where he looked through the bars. This was in deed a splendid gate and Mr. Kite thought about the hours he had worked so that his taxes could be used to keep this black gate in good condition. After cycling around the estate car park pretending that this was his lot Mr. Kite heading towards Dersingham, Ingoldthorpe and Snettisham.

RSPB Snettisham

With only one small map reading error Mr. Kite pedaled down the no through road towards the reserve stopping to watch a flock of Pink-footed Geese graze in a wet field. These were pretty colourful birds with their bluey plumage. Soon Mr. Kite reached the start of the reserve where he was greeted by a Short-eared Owl. This bird was hunting along side the fishing lake. In the daylight this white streaked Owl flew around, circled, banked steeply and dropped down to pick up morsels. A bit like a Barn Owl this whitish bird was stunning. Standing by a gate Mr. Kite could also see Mallard, Moorhen, Red-legged Partridge, Curlew, Magpie and a flock of Greylag Geese.

Mr. Kite then followed the signs for the RSPB hides at Snettisham. This lead him along a muddy, wet and narrow path that zigzagged along a pool where he saw Goldfinches, Coots and a Canada Goose. At interval Mr. Kite encountered steps that made him work to push the beast up. This went on for more than Mr. Kite enjoyed but eventually he ended up on a concrete sea defence and dry solid ground.

From the heights of the sea defence Mr. Kite had a brilliant view of dark brown mud flats and The Wash. It was cloudy and grey but the sight of miles and miles of mud was worth it. Around him Mr. Kite could hear the sound of gulls and waders. Looking at a sign that pointed to the hide Mr. Kite cycled down a gravel track to the Rotary Hide.

Mr. Kite went into the hide. It was not luxurious with the wooden benches but the views were impressive; on one side a freshwater pool and the other the mudflats and sea.

Looking into the pool Mr. Kite noticed Wigeon, Gadwall, Herring Gulls and Goldeneye. Turning towards the sea he ticked off Shelduck, Lapwing, Common Redshank, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Above birds flew over and over the flats clouds of waders filled the air. At this distance Mr. Kite could not identify them but that did not matter; the whole place was full of birds flying, feeding and making a noise. For more than one hour Mr. Kite sat and watched and listened and enjoyed every second.

Now it was mid afternoon it was time for Mr. Kite to head back to his holiday home. Firstly he cycled along the sea defence to a gate. At this point he could have turned right and returned along the wet and muddy track that he used to reach the hide; or he could cycle down the private road with the solid gravel road. So Mr. Kite went down the private road that was not allowed. The s pedaled and pedaled happily along in the sea air that was intoxicating. At one locked gate he just cycled over someone’s front drive. At the end he reached a track that lead to the road. Damned good stuff this; not a care in the world. But being on a birding expedition Mr. Kite ticked off Tufted Duck, Common Gull, Mistle Thrush and Dunnock.

The Return Trip

Now when Mr. Kite left the coast the sun appeared so he slowed down to enjoy the sunshine and the hint of warmth. After Snettisham Mr. Kite sat on a bench for a short time in the afternoon sun where Snowdrops were growing. Reaching Ingoldthorpe Mr. Kite turned left to pick up cycle route one back to Sandringham. For months Mr. Kite has searched Salop for Grey Partridge without success. However today Mr. Kite stopped to watch two Hares in a field when he noticed two birds squatting down nearby. Taking his binoculars out he focused in on two Grey Partridge with their grey bodies and fantastic rustic red heads. These are great birds to see. Out numbered by the French Red-legged Partridge these subtle coloured unobtrusive gems make a bird watchers day.

With his day made, and a smile on his face, Mr. Kite watched Skylarks, Yellowhammers and Egyptian Geese. In his joy he raised his fingers to royalty as he stopped at Sandringham to look at a Song Thrush before returning to his holiday home to enjoy a tipple of Frederic Robinson’s Unicorn Brewery, Cheshire Brown Ale. Cheers to a good day and many of them. From a happy Mr. Kite.

Wednesday 6^th February (Sandringham; Will the Royle Family Join us, My A**E)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a lightening clear sky with the sun rising over the roofs. Today Mr. Kite, and his lady, were heading to East Anglia so he was quite energetic and happy.

The ride to the East took four hours driving through sunshine, fog and drizzle; but the sky always looked promising. At one o clock Mr. Kite was setting up his holiday home making it comfortable in the Sandringham sunshine. Parked on a hard standing the holiday home faced South so that the sun would rise on the dining table side of the vehicle moving around the front and setting on the kitchen window side. The television was tuned, the fridge filled with beer, the heating switched on and the kettle boiled.

Now Mr. Kite has come bird watching to a well-known bird watching area and is looking forward to walking, riding his bicycle and being outdoors. Mr. Kite has decided to write down a list of the birds he sees and will count them; a Norfolk list.

Sitting in the winter sunshine Mr. Kite could see Wood Pigeons, Great Tits and Blue Tits in a small thin Silver Birch as he enjoyed a cup of coffee. The Wood Pigeons did not move far but the smaller birds were busy flying up and down the tree with the odd excursion round and round. A Blackbird was on the ground.

After coffee Mr. Kite put on his walking boots and ambled through the pine woods that smelt strongly of them and acidic earth with a hint of banana. A Robin was singing in a bush and a Wren was noisily ticking a few metres away in the dead ferns. Although it was close and noisy it was very difficult to spot. But there it was a clean brown tiny Wren with it’s tail cocked in the air.

Mr. Kite then watched a light brown Stoat with a black tipped tail walk quickly over the mud that a tractor wheel had churned up. Looking at the patch of green where the Rabbits hopped the Stoat used the furrows move closer to ambush it’s quarry. As the Rabbits scurried away the Stoat went into thick shrubs.

Soon after a Muntjac Deer ran into the wood. This short stocky deer with a white tail looked more like a large Hare with it’s muscular hind quarters. The sun was now dropping behind the trees and the temperature cooling. In the sky flock of gulls flew in vee formation to the west; probably to the coast for tea. The last bird of the day was a Long Tailed Tit.

Mr. Kite walked back to the campsite and heard a Tawny Owl hooting.

With seven species ticked off Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Adnam’s Brewery Southwold Winter IPA. Cheers from a great place where the Royle’s have yet to show.

Tuesday 15th February (Not a Day to Sing too Loudly)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see grey sky and drizzle; just right for a funeral. In a sombre mood Mr. Kite put on his funeral attire, black shirt, trousers, ties and shoes. After a coffee he went with his lady to pick up the colourful spray of pink, white and red flowers.

They then drove to the Acton Arms at Morville to park the holiday home and go to a special grave. Mr. Kite was tempted by the sight of an open public house that sold Marston's beer. Now before his first drink Mr. Kite is sensible and does not make rash, or irresponsible decisions. So he looked in the pub made sure that he was in the right place and ambled up to the avenue of trees past Morville Hall to the Church of St. Gregory the Great and onto a special grave where the next grave had been prepared. The hole was dug and straw placed on the bottom. Green artificial grass covered the grave. The special grave was tidy but another yellow daffodil was placed upon it.

At eleven o clock the funeral started, the cortege walked slowly, the vicar said the prayers, the congregation sang quietly and then the coffin was buried. At the burial it was silent except for the vicar saying the prayers. The birds sat and watched and in the drizzle. Eventually the service was over and everyone went to the pub for sandwiches; and for Mr. Kite cups of tea.

At three thirty most of the sandwiches were eaten, the tea pot empty and the mourners left. Mr. Kite and his lady returned to the cemetery to look at the flowers and make sure the graves were tidy. This is when Mr. Kite did some bird watching. In the drizzle the song birds were very very quiet; perhaps out of respect for the situation or perhaps the drizzle. With flocks of Wood Pigeon flying over a Green Woodpecker could be heard in the nearby wood. This was a rapid powerful  drum on a dead tree. In the hedge a small flock of Long-tailed Tits moved through the middle of the hedge and Blue Tits moved along the top.

With an Easterly wind blowing a flock of about fifty Black-headed Gulls circled above moving in the air flow. Sometimes they banked on the port wing and some times to starboard so from below it took the shape of a figure eight. As the flock blew towards the West some birds broke away from the formation and returned to the East. After circling the gulls then flew in a straight line towards the West.

Mr. Kite then returned to his holiday home and drove home making one more stop on the way. Near the Riverside public house a herd of swans were in a field. This morning there were three species; the Mute, Whooper and a Black Swan. With darkness creeping on and the daylight decreasing Mr. Kite watched the swans. They had huddled together into two compact groups for safety and the larger birds seemed to be on the outside as a guard.

Mr. Kite returned home for a tipple of Green King Abbot Ale. Cheers after a long day. Now tomorrow Mr. Kite is traveling with his lady to East Anglia. Good health to a good trip.

Monday 14th February (St. Valentine's Day)

Mr. Kite looked out his bedroom window onto a sunny Monday morning. Luckily for Mr. Kite he was going to have another easy day reading the papers and doing a bit of bird watching. Now Mr. Kite's day did not quite go as planned with flowers to order; not for the living but 'someone who has passed on'.

Today was not the day for red roses and romanticism, but towards the end of the day Mr. Kite went to his hide and looked towards the west where the sun was sinking behind the Berwyn Mountains. In the garden the Wood Pigeons were in the spirit of St. Valentine as they cooed and huddled up to each other on a low branch. With their heads bobbing and the odd flap of a wing the pair of Wood Pigeon were showing the signs of young love.

Mr. Kite was interested in watching the silhouettes of passing birds against the dimming background and he watched lots of birds flying to unknown destinations. Some birds flew into surrounding trees but other kept flying and flying and flying into sunset with a steady beat of their wings. Mr. Kite wondered where these birds would spend the night. When it was dark and the silhouettes had gone it was time for Mr. Kite to have a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from a dark quiet night.

Sunday 13th February (Mr. Kite's Hide)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the trees being buffeted by a strong wind and rain running down the window. Now with these conditions, and it being the thirteenth of February, Mr. Kite thought better about venturing out and opted to stay in. Mr. Kite is not a Christian but he probably is a Pagan. He certainly treats the number thirteen with undue caution and illogicality considering he has studied mathematics. Anyway Mr. Kite had a good morning reading the paper. Mr. Kite buys the big newspapers with plenty of words because he enjoys reading and writing. In fact Mr. Kite has had letters published in national newspapers. Anyway Mr. Kite always reads Rod Liddle, A.A. Gill and Charles Clover because he likes their humour and content.

Today Mr. Kite, after reading Charles Clover, was encouraged to sign a petition, on line, stating that the duty on beer should be slashed (no pun here, only a good word) so that beer consumption would rise and more pubs would stay open because drinking in the pub would be reasonably priced. Now Mr. Kite is enthusiastically in favour of drinking, beer, pubs, wenching, and a little debauchery in moderation. From this petition Mr. Kite also sent an e-mail to his M.P. urging him to reduce taxation on beer so that he can drink more on his restricted budget. More drinking, more slashing, more beer sold, more jobs created and the country's onto a winner.

Mr. Kite has a bird hide within his home. It is situated on the top floor of his three storey house and has wonderful views to the west; looking towards Wales. Now here is  Mr. Kite's description of the view. The dormer window is about one metre wide and one and a half metres high. Looking to the left Mr. Kite can see grey roofs, red chimney pots with aerials. Over the top of one roof he can see the top of the West Tower on the Abbey Church; looking closely he can see the clock showing that it is two-forty. Moving to the right there is the telephone exchange, the tower on top of the Wakeman School, the clock tower on top of Shrewsbury School, that overlooks the Quarry. Then moving farther right Mr. Kite can see the tower of St. Julians Church, and the Gothic spires of St. Alkmund's and St. Mary's Church with the old Royal Shrewsbury Infirmary in the fore ground. Moving further right there is Laura's Tower  and Shrewsbury Castle with the station roof just below. To the right of the castle in the distance about ten miles is Rodney's Pillar on the Breiddons. Looking over more chimney stacks to the right of the castle is Shrewsbury Prison; a large Victorian block with four large chimneys. From the prison Mr. Kite has about forty-five degrees of view that looks out over housing to the Berwyn Mountains in Wales; a distance of about thirty miles. On a good day Mr. Kite has stunning views and sunsets.

Today Mr. Kite is watching Wood Pigeons and looking down upon them as they glide into the trees in his garden and neighbouring trees. Now Mr. Kite enjoys watching birds and today from his hide he was hoping to see an unusual bird that sometimes makes an appearance. This bird has a varied plumage, diverse behaviour and can be tragic or comical. Mr. Kite has seen them perched on roofs and plucking chickens from supermarkets. They emanate all over the country, have different calls and songs. Mr. Kite is referring to the Jailbird. From his hide he can see their coup and sometimes they do make a noisy appearance perching on a roof and slinging tiles onto the street below. When they escape from the coup they show their most unusual and erratic behaviour climbing onto roofs and shouting. Marvelous stuff but seldom seen.

Now if Mr. Kite really wanted to see the Jailbird, and he has seen many, he would sit outside HM Prison at seven thirty in the morning when they are let loose. Often they flutter to the station to catch a train but sometimes the Jailbird family will appear in a battered old BMW and whisk them off. What Mr. Kite has found interesting is when they are released they try to scrounge money or a fag. Wonderful bird is the Jailbird especially when fed pot.

Any way today Mr. Kite did not see the Jailbirds but Shrewsbury Prison had had some distinguished 'birds' including Ricky Tomlinson. As he would call, "This is not a shaggy dog story; my a***e".

After a hectic day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Guiness Original. Cheers to the bird population; whether they are couped up or not.

Saturday 12th February (The Shorts were not Long Enough)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a cool breezy road. Standing there in his silky stylish track suit bottoms he knew that warmer clothing was needed if he was going bird watching. With a fridge full of beer and a cool breeze blowing he put on his warmer track suit and prepared the beast for a short trip. Today Mr. Kite was overwhelmed by the selection of beer in the fridge. Mallards, Teal, Shoveler and Tufted Duck are pretty good to see but that amber nectar is the next best thing.

Anyway Mr. Kite set off at midday with his super telescope to Monkmoor Lagoon in his long track suit bottoms. He would have preferred his shorts but those cool clouds kept appearing. When Mr. Kite arrived at the hide he was warm and comfortable. Setting up his telescope he watched ten Mute Swans preening and jockeying for position in the pecking order. The males cobbs ruffled up their feathers to look larger whilst the female penns tended to their plumage ensuring that every feather was in place. Now as we all know size does matter, so the males looked big and tried to look bigger and out do each other but with the breeding season approaching they tried to look their best but were unsure of who was the biggest and the most desirable. At this stage in the proceeding it is all about looks. Short fuses and bad tempers do not attract mates so the male cobbs hissed and fluttered to show their irritation and manliness.

Swan etiquette is similar to ours. Don't be aggressive or show your uncouth habits but you are a man amongst men and female swans want a dominant male swan. Mr. Kite watched as the hissing became louder between the cobbs. The powerful tails swung from side to side suggesting a strength that has yet to be tested. Through all this the female penns grazed nonchalantly on the pickings. The males arched their wings and powered their way through the water to show their strength. This was just like boxers sparring; the gloves were on but the punches were pulled. So Mr. Kite watched the warm up knowing that the battle will not begin yet and their is no love lost between them.

With rain approaching Mr. Kite cycled home to enjoy a tipple of Green King Abbot Ale, Becks Lager and Marstons Double Drop. Cheers from a very thirsty Mr. Kite.    

Friday 11th February (Double Figures)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom windows onto a calm landscape. The trees were still; pigeons were cooing and the sky was brightening. Below in the street Mr. Kite noticed the pedestrians dressed in cooler clothes than usual. Now the forecast was reasonable and it was the eleventh day of February it was time for shorts. So Mr. Kite packed track suit bottoms into his saddlebag and prepared for a days cycling.

With a hint of sunshine Mr. Kite cycled along the tow path towards the Quarry. The river was inches away and looking a dirty muddy brown and the path itself had residues of mud, silt and branches as a result of the recent floods. Nearing the Quarry Mr. Kite noticed a sizable flock of Goosander swimming against the current. Focusing on the Goosander Mr. Kite started counting the number of Goosander. At sixteen Mr. Kite felt the beast slide and his heart beat increased as he realised he had rode onto a few inches of slippy River Severn mud and was about to fall off. With great skill and desperation he controlled the beast just before crashing into a mud bank. So Mr. Kite then finished the count at nineteen.

Then it was onto Polemere to see Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Shoveler. Just as Mr. Kite was leaving the reserve the sun came from behind a cloud and Mr. Kite sat on the picnic table enjoying the warmth of the winter sun. Once it had hidden itself Mr. Kite headed towards Venus Pool via Condover crossing Cound Brook at the ford at Boreton and then crossing the brook again over the bridge. Just past the cross roads is an artificial pool; lets call it the artificial pool. Here a flock of Greylag Geese were enjoying a secluded spot without the attention of bird watchers; so Mr. Kite left them in peace.

During the past two weeks Mr. Kite had cycled along listening for the the 'rippling chirrup' of a Skylark. Just as Mr. Kite was leaving the artificial pool two Skylarks could be heard singing and looking around he noticed these two birds ascending with wings fluttering rapidly as they climbed skywards from the arable field. The white striped edges of their tails stood out against the streaky brown back of the birds. Skylarks do not seem to fly far from their territory but ascend upwards slowly with rapid wing beats. Every wing movement lifted the bird higher and soon the birds were fifty metres above the ground where they circled, hovered and climbed. These birds circled slowly keeping their height by flapping their wings. Soon after they descended quickly onto the ground. Mr. Kite enjoyed this aerial display of slow controlled flight just above stalling speed.

Mr. Kite was now a happy man as he cycled on to Venus Pool to see the usual birds plus a Great Crested Grebe preparing for the breeding season with a newly grown black crest and chestnut ruff. As yet this pristine male had not been spotted by a female and was floating around on his own waiting for the encounter that would make it worthwhile.

Now being a bird watcher and visiting hides on nature reserves Mr. Kite meets other bird watchers. Today he met a birder who he had spoken to on many occasions; 'the birder with a mum'. Later another birder appeared; 'the birder with long lens on his camera'. Mr. Kite has known this birder a very long time. Being birders the conversation was about birds and what they had seen and hoped to see. Mr. Kite find bird watchers interesting and watches them watch birds.

With the sun appearing more often and for longer it was time for Mr. Kite to go on his travels in the warm air. So it was onto Attingham Park, the Old Canal and Monkmoor Lagoon. Attingham Park had eight Peacocks including two spectacular males who were limbering up and practicing for the mating season. The Old Canal was wet and muddy. Monkmoor Lagoon was Monkmoor Lagoon.

Eventually Mr. Kite arrived home where his 'lady' presented him with a question. "Guess what is in this bag?, she said. Mr. Kite guessed gold, silver, treasure, money, beer, the cat. In frustration she said, "Hold the bag'. Mr. Kite held the bag and knew it contained something dead. Hoping it was the cat Mr. Kite repeated, "Cat". But he knew it was not. No it was a Feral Pigeon that had flown into the Old Market Hall and broke its neck.

Recently Mr. Kite had thought about Feral Pigeons and how we ignore them. So Mr. Kite and his 'lady' admired the metallic green neck and plumage before deciding to burying it in the garden, with some green leaves. So Mr. Kite had made a positive contribution to the Feral Pigeon by burying it with dignity rather than the council scooping it up for the rubbish bin.

Following a natural burial by the Pear Tree Mr. Kite organised a wake to remember the deceased Feral Pigeon where he enjoyed a tipple of Barnsley Beer Company's Nutty Stack. Cheers to 'the lady', the pigeon, and Mother Earth for producing wonders of nature and returning them.

Thursday 10th February (The Star)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and thought; whatever was outside he just thought. Mr. Kite thought about that icy cold frosty Sunday morning twenty six years ago when a star was born. The star grew bigger and brighter from birth. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every year the star developed into a warm, friendly, witty, humorous, fun loving and inspirational young man of more than six feet. The star had charisma and a wicked laugh. He always looked at the positive aspects of life and 'everyone was his friend'.

As the star developed he wrote great lines in his diary; nanny was too grumpy to die. He drew competent sketches of his favourite cat 'girly'. He wrote comical songs such as ' duffest'. His guitar playing was second to his older brother who is second to Mark Knopfler. The star had many friends and to those who never saw the star shine they will never know what they missed. Wherever he went, whatever he did, whatever he said this charismatic star made an impression.

Sadly one sunny and warm July Sunday at noon the star was extinguished near Church Stretton. Within seconds the shining light of many peoples life faded leaving the world a darker place and sadder. But his memory lives with all who knew him. People recall his words, his actions, his life and laugh; and cry. Some people think of him every day; how could they forget?

Today Mr. Kite and other are going to the special grave and place flowers on it and remember him. The red roses and yellow tulips were on display in his bedroom the previous night. So at ten thirty Mr. Kite packed flowers and greenery from the garden and drove to the Church of Saint Gregory the Great Morville. Mr. Kite noticed the large herd of Mute Swans near the Cound Inn but did not stop to look for the Whoopers.

Morville was in gloom today with the low cloud and damp air. But the air was still and Mr. Kite listened to a Song Thrush and a Robin as he walked up the avenue of trees with Snowdrops circling the trunk. Nothing was said on the walk to the special grave. The environment was sombre but atmospheric. Today the field by the church did not have the usual cattle but the grass was green, the mole hills brown and crumbly and the earth smelt of earth.

The entourage walked past the church to the raised mound near the perimeter hedge. Some kind person had placed a red flower on the grave. Greenery from the surroundings still decorated the special grave with ivy, mistletoe and holly straddling the mound. At the head of the grave a pure white clump of Snowdrops grew. After one hour the special grave reflected the special person who lay beneath the earth. Red and yellow flowers brightened the area. Green garlands of ivy were sown along the boundary. Thoughts were thought; memories remembered of the star. The grave had had many visitors and many different days. Friends had laid flowers on Christmas Day and a very attractive goddess came from South Korea to place her contribution of flowers.

Mr. Kite thought if one has to be buried few places are better. It is tranquil; it is natural and it is dignified. Now life is strange and not without coincidence. Next Tuesday there is to be another burial in the grounds of Saint Gregory the Great's Church. This lady will be buried next to the special grave; she too ended her life; and she is a family member; his second cousin. As the Moody Blues wrote 'Isn't life strange'.

Mr. Kite went home for a tipple of Greene King Abbot Ale. Cheers and lets drink to a star who shone brightly, lightened our lives and left us with a great sense of loss.

Wednesday 9th February (Do they or don't they; that is the Question)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the bright clean white roof of his holiday home parked on the main road. Today Mr. Kite was not going traveling because the yard had to be tidied and the groceries bought.

With such a dull outlook Mr. Kite needed to cheer himself up so did the chores and then cycled to Monkmoor Lagoon. Mr. Kite arrived at fifteen hundred hours when the sky was marbled with the afternoon winters sun and the threat of the imminent winters night. The cloud were high and broken so the sun shone through the gap castings its shadow randomly over the lagoon.

Mr. Kite watched Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Mute Swan, Coot and Moorhen. Overhead a flock of Fieldfare and Redwing flew over chattering. They were intent on flying to another feeding ground. Mr. Kite then became interested in the birds moving on the pool. Now that the wind had died down the wake of the sailing birds was clear. A 'vee' shaped ripple of water emanated in a cone shape from the rear of the bird. When they changed direction interference waves caused different patterns. Bow waves were interesting and the movement of the birds resembled vapour trails of passing jets.

Now Mr. Kite watched a flock of  six Stock Doves land in a tree. The tree was small and the birds were perched vertically with one above the other, so the bird on the top had five birds underneath who had four birds underneath who had three birds underneath who had two birds underneath who had one bird underneath who was at the bottom of the pile. Watching from the hide Mr. Kite observed that the bird on top was fidgeting as if it wanted to 'go to the toilet'. At times it raised it's tail as if about to evacuate.

Mr. Kite then thought do birds ever poo on each other? Now these birds suggested not;  because their plumage was clean and sparkling; but the question remained do they or don't they? In a tree full of birds does one bird have to apologise to a fellow feathered friend for a careless plop?

Mr. Kite does not have the answer; do you?

Mr. Kite went home to a tipple of Greene King Abbots Ale. Cheers and bottoms up.

Tuesday 8th February (Another Mr. Kite)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see sun. "Sun", exclaimed Mr. Kite in utter surprise after days of wind and rain. An unbelievable sight met his eyes. Not just sun, but warm rays came through his window. Mr. Kite then arranged a days birding with his 'birding companion.

With the beast oiled Mr. Kite cycled past the Rea Brook where a Grey Heron was happily feeding on the waters edge in the warming sunshine. Mr Kite met his birding companion and they decided to cycle to Habberley and stroll up Lawn Hill. The birding competition was on and the usual birds were recorded including some colourful Greenfinches making their presence known by a single thrilling note. Robins, Dunnocks and Blue Tits were singing on form. In the sunshine the outward trip was a pleasure with the added 'smell of spring'.

The white trig. point of Earl's Hills showed the summit at three hundred and twenty metres above sea level and an indicator of the direction they were heading. After leaving Pontesbury it was mostly uphill to Habberley and to a public footpath leading towards Lawn Hill. The bikes were parked by a hedge and the intrepid pair set out towards the green and brown mound of Lawn Hill. After a frosty start the ground was firm, but not hard, making easy walking. Skirting around the outside of the field the pair kept an eye on four horses that friskily trotted around snorting and playing horses. However the hilly habitat was a haven for larger birds and overhead Ravens 'honked'; Kestrels hovered and Sparrowhawks fluttered up high to gain height and Common Buzzards circled crying a single note.

Leaving the footpath the birders strolled up the gentle incline of Lawn Hill towards the summit where a name sake of Mr. Kite appeared; a colourful and elegant Red Kite. Now Red Kites are not rare in Shropshire but not common either. But it is not the distinctive silhouette of the large fork tailed raptor that brings excitement, or the red, black, white and buff plumage, or the sighting, but a flying Red Kite is a master of the air and a flying spectacle. This Red Kite was using the wind on the slopes to hang about three metres above the ground. To keep position and height the bird rolled it's forked tail from side to side and trimmed it's flight with the fingered feathers on the wing tips. To gain height it adjusted it's long thin flexible wings giving more surface area and adjusting the angle of attack. With all this control the Red Kite moved around like 'the hun in the sun' looking for scraps on the ground. Unseen to the worms and grubs on the ground the Red Kite masterfully manoeuvred just above the creature and then gently dropped onto them. A gentle approach and touchdown in the right place; on the worm.

Soon, with the Kite still feeding, Mr. Kite and his birding companion were on the summit of Lawn Hill; a mere four metres less than Earl's Hill. From the panoramic view of the summit it was then a walk onto Huglith Hill and past Riddles Wood to the bridle way and the road returning to the parked bicycles.

It was then a slow ride back to Longden stopping at times to enjoy views of Lawley, Caradoc and the Wrekin. Towards the end of the outing the birding competition was a draw with both the birders over estimating the number of species spotted.

Now Mr. Kite, and his birding companion, had a good day out. The bird watching was magical and the scenery stunning. So Mr. Kite returned home to enjoy a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers  

Monday 7th February (Wind and Rain)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the orange street light shining brightly against a dark cloud. Once again the wind was blowing and it was raining. Mr. Kite had a lazy morning reading.

At midday Mr. Kite rode out on the beast towards Monkmoor Lagoon. Now he could have cycled to Venus Pool, Polemere, Wood Lane, Wall Farm or Haughmond but the strong wind made his choice easy; who wants to cycle for miles with branch's falling from the trees and crashing to the ground.

The lagoon was as choppy as the Bay of Biscay in a storm and the ducks were bobbing about riding the white horses. Wave after wave travelled across the water until reaching the bank and fading out. Mallards, Teals and Shoveler rode the undulating waves whilst the Pochard and Tufted Duck dived under the surface to feed. Canadian Geese did neither; they sheltered close to the side of an island in the calm water.

In the air the birds battled with the elements. Magpies hurtled undignified through the air blown by the wind. They twisted and banked steeply until turning into the wind to regain control and glide onto a perch; a case of flying by the seat of their pants. Carrion Crow's flew low hedge-hopping into the wind climbing to clear bushes and trees. They flapped their wings every few seconds before tucking them close to their body to minimise resistance and glided before more flapping. Every yard was measured and required power and control.

Jackdaws seemed to be enjoying the wind the most. With the wind behind them they were blown across the sky then regaining control they turned into the wind and soared upwards climbing one hundred feet in seconds. Once straight and level they chattered before using their height to glide into the wind before repeating the process. This was flying for fun; equivalent to the hand-glider pilot leaping from a hill side.

After a few hours of bird watching Mr. Kite cycled home into the wind. Every yard was an effort; the wind was relentless as it tried to push him back to the lagoon. Fifteen minutes later Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Tetley tea. Cha from a wind swept Shrewsbury.

Sunday 6th February (Pie Now Good)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window onto a grey damp and cloudy morning. The day before Mr. Kite had attended a birthday celebration and ate and drank too much. Today he was unusually inactive and continued where he had left off the night before.

To cut a long story short Mr. Kite did see one bird in his garden and watched it strut around the garden carefully. Now Mr. Kite likes words and he re-arranged the two letter name, (four letters and six letters), of this bird into 'pie now good'.  This bird was commonly put into a pie but this one can be assured that he will not be cooked.

Mr. Kite enjoyed a few tipples of Greene King Abott Ale and a cool dark Guiness. Cheers until the next time.

Saturday 4th February (The Bird we do not See)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see grey clouds and the trees blowing in the breeze. It was a gloomy outlook made more gloomier by looking at the newspaper shop owner unable to unlock his shop door.

Anyway Mr. Kites plans for today changes when the grey grew greyer and the rain became heavier. So Mr. Kite read some newspapers and an articles about Blackbirds, Owls and Godwits. Eventually he went to the rear bedroom at the back of the house and looked out towards the town centre. He watched a bird fly and once he realised it was a Feral Pigeon he did not look anymore.

Mr. Kite then though to himself why don't we take any notice of Feral Pigeons? If we are bird watchers why don't we watch them?

Perhaps it is because we call them Feral Pigeons meaning wild, untamed and uncultivated. Also they are descended from escapee's and any old Tom, Dick or Harry. Mr. Kite has decided to take more notice of the Feral Pigeon and watch them more closely when he is sitting on the station platform or bus stand.

On a dull day Mr. Kite is going to think about some positive aspects of the Feral Pigeon. To help him he will enjoy a tipple of Badger Fursty Ferret. Cheers.

Friday 4th February (More is More)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see the dark grey clouds in the sky and the tree tops swaying violently. With each gust a few more rain drops hit the window and ran down onto the window sill. On the path Mr. Kite could see the postman battling against the wind and rain. Mr. Kite watched him as he was delivered some mail to the front door.

Being older, organised, orderly and paying bills by direct debit, standing orders or paypal Mr. Kite does not receive bills or red letters threatening to turn off the gas or repossess his home, so the post is easily dealt with. Flyers, adverts and junk mail are recycled and receipts, statements and correspondence are filed. Today Mr. Kite instantly recognised the stamped address envelope that lay amongst a flyer for Donna Kebab, whoever she is and whatever services she offered. This envelope contained some very important items; the membership cards for the RSPB Shropshire Group.

Now having subscribed to the Shropshire Ornithological Society for a number of years Mr. Kite was pleased to receive confirmation that he is still a fully paid up member and can lounge around in the comfort of the members hide. So Mr. Kite then glued his membership cards loosely into his diary. Mr. Kite was pleased with the little pink cards and accepted the The Treasurer's apology explaining why the membership cards were not sent return of post. Mr. Kite was envious of her three weeks birding etc. in Costa Rica and looks forward to the pictures at an indoor meeting. Mr. Kite does not pledge his hard earned money lightly and is very cynical about how it is spent. Having cancelled his Labour Party subscription on learning that some of the funds were used for a personal hairdresser for an M.P's wife the SOS can be assured that providing the money is spent on the reserve, and not on hairdressers for SOS members he, and his family, will continue to subscribe.

Having willingly paid his subscription Mr. Kite was keen to cycle to Venus Pool but the weather was not too promising. Now when the sky is blue and the sun is shining, and the air is still and it is warm Mr. Kite is easily motivated to leave his house and cycle to Venus Pool and the surrounding area. Today Mr. Kite needed some motivation to stir himself from the comfort of his front room.

Many years ago, when Mr. Kite studied seriously, he stopped using his slide-rule by learning the language of Pascal to program computers and calculate. Before the days of GByte, when the KByte was king, Mr. Kite liked to develop algorithms to solve problems and answer questions using as little memory as possible with simple questions. Being a binary sort of person Mr. Kite sees things as black or white, on or off, one or zero and the answer to a question is either yes or no.

Now Mr. Kite likes the odd tipple of bottled beer and after a thirsty day in the saddle he deserves a bottle.  The question arose how many bottles could he drink after a days cycling. Mr. Kite had a rule; he could only drink a bottle of beer if he had cycled more than ten miles. The scientific 'ten mile rule' is simply based on the calories used to cycle ten miles. Cycling ten miles at an average speed of twelve miles an hour will burn around than two hundred calories; and a five hundred millilitre bottle of beer is approaching two hundred calories. So to keep the equilibrium, and replace burnt energy, a ten mile ride deserves a bottle of beer. Now the question is simply; "Have you cycled ten miles?" If the answer is no; then you cannot have a bottle of beer. If the answer is yes; then you can have a bottle of beer. If this principle is extended then ten miles equals one bottle, twenty miles equals two bottles and thirty miles equals three bottles.

Now Mr. Kite enjoys words, answering questions and drinking beer. He is also familiar with flowcharts, mathematical notation and exaggeration so he developed his question to give him a simpler answer.

Asking the question, "Have you cycled ten miles?" had the response yes or no. 'Yes', entitled Mr. Kite to one bottle of beer and 'no', meant no beer only water. Now Mr. Kite thought carefully about the question and the response and by adding two extra words he solved the problem of 'how much he could drink'.

The question now is, 'Have you cycled more than ten miles?'. If the response is 'no'; then no beer. But if the answer is yes; then Mr. Kite is entitled to drink more than one bottle of cask conditioned bottled beer. So more really is more; more than one could be two, three, four, or more.

With the chiller full of beer Mr. Kite found his motivation to venture into the gusty wind and cycle along the wet roads to Venus Pool. Battling into a headwind Mr. Kite pedaled constantly looking at birds zoom by in the strengthening wind.

Venus Pool
Eventually Mr. Kite reached Venus Pool and entered the members hide using the secret number. With the wind speed increasing Mr. Kite did not open the windows but sat on a bench looking at Mallards bobbing about like ducks at a fare, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows flying backwards and Black-headed Gulls pulling 'nine g' as they turned to land on the water. Sitting in the hide on a bench Mr. Kite felt like being in a flight simulator traveling at over one hundred knots as leaves, twigs and branches rocketed over the roof of the hide into the pool. The birds were interesting to watch but Mr. Kite could only take so much buffeting 'in the flight simulator'.

Now Mr. Kite had pedaled all the way to Venus Pool but his return trip was much easier. With a tail wind Mr. Kite sailed home effortlessly.

After a shower and a change of clothes Mr. Kite asked the question, "Have you cycled more than ten miles?". The answer was yes so Mr. Kite was entitled to more than one bottle of cask conditioned beer.

Todays tipple is from the Barnsley Beer Company called 'GET THI COIT!. Thats pulled. So Mr. Kite settled by his cosy log fire and drank more than one bottle. Cheers until the next bottle and the next.

Thursday 3rd February (Long Beaks, Water and a Gourmet)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see a sky of blue and salmon pink; the sun was creeping over the horizon. The road was quiet and a few people were walking towards the town.

After breakfast Mr. Kite set out towards Venus Pool using the country lanes. With the sunshine and warm air he was hoping to hear a Skylark ascending. Now as Mr. Kite entered a traffic island on the A5 two cyclists also entered making three cyclists. Mr. Kite tucked in behind the second rider and was pulled along in the slipstream. Turning off the main road Mr. Kite spoke to these riders; one he knew and the other he didn't. These were serious riders with racing bikes, helmets, boots and lycra. They cycled along for about ten minutes before they went separate ways. Due to the conversation Mr. Kite did not hear a Skylark.

Now before Venus Pool there is a place called Cound Stank with one house. Nearby is a bridge over a stream and Mr. Kite often stops on it and looks for Water Ousels, or Dippers. Today on the bridge there were twenty tourist cyclists having a break. So the Dipper had probably been scared off. Mr. Kite looked around for the Dipper but it was not there. These tourist cyclists were heading towards a country pub for lunch and beer. This made Mr. Kite drool and saliva as the thought of a cool pint of best bitter made his lips water.

This was a serious day cycling and bird watching so Mr. Kite bade his farewells and rode to Venus Pool.  Mr. Kite had a slight dilemma; should he go to the hide or walk into the field and enjoy the warm sunshine. He decided to go to the hide first and walked inside. Scanning the pool he noticed the usual Mallards, Teal, Coots and the less common Shelduck. Then he noticed an Oystercatcher. These pied birds always remind him of penguins; it is the black and white, although they have little in common. Oysteracatchers are colourful with their long orange beck, long red legs and an red-ringed eye. They also have a pleasant whistling thrill but today this Oystercatcher was using his beck to pierce the ground in search of grubs. Every now and again the bird became tense and focused as it looked closely at the ground before jabbing it's long sharp beck into the soil. Suddenly the Oystercatcher pulled and tugged and grappled before it's beck emerged with a long wriggly brown worm that curled around the bird's beck. Using it's long legs it sped to the waters edge washed the worm violently by submerging it into the clear crystal waters of Venus Pool, stepped backwards from the water and swallowed the wriggling worm. Like all good food it needed liquid to complement the taste so the bird had a sip of water. A gourmet meal of Venus Pool worm with Stank Water.

Soon after Mr. Kite noticed another long-billed bird; a Common Snipe. This bird was resting with it's long bill on it's back. Against the green grass this brown and black bird stood out and occasionally it would raise it's head and look around. After about ten minutes it started to fed by prodding the damp ground with it;s long bill. The Snipes actions were more gentle than the Oystercatcher; probably because the worms were not so long and the ground on the waters edge softer.

After watching waders Mr. Kite strolled in the sunshine along a hedgerow looking at Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Chaffinch before sitting on a bench in the sun. When the sun disappeared behind a cloud Mr. Kite cycled to Atcham Bridge. Looking over the parapet Mr. Kite saw a Mallard standing in the river pecking at an eel. At first he was unsure whether the eel was dead or alive but soon realised it was dead. The Mallard seemed to only eat the skin of the dead fish. Keeping the fish in the water the Mallard often washed his mouth in the water. Mr. Kite thought about the Oystercatcher washing the dirt from the worm but the Mallard washing his beak seemed different. Generally when a bird has food others will try and muscle in and grab it or take pieces off; but this was different. Although Black-headed Gulls were flying overhead and Mallards, Canada Geese and Goosander were nearby they left the Mallard alone to enjoy his meal.  Mr. Kite concluded that this was a dead eel the Mallard had found and not killed and was a gourmet speciality equivalent to the gourmets of China in the Donkey Restaurant in Harbin or the Dog Restaurant in Hangzou.

For the last part of Mr. Kite's trip he cycled through Attingham Park then to Upton Magna. Knowing many roads of Shropshire he knows places to sit and enjoy the views or sunshine or both. Today Mr. Kite stopped to sit on a grit container to view the landscape towards Telford and the Wrekin in the warm sunshine. As the air warmed and the breeze blew gently Mr. Kite smelt a hint of spring; that slight salty tingling sensation that reminds you of earth. From the comfort of a green plastic grit container Mr. Kite felt pleased with his day and as a finale a Hare lolloped effortlessly across the field.

Mr. Kite returned home to read a few bird poems and enjoy a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers to all those Shropshire Cyclists on the road today, and the Oystercatcher who washes the worm.

Wednesday 2nd February (Dundivers, Sawbills or just Goosander)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see a glint of sunrise above the horizon. With rain forecast, and the sky grey, Mr. Kite was going to the lagoon less than two miles away. But first Mr. Kite had to replace the rear inner tube on the beast.

Eventually Mr. Kite was cycling to the lagoon. Today the gate in the lane was shut and he had to dismount and push the beast through the pedestrian gate. Near the lagoon Mr. Kite could hear the sounds of Mallards and Black-headed Gulls. Opening the hide windows he looked out onto a lagoon where the birds were concentrated in one corner where there was a thin layer of ice. With more than fifty Black-headed Gulls, a similar number of Mallards the corner was crowded. Some sat on the thin ice, others skated around and some birds enjoyed the water. Overhead Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves and Jackdaw flew in flocks towards the trees.

The birds in the corner did not move far so pair of Goosander had the lagoon to themselves. For one hour these birds swam and dived eating a few small fish. Mr. Kite could easily distinguish the male and female of the pair; the male had a greenish black head and the lady had a rusty red-brown head.

As the pair swam and dived closely to each other Mr. Kite watched them closely. The male's head, and half the neck, was a shiny greenish black and his body bright white with a black top half to the back. When the male swam away from Mr. Kite he noticed four white patches shaped almost like diamonds. Now the male was a splendid creature but the female was equally splendid in a different way. Mrs. Goosander reminded Mr. Kite of a dappled grey mare with a rusty red mane. She too had a red sawbill but her had did not have a crest of shaggy feathers but a mane that flowed from the back of her head as she moved around. Her body was not shiny white like her partner but similar to a dapple grey mare.

Today spring was not in the air but the green shoots of recovery could be seen emerging in sheltered sunny places. Little bright green pointers could be seen breaking the earth and moving the fine particles of soil aside making way for the larger stems that would follow carrying all those curled up leaves.

As Mr. Kite looked out of the hide towards the west he could see the grey clouds building up and darkening and the threat of rain. Now Mr. Kite does not mind rain but today he wanted to stay dry so he cycled home to enjoy a tipple of Tetley tea. Cha and good fishing to all Goosander.

Tuesday 1st February (First Official Day of the Sunbathing Season)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see some sunshine. In one hours time he knew he would be saying goodbye to a French speaking Canadian; hopefully it was au revoir and not bon voyage. Mr. Kite has a short bird story relating to this person. Last April the diminished Kite tribe were sojourning in the Loire Valley. The person in question went for a brisk morning walk along the mighty and magnificent Loire. On return this person said, "Something funny has happened I just heard a bird that sounds just like a cuckoo clock". Now if you had never seen or heard a cuckoo before, and only heard a cuckoo clock, you would not know that cuckoo clocks are based on a real bird; the cuckoo.

After fixing a puncture in the rear wheel of the beast Mr. Kite set off, just before noon, for Monkmoor Lagoon. Today something different happened when Mr. Kite arrived at the start of the lane leading to the hide; the gate was open. Normally the gate is locked and Mr. Kite has to dismount and wheel his bike through a small pedestrian gate. Today he just whizzed straight down the lane without any fuss.

When Mr. Kite looked over the lagoon he could see a thin layer of ice covering about half the water surface. Sitting on the ice were fifty Black-headed Gulls, eight Shoveler and two Mallards. In the reeds sat a forlorn Grey Heron. Mr. Kite was busy looking at the gulls when he noticed a movement about two metres away from the hide. Moving his head slowly Mr. Kite looked down to see a splendid Red Fox. This fox was searching for food on the ground. The animal sniffed and scratched the surface or the ground and pushed dead leaves out of the way. After a few minutes the walked below Mr. Kite and then started sniffing the air. Now Mr. Kite had showered this morning and changed his socks but the fox's nostril sensed a smell he was not familiar with a quickly ran off. Mr. Kite does not smell of course.

Half an hour later Mr. Kite left the lagoon and cycled down the Old Shrewsbury Canal towards Haughmond Hill. In the sunshine Mr. Kite noticed a Buzzard and a Magpie. Now there are many Buzzards and Magpie in this area so why should Mr. Kite particularly notice these. The reason is that they were sitting side by side on a branch. With the sun shining on the breast of the Buzzard it showed an arc of symmetrical golden-yellow feather between the wings; it looked like the gold metallic chain worn by a Mayor. The Magpie's bright white breast stood out. Mr. Kite was surprised to see this pair perched side by side and chatting away. Mr. Kite watched them chat and thought to himself that 'the Magpie was telling the dignified Buzzard about the proposed Magpie cull and warning him that the Buzzard would be next on the cull list'.

At the end of the canal path Brock the Sleeping Badger was still there lying in the sun. It was there yesterday, as Wilfred Owen wrote in Futility, 'If anything might rouse him now, The kind old sun will know'. So Mr. Kite hoped the sun might do the trick but he had his doubts.

Mr. Kite cycled along the edge of the hill through the deciduous trees listening to the bird songs. Eventually Mr. Kite parked the beast and walked part of the way up the hill and sat on a stump with good views of the surrounding bare tree tops. Mr. Kite was hoping to watch Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers. Sitting around in the sun Mr. Kite was enjoying the first session of sun-bathing for the new year scanning the trees. He heard the familiar liquid, "pi, pi, pi" of the Nuthatch. In the sunshine the Nuthatch was a dazzling spectacle. Now Thomas Bewick has a lovely description of the Nutjobber or Woodcracker. He wrote, 'the length is near six inches; bill strong, black above, beneath almost white; the eyes hazel; a black stroke passes over each eye, from the bill, extending down the side of the neck as far as the shoulder; all the upper parts of the body is of a fine blue grey; the cheeks and chin white; breasts and belly of a pale orange; sides marked with streaks of chestnut; quills dusky; the tail is short, the two middle feathers grey, the rest dusky, three of the outermost spotted with white; legs pale yellow; claws large, sharp and much bent, the back claw very strong; when extended the foot measures one inch and three quarters.

Mr. Kite watched the Nuthatch walked up a tree trunk and along a horizontal branch where it used it's strong bill to uproot luscious green lichen from the textured oak bark and then search the crevices for grubs. In the pleasant warmth Mr. Kite sat happily watching. The woodpeckers stayed in their holes this afternoon so Mr. Kite then started for home. With another puncture Mr. Kite pushed the beast along until he reached a picnic table on the Old Canal. With the sun still shining Mr. Kite sat on a bench, rolled up his sleeves and absorbed more ultra-violet rays.

With the sun now dropping below the horizon Mr. Kite headed for home where his tipple for the day was a Tetley tea bag.