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.