Wednesday 30th March (Gulls in the City)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window through the Lime trees to see the Dentist's Surgery just down the road. Fifteen minutes later Mr. Kite was relaxing in the chair having his teeth cleaned.

Now today Mr. Kite and His Lady were going to Birmingham to look as a few pictures with friends. To cut along story short Mr. Kite walked through the streets of Brum looking up at Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Against the grey sky their bright white bodies shone; underneath their yellow legs fitted snuggly against their underside. When they banked and turned the dull grey light intensifies the slate grey-black colour on the top surface of their wings. Lesser Black-backed Gulls, like all birds, are magnificent at times. Against a grey sky these killers of small birds, voracious eaters of seashore creatures and bullies, whenever they can, look the part under the threatening sky. Like warplanes in the sky they are menacing and those below them are vulnerable. Wow; what a sight.

Of course Mr. Kite has described a Lesser Black-backed Gull but what race? Was it a W European/Iceland, or NW European race or race fuscus? Now all that is another question; but firstly enjoy the bird for what it is and does and remember; Alfred Hitchcock's; The Birds.

Mr. Kite arrived home and sipped a tipple of Tetley tea. Cheers from a tired Mr. Kite.