it's not all bad.
I am not alone in leaving bird food out at Cottesbrooke. There was some there today when I arrived. The little birds seemed very happy about it, feeding in mixed groups and singing loudly.
In the field I disturbed a buzzard. She flew out of a hedge, it seemed. I was wondering what she was down there in the scrub and saw the patch of feathers photographed on the front page. She circled above me, keen for me to go away. I did not see whatever it was that she was eating.
Further along, I saw a small raptor swoop from a tree into the field and I tried to memorise what he looked like. I had an impression of very pale pink-tan striped wings and thought that should be easy to track down in my book.
Nope. Not one of the raptors is pale on the upper wing. I suppose maybe I only saw the under wings... in which case he was probably a sparrowhawk. Indeed, I had seen a sparrowhawk here before. So I guess that was it.
The swans did not leave when I looked at them, which was a relief. They had ducks and a single goose for company.
After the run, I went to feed the crows. This morning, a crow was looking into my garden. When I left for work yesterday, two were on my roof. I don't know if they eat anything I leave out. Anyway, in the park I saw the Divos and as I was feeding them, I saw the Fluffies close by. I was putting out food for the Fluffies when the Divos took exception to the Fluffies' proximity and chased them away.
After that, no one would feed for a while, so a fat dog ate their food.
I saw the Flyings and Playgrounds and then Droopy and Three appeared. But I have not seen CD in four days now.
I stood looking disconsolately across the road, sadly calling, 'CD! CD! Seeds!' But only a pigeon appeared.
Hope CD shows up soon xx