A Wandering Minstrel Dairy a Synopsis

Dear reader, as promised, this time something completely different, just one example of my birding diaries this one especially tailored for this post. I like to think my dairies are unique in as much as they’re written on a whole range of topics e.g., ancestral history although I haven’t mentioned it here in this draft. Also, social history again not mentioned in any great detail here. But who amongst you can remember Second World War food rationing coupons contained within your own book mentioned later in a little more detail; to be found in (what are you listening to right now) related to this post as far as nostalgia goes so, not just about birding or what you might refer to as an autobiography but a continuing, living, breathing combination of the two telling tales of darring do, all told with an unexpected twist. I could have kept the two subjects separate of course but that way it wouldn’t be unique; you know me I like to approach things differently from everyone else. The owner of a creative mind? I should be so bold.

To that end the following is but a short trip into my world along with anecdotal humour written in the second person for the benefit of any future reader. Having said that my journals also describe all aspects of avian behaviour, including my habit of breaking into a tangent whenever I feel the need; and so, I would respectably ask you to take that into account as you read on. I should also mention this very rough collection of notes isn’t in anyway a reflection of my book to which I would describe as a “life time” in-depth memoir related to a particular species. In essence a most serious attempt at writing a monologue. I’ll say no more on that issue as you can no doubt appreciate, so it’s with that thought in mind this first chapter is entitled…




I feel I missed my vocation since I’ve always been fascinated by the creative workings of the psyche, something that is irrefutable ever since homo erectus etched abstract markings on seashells, followed by the Neanderthals whom created cave paintings. But for me the most fascinating of all lies in the world of modern man the psychoanalyst, specifically analysing personas; something I very much enjoy you may have noticed; no malice intended. In practise from my point of view an extension of avian behaviour only in human kind; not as simple as that of course. But when the time came to choose careers, I decided to start in engineering as a precision machine tool fitter working in research and development, in essence constructing precision tools and parts. I only mention this since it amounts to almost the same thing i.e., analysing components. For what it’s worth I’m also qualified in four other skilled areas too, so I’m fully prepared for every eventuality should we ever need to run for the hills due to the very serious threat from global warming.

Unfortunately, there are those whom refuse to see the truth despite the evidence found from scientific surveys, much preferring those voices heard from the sheer nonsense of social media; now where have I heard that one before, if it’s not from those whom have no scientific background whatsoever, therefore, those whom have no qualifications to comment. As to why the warning is being ignored the answer is simply the same old chestnut, in as much as the powers that be much prefer to choose greed first, as everyone knows is nothing short of unwise no matter what the context. This is despite the fact we will see fire and floods on a scale never seen before, yes including here in Great Britain. And all this from the very same people whom have never even bothered to read a scholarly paper on any subject in their entire lives.

And what about the pandemic I hear you say. Most informed people e.g., those whom have read scientific papers on the subject know it’s but a mere blip on the horizon compared to the floods we will see here, and that isn’t a product of the imagination of the scientists either but pure scientific fact, unlike the same sheer nonsense coming from social media i.e., those with no scientific background and again those not qualified to comment.

On a lesser note, if I could refer to it as such, the amount of dumped rubbish and pollution’ seen on my walks is nothing short heart breaking, not to mention the toxic dog feces festooned in little plastic bags on trees and bushes. Now don’t misunderstand my meaning as hostile to dogs I am not, but these little plastic bags filled with dog feces create devastating results to the wildlife, however don’t just take my word for it as no less than the Environmental Protection Agency agrees this is indeed the case.

Still, having made my point on those subjects carrying out a study on bird behaviour isn’t everyone’s first choice either, especially these two species mentioned here; but the following may interest those whom are thinking of carrying out something along similar lines i.e., not necessarily birds. You could e.g., take an interest in natural history in general / art amongst its many forms, something that will not only improve your outlook on life but both your mental and physical health. In practise being appreciative of the beauty in a butterfly’s wings, flower, landscape, cloud formations, stunning sunrises and sunsets, any of these things could spark a lifetime interest in the arts/ natural world. Unfortunately, I don’t see it on the faces of the people during my walks; in point of fact all I see is the dreaded mobile phone permanently super glued to one ear completely oblivious as to their surroundings.

In contrast to my last point, I’ve now finished checking out my Little Owl nest boxes for yet another year, conservation being just part of the parental encouragement I received in my earl years. Incidentally, this makes six years since I started my observations on the most attentive and affectionate of all British owls towards their life long partner. What’s more I intend to carry on with my field study as long as my health holds true. I should also mention the six years doesn’t include the winter of 1962 – 3 being a separate study I carried out on Athene Noctua the Little Owl; a veritable titan despite Its small size.

To give you just a little of their history, Little Owls are thought of as non – indigenous, but that’s not strictly true as fossil records show they existed in prehistoric Britain but became extinct at some point most probably during earths colder period; but reintroduce back into Britain during the ninetieth century. However, in 1758 the first bird was recorded thought to be either a migrant from Europe or an escapee from captivity. Add to that in 1840 naturalist Charles Waterton released birds taken from the wild in Italy but these didn’t survive. Lord Lilford also released birds in 1889 on his estate in Northamptonshire where they raised young, followed by Edmund Mead Waldo who released captive birds bred in Kent and Hampshire, the rest is history as they say.

But like so many other creatures their numbers are still sadly in decline, something I’ve verified in my latest field monitoring study. But last year produced a behaviour I’ve never seen or heard of before even though I’ve watched their behaviour around the clock. Indeed, it flies in the face of any data found elsewhere. I won’t go into the details here for obvious reasons but suffice to say the evidence was indisputable, so this and all my other data is meticulously recorded in more detailed notes for posterity, as are my lifetime notes on Accipiter Nisus the Sparrowhawk a bird I wouldn’t describe as affectionate towards their partner whatsoever but instead rather pragmatic; making them too a most interesting field study.

I’m pleased to say I had a fair bit of help with my monitoring regarding my juvenile Little Owls as to where they were spotted, that being close to on old isolated abandoned farm buildings as I expected would be the case. In as much has Juveniles don’t normally stray too far from their natal territory. Unfortunately, their nest boxes elsewhere are now unused the adults completely disappeared, I suspect from the lack of available food, although Red Kites, and Common Buzzard are faring well hereabouts taking road kill mostly. Likewise, the population of Sparrowhawks are also faring well, as for Kestrels none breeding, in fact I only tend to see just the one bird from time to time but none breeding further afield either.

I should also say it’s possible to observe bird behaviour for many years but it’s still possible you won’t record absolutely aspect of breeding and hunting behaviour since it varies as does the temperament of the individual / pair involved, weather patterns, time of year, time of day, and type of habitat, including a multitude of other criteria; all of which I’ve left no stone unturned. Having said that bird behaviour has been studied extensively over many years by emanate naturalists, ornithologists, i.e., the answer to behaviour normally lies within the parameters highlighted previously; with the proviso time moves on so Mother Nature adapts, i.e., the rare occasion can appear as in the case of the study of my breeding Little Owls.

I can also confirm that statement in regard to the behavioural pattern of the Sparrowhawk with a great deal of conviction by having experienced their behaviour in one location and comparing it with traveling to many other locations, the difference being striking to say the least. This is also one of the reasons those whom fly accipiter’s always choose the individual’s that possess the steady temperament required carried out by selective captive bred birds, as their temperament varies as mentioned previously something every austringer / falconer is only too aware of.

Unfortunately, bird behaviour can also be interpreted incorrectly, but a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself is the observed behaviour a common one, if not then it may well have been interpreted incorrectly. But time will tell as I like to say, which it normally does with the proviso if one’s observational period is long enough.

To reiterate and expand on the theme, observing just a few breeding pairs in one type of habitat over a short period of time e.g., (a decade or so twenty-four seven) won’t necessarily see you witness every behavioural pattern, neither will such vigilance make you an “expert on the species” on the contrary that’s a whole step up involving a higher degree of education. Unfortunately, I wasn’t studious enough during my school years and told so at every opportunity by the headmaster. But little did he know I was far too busy trying to perfect perpetual motion (what’s he building in the tool shed) amongst other thing too diverse in scope to mention.

As for myself I have no problem in saying I’m just an average birder correction not even that since I only specialise in a few species e.g., I don’t have any formal qualifications attributed to ornithology, on the contrary the world of engineering is my forte, although a PHD connected to the natural world would be far better. But then again, my mind is somewhat full as it is, in other words, I’ve too many miles on the clock and just too busy keeping up with my present field studies to start all over again.

But to return to the main thrust of this post neither do I possess radio telemetry equipment or believe in placing cameras trained on nests (common practise,) carrying with it possible repercussions, e.g., distress to the bird or worse still desertion should you be seen by the bird doing so, something I’m not prepared to gamble for the sake of financial reimbursement which in the final analysis the object of the practise. I should also add very little gets by the eyes of a Sparrowhawk without them being aware. For that very reason I use a spotting scope and binoculars. Neither do I have many hands to make light work of these particular studies. Although I like to think I’ve paid my dues whilst waiting for something exceptional to happen in some less then salubrious places shall I say.




But speaking of “salubrious places” reminds me of the time I stopped to pass the time of day with a Shepard, no not someone by the name of Shepard but a sheep herder. Now this sheep herder’s dog sat looking me up and down, as a point of interest it wouldn’t stop looking me up and down to which the Shepard said oh don’t worry about the dog it won’t bite. Famous last words I though since the last time I was told that I was bitten in a very delicate area. Nonetheless, it just so happened to be one of those balmy hot days the sort that comes around about every ten years and so, after a long chat about this and that I was shaken by the hand and thanked for stopping, it’s not often anyone stops for a chat he said, at which point his dog still sat looking me up and down. Only this time its tongue hung out from one side of its mouth at which point it barked and waved one paw in the air as to say goodbye, I kid you not. In point of fact, I still have vision of those steely, bright, blue, piercing eyes, to this very day, but then again, only a working sheep dog is capable of having that level of intelligence that I like to refer as capacity of mind.

But to return once again to the main subject you may be wondering as to why I only chose one species of owl and one species of raptor to study; the answer is twofold, firstly these were the ones I first encountered at an early age. And secondly, I saw little point in trying to study the life of those I couldn’t easily encounter on a daily basis; although I have carried out a fair amount of work on the Kestrel and Common buzzard. Likewise, the corvid family so much so they’ve left a deep impression on my psyche of that I’m sure, especially the injured Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, and magpie. All of which I rescued and kept as pets during my youth all making excellent companions and mimicry’s. In fact, had I not done so they would have died from starvation or predation, but then again, keeping corvids as pets was common practise amongst everyday country folk back in the day. As was London’s East Enders and their habit of keeping Linnets for their song in an effort to reconnect to the countryside. The old music hall song (My Old Man) is a case in question. Just some of the chorus lyrics are laid out below, always sang with a cockney accent of course.

My old man said foller the van and don’t dilly dally on the way, off went the van with me ‘home packed in it, I walked b’ ind wiv me old cock Linnet.



Chapter 3



I’ll end by saying I was encouraged into the world of literature by discovering the library and the mere mention of a bookshop, completely changing my life into a world of wonder, a place I still visit whenever I pass by. But hey, I’m more than pleased to know I’m not alone in finding the magic land of a thousand and one delights. There are other ways of finding Eldorado of course such as taking an interest in natural history, music, or simply taking the time out to stop and smell the roses, all of those things will create a well spent life especially in the lives of your children. I’ll go one further and say it doesn’t matter one little bit if you never’ scale the heights of fame and fortune, for such things are mere dust in the wind compared to peace of mind, but rather life’s journey that counts, a cliché of that I’m well aware but nevertheless its oh so true; as with age comes wisdom, at least I’d like to think so.

The wandering minstrel custodian of all I survey.

A double entendre? But of course, family and the precious natural world.