It has been raining all day today – cold rain, almost sleet-like, and the temperature has only got up to about 8 degrees C. The thrushes have been singing, as they always do when there’s a downpour. But the starlings have had more important things to do – grubbing for worms and larvae in the boggy section of garden that used to be our back lawn. I say ‘used to be’ because it’s now pretty much like a quagmire.
They don’t care how wet they get – the water drips off their scruffy neck feathers, and they must get soaked to the skin because their heads are mostly pointing downwards. They pierce the soil with their beaks wide open, presumably giving them twice as much chance of locating a grub. Then they collect the squirmy prizes in their beak, two or three at a time, before flapping off to feed their hungry brood.
The pair of blackbirds have joined them a few times, both looking ill-kempt and harassed, preoccupied with childcare and in need of a good sleep. I remember the feeling well.
It seems that this weather is due to clear away in the next couple of hours, leaving us with a clear night and a possible frost tomorrow. And a massive sunspot is now facing the Earth, so big that (apparently) it can be seen with the naked eye. It would be good if we could see the sun with the naked eye. Anyway, there’s a high chance of solar flares, so I wonder if we’ll see some action? I’m checking AuroraWatch and Spaceweather for updates.
Images copyright © Colin Woolf
Do you remember that really warm week we had, I think it was at the end of March, when the temperature soared into the 20s? I want that weather back! I was shocked by how cold it was today, but on the up side it’s the perfect excuse for comfort food.
I do remember… it was amazing! I wonder sometimes why I buy summer clothes. Yes, I indulged in some baking today – coconut & raisin biscuits and currant slices.
Mmm, yum! They both sound delicious, and healthy to boot with the dried fruit.
Those are cute shots of the starlings! Scruffy they may be, but for good grubs it’s OK! We’ve had a cooler few nights too, but I wish we had rain to go with it. Last night was 24°f and tonight will be only a little warmer.
That does sound quite cool! We are wishing for our March temperatures back again. Most of southern Britain had declared a drought situation by the beginning of May, but they’ve now had more rain than they can cope with! Thanks for your comment – the starlings are real characters.
If it’s any comfort to you, we are about 600 miles south of you and the weather is still foul! We have a scruffy blackbird pair too.
Oh dear Viv, that’s not good! I always imagine France basking in sunshine. It’s about time summer arrived across Europe.
The rain here over the past two days has seen the birds out feasting before the chill descends.
Starlings are such ruffians but I do love their bobbing, military strutting walk. Various size flocks of them whizz overhead as the sun sets now. They fly out to Mana Island, which is quite a long flight there and back on a daily basis. Tens of thousands of them roost on that nearby island.
I love blackbirds and they really enjoy Jazz’s left-over cat food and biscuits! It is almost time to hang some cut apples in our kowhai tree and on the bird feeder for the small birds to enjoy.
They are such mimics as well – one of them does a good impression of a curlew, and I’m sure I heard another one trying out his ‘car alarm’ sound the other day. The big flocks are always very impressive. We don’t have them in such numbers here, but there is a big roost down at Gretna which we’ve seen in flight – amazing.
I’ve not picked up mimicing by a starling. Tuis are very adept at cell phone rings, car alarms and reversing beeps. I’ll have to tune in more closely to the starlings. I hope to get a photo of a flock heading for the island but I suspect my camera won’t capture the swiftness.
BTW I have commented here, somewhat ineffectively under my other blog name but I am totally bewildered as to how you manage two WP blogs. Do you have any tips please?
My blogs are: http;//ordinarygood.wordpress.com and http://koruknits.wordpress.com.
Oh, that looks exciting! Is this the new venture, which I remember you mentioned in one of your blog posts? I’ll drop you an email which might be easier.
We’ve had rain for past two days here and are quite soggy, as well, but warmer. Your descriptions always make me feel I’m there, seeing the same thing you do. Have a great weekend! Stay dry!
Thank you very much, Ann – that’s a lovely comment, and much appreciated. It has finally dried up a bit, and yesterday was fine and (fairly) warm. Hope you’re having a great weekend, too!