Who, who, who

Now, as you know, we are a small rural estate, tucked away amidst beautiful rolling fields of farmland. We are most fortunate to enjoy this delightful position not least because of the wonderful wildlife we are able to appreciate as we exist alongside one another. Over the last week one has espied, nay heard, that glorious flight of the geese as they make their way t'ward their winter roosts. The cacophony of sound alerts one to the imminent fly by of the glorious "V" formation of migration, accompanied by the distinctive honking sound they make as they fly en masse above us. It really is quite a spectacular spectacle and one that speaks of the natural worlds cycle of the seasons. Truly a sight to behold.

We are also most fortunate to live in an area that has some fine wooded areas such as spinney's and, of course, small orchards, such as our very own, plus some very fine old Oak trees.  This also ensures that we are blessed with some delightful birds that enjoy such a varied habitat. The buzzard is a common site as we go about our business upon the estate, wheeling high above us with the familiar plaintive mewing call. Occasionally, a sparrow hawk sets the garden birds a flutter by swooping through the estate, hungry for lunch; many a pidgeon has been dispatched thus. A glorious bird it is indeed and oft races ahead of the carriage down the lane ahead of one before swerving away to soar again. These autumn nights with the cool stillness allow enjoyment of the Owls, making themselves known to one another. The Barn owls are quite incredibly noisy with their shrieking, hissing and snoring sounds; the Tawny owls with the female  "kerwick" sound and the male " hoohoo", and last but not least the the plaintive call of the little owl calling "kiew kiew" or "wherrow wherrow" which is oft said to sound like a small dog but, dear reader, I do believe sounds more to me like " hello hello" but perhaps I am becoming fanciful in my advancing years. Why, last evening, as we lay in repose before sleep, we enjoyed an orchestra of bird sounds that was led by the owl family much to the delight of my guardians and ensured a heart lightened by joy as we drifted into sleep. As I am fond of saying, and in the words of Shakespeare "such as dreams are made of".