Took a group of kids out today at school and saw a number of creatures. Don’t know who was more excited, me or them!
A heron flew in low towards us as we walked near the pond. It landed stately like upon the end apex above the resource room. Watching us with wary eye but unflinching it fluffed out its feathers and turned poised looking at the pond. Forming an ‘s’ it stretched out towards the pond looking ready to strike. Deciding it was too far to reach for any prey it lumbered off towards the caretakers house disappearing over the houses with it’s slow ponderous flight. The children watched interestedly.
We continued on our way to the shelter disturbing a squirrel on the bird hide. Unperturbed it headed into the undergrowth followed by two curious onlookers fascinated by its jerky creep.
Settling under the canopy we talked of Forest School matters when one lad ‘wowed’ at a crow landing on the field, mouth full of a large white object. In flew another to join its friend. A jackdaw flew over towards us skirting where we sat. Alerted by a rasping we looked up to see a jay disappearing through the canopy.
Moving back towards the fire circle I thought to demonstrate an example of Land Art – my favourite, a snail with twigs.
I heard excited voices beckoning to me to see the funny eggs, fungi in this case.
I turned and moved out a little from the circle of wood and was talking to an inquisitive boy. There was a faint whoosh and I felt something pass inches from my face – all happening in seconds. I looked up to where I sensed and saw the fleeting shape of sparrowhawk whizzing under the canopy towards the fence. The lad looked puzzled. “Did you see that?” I asked and he replied “What was it?” Answering his own question he’d noticed something but unclear whether on the ground or in the air. The bird had come right between us above his head and in front of my face, separating us with its deathly speed and almost silence. When I showed him a picture of the bird he said it looked like an owl which was an apt observation. We’d had quite an experience!
What an afternoon!