AS SPRING APPROACHES

AS SPRING APPROACHES

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

21/II/2023

As the weather is getting warmer, there is fresh activity on the ‘birdie’ front. New broods with fresh energy have suddenly appeared from hibernation. One can hear the ‘zip zap zoom’ of their wings when one opens the front door. Birds scoot, only to return after a while, knowing this man can do no harm.

It feels so good that they have returned and mind you they still remember the ‘birdbath’ which has been reactivated besides the bird seed container. A quick bite, a drink and dip has become their routine. Then they hop along the pots singing, dancing, chasing, fighting, biting, pecking and soon forgetting their rivalry to return to their perches again.

Roof tops are their favourite haunts for romancing. A peck and a smooch, some whispers of promises in the ears of each other. A word about their future and family, a house to nest and the regular gossip is a beautiful pastime for them. They look at you and don’t bother, as they have their priorities right.

Then there are fights too. The other day, doves got after crows and chased them away. Nasty ‘crow-boys’ must have teased one of the ‘lovey-dovey’ beauties. On one call the Sunbirds, Sparrows and Pigeons joined in the mele. Crows didn’t wait to get their feathers plucked out from their heads and fled the scene. They haven’t returned since. The coast was clear for more feathery romance.

However, before one woos a partner, grooming needs to be done. For that one has to have a ‘feather bath’. Instead of the stale water in the birdbath they make use of the lawn instead. The grass in the lawn now has a lot of overnight ‘dew’. Nature's freshest mineral water with added nutrients give their fluff the extra shine. A quick ruffle of feathers is done to absorb the dew. Off they zip to the nearest tree to dry their plumages in the mild morning sun.

Sparrows join the Sunbirds on the lawns. Rather, I observed that they were curious to know that dew can be used for a quick shower too. Some sit on the sides trying to fathom how cold the morning dew would be and avoid getting wet. A typical ‘human’ tendency to avoid bathing at all costs.

Though the lawn is quite big, the place where one bird has just dipped her feathers is where the other birds also want to frolic. Why take a chance they say! A few dives to dislodge the bird, busy shaking her feathers and taking her place. Some just refuse to descend from their perches.

Bulbuls are attacking fellow bulbuls. They find their own reflection on the car windshield as a rival. They slide and try and hover to shoo the opponent away only to find a new rival in her own reflection.

A new bird is also in town called the ‘Rufous Treepie’ or the ‘Taka Chor’ the ‘Coin Stealer’. She steals eggs & chicks thus the environment got agitated with its typical call which alerted me too. A new friend was in town. Welcome my dear but don’t trouble my other friends.

Then suddenly a huge shadow covered us like a cloud passing by. It was a blue and white ‘metallic bird’ flying slowly overhead. We waved to her too.

As spring approaches there is an abundance of activity. What all new friends shall we see this season? I wonder!!!!!!!!

JAI HIND