Quiet here, ain't it?
30 April 2007
Got my head down doing work for forthcoming exhibitions, but over the past few days there’s been a good number of Swallows arrive and the odd House Martin.
I took a walk up ‘Little Switzerland’ as it’s called – the top end of the river valley I haunt – and was disturbed to see the level of the reservoir. Very low. It only serves the locality and is relatively small, but I suppose that makes matters worse as it is virtually at the ‘top of the tree’ as far as the water supply is concerned and if we haven’t got much water, there’s not going to be much for everyone else. Here in the UK, 2007 is meant to be a scorcer.
Anyway, during this walk I came across another pair of Kingfishers, good to see two pairs within a mile of each other. Also, surprised a Peregrine plucking a pigeon, if it had been more open country I may possibly have avoided spoiling his meal, but there again I’m sure I would have been seen first.
There was an article in our local rag about the last Golden Eagle in the Lake District (where my painting is set), he’s been on his own for what must be a couple of years now, although he is still doing a display flight and it sounds as if there may be an attempt to introduce a mate for him. There is always the possibility of a female flying down from Dumfries, but it’s a long shot, so I sincerely hope one can be found for him.
Swallow
