Now, do I know my birds?

Now, do I know my birds?...

Well, I can recognise a robin, a sparrow, a blackbird and blue tit too.

On your bird table

That much I’m able

And I love to see a kestrel or a kite

Hovering, gliding, eagle-like.  

But I do not know which it is.

There’s something magic about hearing birdsong at dawn,

But I can’t say whether I can tell the difference

Between the blackbird call or skylark or the warbler.

Magpies are unlucky if you see only one.

The sound a woodpecker makes is very clear.

The first cuckoo of spring must be getting near.

That’s a thrush. That one I know.

But whether it’s mistle or songthrush

Or it could be a fieldfare or redstart.

That’s a finch. No probs, it’s a cinch.

But whether bull, chaff or haw... I wouldn’t know what I saw.

Greenfinch is probably green.

Goldfinch is probably gold.

But then apparently there are linnets and redpoll too

That’s enough to confuse you.

That’s a starling. Pigeons are pests.

Owls are beautiful but they won’t really go to-whit-too-woo..

(and let’s face it, neither would you...)

That’s a sparrow.  Oh yes!

But then dunnock knows which one it is..