It’s chillier tonight than it was Monday. Certainly if feels colder than the 3c the car thermometer indicated. As Tanya and I walk briskly up the main path and past the pavillion, we startle a pigeon in the trees above is. The bird scutters and I expect mutters to itself of the crass human below.
A little further on we hear the first hooo-hoo of what I am convinced now is a Tawny Owl. I haven’t seen it yet, except as a fuzzy object against the dark grey dusk skyline, but from the hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo call and the size of the shape I did see, I think it must be the Tawny.
As we cross the footpath at the head of the lake our friend is in full call, but low and muted. We turn right to go alonside the lake and as we do so hear a strange, wheezy bark from on the water. I’d no idea what is was but was keen to find out. Walking further up the ducks came into sight. The noise grew clearer and more directional.
Our friend the owl was silent now, perhaps scared-off by a group of revellers on their way from the village across the playing fields and on into the town centre.
But the source of the wheezing, barking is now apparent. It’s the swan. I don’t know if it is warding off a threat, or is in distress. But it’s the oddest of noises.
We double back at the top of the lake and walk back towards the playing fields at the edge of the copse. No sound now of Tawny. I thought it may have flown, despairing of catching anything with clot headed humans banging around.
But as we cross the bridge over the stream, it’s there again, and in it’s favourite spot too. Ever so quietly, hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hooo, hoo-hooo. The noise is so soft, yet so thrilling, and possibly even chilling. As we walk onto the field, I scan the treeline for another sighting. But this time I can see nothing. When the hoot comes again, it’s obvious our friend is deeper into the copse.
I resolve to disturb his roost now longer tonight and step on with Tanya. Barely a stride had I taken before the gentlest of noises alerted my. Two mights flaps of those wings and then a long, gentle glide, quickly took the owl out of sight and into the night. But the glimpse was enough for me. I walked home with joy at the image.
ibridge
