Trunch Wildlife Watch August/September 09
The editor of this topic is Anne Horsfield who has been writing Wildlife Watch articles for the Trunch Mardle for several years (contact 01263 720649).
August part 2 (Anne Horsfield)>>>
August 09: Swallows on the rafters - Barbara Ayre sent the following poem and photos.
"For the first time we have had swallows building in our garage this year. It has been such a privilege to watch them, and they have quite captivated us! We let Bill Drayton know, and he came down with his video camera and took footage of the parents feeding their young. Kate Drayton brought her friend Mary Mc Whinney along too, and it was Mary who wrote this lovely poem for us."
The Swallow’s Nest
In our barn, high in the rafters
We have a swallow’s nest.
The busy birds fly in and out-
They never seem to rest.
~~~
We’re sure that they have young ones,
Perhaps there’s two or three.
We hear their cheeps and chirpings-
But really cannot see.
~~~
And all day long, the adults
Fly back and forth with food-
Their beaks with insects laden
To feed their hungry brood.
~~~
And then one sunny morning,
Some friends came round to see
The family in the rafters-
How many could there be?
~~~
And as we all looked upwards
‘Twas our delight to see
Five little heads, beaks open wide-
The Swallow Family!
~~~
And then one bold young fellow
Hopped out and left the nest,
Ruffled up his feathers
And spread his wings to test!
~~~
To our complete amazement
He launched himself in flight,
And swooped and dipped about the yard,
And soon was out of sight.
~~~
Then one by one, his brothers
Took off on their first flight,
And flying all around us
It was a wondrous sight!
~~~
And as we watched each swallow
We saw it safely land.
We knew they had been guided
By Mother Nature’s hand.
~~~
We’re glad the Swallow Family
Built their house so near.
Such pleasure they have given us-
We hope they’ll come next year!
~~~
Poem written by Mary Mc Whinney