Rookery

When we came to live here there was a rookery in the three scots pines at the top of the garden, and each year the rooks would arrive in February and refurbish their nests ready to lay their eggs in March.  After six or seven years the tree lady from the National Park advised us to take down the middle pine, which had been struck by lightning and was not safe.  The following year there were fewer rooks, and the year after that the rooks deserted and relocated their nests to a garden about 100 yards up the road.


The crowns of the two remaining scots pines can be seen in yesterday’s blip.


In our first year here we thought the rooks a nuisance because from February up until they leave in late May they never shut up for a second.  After a couple of years we grew used to them, and later became quite fond of them and were pleased each time they returned.  So when they deserted us we felt bereft.  I walk past them perhaps two or three times every day, and we can see the rookery from where we live, and they still forage on the field behind the house, so they still live amongst us, but not with us.
So today’s photo is purely illustrative – it isn’t going to win any prizes.