Curlew

Today's the day ………………………. for a take-away

Another sunny but freezing cold day - which meant that I had on so many layers of clothing when I went for a walk along the river, that I felt like the Michelin Man.

I watched this lone curlew, wading about at the water's edge and going about the business of finding something to eat.  That long down-curved bill was the perfect utensil to probe deep into the estuarine mud - a bit like a pair of chopsticks.

It won't be long before the curlews will head off to the lower hills for the breeding season - nesting on rough grazing or damp moorland but occasionally on arable fields.  Its haunting cry is one of the most familiar sounds of spring. 

You can hear it here  ...........................