Snipe and Raven.

While walking to work this morning, along the Caldon Canal towpath between Endon and Stockton Brook, I disturbed two or three Snipe that were sheltering in the small wetland area that is adjacent to the canal about half way between the two villages. The Snipe rose up between the scrubby willows with their characteristic zig-zag flight, flew in a circle across the canal, and then landed again, presumably to feed in the shallow pools. I have been told by someone that has lived in Endon all his life, that Snipe used to be very common in the fields around here. Now they are an occasional sight, but one which perhaps been more common this year than of recent, due to the birds taking refuge here from the even harsher climate in the nearby uplands and exposed wetlands.

 

Later, as I was walking back home along the Caldon Canal towpath this lunchtime I spotted a Raven flying overhead. This is not an unusual sighting, though it does take a little experience to separate out all black members of the corvid (crow) family.  The Raven is the largest of the Carrion Crow, Rook and Jackdaw, but relative size is not easy to assess when you see a bird in the sky, unless, of course, there are other corvids close by. Anyway I was sure my sighting was a raven because of its long, narrow and pointed wings, diamond shaped tail, and thick neck.





A Raven on a roof.
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