Yes, the cuckoo was there when I went up the mountain this morning, and enjoyed breakfast on the summit. It was a perfect spring morning -- just a gentle breeze, and hazy sunshine. High tide in the estuary too. A seagull chased the male hen harrier across the southern flank of the mountain -- very aggressive it was. A pair of rather agitated ravens -- they must have a nest not far away. Skylarks up above, as ever.
Strange that one sets such store by the first hearing of the cuckoo in spring. Are we taught to think that this is really the first sign of spring? Or is it something instinctive? Status is involved too -- one always feels a glow of pride, when talking to others, if one has heard the first cuckoo before they have. On the other hand one feels a tinge of disappointment when somebody says: "Oh, I heard the cuckoo three days ago!"
Strange to have such romantic feelings about a bird that is a parasite and a seriously nasty piece of work.....
No comments:
Post a Comment