Patsy Hunt

The Solace of Birds VI

13/8/2020

Look to the skies near Rhyll and you may be lucky enough to see a White-bellied Sea- Eagle.

Words and paintings
by Patsy Hunt

In Wordsworth's poem, which I quoted at the start of this series, he is telling us that we are too much concerned with material things and worldly cares that stop us seeing the beauty of nature. Although this poem was written in 1802 (published in 1807) as a comment on the effects of the industrial revolution, it rings true today in this age of technology.

The final group of birds that provide cheer, comfort and inspiration to me are those that fly overhead. Sadly, I have noticed that many people do not look up at the sky, except perhaps to check the weather!

4 Comments

The Solace of birds V

15/7/2020

1 Comment

Yellow tailed black cockatoo. All paintings by Patsy Hunt

By Patsy Hunt

IT’S really not all that difficult to bring birds into your surroundings. If you have a garden, no matter what size, put in some bird attracting plants and shrubs to provide food and shelter. Then, most importantly, provide a water supply. Water bowls don't have to be fancy, as long as you provide containers of different depth and, for the smaller birds, have them off the ground. The bowls will have to be refilled frequently, especially in hot dry weather, and cleaned sometimes. Then sit back and watch the birds come to you. Again I stress that there is no need to feed them regularly, which in fact can be a bad thing by upsetting the balance of bird species. Birds will soon find the new sources of food, water and shelter that you have provided. Many bird species are struggling as their habitat is lost so every new piece of habitat is important.

1 Comment

The solace of birds IV

9/6/2020

3 Comments

Trapeze artist Galah swings on the wires. All paintings by Patsy Hunt

By Patsy Hunt

YOU don't have to be an expert to appreciate birds. Just watch their different characters, their beauty, their song, their tenacity for life, their dedicated care for their young and their ability to enjoy life and have fun despite all the threats they face.

So many people these days are so wrapped up in their busy lives, and the technology that goes with it, that they go through life oblivious of the world around them. Take some time out to watch the birds around you.

3 Comments

The solace of birds III

13/5/2020

3 Comments

Words and paintings by Patsy Hunt

AS I walk around the residential streets of Cowes near my home I see street trees gradually disappearing, often without replacement planting. Even if replanting is done the plants are often thoughtlessly vandalised or die before they have a chance to grow.

I also observe the larger homes being built on smaller blocks with little space for a garden. If a garden is created, it is often euphemistically called a "low maintenance garden", which usually means concrete, pebbles and succulents which are of little use to birds and animals. Lately, I have even seen fake grass being used, which seems most strange in an area which is supposed to value its natural environment.

3 Comments

The solace of birds II

16/4/2020

2 Comments

Words and paintings by Patsy Hunt

THE sound of Cowes tears the air and jangles my nerves – the chainsaw ! All too often we hear it in what should be a quiet residential area. Who is removing more trees and why? Is it truly because there is a safety problem? Is it because of fire concerns, even if it is a residential area? Or is it really because they (the cutters) want a view, think the vegetation is untidy or think the tree is too big and might fall on them despite it being strong and healthy?

I prefer to abide by Winnie-the-Pooh's definition of supposition: "Supposing a tree fell down when you were underneath it? Supposing it didn't?"

Whatever the reason, trees and vegetation continue to disappear around the town and where do the birds go? When it gets too much, I return to the comfort of my garden and the birds that call it home, or at least a stop along the way.

2 Comments

The solace of birds I

19/3/2020

5 Comments

"The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours …"
William Wordsworth

Eastern Spinebill and Silvereye. Illustration: Patsy Hunt

By Patsy Hunt

MY WALKS around the nearby streets of Cowes can be upsetting if I discover that another tree has been removed, especially if it was a significant one where birds fed and nested.

So I return home to our garden. Our garden is full of shrubs and some taller trees and is not particularly tidy but it provides food, water and shelter for birds. It is not really high maintenance as there are lots of ground cover plants. The plants are a mixture of indigenous, native and some exotic species but they provide the nectar, seeds and insects necessary to feed many bird species.

5 Comments