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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/12/country-diary-west-sussex-sun-rise-geese-buzzards-peregrine-kestrel
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| As the sun rises, another V-shaped skein of geese approaches | As the sun rises, another V-shaped skein of geese approaches |
| (4 months later) | |
| Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex One by one, the birds tip dramatically to one side, lowering one wing while raising the other, to lose height | |
| Rob Yarham | |
| Tue 12 Sep 2017 05.30 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 17.10 GMT | |
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| The sharp honking sounds of geese echo across the Brooks. The air is clearing, but the rain still hangs over the low-lying hills in the distance, spreading down the sky like dark ink on wetted paper. As I walk out onto the marshes and towards the river Arun, the sun is rising behind me, spearing through the grey cloud. | The sharp honking sounds of geese echo across the Brooks. The air is clearing, but the rain still hangs over the low-lying hills in the distance, spreading down the sky like dark ink on wetted paper. As I walk out onto the marshes and towards the river Arun, the sun is rising behind me, spearing through the grey cloud. |
| The mist is lifting slowly, and I can make out the long-necked shapes of Canada and greylag geese moving slowly through the grass and on the pools of water. Another skein of geese is approaching; I climb onto the river bank and turn to watch the steady, rhythmic flapping of 14 birds in a V formation as they clear the tall trees and fly over my head. Their calls are answered by the other greylags on the ground, and the arriving geese climb and turn in tightening circles, looking for somewhere to land. | The mist is lifting slowly, and I can make out the long-necked shapes of Canada and greylag geese moving slowly through the grass and on the pools of water. Another skein of geese is approaching; I climb onto the river bank and turn to watch the steady, rhythmic flapping of 14 birds in a V formation as they clear the tall trees and fly over my head. Their calls are answered by the other greylags on the ground, and the arriving geese climb and turn in tightening circles, looking for somewhere to land. |
| One by one, the birds tip dramatically to one side, lowering one wing while raising the other, to lose height. This twisting movement is a partial form of the aerobatic roll known as “whiffling”, when birds tumble to reverse the lift generated by the shape of their wings. Each goose drops sharply, but easily rights itself to regain control, and they all glide down smoothly onto the grass in close formation, to join the others already feeding, preening and calling to each other. | One by one, the birds tip dramatically to one side, lowering one wing while raising the other, to lose height. This twisting movement is a partial form of the aerobatic roll known as “whiffling”, when birds tumble to reverse the lift generated by the shape of their wings. Each goose drops sharply, but easily rights itself to regain control, and they all glide down smoothly onto the grass in close formation, to join the others already feeding, preening and calling to each other. |
| Several birds of prey have taken up positions on wooden fence and gate posts – two buzzards, a kestrel and a large female peregrine. The unmistakable deep “fronk” of a raven scares the peregrine from her post, and the great black bird chases the falcon over the river. The peregrine powers away, and the raven, satisfied that it’s seen off the intruder, turns and flies, still croaking, back into the trees. The falcon climbs into the sky, soaring in circles over the Brooks. | Several birds of prey have taken up positions on wooden fence and gate posts – two buzzards, a kestrel and a large female peregrine. The unmistakable deep “fronk” of a raven scares the peregrine from her post, and the great black bird chases the falcon over the river. The peregrine powers away, and the raven, satisfied that it’s seen off the intruder, turns and flies, still croaking, back into the trees. The falcon climbs into the sky, soaring in circles over the Brooks. |
| The sun strengthens, lighting up the pale grass and warming my face. Small groups of swallows, house martins and sand martins fly over, following the line of the river, chattering and swooping to catch insects, as they head towards the coast. | The sun strengthens, lighting up the pale grass and warming my face. Small groups of swallows, house martins and sand martins fly over, following the line of the river, chattering and swooping to catch insects, as they head towards the coast. |
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