Dropping By

All of a sudden I notice activity in the trees. Throughout the summer , birds have been scarce, but now , as I sit by the pool in the early evening, I notice a flock of small birds flying in. They remain hidden amongst the oak leaves, flying out again from time to time, whooping and soaring and then returning . They are very small birds with a dark back and light front. However, it is their behaviour that gives them away. They are pied flycatchers , taking advantage of the many insects on the evening air. They are a joy to watch as they catch their prey before us in a series of aerial acrobatics. They will not stay long, for they are on their way back to Africa, from their breeding grounds in Northern and Central Europe. They visit us regularly at this time of year. Sadly, they fly too fast for me to catch them on camera, so here are some stock photographs. The female has a lighter coloured back. Very soon , we shall be wishing them Bon Voyage for another year. 'Thanks for dropping by."

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