When it comes to identifying birds, I am much more at home in my own garden. In new locations I expect the more expert birders would not have this problem being, as they are, more familiar with a lot more species. And also probably considerably more observant.

I stumble about peering up into trees and trying in vain to figure out what that yellowish bird is…Taking photos does help. As long as they come out of course. Honestly, I have more photos of empty branches, piles of leaves and empty telephone lines than anyone I know! I could produce a veritable coffee table book of them. If, you know, these things were of interest. And then there is a selection, of course, of apparently headless birds – their heads in fact buried in flowers or behind leaves.

From this you might gather that I do not have the reactions of a young leopard; not even, if I am honest, those of an old moggy with only one good eye, dozing in the summer sun. Still, from time to time I surprise myself with quite a nice photo.

Such was the case with the Arrow-Marked Babbler I recently spotted on the bird count day. What was particularly interesting about him, was that he only appeared to have one leg. He was not as agile as his companions certainly, but I was intrigued at how well he had adapted to his lack of limb. He had a certain reckless fling-myself-into it sort of gait, lurching a little from side to side as he hopped around the ground in search of food. He reminded me of myself in fact – and not just for his habitual chatter. But also, I imagine I present a similar picture, trailing camera and tripod; in my habitual clumsiness I stumble as I stand on unseen large stones, step in holes and staggering sideways into the foliage, generally cause mayhem amongst the bird population who dwell in hedge and bush. In fact, on reflection, the one-legged Babbler is much more adept than I at getting about and certainly better adapted.

Birds are truly remarkable at adapting in fact. There are many instances of this but one which always fascinates me is the presence of the magnificent, wild peregrine falcons in various cities around the world, who have taken to dwelling on the outsides of city buildings, their nests a skyscraper eyrie. From there they must have an incredible view of the ground below them, but it intrigues me that they have somehow learnt to live with the noise of traffic and the often polluted air.

One of the famous and fascinating cases, to me, of adaptation, concerns the Carrion Crows of Tokyo. Crows are of course known for their intelligence and ability to learn, but these have taken smart thinking to their own level. They drop walnuts into the traffic and then retrieve the kernel after cars’ wheels have smashed the shell. But what is even more astonishing to me is that these birds have learnt not to fly into the traffic to get at the nuts; they drop their walnuts at pedestrian crossings and then, when the humans step out and cross over, so do the crows.

In nearly every hotel or inn I have stayed at, here in Zambia, and in Mauritius, sparrows can be seen scavenging amongst the breakfast tables, in search of crumbs and bits of fruit. In some places they become so used to people, they have to be shooed away since they are quite happy to land on the breakfast table and have a go at your newly-buttered toast.

In new environments I do try to adapt. Wherever I stay, I go and armed with camera, bird apps on my phone and bird books in my bag. I am part of an excellent bird group who are a WhatsApp message away and often come to my assistance. Then there are the four highly proficient bird enthusiasts in my own family that I can call on, who are almost always able to help me with identifying. Sometimes it is hopeless, beyond even them. For after all, it’s not their fault that the photo is so blurry that the only impression one has from it is that those things might be feathers… or that the only sound recording I manage to capture is almost instantly out-decibled by a fellow guest calling out to a friend in the car park, roughly 1km away…

I will be taking a break for a while. See you in November sometime!

A favourite Bruce Springsteen song of mine and that of the man, from the film The Wrestler. “If you’ve ever seen a one trick pony….you’ve seen me. ”

For a poem Lullaby of the Birds, and a clip from one of David Attenborough’s fascinating documentaries, showing crows using the city to their advantage, please follow this link. https://shellbell.home.blog/verse/