It’s not about the bird

Australia’s Commonwealth Coat of Arms

— Outrage as robin is declared the UK’s national bird —

It’s perhaps surprising that the United Kingdom didn’t have a national bird, official or otherwise, until last week. Many other countries have long had one: India has the glorious peacock; Kenya, the delectable lilac-breasted roller; and an emu appears on

Taking tea with the blackbird

— On birds, birders and blackbirds —

One evening last week I was looking out of the window and was suddenly staggered to find that birds can fly. There they were, just beyond the garden: the crows sweeping low over the contours of the rolling fields with langorous wing beats, alighting with ease amongst the glossy tussocks; starlings too, young and old, flashing metalic greens and purples in the low sun as they