A particularly good TYOOHB this week, Lev, thank you. That lyrical section on rooks reminded me of a rook-related mystery. My Dad says that in his boyhood his father used to call him "rook's liver" as a term of endearment. Pop, the grandfather in question, is long dead, and Dad had no idea where this term came from, or what it meant. What attribute might a rook's liver have that would generate such a specific usage? - not bird's liver, not corvid's liver, but ROOK'S liver? Was it applied to someone small? someone bilious? someone thin? Pop grew up in Colchester, but his father was from rural Suffolk, so I've wondered whether it originated there. I wondered if you or any of your readers had come across the phrase.
The first time I heard snipe drumming was on holiday, on a solitary, still, twilight walk along the shore on Stronsay. The sound was incredibly loud, all around me, and ‘otherworldly’ is exactly the right word for it. I couldn’t see anything that could be making the noise - just a few placid cows gazing at me with interest (the cows are very bored on Stronsay, my walking past counted as an event worth running over to view) - and I felt all my hair standing straight up. I genuinely wouldn’t have been surprised to see a spaceship landing! I made a recording on my phone, and luckily someone back at the hostel could tell me what I’d heard, since I had no words to describe it (but ‘drumming’ definitely isn’t it).
Oh, re the origin of sniper. I hadn't realised until you said. I'm not sure whether or not to be grateful, too lovely a bird to be associated with the derived word.
‘prehistoric slouch in a shawl’ is so perfect. This week, I saw a heron fishing in a rockpool on a retreating tide - I’ve never seen one sea fishing before and had no idea they did
As a newbie bird-appreciator, I really enjoyed this piece and giggled with delight throughout. I'm still thinking about a recent trip to the Southwest where I enjoyed my own "Yes" bird moments. (Spotted a California Condor at Zion and some ravens teasing each other with a stick at Bryce.) Anyway, I'm stoked to have discovered your Substack (:
We live in a very dull mid-century estate considerably enlivened by the rookery at the top of our road. Rooks are great. How I love their noisy shouting, their bedtime antics, and the sound of them stamping about on our stupid flat roof pecking loudly at the moss, presumably for bugs.
Another Bookmark added to the dozen or so Mr Parikian has already gifted me! Featherbase is a true miracle...now I need an Eggbase to balance it out :) Bless you Mr. Birdman, you're enriching my life with every post!
I love going out to the rookery at Old Buckenham and watching them come in. Astonishing sight. And sound.
Why did I not realise the connection between snipe and sniper until I read this?
A particularly good TYOOHB this week, Lev, thank you. That lyrical section on rooks reminded me of a rook-related mystery. My Dad says that in his boyhood his father used to call him "rook's liver" as a term of endearment. Pop, the grandfather in question, is long dead, and Dad had no idea where this term came from, or what it meant. What attribute might a rook's liver have that would generate such a specific usage? - not bird's liver, not corvid's liver, but ROOK'S liver? Was it applied to someone small? someone bilious? someone thin? Pop grew up in Colchester, but his father was from rural Suffolk, so I've wondered whether it originated there. I wondered if you or any of your readers had come across the phrase.
I’m afraid I’m no help at all! It is rather specific, isn’t it?
The first time I heard snipe drumming was on holiday, on a solitary, still, twilight walk along the shore on Stronsay. The sound was incredibly loud, all around me, and ‘otherworldly’ is exactly the right word for it. I couldn’t see anything that could be making the noise - just a few placid cows gazing at me with interest (the cows are very bored on Stronsay, my walking past counted as an event worth running over to view) - and I felt all my hair standing straight up. I genuinely wouldn’t have been surprised to see a spaceship landing! I made a recording on my phone, and luckily someone back at the hostel could tell me what I’d heard, since I had no words to describe it (but ‘drumming’ definitely isn’t it).
Oh, re the origin of sniper. I hadn't realised until you said. I'm not sure whether or not to be grateful, too lovely a bird to be associated with the derived word.
I love the sound of Snipe drumming, so haunting.
Funnily enough I saw a flock of over 30 Carrion Crows earlier today, which astonished me, given the whole Rooks flock vs Crows don't thing.
Also, lovely to see a group of Jays, i find them very elusive birds, though I have seen a group of 5 once.
The most I’ve seen together is 4, but I do see them very regularly around here.
Delightful!
‘prehistoric slouch in a shawl’ is so perfect. This week, I saw a heron fishing in a rockpool on a retreating tide - I’ve never seen one sea fishing before and had no idea they did
It’s quite striking when you see them in the sea – likewise mute swans.
As a newbie bird-appreciator, I really enjoyed this piece and giggled with delight throughout. I'm still thinking about a recent trip to the Southwest where I enjoyed my own "Yes" bird moments. (Spotted a California Condor at Zion and some ravens teasing each other with a stick at Bryce.) Anyway, I'm stoked to have discovered your Substack (:
Thank you!
We live in a very dull mid-century estate considerably enlivened by the rookery at the top of our road. Rooks are great. How I love their noisy shouting, their bedtime antics, and the sound of them stamping about on our stupid flat roof pecking loudly at the moss, presumably for bugs.
Another Bookmark added to the dozen or so Mr Parikian has already gifted me! Featherbase is a true miracle...now I need an Eggbase to balance it out :) Bless you Mr. Birdman, you're enriching my life with every post!
Such marvellousness. #teamrook