Tails of ducks, a joyous sight,

Mallard chuckles in Winter’s light

Heron wades his muddy trails,

High pitched squeals of water rails

Echo in reedbeds, beside bittern’s boom

A cacophony of earthly soul’s, as darkness softly looms

Waiting for a sky show, the starlings flock in groups

Awaiting for their moment, flying silhouetted troops


Marsh Harrier is grounded, no wind is felt today

Painted bearded tits, instead on reeds can sway

Gently, sprightly hoping, with a loud jubilant ping,

Making our hearts thankful, each roll call they ring

Wren now making home amongst hard and deadened leaves

As silently and deftly the sparrowhawk she weaves

Through branches in the wood, ‘neath tall tree top masses,

Lone Barn owl taking stock, whilst the rain shower passes


And as this world is huddled, and all things come together,

Warmth is kept in roosts against fierce, icy weather

Their heartbeats and their wingbeats,

Their notes, their hoots, their songs,

Will quietly now settle, and last this cold night long

As this short day has now ended, the reedbeds let us know

And calmly now all creatures breathe, as sunsets casts it glow


29/11/13