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| Brown Hares and Corn Buntings |
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Page 1 of 5 A nostalgic look at some reminders of traditional Cornish farming by Jean Lawman. ' February the 26th of this year was a day when spring made a tantalizing visit to Cornwall. It was partly due to the penetrating warmth of the sun, once one found shelter from the chilly north wind, but mostly it was the sheer abundance of Skylarks singing in the brightest of blue skies. The density of the birds was unusual; they were literally everywhere on this semi-cultivated, but very exposed headland in North Cornwall. Pairs displayed on the grassy turf, even on the road, others rose up over their territories on quivering wings, sometimes to great heights and were lost to view, their sweet chatter growing fainter. I was thinking of the first migrant Wheatear as I scanned fields and walls, cliff-tops and hedges with binoculars, perhaps a little too early, but such a day induces optimism. There were no Wheatears, but instead, and to my surprise, I could hear Corn Buntings singing. There were short bursts of song now and again, like the subtle jingling of a bunch of keys - a pretty sound that infused itself gently into the landscape. I located them on the telegraph wires, a long line of them. Not pretty birds by any means: heavily built, brown and streaky with large heads and stout beaks designed for cracking grain, but they are sweet and soulful characters associated with traditional arable countryside. There were 19, and a careful count was required because there were Linnets with them. I found a charming quote by Major and Mrs Ryves (1930). 'Linnets appear to be greatly attracted to Corn Buntings, for they will frequently perch on each side of a male and really seem to be wrapt in admiration of him! Usually he will assume an attitude of complete unconcern.' |
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