Written Wednesday, 18/01/12 1pm.
Today is a chilly, grey day in Norwich, but I have a packed lunch so I’ve come to the Castle Gardens to eat.
I’ve been here for 20 minutes and for 19 of these I’ve had a pair of blackbirds within 5 feet of me.
The female is feisty, throwing leaves around in the undergrowth of the holly bush behind me and occasionally eyeing me beadily, her head cocked on one side then the other.
The male is more timid, moving more slowly and making hushed chirping sounds which make me wonder if he is of this year’s brood.
In the middle of the city, with the noise of traffic all around and sirens in the distance I can hear the robins and a wren singing and wood pigeons calling.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that Nature is Amazing no matter the encounter; it’s all about the appreciation.
January 28th/29th is the weekend of the Big Garden Birdwatch: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
If you can take an hour to watch and count the wildlife in your garden and just appreciate how lucky we are to have access to nature I guarantee you will end the time feeling more peaceful and more content than if you spent it watching ‘I’m a Celebrity Masterchef Big Drop or No Deal Live’.