Things that go bump in the day

It's that season again. As soon as the Christmas period is over, on with the bird scarers. The regular whump as they frighten off the pigeons can send you a little loopy. Last year's season went on well into the Spring and there were talks of revolution in the village. So why are these things needed? Simple answer - without them protecting the seedlings, the farmer can lose around £3000 per acre - just to feed the birds. Hardly tuppence a bag! So - we have to put up with the noise (give a thought for those who live right near the field - particularly the farmers themselves) and tough it out, for the sake of the crop.

What's your view?

There's no egrets....

...as Scott Walker sang. But he'd have been wrong if he was singing about Jackson's Coppice in the last couple of days. Three egrets (like herons but white) have been seen there recently - presumably their satnav has let them down.

Don't tell the twitchers!