Sometimes there is no need to leave your home in order to enjoy what the natural world has to offer. This morning was a case in point. First of all, as I sat eating breakfast in the conservatory, a large heron flew across my view. Landing on a nearby rooftop, it was reminiscent of the storks I have seen in the Czech Republic. These birds often come into the village as a number of gardens, including mine, have small ponds, and, including their natural prey, of frogs and small native fish, they are able to supplement their diet with goldfish. The old gravel pits that lie nearby offer far greater opportunities for these birds, but this one was obviously seeking new sources of food.
Shortly following this encounter, my attention was drawn to a large black bird being chased across the sky by a seagull. It is quite possible that the bird in question was a raven, for, outside of the breeding season, they are sometimes to be seen in this area which is certainly not their natural scene. I can only presume that the bird being chased was carrying food and was being harassed by the seagull in the hope that it would jettison whatever it held. I have not seen this behaviour inland before but can see no other likely explanation.