Nature's spectacle

It has begun again. The first indication as I walk out on a warm summer's evening is the emotive calling of gulls. As I approach, the birds themselves can be seen behaving in a most unusual manner. Circling close to trees, they look almost as if they wish to roost in these inappropriate perching places. I then notice that there are a number of corvids amongst the gulls. Then it becomes apparent that all of the birds are hunting. The gulls, suddenly diving close to the ground, or swivelling in the air, to take flying prey. It is one of the strangest sights I have ever seen, yet it is just the prelude to an even greater spectacle. Emerging over the tree tops flies a hobby, then two, then three and then four birds. They join the gulls, but in comparison make their efforts appear clumsy. Whatever they are catching, the small falcons take them in their claws and then transfer the catch to their beaks in mid-flight. I watch spellbound as the birds circle the field, swooping swallow like. The ariel display continues until the light fades and first the rooks, crows and jackdaws depart; followed closely by the herring gulls, and then the hobbies fly westwards to their roost. The spectacle is over for another day, but whilst the may bugs continue to emerge, there is always the promise of another sighting. On my way home, I observe a little owl joining in the feast.