Nature Notes #2

It was dark. Outside, a strong easterly wind was gusting in the thirties and the windchill was reportedly -5 degrees C. It was also 06.49 and I wasn't inclined to leave the snugness of bed. However, a passing sound made me smile, as several birds were calling in flight as they went by the open window. A piping sort of sound, one that had been absent for... [counts out the time since August]... six months. Yup, it's the beginning of February and the Oystercatchers are returning.

In truth, a few of these charismatic waders remain in Orkney all year, but the bulk of their number head south for Winter, gathering on estuaries and shores around the UK mainland. But now those birds are beginning to return for the breeding season, bringing their joyous piping with them. Here's a link to a page which includes some audio of the call of the Oystercatcher.

I must admit, I do not know of any music tracks which include this sound, despite listening to all manner of pipe music, so I am going to have to jump the species barrier, a bit like a random segment of viral RNA.

Another bird which returns to our skies in Spring (though sadly they do not breed in Orkney, and don't appear until May) is the Swift. Their call, too, is very recognisable, and whilst it wouldn't be described as piping, here it is accompanied by some gentle pipe music, courtesy of the Peatbog Faeries and their track Faerie Stories.