How many birds can boast of having a song written about them by Pop Royalty? Or being sung about by real Royalty, our Heirs to the throne would have, as we all have sung along to 'Sing a Song of Sixpence,  a pocket full of Rye. Indeed we sing it to our Granddaughter even now.

Blackbird (singing in the dead of night) by Sir Paul is the 10th most covered song in the world apparently. Actually this morning about 3am I was awoken by a male singing outside my window and you couldn't get much deader than that on a cold, dark mid February night!

Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie is undoubted one of the most recognisable lines from a nursery rhyme in the world, even the Four Calling Birds of the Twelve Days of Christmas were originally,  Four Colly birds which are in fact are, yes you've guessed it Blackbirds... Colly Birds being their old name.

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So they have quite place to maintain in our hearts and minds, which I believe they do admirably. As black as coal with an eye ring and bill as yellow as the summer sun. This lovely image take by Rob Budgen last Thursday at NwH shows off the eye and the fact that there is quite a bit of marking on the breast viewed close-up. As a songster I think it is without compare. I'm looking forward to its' full reportoire in a month or twos' time.

OWEN SWEENEY

By now many of you will have heard the sad news of Owens' passing earlier on this week. I can think of no finer tribute to him than to reproduce the words penned by rspb Medway local group member Sue Carter who knew him for the best part of forty years.

"Truly sad news about Owen.
 
There is an eloquent obituary on the KOS website but I would like to add my own memories of Owen:
 
Owen was simply a lovely, caring man with a wicked sense of humour. He was also a stalwart defender of nature.
 
He faced his beloved Linda’s untimely death with dignity and his own illness with fortitude. Shortly after Linda died, he told me that he no longer took pleasure in finding new birds in their garden because he felt he was being disloyal to her as she could no longer see them too.
 
I am privileged to have shared some laughs with Owen at the Savacentre events and also on field trips. Two such trips to France and the New Forest hold special memories for me. Owen had time for people and was always keen to pass on his vast knowledge in a friendly manner.
 
We, the nightingales and conservation in general are the poorer for his passing.
 
Rest in peace Owen and thank you"
 
Sue
Thank you Sue for your well chosen words