This was the moment at which I got the point of Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time: a work that was to become one of the great recurring pleasures of my life. It occurs on page 46 of the fourth of the 12 volumes – so it’s quite a long wait — with one of the famous Powellian coincidences. And Powell reflects as follows.
“Life is full of internal dramas, instantaneous and sensation, played to an audience of one. This was just such a performance.”
Nothing could better describe a certain aspect of our relationship with the wild world. On my way to my hut to start another busy day of writing, a sudden flash of gorgeous yet subtle colours: silver, black, deep chestnut: the silver dominant. It was the male marsh harrier that has taken up the place these last few weeks, individual, dominant, apparently a stranger to self-doubt. He was perhaps ten yards away as he passed.
Later I saw the female drop onto our scrap of marsh, apparently in successful pursuit of some scrap of food. And a little after that I saw one or other of them high up, being mobbed by a pair of crows, keeping out of their way with irritable changes of direction.
Three dramas, or perhaps one drama in three acts, and the single member of the audience entranced once again. All drama is demanding of the audience, if only to turn up. Actors talk of a good audience, or a bad one: an audience being a contributor to the effectiveness of what happens on stage.
So there I was, trying my best to be a good audience, holding the rapt silence when appropriate… though perhaps I should have booed the crows, or shouted “look behindjer!” In a busy day the wild world shouted for my attention once again.
I was able to join Eddie a bit later in his own pursuit of daily June wildness and we shared the simple song of chiffchaff and the evening cawing from our neighbouring rookery.
And here’s Eddie.
Wonderful,as ever, and Eddie’s contribution is first rate .
Eddie says thanks.
Very much enjoying Eddie’s diary.
More thanks from Eddie.
Talking of Marsh Harriers, when we go to Suffolk to stay at our friend’s cottage, we always try to get to Minsmere and, time permitting, to get to the Bittern Hide, overlooking the reed beds. Nearly always get a Marsh Harrier or two, and what a wonderful sight, quartering the reeds. One time, after 15 minutes, we were just getting ready to go, not having seen any, when, as though by magic, up popped two…made our day!
And to think they were down to a single breeding pair in Britain – that was 1971 and Minsmere of course.
Very much enjoying Eddie’s diary too! I’m going to give that bird song app a go. I make sure I have a calm bit of my day to read your posts, just as I did in your Times’ days.
Really glad you’re enjoying it, I have a birdsong podcast that you can find here – http://shortbooks.co.uk/book/birdwatching-with-your-eyes-closed
Eddie, I am very jealous. I have never seen a marsh harrier. I loved your blog,m thank you , you have taught me so much. Tell your Dad that he hasn’t abandoned his wild project. Merely by mentioning septic platter he will make many people wild.
Yes indeed, Eddie and I are still hard at it!
Simon, what is it with birds of prey that captivate us all so much? I am a lapsed birder from Cheshire living in rural Australia these past 8 years and I recently moved to a farm on a couple of acres 15 minutes from the closest shop. For the past month I have been treated to a pair of enormous wedge tailed eagles soaring over the house and surrounding fields. I can’t begin to describe the pleasure they give me on every sighting, and the lift they afford sustains me for the entire day. And this despite being surrounded by other joys such as a resident a pair of kookaburras, eastern rosellas, and rainbow lorikeets. But those eagles are something else … is it aesthetics, or do they personify something that so many of us admire or can relate to?
Great question, I think I will attempt to answer it in about 4000 words in my next book, I think you’ve started something here. Many thanks!
Beautiful bird. I wish I knew of the Marsh Harrier when I was in New Zealand. They are not in the Americas, so I will have to hear about all these wild creatures from you and Eddie.
You’re not short of great birds of prey in America, I once saw the hawk migration over the great lakes – one of the finest thing I’ve ever seen.
As always a joy to read Simon, but Eddie is raising the bar and in doing so is increasing that joy.
Thanks from us both for those kind words.
Privileged to see them regularly on the North East Coast at Druridge Bay and I have to echo Michael Groves and co.
Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, a marsh harrier is likely to set your right.