14.
seconds passed and one or two were actually
passing low over my head. The trend
increased until quite a number were conduct-
ing themselves in this way. I realised that
I had once before met a similar experience
on a minor scale when entering the isolated
churchyard of a now disused parish church
skirting the Essex marsh.
That day I was immediately greeted by
the determined headswoops of a pair of
Swallows whose domestic activities at the
nest were clearly seen by the birds to be at
risk. I was not welcome. Weaving hirundi-
nidae normally appear to be wholly absorbed
in their own food-seeding gyrations, yet now
as I stood by with binoculars levelled I was
a disturbing element to their concentration
and privacy. Objections were being raised,
and a protest had to be made. Some of the
more edgy characters were doing the right
thing, without delegation or prompting. I
was duly buzzed. Participation took an
unexpected turn. The birds and myself were
inter-involved. They were really aware of
my presence, and of my silent aggression.
If I could not behave, it was time for me to
go .
I looked at my watch -17.47. It was
two minutes past my deadline anyway, and the
end of the most hectic little spell of
nature observation that I could remember.
Eric Hooper
---oOo---
Recording. Ron Allen would like to thank
all those who responded to his appeal for
help with biological recording.