(Threatened) migrating birds

One of the earliest (threatened) migrating birds seen in the county is the tree pipit, usually arriving in the first week of April. The birds nest on the ground in open woodland and live off a diet of small insects and berries. They are chiefly noted for their song-flight – an accelerating “tseep” sound which they make as they rise above a tree and then “parachute” down on stiff wings.

This preserved albino tree pipit was on display at a provincial museum. The exhibit was almost as rare as the bird itself as most museums have removed their collections of stuffed birds because they are no longer regarded as politically correct. Museums are increasingly falling under the control of self-righteous professionals who seek to control the interpretation of the past according to their own prejudices.