OLLIE OR OLIVIA SITTING COMFORTABLY ON THEIR EGGS.LAST YEAR’S CHICK.
SUNDAY 31ST MAY DAY 28!
EGG HATCHING POSSIBLE!
WHILE STRUGGLING WITH LOCKDOWN YOU MAY WISH TO HEAR
AN UNUSUAL TALE THAT MAY BRING YOU SOME CHEER?
LET ME SHARE WITH YOU ALL A DELIGHTFUL SCENE
OF MERSEA & HOUSEBOATS & BIRDS THAT PREEN
TWO ORANGE-BILLED BIRDS, AN AMAZING PAIR
ON OUR MUDDY ISLAND, WITH A STORY TO SHARE
BIRDS OF A FEATHER, WITH A WHALE OF A TALE
STRANGER THAN FICTION, BEYOND THE PALE.
TOGETHER THESE BIRDS STARTED OUT ON THIS LARK,
WHEN FIVE YEARS AGO, THEY DECIDED TO PARK,
AND LAY GREEN SPECKLED EGGS IN A LARGE FLOWER-POT,
ON THE DECK OF A HOUSEBOAT THAT’S BEEN LEFT TO ROT,
ON MARVELLOUS MONKEY BEACH, ALONG THE COAST ROAD,
A FABULOUS SPOT, FOR A BOAT TO ABODE.
BUT WHAT THESE TWO LOVE BIRDS FORGOT TO EXPLAIN
IS JUST QUITE HOW LONG, BOAT & POT MUST REMAIN!
FOR A LIFESPAN OF 40 YEARS, 1 MONTH AND TWO DAYS
IS THE RECORD FOR AN OYSTERCATCHER, TO LIVE AND TO RAISE …
… A BOUNCY BROOD OF FLUFFY GREY CHICKS
YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, IN AN ACT THAT’S SO SLICK
FOR THAT’S HOW LONG, WE MAY HAVE TO PROVIDE,
A BOAT AND A POT FOR THOSE BIRDS IN TO HIDE!
AWAY FROM THE SEAGULLS, THE DOGS AND THE CROWS,
TO BRING UP THEIR BABIES AWAY FROM THEIR FOES.
BUT TO GET THERE, THEY BOTH HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO
AROUND A MONTH FOR THE CHICKS STILL TO GROW!
WHAT? 28 DAYS! PLEASE LET ME RECORD,
THERE’S JUST A SMALL CHANCE, I MAY SIMPLY GET BORED.
HATCHING EGGS IN A POT, ON AN OLD HOUSEBOAT DECK
SEEMED SUCH A GOOD PLAN, NOT A PAIN IN THE NECK!
EXCUSE ME A MINUTE, AWAY I MUST GO
TO HUNT DOWN THE GULL AND CHASE OFF THE CROW
THEN I’LL NIP OFF THE NEST FOR I MUST GO AND SEEK
A SMALL TASTY MUSSEL TO COLLECT IN MY BEAK.
BUT INSIDE THE HOUSEBOAT THE PEOPLE STILL SIT
TO COMBAT A MICROBE, THEY’RE DOING THEIR BIT!
WE SIT STILL ON OUR NEST, AND WE SHOULD BE SO GLAD,
AS THE HUMANS INSIDE, SEEM TO BE GOING QUITE MAD!
AT LEAST WE’LL HAVE CHICKS AT THE END OF THE WAIT
WILL THEY BEAT THE VIRUS? WOW! THAT WOULD BE GREAT!
WE BIRDS NOW REMIND YOU, AS WE SIT ON OUR NEST,
PLEASE STAY ON YOUR SOFA TO PROTECT THE NHS!
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