The Rooks are not a bird that migrates over the winter but usually ‘hang out’ around their nesting sites… ‘Rookeries’. The nest are high at the tops of the tallest trees in the area and are an intricate and robustly engineered construction of twigs. But some years the elements are just too much for these high rise constructions and the gales and high winds reap destruction.
This year was one such year and the Rookery all but disappeared. There has been a good deal of reluctance on the part of the Rooks to start rebuilding work….the ever lengthening winter I think has deterred them. But over the last few days activity has been both noisy and frantic and Rook City has been recreated……
Not one of the most attractive of natures wonders but still one that you have to admire for the skill and tenacity in the communal construction.
But it may also be the best sign yet that Spring is about to appear.
9th April
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
Rook? What kind of bird is that, David? Would you be able to snag a pictuer of one of these inhabitants? It looks like magpie nests, only much smaller? But so many in a relatively small area? That’s rather unique too, I guess?
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A little bigger than Magpie, part of the same family group of Corvidae. Not as graceful in my view, they have an aggressive stance and strut everywhere like over weight politicians! Very similar to Crows. I will try to dig out an image for you
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A rook is a crow like bird. There are several. Yes, the magpie – the black and white thief of all things shiny, the small crow version of which I forgot the English name. In Dutch we call them KAUW (pronounce as cow). They have slightly greyish head. Then the beautiful crows themselves. The the rooks and then the emperors: The Ravens. Highly intelligent. Beautiful birds with a metallic shine on their feathers.
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Wow, so many!
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There will soon be many more…then wait for the chicks and the noise just moves to another level yet
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Let us hope spring is coming fast – now. I like Rooks and the Crow family in general if you can get close enough I find that they can be photogenic
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So right….they are far from being just a Black bird, but those beaks look ferocious!
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The beaks are ferocious, David. And yet the Crow family nesting on the flat roof above me were chased off their newly built nest. The eggs and maybe even a chick or two were stolen. Again and again the predatorial GULS fly by. Try to steal more. I feel so sorry for this familiy of crows.
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