Darbyshire bird-spotting

Cold but sunny, the day turned increasingly gloomy the further into Peak District we drove. We were too far to turn back now, so we decided to walk along the river away. The air was full of disapproving squeals as the birds were being blown out of the trees by the violent gusts of wind. With every blow the air would fill with their black shapes, and they would circle for a while like leaves caught in an air current, before settling back down grudgingly, only to be forced airborne again after a few minutes.

We were hoping to see first signs of spring, but the fields and trees were just as barren as they were in the middle of winter, only the slightly fuller buds betraying that it wasn't just out waiting for a warmer weather front. We were turning back when we heard a strange sound, a bird call so bizarre it sounded electronic to me ears. A big white and black shape was circling above a field, looping this way and that, in quick, violent jerks, showing off its amazing flying abilities.

I could not resist, and started walking closer, all the while fitting the zoom lens onto the camera. The bird suddenly sat down, giving me chance to spot it properly – I've never seen one like that before, with the oddly shaped wings and a distinctive tuft on the head. Soon it was off again and I climbed and than jumped a dry stone wall to get a better look. I thought it was trying to impress the female with its aerial acrobatics; she was standing in the field all the while, watching, until I got too close and both of them took off and moved to the adjacent field.

Later Skinnytoes' dad told me they were lapwings, and I'm looking forward at bumping into them again when my new camera arrives. Perhaps than I will be able to do justice its green, iridescent plumage, which in the poor light of the evening looks dull and monochrome on the shots I got.