Shire Tenants.

I was wrong about something; there are house martins in the Shire this year. I saw a small flock of maybe 6-10 hunting with a few swallows over a little-frequented lane down near the river. But still the numbers of both are tiny compared with previous years.

It’s always interesting to watch swallows and martins together. The martin is a little smaller and lacks the opulent tail fronds of its bigger cousin. And it flies a trifle slower, being more inclined to drift and glide rather than charge with relentless intent. It’s fortunate that they’re both highly skilled at missing one another in the melee.

As for my place in the Shire, today’s leitmotif has been oh no, not again.