Down to Earth Bushcraft

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Have you ever seen a swallow fallen to the ground, its wings seemingly abandoned? Your heart sinks, doesn’t it? You think it’s sick, injured, perhaps doomed. Your instinct tells you to stay away, not to touch, not to get involved. But you stop for a moment. You observe it better.
Maybe it’s not sick at all. Maybe it just needs a little help. Help that you, with one simple movement, can provide.
Swallows, these acrobats of the sky, are not made to take off from flat surfaces. Their small legs don’t give them the necessary momentum, and their long, elegant wings hit the ground. Imagine a plane trying to take off from the grass, without a runway.
If you see a swallow in this situation, don’t panic. Don’t ignore it. Don’t leave it to the dangers that lurk at ground level – cats, cars, curious children.
Approach carefully. Speak softly, so as not to scare her. Bend down and pick her up gently in your hands. Feel her small, vibrating body, her pulse quickening with fear.
Now, the crucial step. Raise your arms slowly, giving her a launching pad. Don't throw her! You're just lifting her up, giving her the opportunity to feel the wind beneath her wings again.
You'll see the magic. In an instant, her wings will open wide, her agile figure will project into the air, and she will soar towards the sky that is her home. A short, contented chirp, perhaps, will be lost in the distance.
You have become the hero of a small life. You have offered a chance. You have contributed to the fragile balance of nature.
The next time you see a swallow on the ground, remember this story. Don't be afraid to intervene. Don't be afraid to help. Sometimes, a small helping hand can make a huge difference. It can save a life.
And who knows, maybe your gesture will inspire others to look more closely at the world around them, to notice the beauty and vulnerability of small creatures, and to lend a helping hand when needed. Because, after all, aren't we all a bit like swallows, sometimes needing a little nudge to take flight again.

In 2012, I made fruit leather with hawthorn berries. Most if it was eaten within the year, but somehow a small batch was stashed away and forgotten about. Fastforward thirteen years and a thousand or more miles away and it tastes as good as the day it was made. Food preservation doesn't get much better.

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The jay is known for its love for acorns! They hop around the ground searching for acorns, so they can take them and hide them. This is called 'caching', which provides them food during times when it might be hard to find food. However, they don't always remember where they hid them, which means that the acorns are then left to grow into oak trees! 🍂

What an inspirational human. I never met him, but, in many little ways, I realise I have benefitted from his life and teachings. I hope I've passed a little bit on in some way ...

In Memory of Frank Cook 1963-2009 The Green Man: A Tribute to Frank Cook A film on the life and works of Frank Cook, ethnobotanist, herbalist, transition culture activist, teacher, and

Stunning photo

What a shot! 😍

An excellent photo here of a hobby mid-flight ready to capture a spot of dinner!

Hobbies are aerial hunters and are known for their incredible abilities to capture small birds and insects whilst in the air! They have even been known to catch swallows and swifts whilst in flight! How amazing is that!?

📸 Dave Soon on Flickr