Mistle Thrushes fight in the tall Ash. The dispute settled, one flies off and gives its call, a call that reminds me of a rattle or ratchet.

The Greenfinch sings in a sycamore by the river. Its song ends with a nasal 'tcheeeezz', like an intake of breath through clenched teeth.



Spring always gives me the urge to get out and draw from life. The new flowers are always an appealing subject but I never get as many paintings as I'd like completed before the onset of summer. At least today I get the chance to do a quick sketch of the miniature Daffodils in the garden. Fountain pen (as you have probably noticed by now) is my favourite medium for drawing, but when dabbing in the yellow watercolour the brown ink runs and gives my daffodils a russet tint.

Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail;'richard@daelnet.co.uk'