On 2014-02-10 09:24:25 +0000, Chris Hogg said:

On Sun, 9 Feb 2014 15:55:42 +0000, sacha wrote:

I've just seen one flying into the rookery with a twig in her beak, so
it looks as if they're optimistic, at least!

You were able to determine its sex as it flew by and from a distance!
Wow, I'm impressed! :-)

Like the Frenchman with the fly! ;-) Actually, someone very
knowledgeable on the birding group told me it's the female who carries
the stick. I'd asked about it because usually, there are two birds
together, one carries a twig and the other doesn't. When I enquired
about this strange behaviour, I was told that the twigless bird was the
male making sure no other male absconded with his mate! So he
accompanies her on her shopping for building material. It seems an
awful waste of potential labour to me but that's men for you! ;-)
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk