Birdwatching In Clarkson’s Farm: A Nature Lover’s Guide To Avian Life

Jeremy Clarkson - car show host, columnist, and a self-proclaimed grumpy older man - finds himself on the blacklist of British media. However, contrary to his recent declaration that not even he could tell barley from wheat or as a notorious plant killer, Clarkson took it to the next level: he decided to run a farm. Then there came a year of terrific weather, not to mention an international pandemic that made his farming experience less than routine.

Based on his Lamborghini tractor, Clarkson faced one of the worst rains during the sowing season, the driest spring of the growth period, and a pandemic during harvest time. But then he managed to profit £144 from the endeavor. But the greatest prize was the simple pleasures he derived from life: sandwiches made from his wheat and juice extracted from apples he had planted. Then, there was the unexpected highlight of his new life in the countryside: birdwatching.

A New Passion For Bird Watching

Bird watching became the hotbed of joy at the farm at Clarkson's - a complete departure from the high-octane car and television world. This interest was encouraged partly by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which was created in late 19th-century England, mainly to help save birds like the Great Crested Grebe from being hunted for their very pretty feathers that decorated the furs of haute couture women. It was curious that, at a time when the world was generally wracked by severe challenges such as wars, diseases, and social upheaval, a clique of idealists in Manchester, first and foremost, could think of saving birds from the vagaries of fashion.

In any event, the RSPB has become a mighty organization best known for its annual activity, which is garden birdwatching. This activity will challenge people to spend an hour observing and documenting birds in their gardens, thus enabling the tracking of population changes of various species. This activity has evolved locally into the biggest bird survey project on earth. Bird enthusiasts sell fat balls and seeds in record amounts weeks before the event. However, Clarkson got involved, and though peanuts in his local town were sold out, he accepted pistachios instead.

Preparing For The Birdwatching Event

On the morning of the big day, Clark prepared to some extent, cracking open a few pistachios and placing last year's fat, lard, and grains on a bird feeder platform, well-adorned with a monocular, a notebook, and a book about birds for reference. The first visitor was a Robin, but it quickly took up a territorial display, chasing off a Blackbird, two Sparrows, and a Pied Wagtail. Bird food was still untouched - having only begun to look around, the Robin appeared concerned with territorial matters rather than finding food to eat.

In the nut basket, something similar was occurring. A Blue Tit arrived, followed by a Great Tit; though there was room for both side by side, they preferred to fight for control of the basket, using far more energy than any food they might be fighting for could ever yield. Feathers flew as they battled over the control of the basket. Clarkson thought that the two Tits would probably want something from a fast-food shop to replace the calories the squabble used up.

Hopes For Rare Sightings

He hoped that amidst all the commotion around him, he was seeing something more special, such as a Tree Sparrow, European Nightjar, hummingbirds, or Green Woodpecker. But half an hour later, the Robin was still sweeping its territory, and the Tits were still locked in combat.

Clarkson, who liked to think of himself as reasonably good at birdwatching, confessed that he found it impossible to work out which of the tiny brown birds was against the bright sky. He had got a bird identification program, but all it said was that it was a "small brown bird," which didn't help much.

Birdwatching Beyond The Farm

Clarkson could not help but think of how exciting it would be to watch birds in some faraway place- the Seychelles, where birds have porcelain-like bodies, or Papua New Guinea, where crows look like glowing satellite dishes. His crows probably weren't nearly as pretty, but they shared a certain intelligence. He found that the pigeons ran from under his feet once they saw him coming with his gun, but not the crows aware that his shotgun could not reach them.

After forty minutes of watching, Clarkson realized his garden needed to be more rampant with birdlife. Still, he continued to put out food each morning, hoping to attract more birds. One day, a Wren arrived, hopping toward the pile of seeds on its tiny legs. The Robin darted in before it could reach the food and chased it away. He was impressed by the Robin's tenacity, even though it wasn't the most welcoming of hosts.

The Politics Of Birdwatching

Clarkson found that accompanying her on birdwatching wasn't only a treat to witness nature's wonder but also to see the funny politics of the bird enthusiasts. In New York, for example, two kinds of birdwatchers were categorized: one that did not want any leak of rare bird locations and another that posted GPS coordinates on social media as if nobody owned it. It became almost like the civil war in the birdwatching fraternity. Clarkson thought that if a dodo were to make an appearance in Central Park, no one would pay much attention since they would all be too busy arguing.

He had seen enough of the birdwatching spectacle from the garden of his farm in Chipping Norton. The same Tits were still wrangling, and the Robin was still belligerently defending its hoard of food. He gazed up into the sky, hoping for brighter hope. But the birds in the sky seemed likewise to be of an inoffensive color. Brown feathers melted into nothingness.

Clarkson's Farm As A Haven For Birds

While by no means the most interesting discoveries in his garden birdwatching, Clarkson boasted that his farm was now a haven for birds. He erected small eagle and owl nest boxes across the estate, allowed hedgerows to run to seed, and planted flowers to attract insects, and there was a mosaic of colorful blooms that from above looked like cords of corduroy.

Indeed, this investment paid off, for he soon noticed flocks of Goldfinches and more than a hundred Yellowhammers roosting in his untrimmed hedgerows. Once upon a time, the RSPB had ordained that Yellowhammers were about to become extinct due to the number of cars appearing. Clarkson could not help but laugh at the thought that the birds weren't smart enough to avoid the traffic coming their way as if the drivers were trying to hit them for brownie points.

A New Perspective On Farm Life

Because of birdwatching, Clarkson turned a new leaf in his life as a farmer. Maybe he had already faced the worst nature could offer extreme weather and unruly animals. And so, birdwatching gave him such peaceful moments of reflection. The simplicity of the birds that visit his farm ignores the contradiction with each other.

His account explains that, even at such a strange farm run by an ardent car enthusiast, this birdwatching affair gave one the privilege of cooling down and relaxing amidst nature. Whether it is a great Robin defending its territory or two Tits putting up some battle scene, birdwatching offers an unforgettable opportunity for catching a glimpse of the intricacies of wildlife. For Clarkson, it became a cherished aspect of his farm-going life.

Challenges Of Bird Watching On A Bustling Farm

Birding on Clarkson's Farm brings its own set of challenges. The steady noises from machines, free-roaming animals, and general aspects of farm life make regular episodes of quiet time to observe birds impossible. He constantly battles against unpredictable weather, either too much rain or staying for long periods without water, which affects the fauna that live and thrive in his fields.

Many birds that visit his farm are always fighting over territories, such as the Robin that monopolizes the garden bird feeder, banishing all others away. Although he plants hedgerows and flowers to attract different species, the birds can be rowdy, making it impossible to observe territorial fights and competition for food. These issues make Clarkson's birdwatching journey chaotic and interesting, reflecting nature's unpredictable patterns amidst farm life.

The Enduring Appeal Of Garden Birdwatching

While life out on the farm may be chaotic, Clarkson finds an attraction to garden birdwatching. It is a simple activity, requiring only a quiet spot, bird food, and patience. Every day, he disperses seeds, nuts, and fat balls in the feeder and sits down with his monocular and notebook to see which species visit his garden. Of course, it is quite challenging when some birds, like the aggressive Robin, chase others from the feeder, yet the excitement of seeing different species keeps him fascinated.

Even when the Tits fight over the nut basket, the fun lies in seeing their natural behavior. This routine makes him appreciate the subtleties of rural life where even the smallest scenes, which seem less relevant, can be rewarding, such as spotting a Wren passing or seeing a Goldfinch. Birdwatching in the garden gives Clarkson a respite from the frantic pace of farming despite the challenges.