Oxford, 05.2026

I recently realised with dismay that spring is rushing past like a freight train with dysfunctional brakes, and that I haven’t made the most of it by spending way too much time indoors, staring at my laptop. Following this epiphany, I decided to go on regular nature walks on the edge of Oxford, where I currently live. Writing this several weeks later, my only such walk took place one day after I set this goal. I’m trying to console myself by telling myself that this walk was all the more special because it was such a unique occurrence.

Obviously, things are not quite as dire. For example, I recently spent a day in Wales, watching Atlantic Puffins. However, exploring the birdlife in your neighbourhood always feels different to birding further afield. So heading out around town, birds were obviously my priority. I first came across a pond with a few other entertaining critters. Most obvious were loads of mating common blue damselflies. Although my 500mm wildlife lens was not the best bit of equipment to work with in this context, I got some acceptable shots of these blue arrows flitting around above the water’s surface.

The dearth of feathers in my photos did start to bother me eventually though, so I decided to direct my view upwards to watch and photograph the Common Swifts and Western House-Martins careening through the sky. With my old DSLR’s autofocus being relatively slow, I really struggled to obtain clear shots and decided that brute quantity of photos was the only way. Back at my laptop in the evening, I was glad to find that I had obtained a few decent photos of both species.

Sometimes, the swifts were in hot pursuit of a swarm of insects and selfishly disappeared behind some buildings, leaving my wait before they eventually reappeared, their return marked by their high-pithed screams. In these times of quiet, a few other species flew by as well, providing a welcome distraction when I heard the swifts screaming behind buildings and waiting for them to come closer. Their abundance didn’t make the Common Jackdaws less entertaining as they scuffled on the ground, accompanied by their characteristic squawking calls. A few Eurasian Skylarks adopted a more dignified role, rising into the air around me while performing their lovely song characteristic of spring.

Reviewing my photos, it’s clear that my coping mechanism – that the day was better because it was so unique – doesn’t hold up. These sightings were good in their own right, and besides, time outside isn’t a zero-sum game: a few more walks wouldn’t have made this one less rewarding. Which only leaves the question of whether I can act on the obvious conclusion, and go birding around home more regularly – my track record suggests I shouldn’t bet on it…