Let me introduce you to Beaky the Carrion crow. It lives at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, in the area around the visitor centre and car park at the southern end of the east lake. I’ve heard about Beaky from other park visitors and know some elderly gents who throw it some bread whenever they visit but, as I don’t often walk in that area (too many people for my liking), I hadn’t met Beaky until last Friday. I had some bird food with me so threw it into the water at the lake edge for the Tufted ducks then was sitting on a bench, putting away my bins and camera in preparation for heading home, when this crow landed in front of me and stared, as if to say ‘Where’s my food?’ And, of course, I couldn’t help but notice its deformed bill so knew immediately this must be Beaky. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any food left but I’ll definitely save some for this characterful bird next time I head that way.

And, just in case you’re wondering, ‘my’ crows are well, and still/always hungry. I don’t go to Cosmeston as often as I used to (too many people for my liking, and that’s only going to get worse, as the Welsh government has just approved a development of 576 new homes on the land opposite) but, as soon as I walk in to my crows’ territory, they come flying in to see me.

The male, above, usually lands right by my feet, whereas the female, below, more wary, perches in a nearby tree. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt a close connection to a wild creature but it truly makes my heart sing when these birds fly in, feed near me, and often walk around the field with me.