RETURN OF THE WING

We have been very remiss. However, we are now back with a will, with a vengeance, and most importantly, with more bird news than you can shake a stick at.

SO.

1. Here is a programme about Messiaen that was on Radio 4 and features Stephen Moss, the Guardian's birdman. In it you will learn how Messiaen used birdsong in his music, how birds are 'the songsters of creation' and 'reconnect us to place, to seasons, to the fundamentals of life.' Too right.

(It is called 'the Golden Oriole'! I think that's just wonderful)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ft26k

Furthermore, Messiaen being Radio 3's 'composer of the week' you have mere hours to enjoy the programmes about his life and work on iPlayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fvfjq

2. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/darwin/

The Darwin exhibition at the Natural History Museum. We have good reason to believe that this is very birdy, and even if it is not, it is quite clearly amazing and exciting and you will at least get to see a picture of a bird with bright blue feet that lives in the Galapagos.

3. We urge you to

CONSIDER THE BIRDS

(by Colin Tudge)

http://tinyurl.com/69j643

A treasure trove of bird facts, bird brains, bird biology, birds in songs, birds in books, birds in history and everything else bird, including an examination of the troublesome question: 'Are birds really dinosaurs?' I hear that it also includes a scathing attack on today's politicians and economists so, like, something for everyone really. Put it on your Christmas lists.

4. Mother Goose

Hackney Empire, London

http://tinyurl.com/4r8aqq

AND

Grand Opera House, Belfast (this one has a game!)

http://www.goh.co.uk/mothergoosegame/

I confess I have no idea what happens in a Mother Goose pantomime, but presumably there's a bird in there somewhere so it must be OK.