Ancient Wisdom: No.23 – The Forest Alarm Systems…

When you wander into the forest the fox and deer know where you are…

They know because the birds have a lot to say about you being there, and the fox & deer know what they are saying about you. They have heard it all their lives since they were cubs and fawns, & they listen out, especially for the unique signature of a human wandering in their territory…

The wisest of animals never need to set eyes on a human, & yet they always know where they are, because the birds act as their eyes and ears…

The language the birds use is very simple & easily learned, & when you start to understand the ripple of alarm you send out into the forest every time you move, you will start to notice the ripples the deer & fox send out too & which ripple through the forest towards you…

Because the birds talk about everyone not just humans…

They talk about the deer, they talk about the badger, they talk about the fox…

The ground dwelling birds have a great deal to say about the weasel and the cats that hunt them, & everyone has a lot to say about the owls and hawks, who will take any opportunity to make them lunch…

They have a lot to say about the magpies & crows who try to rob their nests in the spring, & other birds who try to steal their favorite feeding spot…

So before you enter a forest or step out into a clearing, stop and wait, listen for the ripples of alarm, and eventually you will get to know the ripple caused by a fox, the ripple of fear caused by a hawk or a weasel…

You will become accustomed to the more subtle ripple of annoyance caused by a deer grazing too close to the blackbird’s favourite feeding area or the domestic dog bumbling through its territory…

But start simple, get to know the robin that lives in your garden or on the little piece of waste ground you pass everyday. Or listen to the wren, they will teach you a great deal about what bird have to say about cats & humans…

It will not be long before you can tell the approach of a cat, or a fox or a human into your patch of the world…

I can get you far along the path of understanding bird alarm systems, but you don’t need me, just sit for 5 to 10 min every now and again where the robins and wrens are & eventually you will pick it up yourself…

Walk in Awareness