The appearance of these unusual red birds scared the life out of the locals, many of whom thought that the end was nigh, most seeking shelter in ice-cream parlours and local pubs. Widespread panic and drunkeness is nothing new to the superstitious inhabitants of this isolated part of Northern Ireland who still routinely practice burning witches and are rumoured to eat cats on moonlit nights. Inmates of the town are already sacrificing themselves in a mass act of divination to determine the meaning of this strange omen. Most people's money is on a primeval species of metal chicken.
All the same it was impressive - it even made a couple of my chickens lay an extra egg (and the dogs laid something else slightly less edible)
Breaking News:
Presumably the same flock was seen flying east over Portadown by a local birder (who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of association with Newcastle, Co. Down) at approximately 2.30pm this afternoon. The observer confirmed that they were fast and red. No sign of extra eggs for the observers chickens but it didn't do much for Spotted Flycatcher stress levels
