Love birds
IT has been a long-held belief that birds start to look for mates in the middle of February, and on the 14th in particular. If you are a believer in ornithomancy – the reading of omens into the behaviour of birds – and also single, this is the day you should take careful note of what birds you see. It is said that the first bird seen on St Valentine’s Day will determine what type of person you will marry.
Here are some of the best birds to look out for (or not!).
■ Blackbird: your future partner will be a kind person, possibly an aid worker or a person of the cloth.
■ Blue Tit: a very good bird to see as it represents a loyal and faithful partner and blue birds generally are associated with happiness in marriage. It may also mean a partner with a good sense of humour who likes to make people laugh.
■ Crossbill: an argumentative person, with strong personal views.
■ Doves: a gentle and loving person with a unique personality – perfect for a happy partnership!
■ Goldfinch: this species, and others associated with the colour gold such as Yellowhammer, mean your partner will be rich.
■ Geese: someone who is communicative and could perhaps be in journalism, marketing or teaching.
■ Hawks: a politician or someone who has a good sense of business.
■ Common Kingfisher: another species associated with riches, either through hard work or by inheritance.
■ Magpie: an entrepreneurial person who grasps opportunities with both hands.
■ Mallard (or other duck): a stable and home-loving person.
■ Eurasian Nuthatch: a knowledgeable person, perhaps a mathematician or scientist.
■ Owls: a person who is academic, perhaps a teacher. Some believe that a woman who sees an owl will remain a spinster (and a man a bachelor).
■ Common Pheasant: a hardworking or tenacious person who is game for anything.
■ European Robin: see one of these flying by and your future will be with a traveller, especially a sailor.
■ House Sparrow: someone who works on the land, maybe a farmer. Possibly a poor person, but definitely a happy one.
■ Common Starling: a person who works in a large team and makes themselves heard.
■ Swans: somebody creative, like a writer or artist, who will form a long-term partnership.
■ Woodpeckers: see one of these and your future is not to marry at all!
■ Eurasian Wren: a homely person who does not focus on material possessions.