#birch tree

On the second day of January the sun put in a brief appearance, and Algy decided to venture cautiously outside.

Borrowing a warm scarf from his assistant, to serve as a shawl or blanket, he hopped up into the big downy birch tree and positioned himself with his back to the blasting arctic wind. Although the air temperature was in fact slightly above freezing, the wind chill made it feel bitterly cold, and the low winter sun, although bright, offered no warmth at all. In the distance Algy could see that the Isle of Rum was covered in snow, and he wondered how long it would be before the snow began to fall on him.

Despite wrapping the colourful scarf tightly around his body, Algy soon felt the cold begin to creep in among his feathers, and decided that perhaps he had had enough fresh air for the time being… But as he flew down from his perch he called to a crow who was passing overhead, and asked it to please convey a message – via other birds travelling further away – to communicate his fluffiest thanks to all his friends around the world who had sent him kind thoughts and comments over the Christmas and New Year holidays.