Wildlife Update

Since I last wrote we have seen another full batch of ducklings come and go as well as a batch of six moorhen chicks which all disappeared overnight! We know that ducks are completely useless as parents but the moorhens are normally a little more successful. I think that it is probably important for us to try and keep a much lower profile when the birds have young on the pond. I am sure that the moorhen took her chicks into the woods opposite because we were gardening at the edge of the pond. Sadly they never came back. Just to add to the sadness the swallows that nest in the stables every year have also disappeared leaving their young dead in the nest. All very depressing, especially as seeing animals rear their young in the wild is one of the most satisfying things about living in the country. The chickens are all doing very well, producing at least seven eggs a day, sometimes eight. The size varies more than you would expect between the eggs with some approaching the size of duck eggs!! We had a run of double yolkers, four days on the trot and another one today which Brodie has already eaten for his lunch with some baked beans and toast - piglet! We have had quite a lot of mouse action recently. We trapped one in the snug area with a piece of chocolate. He had been having the run of the place chewing everything in site including Brodie's Xbox controllers. There were also mouse droppings in the dolls house so the little blighter had obviously been having a right nice little time. Anyway, trapped and relocated to the end of School Lane so no more easy living in the dolls house for you my little brown friend. We caught another mouse in the duck food bin. He nibbled his way through the plastic bin lid and then climbed in and out using the sack that the food was stored in. Unfortunate for him I removed the sack so that we he next went in there was nothing to climb back out on, unlucky mousy!! He too has been relocated. A slightly less humane end for one little mouse that Allie found in one of the stables. Unfortunately instead of running away he decided to sit on the floor behind her. A reasonable plan until she took a step backwards without realising that he was there.... Whoopsy mouse pancake! The ducks have become very friendly of late. Joanna's favourite lady duck has been coming on to the "Al Fresco" area and demanding food which she has then been taking from our hands. Very sweet indeed. Her gentlemen friend is not quite so bold and always stays out of reach and doesn't get much of a look in as far as the food is concerned. I am posting this now so that I can start a new one featuring my leg in plaster, yet more chicks and some possible dog news. Keep reading and I promise I will try and keep more regular! You know what I mean.....