Definitely more than a little crowded in the Great Tit nestbox these days as the babies continue to grow. It can't be too long before they start to fledge. One is often seen exercising its wings:
Some time this morning one of the babies fledged so now the parents have five in the nest and one out and about to look after.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Coal Tit, Penny
I spent a while yesterday watching a Coal Tit making very frequent visits to the feeders and making off with a black sunflower seed each time. It didn't seem to go far, flying across the garden to a large evergreen tree. I'm not sure whether it has a nest there or was burying the seeds in the soft dead needle covered ground under the tree. I have seen them bury seeds there in the past.
The Great Tit babies in the nest box are growing rapidly and a couple are regularly stretching their wings. I don't think it will be long before the first couple fledge. The live video which runs for most of our daylight hours can be seen by clicking HERE.
Penny is slowly settling down and soon took possession of the dog bed. As with the nature of Greyhounds she is always on the lookout for food so there have had to be some re-arrangements made in the kitchen! After a couple of whoopsies in the first few hours she now seems to be clean about the house. That was one thing I was concerned about as she has only known kennel life up to now. She is very loyal, around the property anyway, and seems to be attached to me with an invisible length of elastic. Out and about it could be very different as her chasing instinct would kick in and I was warned they were very poor on recall. As Penny has only mixed with greyhounds it will take some time for her to recognise other dogs as dogs and to be trained to ignore cats, squirrels and such like. To that end she is never off her lead when out and wears a muzzle.
Once we return we have a game of ball in the back garden which gives her the bursts of exercise she needs.
The Great Tit babies in the nest box are growing rapidly and a couple are regularly stretching their wings. I don't think it will be long before the first couple fledge. The live video which runs for most of our daylight hours can be seen by clicking HERE.
Penny is slowly settling down and soon took possession of the dog bed. As with the nature of Greyhounds she is always on the lookout for food so there have had to be some re-arrangements made in the kitchen! After a couple of whoopsies in the first few hours she now seems to be clean about the house. That was one thing I was concerned about as she has only known kennel life up to now. She is very loyal, around the property anyway, and seems to be attached to me with an invisible length of elastic. Out and about it could be very different as her chasing instinct would kick in and I was warned they were very poor on recall. As Penny has only mixed with greyhounds it will take some time for her to recognise other dogs as dogs and to be trained to ignore cats, squirrels and such like. To that end she is never off her lead when out and wears a muzzle.
Once we return we have a game of ball in the back garden which gives her the bursts of exercise she needs.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Penny Comes to Stay
Home inspection went smoothly this morning and soon after midday I had a call from Fen Bank Greyhound Sanctuary to say I could collect Penny any time. Within the hour I was on my way. Most of the way home she lay quietly on the back seat but it was a good job Roy, a neighbour, went with me as she tried to climb through to the front a couple of times.
First thing was for her to make an inspection of the garden:
The tassel hanging from her house collar has a bell. This is to give any cats which wander in the garden a reasonable chance of escaping before Penny assumes they are rabbits.
After a couple of short walks and a few games of ball on the lawn followed by a welcome meal it was a case of a greyhound doing what greyhounds do best.
As racing greyhounds have never met any other types of dog she wears a muzzle for a few weeks when out for walkies until she learns they can be friends and not meals.
First thing was for her to make an inspection of the garden:
The tassel hanging from her house collar has a bell. This is to give any cats which wander in the garden a reasonable chance of escaping before Penny assumes they are rabbits.
After a couple of short walks and a few games of ball on the lawn followed by a welcome meal it was a case of a greyhound doing what greyhounds do best.
As racing greyhounds have never met any other types of dog she wears a muzzle for a few weeks when out for walkies until she learns they can be friends and not meals.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Monday, 14 May 2012
Will This be the Next Midmarsh Hairy Monster?
A big thank you to all who left messages of sympathy.
As Bobby's health had been deteriorating on and off for months I was more prepared this time for the loss. It may seem heartless to some for me to go looking so soon after losing him but the home is so quiet and empty without a companion. We had six good years together and now it is the turn of someone else to share my home.
Today I drove to the Fen Bank Greyhound Sanctuary to see what dogs they had in. It was difficult as they all were so welcoming and friendly. In the end there were a couple which really took my fancy and my final choice was Penny who is bouncing with energy and coming up to her fourth birthday. We had a game together, lots of hugs and kisses and went for a short walk to see how she behaved.
I have to wait a short while until the sanctuary conducts their home inspection and then I find out whether I can keep up with her.
As Bobby's health had been deteriorating on and off for months I was more prepared this time for the loss. It may seem heartless to some for me to go looking so soon after losing him but the home is so quiet and empty without a companion. We had six good years together and now it is the turn of someone else to share my home.
Today I drove to the Fen Bank Greyhound Sanctuary to see what dogs they had in. It was difficult as they all were so welcoming and friendly. In the end there were a couple which really took my fancy and my final choice was Penny who is bouncing with energy and coming up to her fourth birthday. We had a game together, lots of hugs and kisses and went for a short walk to see how she behaved.
I have to wait a short while until the sanctuary conducts their home inspection and then I find out whether I can keep up with her.
Sunday, 13 May 2012
A Sad End to the Weekend
I have just come back from the vets where I said goodbye to Bobby. He had become very ill towards the end of last week and with all his ailments looked as though he had given up the struggle to live. On the recommendation of the vet he was peacefully let go while I stroked his head.
This is the photo I have had as a background on my computer for years and is the way I will remember him - curious but gentle.
RIP old feller:
We had a good six years together and his age of 14 was a good one for a Lurcher.
This is the photo I have had as a background on my computer for years and is the way I will remember him - curious but gentle.
RIP old feller:
We had a good six years together and his age of 14 was a good one for a Lurcher.
Great Tit Nestbox
All seems to be going well in the Great Tit Nestbox with both adults spending all the daylight hours feeding the six ever hungry babies. How they have grown in just a few days. They are no longer naked but covered in tiny feathers.
This is a little bit of video captured this morning:
This is a little bit of video captured this morning:
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