Feathered friends

Since moving in to my little country cottage is South Yorkshire I have been making the acquaintance of the local wildlife. I put up bird feeders on my front room window, literally on the glass, to get the closest views I could. I now get regular daily visits from Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Chaffinch. The food dropped by the latter is taken up by Blackbird, Dunnock, Pigeon, and most recently, Pheasant. I have also had recent visits from Voles. Despite my Cat sitting in the window watching with baited breath, the birds keep coming. I think they know that the Cat cannot get them. At night I have had a visit from a Barn Owl, and a Tawny Owl is a regular. I'm hoping that the Deer from the woods will one day wander up, but I somehow doubt it. I may be lucky to get a Fox, Badger or a Hedgehog. My next plan is to install a night vision camera so I can monitor night time visitors. (Of the wildlife kind I may add).

I have been working on some birds at my place of work too. So far I have had a Robin cast a shady eye on a handful of food but my best feathered buddy so far is actually a Pied Wagtail who follows me for a scrap of food in our South American exhibit. No mean feat when you have to compete against seven feisty Squirrel Monkeys. 

A sighting of a Leucistic Crow is common just of late, especially in the Polar Bear enclosure. A Kestrel is seen daily taking scraps from the Polar Bear leftovers. I have even seen it eating fish. Ever the opportunist. The wetlands area behind the Tiger enclosure is teaming with Lapwings, various Ducks and Geese a plenty. In the Summer a pair of Oystercatcher live and nest in our African enclosure. Goldcrest are plentiful as are Long Tailed Tit. 

Locally is Potteric Carr nature reserve with Bittern and Egret as regulars. As is the stunning Starling murmuration. I have a lot of bird watching to catch up on. New county, new wildlife. Nature is just the best and can lighten any dark heart. Get out and take a look around you. The countryside is a wonderful place. (Be quick before that Trump bloke ruins it all!) 

Here are my Pheasant friends outside my house. Crap pic from my phone but hey, I'm not a photographer! 

Love life. Love nature.