Our latest visitors

For some time we've had a couple of Red legged Partridges hanging around. Now they've decided our garden is home from home. They are timid little birds but I managed to catch them as they were outside our bedroom. These are taken from inside through glass so not crystal clear.











They don't eat the food I put out on the tray but seem to love the longer grass where we're trying to grow some wild meadow flowers. I haven't seen a nest on the ground or any babies, in fact I am making an assumption they are male and female, I think I had better go and check my bird book

Lai

Aren't they just adorable Lai, they are so chuncky looking you just want to cuddle them they have the most beautiful faces and they do look so gentle so they obviously suit their nature. Love the photos of them standing on one leg. I really like these two and wouldn't it be great if they were Male and Female and they had some chicks

littlewid-x-

What a couple of cuties Lai, the shots areall good considering they were taken through glass. Nice to have an extended family
WS

Thanks Littlewid and WS. I've checked my book and it seems that male and female look the same, so I've called them Pip and Persephone (a mouthful I know but it suits her and I watched Upstairs Downstairs recently)

Will keep you posted if we see any eggs or babies - the weather is revolting today so we've not seen P & P yet.

Lai

Those names are just right for them Lai, they do seem quite aristocratic don't they so they deserve to sound as if they come from aristocracy Hopefully P&P are ok and th weather hasn't upset them. Also hopefully they are Male and female, as it is the breeding season I am hedging my bets they are M & F and not of the same sex.
Looking forward to hearing more news of P & P and hopefully some little P's as well.

littlewid-x-

After the torrential rain yesterday I was worried about P & P, but happy to say last night they were back in our garden happily looking for whatever it is they eat. They don't like the short grass and run across it very quickly but seem to prefer it where it's a bit longer and they blend in very well.

Hoping for more photos later

Lai

Good to know P & P are fine Lai, always a relief to know nothing has happened.
I wonder that as they blend in with the long grass more thats why they don't like the short grass, they feel more vulnerable to predators and they do look rather delicate so I don't think they would be able to stand up for themselves much.
Oh yes, hopefully more piccies soon of P & P

littlewid-x-

I think you're right Littlewid. We've plenty of buzzards around and of course a regular visitor to our garden is a little weasel who although cute looking is I am sure a vicious little thing!

Pip was in the garden earlier and Persephone was in the woods, have they had a tiff? I am sure they will be back together again later.


Lai

Hopefully Pip, and Pers!!! errr Perspo!!!! errr M&F are happier with the weather today. I think your spot on with the ground cover theory LW. Fingers X young on the way
WS

Pip, Persephone and a few others this morning. (through the glass)



We've a family of 5 magpies who come in for breakfast


P & P are not willing to share with the jackdaws


nor the very large pigeon




If I stand on this it tips over and I can eat more quickly


Pip really is a very handsome partridge !


Lai

Just fantastic photos Lai and it's wonderful that P & P are doing so well and I love the fact that they stand their ground over the food, they really have made it their home haven't they and clever little Pip for being so ingenious in trying to tip the bowl over
The rather large Pigeon looks a bit degected, walking off to find another cafe by the looks of it
Loved looking at those
littlewid-x-

Thanks Littlewid.

Don't worry about Perry the pigeon, he's normally the big bully around the feeders but gives in graciously (or not) to P & P. He tends to push the jackdaws away but spends most of his day eating at our cafe, while the others fly off and do whatever they do Perry hangs around waiting for more food, no wonder he's so big!

Lai

Perry sounds quite adorable Lai my two Pigeons who i call Mr & Mrs, not sur eif they are but they are always together, are very patient and wait on the fince till the others have fed then they swoop in and demolish whats left and what has been dropped.Mine are rather plump too

littlewid-x-

Lucky Mr & Mrs they obviously know they'll get what's left

Lai

One thing about Pigeons Lai is that they are not daft

littlewid-x-

I am thinking Perry is getting so fat he won't be able to fly soon

Lai

Oh My Goodness, a Grounded Pigeon Maybe P & P need to chase him round a bit more

littlewid-x-

Great pics of P & P Lai, looks like they've got the rights on the Cafe, Strangely we dont have any Pigeons here, but we have Collered Doves instead, and their like LW's Mr & Mrs they shoot in and get any left overs
WS

Fabulous photos Lai and the colours of the Partridge are brilliant.

SM

SM

Lai

I am delighted to say that proud parents Pip and Persephone have 9 little baby partridge chicks - tiny weeny and only one or two days old. Happily not in our garden where the dogs go.















I counted 7 whilst taking these photos - but the magpies were around and sadly these little chicks make an easy meal.

I'll be keeping an eye on them everyday, they are absolutely adorable

Lai

Good news - at lunchtime 7 or 8 baby p's still looking teeny weeny and very adorable. It seems we miscounted yesterday! Well they are so small you can easily miss them. They've moved under the beech hedge and onto the grass so hopefully keeping safe.

Lai