One-off update - 29th December 2010

• Hope anyone reading this managed to watch the BBC programme tonight - "Springwatch Christmas Special", as my uncle was on (at length as it happens -almost for a full seven minutes), talking dragonfly dogfights with Chris Packham and Kate Humble.
• If you didn't manage to see it - you can, HERE. He's on between 33:06 and 40:40. Enjoy!

General (county) update - 28th December 2010

• Many, many waxwings now all over Berkshire, but as I've now come down with the mother of all colds, I've not been up to go find any.
• Not only waxwings, but also today, a bittern has been seen at my local patch (where Mr.T and I saw the water rail recently).
• That bittern means this local patch, about a mile away from "Swift Half", now has a super list of things one can see there - bitterns, short eared owls, barn owls, tawny owls, muntjac deer, roe deer, otters, mink, foxes, snipe, woodcock, buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks, kingfishers, egrets, herons, water rails, little grebes, mandarin, duck, tufted duck, cormorants, herons, grey wagtails.... I could go on!
• All not two miles from one of the biggest towns in southern England!

Swift Half update - 28th December 2010

• No snow after all, just very welcome rain which has finally meant our lying snow and ice has thawed - it's very nice to see the garden again - it's been two weeks!
• Its always about this time of year I seem to locate night-time hidey holes for blue and great tits - often in pipes or scaffolding I find!
• Last year I noticed that our neighbours had blue tits spending the night deep in their scaffolding, a few years ago I found a great tit spending the night in a hollow, steel framed bike shed at work and tonight (or this afternoon I s'pose, it just feels like night at this time of year) I noticed where our "Swift Half" blue tits are spending the night.
• In May of this year, you might remember, I attracted swifts to the roof space of our house, by cleaning out an old nest in the attic and playing a swift call from my phone, dangling out of the attic window, a foot or so below their entrance hole.
• That attic window is very old, wooden framed and ill-fitting.
• A few minutes ago, I noticed two blue tits in the gloom in the garden, looking like they were ready to roost (years of watching birds' behaviour makes this sort of behaviour pretty obvious, especially at this time of year, like I've said).
• Anna and I watched - lo and behold, at least one of the tits flew straight up to the attic window and snuck in between frame and bricks - there's a big gap there.
• Anna has told me that in her parents' home a few years ago, a family of tits nested in a similar place (between window and wall) -so its clearly not a new thing this type of behaviour.
• I don't think they'll actually nest there in the spring - not enough room and plenty of other spots (and used nest sites in the house) around, but its lovely to know that the old, decrepit "Swift half" is providing roosting spots for these wee birds in the winter!
• I may try and sneak a camera into the hole and see what footage I can get....

Swift Half update - 27th December 2010

• Firstly - to anyone reading this - a belated merry Christmas to you, from us all at "Swift Half"
• Anna had a very quiet, relaxing birthday yesterday and we aim to do similar for New Year's Eve in a few days.
• As for the cats, hens and garden - Yala has decided she likes turkey giblets (and likes to fart horribly, after eating them), Malu has decided he doesn't like giblets (so no farts either) and the hens have decided that they like ice skating - on the ice that has covered the patio and garden for ten days or so now.
• It was minus eight at dawn yesterday, a little warmer last night, but now I hear those astrologers at the Met office have predicted yet more snow and ice tomorrow. Joy.
• I have been feeding the wild birds a lot of scran over this cold winter and giving them two bird baths in the garden, which I try to prevent from freezing. They certainly appreciate it.
• Yesterday we had our song thrushes back (never appear in the garden until the winter weather gets harsh) and our very dainty little wagtail. Both these birds are a delight for me to see.
• Yesterday also, one of the local foxes was causing a nuisance by the coop before dawn. Between Malu and myself we scared it away - so no lost chickens!
• If I don't post again before Hogmanay - have yersels a great celebration (if you intend to!) and here's looking forwards to 2011....

General (County) update - 19th December 2010

• The chill continues with the snow not thawing at all today - but still managed a productive walk at dawn, at a local site.
• Firstly, I'm very happy to say that we (myself and Mr.T) heard our barn owl near it's box. Happy to say this for a number of reasons - firstly I've learned today that already in December, 54 barn owls have been reported as found dead over England and Wales since December 1st - almost certainly because of the cold weather. That is a staggering number, gleaned because the barn owl very probably is the most monitored bird in Britain, thanks to the BTO.
• Last year in December (mainly at the end of December due to the snow again - remember?!) 39 barn owls were reported dead in the month - and I thought that was quite high.
• If the snow and cold temperatures do not disappear, the BTO think that there could be 100+ reported dead this December - and bear in mind this is just those that have been reported (the tiniest minority).
• Last winter (the heaviest snow came in January remember) many of our barn owls died, and virtually all bred late. They didn't have a bad breeding season (barn owl breeding success correlates directly with vole boom and bust population cycles), but overall, winter to winter (09-10) was not good for these super birds.
• In case you were not aware (I can't remember whether I've mentioned before or not), the barn owl is at its most northerly extent of its range in the UK. They simply are not built for cold climates, frosts and snow. They really are a central, lowland European bird and suffer greatly in some of our more "harsh" winters. I was lucky enough to see the most northerly barn owl nest in the world when I was a lad - near Inverness in Scotland. Well, it was at the time, anyway.
• So.... it IS great news that we at least heard our owl this morning - it survives for now. I'll keep checking when I can.
• Secondly (in terms of our productive walk), Mr.T and I had great fun tracking a healthy population of foxes,rabbits and deer (muntjac and roe) by their tracks this morning - a lot of fun!
• Thirdly - I've noticed some winter ducks overnight on local brooks and rivers, rather than lakes which are freezing up quickly. Tufted ducks this morning on the kennet (lovely birds) and on the foudry brook during the week. The large local lakes are unfrozen in the middle, but when you have 500 wigeon, 300 gadwall, loads of canada geese, swans and mallard, not to mention a few dozen teal and shoveler, all crammed into the tiniest bit of unfrozen water -its not just the owls that are suffering!
• Fourthly -and just as exciting as the owl (at least for me) we got some fantastic views of a water rail on the ice near southcote lock this morning. One of my favourite wee birds - a real subtle belter - and so rarely seen - until it freezes.
• I've been walking 'round rivers and lakes for nigh on 35 years now -and up until a fortnight ago, had only ever seen ONE water rail (near tring in hertfordshire). These beautiful birds tend to hide themselves in deep reed beds - you might hear one, but a sighting is a rare thing.
• They're described on the RSPB site as "fairly common". I would disagree I'm afraid - maybe around 1000 breeding pairs in the UK in summer. Not what I would call common! Widely but thinly distributed maybe I would agree though. Barn owls (often described as "rare" ) have maybe 5000 breeding pairs in the UK- thats 5 times as many as water rails.
• But the last few walks at our local wetlands have produced only my second and third sightings ever - and today's view was my best of all three - the little thing was scampering around on the ice - desperately looking for grub I expect. Anyway, a real treat for both me and Mr.T.
• Other points of interest locally - waxwings are now in the area. Almost always a winter visitor to the east primarily, they're being reported in the west of the country now n all. I can't remember a "better" year for waxwings in the UK.
• The cold weather is also throwing up surprises and "firsts" in gardens all around the county - waxwings (above) and wagtails (like Swift half below) are dropping into gardens all over the shop, as are the rose-ringed parakeets (mentioned last weekend).
• The cold weather is also the reason behind many, many sightings of bitterns at their local inter stomping grounds. Rather like water rails, these beautiful herons are a bugger to see - remaining very stoically deep in reed beds. But with all the ice around, they are skating into the open and being forced to come into contact with other bitterns -not their favourite way to spend their time! I know of at least two locals who are dropping sardines for them, to supplement their diet, which because of the ice, is very hard to come by right now...
• I'll try and get my boat up and running in the new year, to hunt my goldeneye and wigeon -and also try and get a shot of our short-eared owls.

Swift Half update - 18th December 2010

• Three and a half hours of snow from 7:30am to 11am left us with 3" of snow (much less than other areas of the country I see) this morning, which will have a job to thaw all week at this rate...


• Its had a few effects - the poor girls (hens) are locked in their run all day, but I've made 'em some mashed potato, so they'll get over it. The wild birds have come into the garden in numbers, including a song thrush (rare here) and a first for the garden -a pied wagtail on a branch (they normally prefer hard, flat surfaces like pavements, patios, roofs, carparks). I adore wagtails -such charismatic birds. Swifts will always be my number one and Jays number two, but I rather think wagtails are at number three. Tw photos at the top of the post show today's wagtail.


• The cats having only been alive sinceAugust last year, have only known cold, snowy winters in their life. They seemed to love it (again) today.

General (County) update - 12th December 2010

• I did make it to the ridgeway before dawn again this morning - well before dawn to be fair (ended up sitting in the car listening to Classic FM for 30 mins, as the light grew in the sky).


• Four short-eared owls greeted me - and I spent an hour watching them quarter over the rough scrubby grass on top of the ridge, on the Oxfordshire border - a lovely, cold, crisp, sunny dawn and owls to hoot (sorry, to boot).


• Upon returning I heard two rose-ringed parakeets in Mr.T's garden next door but one and went 'round to take a few photos of these strange green aliens.


• Many people will have seen rose-ringed parakeets in the UK - there are vast populations in and around south west London, although they have got little pockets of populations all over the UK. I saw my first bird on top of my secondary school (near High Wycombe, Bucks) when I was about 13 years old.


• Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix released a pair in carnaby st in the 1960s - and THAT is why we have loads of the pesky beggars these days.


• This winter is the first winter that I've noticed reports of pairs from all over the country - I rather think they're looking for seeds in people's gardens during this cold winter.


• Apologies for the terrible photo of the short-eared owl in the bare trees, accompanying this post. ( Click any of the photos twice to see full size). It was just light when I watched them, and rather than trying to get close enough to take good photos, I watched them through binoculars and got lovely views. They're such pretty birds.

Photo of the month (October and November)

• What with all thats being going on, I've forgotten to upload my photos of the month for October and November - so here they are!



• The October "POM" is a strange shot (of Malu, our Tom cat) I think -and I don't know why I like it so much - but I always have!



• The November "POM" is a shot which reminds me of a wonderful dawn I had on "The Ridgeway" in the middle of November - a trip I might repeat this morning maybe...



• Just one more "POM" for the year - I'll try and remember to make my choice in the first week of January, but for now, click here to see the eleven "POMs" so far this year.

Swift Half update - 12th December 2010

• I'll not post a long hen-related update regarding the end of Cutlery as originally planned a week ago - just a few points.
• Cutlery was always my favourite of our hens and I miss her more than I ever thought I would.
• On monday I had to act to end any further suffering on her part. Her staggered re-introduction to the flock was going quite well but I returned from work that day (after hearing from our neighbour that she was in fine form when he popped 'round to thaw their water) to find her in much distress.
• Trouble (our new black hen) had taken most of the feathers from her head, she was bleeding profusely and could not defend herself or run away.
• I separated all hens immediately and Cutlery was taken inside, in her "sick box".
• She reacted well, was eating manically and talking to me constantly.
• I then had to make a very cold, clinical choice - a choice that I couldn't make easily. I paced around the garden for a few minutes (about 20) and realised the only way I could even make a decision as to whether to kill her or not was to close down completely and just do it.
• I put my ipod on and made sure I couldn't hear anything other than music in my ears, said one short goodbye to the poor Cutters, and quickly dispatched her.
• The end was quick for her, less so for me.
• At least my little Cutlery is out of her misery now - thanks to anyone who has given me emails / facebook comments etc of commiserations.
• As for the rest of the hens - Couven had decided to 'av a pop' at Conker whenever she can. so I've resorted to "scarper" to sort this out. Seems to be working quite well.
• Both Trouble and Conker are laying well - Anna and I had some lovely scrambled eggs from them for breakfast yesterday - all the hens are eating their pellets well (unlike Couven and Cutlery who always hung on for their treats), and the bedtime spots have been cemented in the coop.
• Like I say, both Anna and I will miss Cutters, but it is nice to see three healthy hens scrabbling around the garden again, rather than two - one of which obviously is in a little trouble.
• Anna and I have learned an awful lot about hens over the last two years - especially health problems of hens - generally hens are problem free and ideal pets, but occasionally problems arise - and one has to be prepared to do things which are quite difficult to do - and do them quickly.
• As for other Swift Half news - Yala (our female cat) is recovering well from an abscess draining operation and is now (after 9 days) out of her Elizabethan ruff collar. Her stitches her out, her drain has sealed, but we'll not let her outside until we KNOW she's 100%.
• All fun and games this year at "Swift Half"!

Swift Half update - 6th December 2010

• A short post.
• I had to kill Cutlery this afternoon.
• I'll post some details on why I had to act today in a few days.
• I can't wait for 2011.
• Cutlery - I'll drink to you tonight.
• Thanks for all the fun.
• I'll be offline for a few days. See you soon.
• TBR

Swift Half update - 5th December 2010

• This blog is becoming a bit of a "hen update" right now, but needs must, I s'pose.


• We all saw the sun for the first time in what feels like months today - once the murk cleared at lunch, we were left with a glorious blue sky and a VERY cold night to come I guess.


• I took the opportunity to get the girls out into the garden and its clear that Cutters is still struggling - Conker kept picking on her incessantly and Cutters has no strength to run away - she just falls over, exposing her head - which is like a red rag to a bull for chickens.


• Conker eventually drew blood - and thats even worse -when a chicken sees blood -it doesn't stop pecking.


• Couven though seems to be asserting her dominance, at least over the (now "eeeevil") Conker - chasing her around constantly and pecking her on the back of the head. Unlike Cutlery though, when Conker comes in for a bit of bullying, she can run away. Which she does.


• So, far from Couven being the subordinate hen of the flock, she's on a par with trouble at least and much more dominant than Conker. Cutlery is quite rightly (I'm afraid), bottom of the pile.


• I rather think we've named "Trouble" quite badly, as nowadays she's quite easily the least trouble of them all - Cutlery is sick and very henpecked (vaseline all over her bloody comb), Conker is constantly standing on Cutlery and really pecking her hard, Couvster is chasing Conker around as a priority "to do", and giving her pretty nasty nips -and Trouble... just getting on with life, laying, eating -no bother at all!


• The other slight concern I've got is that Couven has seen the blood on Cutlery's battered comb and is pecking at that also.


• Do I give Cutters any chance at all now? Not much to be fair - she still can't jump onto the ramp up to bed and spends most of the day away from the flock, hiding. She was a little better today (a slightly more vigorous attempt at ruffling her feathers and scratching for food) but unless she is allowed to eat A LOT - she won't build herself up and quickly die in these cold temperatures I think.


• I was gonnae separate the girls again tomorrow, but I'll let nature take its course - I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Cutlery on her belly tomorrow, covered in blood. I hope not of course - and I hope Couvster keeps Conker away from her.


• She desperately needs to eat loads and drink LOADS (which I've not seen her do for some time) to get her strength up. Or she's doomed I feel.


• Its like a blummin soap opera here at Swift half!


• Other hen highlight today was when Trouble got scared by a half hidden neighbours' tabby cat. She screeched and lept about 5 foot in the air - flying as only chickens know how, to land on the pond. Just as well the pond is under about 3 inches of ice eh?


• Anyhoo.... crossing my fingers for tomorrow - the first day that all four chickens are locked in the coop until 1pm (when Mr.T comes 'round to release the Kraken, sorry hens).


• Will Cutlery get knocked over and pecked to death by Conker?


• Will Couven draw blood from Conker (they do NOT get on!)


• Will Couven be able to leave Cutlery's bloody comb alone (and not make it worse).


• Will Trouble give a hoot about any of all this?


• I'll see tomorrow, after work...
• By the way - I'm pretty sure Conker laid her first egg today. (Unless Trouble laid two...)

Photo above is of the once darling (now eeeeevil) Conker, in the low sun this afternoon.

Swift Half update - 4th December 2010

• I have decided to re-introduce Cutlery to the flock today - and did so this morning, as she started to preen for the first time in a week last night.






• I'm not expecting much - the pessimist in me suggests she'll not make the winter anyway for a number of reasons:






• One - she's still very light, very weak (cannot jump still) and the runt of the bunch now.






• Two - its due to get colder again tomorrow and there's no much meat on her at present






• Three - she will be picked on, for the first reason above and the fact that as far as all our hens are now concerned, she is a new hen being introduced to a flock on her own - never a great thing to do.






• Four - she's still not eating that much, and boy does she need to pile her weight back on.






• That all said, its do or die time this weekend for cutters - I cannot have a hen crapping upstairs in a box, and a cat (post-op) crapping downstairs in another box, and Cutlery has (after all) been quarantined on antibiotics now for a whole week.






• Upon (re)introduction, Cutters briefly stood up to Trouble and Conker, who both gained superiority pretty-well immediately. A few pecks and Cutters was put firmly in her place.






• The pecking order is thus - Trouble, Couven, Conker, Cutlery.






• I'll leave Cutters out all day (she's peeled off from the other three - just like Couvster did when her ego got dented on inthroduction to Trouble and Conker).






• Tonight will be key - if she eats enough today, still maintains a defensive posture with Conker and Trouble, and more importantly than all that- can summon the leg strength to walk up the ramp to the coop come dusk (not sure about this - she's mighty weak (nice oxymoron) still) - then she may, I say may be ok for a while....






• Fingers crossed and I'll report back tomorrow, but for now I'm off to fry a couple of Trouble's "lead free eggs.






• A note for the photos above - the black hen is Trouble (wonderful plumage), the chestnut coloured hen is Conker and as for the "four headless chickens" photo - clockwise from 9' o'clock - Couven, Conker, Trouble, Cutlery. You'll no-doubt note that all our hens have their tails pointing skywards, apart from poor Cutters. Tail up is always a good sign of healthy chooks....

Swift Half update - 3rd December 2010

• More freezing weather (didn't get above minus four all day - pretty rare for the Thames valley) with a day's respite tomorrow (may get to 5 celcius) and then back to frrr-eezing temperatures again.
• Cutlery seems about the same as yesterday - eating well but still as light as a feather and weak. If she makes significant progress tomorrow, I'll either pop her in the shed overnight, to test her temperature-retaining abilities or even re-introduce her to the coop.
• Yala's anaesthetic has worn off now - they've had to leave most of the surgical would open to "let it weep". Well.... weep it has (and is, still) - her tummy and left rear leg is soaked. She's looking very sad in her collar, not being able to clean herself or go outside - and I'm mildly concerned she's not even done a "number two" today.
• Wait and see still, for cat and hen - Yala will be inside for a couple of weeks I think, but I really want to get Cutlery out of the house now - she's been quarantined on her own for exactly a week, and this can't go on much longer....

Swift Half update - 2nd December 2010

• Yala (our female cat) is back with us after having a hairy, pus-filled abscess removed from her body cavity today at the vets. She probably caught herself on something which put some of her fur inside her body - which turned rotten pretty quickly.
• She's back in her Elizabethan ruff collar, and high as a kite, after coming round from the anaesthetic. The vet has tried to get rid of EVERY strand of fur from inside her, but if she's missed as much as one hair, this might kick off again. Lets hope not - its great to have her back, even if she is now back on antibiotics, in a collar, not allowed out and all that jazz.
• Cutlery update - well this looks better and better. I got home today and she was practically jumping out of the box she's been in for a week now. She hasn't stopped eating all evening (well.... she has now.... she's asleep now) and I gave her a walk outside in the snow - so she could at least see her potential new hen-friends and they could see her.
• She's still a little unsteady on her feet - and hasn't yet got the strength to jump out of her box - but if all goes well, I'll re-introduce her to the flock over the weekend. This will be a bit dodgy - she will almost certainly get picked on - but I'll keep an eye on things.... As for a Cutlery health rating - well, today was a FIVE out of ten. Good girl, Cutters.
• Other hens update - third egg from Trouble today, nothing from Couvster and Conker is yet to lay - but the way she's reacting to me when I go to hold her (chook owners will know what I mean), I reckon she's about ready to drop the first egg of her life....

Swift Half update - 1st December 2010

• I simply cannot believe how cold the weather is at present, still, with a vicious wind and temperatures below freezing all day and WELL below all night. I think Wales broke a few records yesterday with an actual temperature of -18c - which felt a lot colder with the wind chill added on!
• The chickens water is freezing solid as soon as I put it out each day (luckily Mr.T is kind enough to come 'round at lunch to thaw it out).
• Conker ate a whole foot-long strand of shredded newspaper last night - sucked it up like spaghetti so she did, the daft apeth.
• Two eggs today - one from Couven (paper thin shell and broken - possibly laid under stress, I'll find out at the weekend when I get to watch in-coop live on our kitchen tv) and one from Trouble.
• Trouble (and Conker?) have re-arranged the coop and put ALL the newspaper in one nest box - leaving the other with just "cozy coop" (fine recycled wood pulp) in it. These two new birds don't seem to be bothered about sleeping in a "nest" as Couven and Cutlery ever were - very refreshing. I would now, ALWAYS advise prospective chook owners to get POL pullets that are at LEAST twenty weeks old and reared outside (unlike Couvs and Cutlery who were 13 weeks old and reared in a barn).
• Talking of Cutlery - I would put her health at a zero Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday gone. Tuesday (yesterday) I'd give her a health score of ONE - she at least stood up - and today, I'd raise that to TWO. She does appear a little perkier and seems to be eating pretty well. Not out of the woods by a long shot yet, but improving slightly?
• More problems with pets though I'm afraid. Yala, our female tabby, was very under the weather last night - sad and limping - and I located a lump and cut near her rear left hip (but underneath her belly).
• Anna took her to the vets tonight and she goes under the knife tomorrow, to have a large abscess removed. This will cost us £500, which we hope to get back through our pet insurance (please gawd!) and will mean she, yet again, will have to be locked inside with a bald, stitched tummy and Elizabethan ruff collar for a couple of weeks. Poor Yala.
• Pets eh? Who needs 'em?! Anna and I do, thats who!