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[Blue]

Ospreys are back, one was seen yesterday, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.

[Taz2]

Now that's one bird I have never had in my garden! 

[Limpy]

Male Bull Finch seen in garden yesterday
Also, might have been a female this morning but not sure

[Taz2]

They are usually in pairs Limpy unless one has died of course. The female is much harder to spot. Mine have been around all day but I usually hear them before I see them.

Taz x

[Limpy]

Taz we definitely noticed the male.
The female looked very like a chaffinch,  but more noticeable somehow.
It would be horrid if the male had died, he was so gorgeous.

Main activity in the garden at the moment is sheep chasing.
A ewe keeps getting in, knows she shouldn't be here.
OH walks along a separate upper path to open a gate.
However, said ewe has  tracks him step for step till he gets to the gate and opens it.
I meanwhile am standing in front of the car, this ewe has attitude, she will change course
and run along and crush the bonnet
Then she hides till he goes, then she runs out into the lane.
She then seems to get back into the field where she should be.
This has been going on for weeks

[CLKD]

You need to find out who this ewe belongs to, pronto!  She is illegal if she is not in 'her' field.  Movement is very strict since F&M and a farmer has to have paperwork even to move sheep from one field to the next  .  At this time of year they tend to find every weak point in a hedge  .  Does she have ear tags, in which case take details and phone the NFU or the local Vets..  If she were causing damage to my vehicle I would open the freezer lid 

[Limpy]

Hopefully things have been sorted.
Haven't seen her all day.
Think we know who "owns" her. 
With this ewe it's a bit like cats.
Nobody owns / controls cats.

[Taz2]

Are there other sheep in the field Limpy? If not it could be a pet that's escaped. They can roam for quite a way.

Taz x

[Hurdity]

We had a jackdaw down our chimney today. They always try it on at this time of year looking for somewhere to nest. There is a sort of cover over the pot but one always manages to get through. Could hear it scampering about on the register plate (there is a wood-burning stove and it's an old cottage with inglenook fireplace). Husband managed to prop up the reg plate and loads of soot and grit fell down - we opened the window and withdrew. I could hear it scratching about a bit so crept in and I saw its little beak and head peering round. Then suddenly it flew out, dashed towards the window where it bashed itself and then flew straight at me unhurt. When it saw me it careered round and flew straight at the open window and out - hopefully having learnt its lesson. Left lots of mess though!!! Later saw a pair of them trying to do the same to neighbour's chimney!

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

How great that you managed to get it out Hurdity. Is there any way you could make the cover foolproof? We had to cover ours after starlings kept falling in.

Taz x

[Limpy]

Are there other sheep in the field Limpy? If not it could be a pet that's escaped. They can roam for quite a way.

Taz x

Taz - There are other sheep in the field, they are just starting to lamb!
Hopefully, she will stay put once she lambs.

[Taz2]

I didnt realise she was pregnant! You should get in touch with the landowner so that any break in the fence/hedge can be repaired. It only takes for the rest of them to notice her escaping and you could have the whole flock loose!

The female bullfinch is the same size as the male - so bigger than a chaffinch - and with only muted grey, brown and black colouring. They stay together for life so are together throughout the year and not just for breeding. http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/13609/t/71412.aspx

Taz x

[Limpy]

Taz the sad thing  is that there are no breaks in the fence.
This Ewe is the ovine equivalent of the harrier jump jet.
She just leaps straight up on all 4 legs.
When runs along the drive, it's just like watching a deer.
Not seen her for a day or so. Hopefully she has lambed, and will calm down.

Think it was a female bullfinch,quite big, though not seen either in the last day or so.

[Taz2]

How high is this fence! Maybe it is one of the rare breeds - they tend to be more agile.

Taz x

[Limpy]

The fence isn't high. Hasn't been a problem in previous years.
But, there isn't much grass around this year, not been this bad before.