Cats and dogs have to be shown what to do to become house trained. As far as I am aware mother cats instruct their kittens but dogs have to have human intervention. On the subject of smelly rodent pets, yes they do have a horrible smell but you have to respect that for some people their pet is their world.
The baby magpie and his lady friend have been visiting our garden for about the last month and between them have virtually stripped our weeping silver birch tree of the little twiggy bits of branch. They look quite proud of themselves flying away with their spoils to make their nest. No sooner have they gone then they are back again! The local pigeons look on in bewilderment and prefer to spend their time sitting on the fence looking at the industrious magpies. Pigeons appear to be the lazy members of the bird family.
Last week I saw the crows squabble with the magpies, the crows throwing their weight around and the magpies retaliating. Is this a usual occurrence? I have never seen this before.
The little birds still come regularly to the feeders which are filled up regularly. They have got used to the fat balls now supplied. The fat balls are loose in a hanging shell like feeder. The little birds are in no danger of getting tangled or caught up in plastic mesh. The fat balls disappear quickly it must be a new addition to the diet for some of them. The big birds cannot get at the fat balls, it is all for the little ones.
The birds are still in the romantic stage of their relationships!