If it wasn't bad enough that I was beset by guinea fowl (32 marauders on the lawn last week - not much lawn of course but there you go - it's winter, it's cold, they're hungry) - but this morning I opened the curtains to find a goose paddling about in the pool! I mean, really! And on leaving the pool Not-Jemima-Not-Puddleduck *, proceeded to hiss at all the other interlopers and give them what for. Now this is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to the gluttonous flock of doves - who, by sheer dint of numbers manage to swallow every morsel of grain out there - as I said before, nothing like a ravening mob to clear the place.
The squirrels of course are having none of it and things being what they are we've now set up Squirrel Mews - three boxes, covered in bin bags - to keep out the wet and the doves - under the patio table. Thinking the squirrels were now sorted we were somewhat gobsmacked to see a massive stand off going on. Word has got out that grub's about - not only do we get guineas and a goose, doves and squirrels - but a smaller - and decidedly feistier - rodent has turned up. Although he's not particularly welcome, I can't help but laugh at the sight of a very small rat who puffs himself up to look like huge and dangerous furball as he lashes out at two squirrels at a time. If you ever needed reminding that dynamite comes in small packages, this fellow says it all. Now, of course, I just have to find a way of politely asking him to dine elsewhere - because if the doves are anything to go by then it's going to be a job for the Pied Piper... and I shudder at that thought!
Dave, the squirrel...Tell me, is it just me who is overrun by critters or does anyone else have "guests" that drop in for fine dining? Feed the birds, tuppence a bag, tra-la-laa...
Frankly, I blame it all on that damned chicken...
*I'm reminded of the name of a friend of mine's pet duck - look away now if you think you'll be offended... Lovely man, he named his pet Mrs Puddlefucker... Jemima Puddlefucker... Hmm, methinks the pool may be a bit f**d if the goose continues to ablute in it...
15 comments:
Geese can be very hissy and nasty when they want to be!!!
Right, so I shouldn't get to close then, even when it looks like it's being friendly...
Yep. I have wildlife. 4 Wood Ducks that poo on the pool coping despite the presence of three labradors. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos that make such a din signing becomes necessary. Rabbits that have totally undermined (pun intented) the top corner of my horse paddock. Possums in the gum trees and fruit bats fighting all night and a skink keeping warm on my router when he should be hibernating. Much better than the summer infestation of flies and Christmas Beetles.
(hope you don't mind me dropping in.)
Hi Baino - now I don't feel half so bad - my only problem is my space is only a suburban garden so it gets more than a trifle crowded. However, I've discovered an upside to the Egyptian goose - it keeps the doves at bay - trouble is, no one else gets a look in either!
Oh and I forgot to mention the hadedas which poo on the patio table, the sparrowhawk which drops in to eat the doves, and an assortment of geckos which always seem to hatch in my study...
I would not want geese. We have any number of birds and bats in the evening. The local lord of the manor has the right to hunt over our garden so presumably we could possibly see foxes and dogs and horses but not so far.
Something the size of a horse could have a bit of a devastating effect on an ordinary garden, I'd think, Wilf!
I live in a flat so it's just moths, flies, spiders that kind of thing. My dad did have foxes in his garden though. He was moaning about it and how he's had to cut back the ivy and clear the back of the shed and then he goes all gooey eyed and says: But the cubs were cute! He can't even bring himself to clear the garden of slugs and he had a frog for a while there too.
Hmm, yes, I live with someone like your dad, V - resultantly, no matter how pesky, nothing gets erm, "cleared" here either. Unfortunately it means snails rule the day. I'm rather hoping though that the goose may take care of them...
I laughed so much I'm not sure there isn't at least a little coffee in my keyboard. I forgot... no drink zone.
Hows that for grace hmmm?
I get tree rats (squirrels) who come by to visit and chatter and sun themselves on my deck.
There's a new little one who is a good sport about letting me take his picture. So we're even. I guess.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Tell you what, Scarlett, I'll take the tree rats over the real rats any day - though it must be said, the real rats are characters! Now go mop up that keyboard...!
Thats an Egyptian Goose. Nice.
Have you thought of rat poison? For the rats...
All these animal antics... Jason Evans hosting a competition Nicky- oh and I've tagged you for a meme if you have time?!!! On my blog at the mo.
Hey Mutley - bang on right - it is an Egyptian goose - and one with attitude!
Erm, rat poison... makes the poor things die a horrible death - I couldn't do that - would sooner try to trap them.
Yep, I remembered at the last moment about Jason's competition, Jude and have entered - No 50.
And a meme... I'll go and take a look... :-)
I have frogs.
It is not terminal.
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