Yesterday was one of those days where you run about like a chicken with its head cut off, do a lot of stuff and don't feel like you have achieved anything - very frustrating, but not uncommon. So...... the dogs all behaved well at the vet and passed muster, Nettle had five lumps aspirated and so now we hope that all is well with her, the puppies yelled on the way over but I put them in the front on the way back and they were good as gold. Indigo however threw up in the back!! Oh well!



It was yet another lovely day and the birds flew well, I might have made a breakthrough with Hedge Hunter the Sparrowhawk, time will tell. The little Kestrel that came in two days ago did not make it, there was something very wrong there. This is a hard time of the year as so many young raptors have now 'left home' and are on their own.

We had an unexpected group arrive which was nice, they were charming and had a good time here I think, they certainly seemed to enjoy it. Dave has been here starting on cutting back the Laylandii hedge that surrounds the aviary area, it is going to look great. And David Kaye and his son dropped off a lovely female Harris Hawk for us to borrow over the winter until we have got our team a little more experienced with hunting.

The Long-eared Owl Eager was a scream, I flew him after we had finished and it was windy and he is like a drift of thistle down anyway and so often gets blown in the wind. He ended up about 25 feet up in the oak tree over the top pond and a Magpie started to bounce around the tree hassling him. Was he phased, not a bit of it, he chased it!! And then dropped out of the tree just like a falling leaf, it was a joy to behold.

Ended up the day with Philip, we took Bay Middleton out again to see if we could find some rabbits, we had one flight, but other than that there was not much to see. Plenty of evidence of rabbits, but few around. However he was very good and is getting quieter. The dogs were all pleased when I got back though, and then I had the job of shopping for groceries on line, I am not convinced it is quicker than going to the shop!