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Nature’s answer to pheasant call came to me

Brenda’s 32-year-old pheasant’s fate was answered, and more pleasant bird news.
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Brenda Mallory

It never rains but it pours.

Well, we have had the pouring rain. Enough of that. Too depressing. I have an idea that old saying has more to do with life’s events than the weather. So let’s begin there.

As many of you know, I had a 32-year-old sliver pheasant. I say had because the other day I opened the big pen to clean up stuff. The gate did not quite click shut and Mister was out! I put the dogs in the compound, went back to the pheasant. I nearly had him turned to go in the pen then he took a sharp left and wandered off into the bush. A few days have gone by. I called and called and today nature’s answer came to me. One of my dogs found a big pile of feathers. The fox or an owl had the honour of eating that old bird. Such is life — or not.

While we are on the topic of birds, some of you have called asking me if I have many birds. I don’t have a great variety but I do have many of certain ones. Many, many black-capped chickadees. They are feeding on black oil seed and of course another gob of peanut butter. Hairy and downy woodpeckers seem to be here in greater numbers. They like the peanut butter. They also like poking at this cabin of mine. Kind of makes big holes in the plywood.

A pileated woodpecker who is out in my forest thinks he has hit the mother lode with chances to get bugs before things freeze. A good flock of waxwings feed on poplar buds and dried Saskatoons. Grouse are poking about and I have squirrels. I have fewer of those. This I think has something to do with a stray cat who wanders these forest trails.

Two fox sparrows today and a friend had a purple finch. I was told last week there happened to be a few swans at Tyhee lake.

Buster, my 17-year-old tame crow is here most days as well as Bloop Bloop the old raven.

That’s it for this day and the birds. As soon as cold weather and snow come along new birds will gather at your feeders.

Thank you for telling me about the birds when we meet. Your calls come to 250-846-5095. A note will get to me by mallory@bulkley.net.