It is always easy to work outside when it is like this. I always love watching the changing of the seasons. Autumn and spring are my favourite seasons. Times of real change and amazing to watch everyday.
I mentioned in my last entry that things had been quiet and were about to get very busy which they did. I ended up having my busiest September ever even though things started quietly it then became very busy with some large events happening back to back. All good fun with variety of events as well. From doing a display for one of our competitors, to a display for a group of tourists at Culzean Castle to doing a historical event at Paisley Abbey.
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| Corrie (European Eagle Owl) at Culzean Castle |
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| Brel (Harris Hawk) in action at Paisley Abbey |
October has been at a more steady pace. The bookings have been steady and Pele (Harris Hawk) has been causing the biggest stir over at Cameron House.
Last week we were doing a hawk walk over at Cameron House and a gray squirrel appeared. I hadn't seen one in ages as there had been a cull in the area but one ran out in front of us not far from the front door of Cameron House. Pele spotted it and swooped down missing it, the squirrel ran up a tree and Pele landed in a near by tree and watched the squirrel. I walked towards the squirrel was in, it spotted me and went to go further up the tree, Pele must of noticed that the squirrel wasn't watching him but distracted by me and made his move, grabbing and falling out of the tree with it. I moved in quickly and killed the squirrel. Squirrels are the one of those prey item that I don't like the birds going for because there is a real risk of the bird getting injured. Squirrels have sharp teeth and claws. I have seen pictures of birds that have lost toes, tendons severed and also a very real risk of infection as squirrels have so much bacteria on their teeth. Saying that if we catch one and the bird is ok I am always happy as they are good eating for the birds who love them. This time the bird didn't get hurt so it is all good and the squirrel is now in the freezer.
Later on in the same session in the back woods Pele took a wood pigeon. I just saw him fly into some trees and there was a burst of silvery gray feathers and I knew he had caught a wood pigeon.
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| Pele with a wood pigeon |
It was a eventful hawk walk. Next day we were back over at Cameron House doing another hawk walk and this time Pele was flying again and on form once again catching a rabbit.
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| Pele again in action this time it was a rabbit he caught |
The big thing so far this month has been Minnie (Ferret). I noticed Minnie had gone bald on her tummy and I asked Jo to look at her as I thought this was a bit odd. Jo took a look and said she could feel a large mass in Minnie. So it was off to the vets for Minnie. When she was opened up Jo found that she had a large ovary tumour which she removed. Minnie is now in the house recovering from the op. I am glad she has pulled through though she is still feeling the effects of the general anaesthetic at the moment. Minnie may not be the best working ferret I have ever had in fact she is rubbish but she still deserves a chance. While she is getting on a bit in the fact she is over 6 years old which is reasonably old for a ferret it is not ancient. Patch and Fatty both lived until they were 8 1/2 years which is old for a ferret but I have heard of older.
The coming weeks in the centre are not that busy but that tends to happen at this time of year as things build up for Christmas. All I am really interested in is what will be happening with the winter a freezing and dry winter or a cold and wet winter time will tell.
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