Now I had a major problem with this, namely, in all the time we have lived here I have never seen a Moorhen from the house. I like lists - Year Lists, South Ronaldsay Lists, Orkney Lists, birds seen at work Lists, Day Lists etc etc etc, but I must admit to getting a thrill of disproportionate proportions when a NEW bird for the Garden List presents itself. As long as I am physically within the boundaries of the garden, anything is fair game. A couple of years ago a Snowy Owl turned up in Holm. Off I charged, parked the car, got out, and had watched the Owl for about ten seconds, when it dawned on me that I could actually see my house from where I was stood. Back in the car, raced back to the house, set the scope up and watched the field of sheep the Owl was in for over thirty minutes, before one of the sheep finally took off. Result - Snowy Owl on the garden list. I subsequently visited Google Earth and found that it was 11.37 kms away. Glad it wasn't a Pallas's Warbler.
Back to the Moorhen - the light was fading fast and little time to search for it was left. Contingency plan B was put in place - release the South Ronaldsay Moorhen Hounds. The pack was summoned, pointed towards the bottom of the garden, and the MAGIC words where uttered - "Ratty, get the ratty" !! Off they thundered, and within ten seconds the Moorhen was firmly OTL - on the list.
Shattered by their twenty seconds of exertion, the pack retreated to the sofa for a well earned rest.
Jan and I sit on the floor.....
Have been examining the garden bird race competition rules since reading this post. Mmmm, I think you fall foul of rule 8.1.12.b - Flushing may only be carried out unassisted (the use of elephants, wasps and even hounds is not allowed), further, the wearing of garments during the flushing and the observing of the flushed is specifically forbidden. Thus the Moorhen is not allowed.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say "Isn't that cheating?" but .... your friend Alastair seems to be more on the ball........and I think it's funnier than playing by the rules well done to the boys! :-)
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