Partridges

[The Mouse]

Hi there

For the third time in two days, we've seen a pair of partridges in the garden. They gave me quite a shock this morning when I accidentally cornered them by our shed and they made a noisy take-off to the safety of another garden - in fact they stopped right under a pear tree

It's lovely to see something different in the garden - something that isn't going to burrow (I hope)

[Geoff]

Not wishing to worry you but we lose small bulbs like Crocus to Pheasants.

[oldherbaceous]

Even worse they are very partial to broad beans just as they are emerging, and there was a pair of partridge over our alottments Friday morning. They always appear about this time every year.

[The Mouse]

No problem!

I hate broad beans!

And as for the small bulbs, well, I reckon that with partridges pulling from above and the moles/voles/field mice or whatever pulling from below, they aren't going to go anywhere, are they?

[oldherbaceous]

I think broad beans must be like Marmite, you either love them or hate them.

What you really need is an Owl to take residence.

[The Mouse]

If only, OH, if only

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Caz we are very lucky here, we have a Barn owl that is often out in the day on patrol, and also a few Tawny Owls that are in the trees behind my house.

My dear Mum that lives down the other end of the village from me, has a little stall with an honesty box like yourself.

[The Mouse]

Owls are one thing I've not seen in the ten years or so we've lived here, OH. Maybe I just haven't been looking properly.
We have just about everything else: huge numbers of house sparrows, an explosion of jackdaws - until recently they kept mainly to the church opposite us, but not any more - woodpeckers, both spotted and green, more and more buzzards every week etc.
But no owls!
Actually, bats have disappeared since we came here, too.
By the way - is there any chance that sparrowhawks will catch rodents, because we've got our fair share of those, or do they only do what it says on the tin?

[oldherbaceous]

I think Kestrels would be a better bet to clear up the your unwelcome underground intruders.

[Geoff]

I bet you've only had grey Broad Beans - try some young green ones and see if you change your mind.

[The Mouse]

Morning, Geoff

I did grow them a couple of times, even though I don't like them, because my other half loves them. I tried eating them at every stage, including very young, but I still didn't like them - to me they taste like soap

I think OH was right - it's like Marmite. But I like Marmite

[Johnboy]

Hi Caz,
I strangely do not like soap either! But I agree with Geoff about the green varieties of Broad Bean absolutely wonderful.
You have brought back schoolday memories of when I said something naughty and the teacher washed my mouth out with soap! This is a memory from one who has, just this last week, officially entered his second childhood.
JB.