In the jungle, the mighty jungle
A francolin squawks today
A group of half a dozen or so francolin have come into my back yard for the first time in ages. They don't seem to be looking for food as they have ignored the crushed maize I put on the lawn for them - but they are drinking from my birdbath and swimming pool, and settling in the shade amongst the plants around my pool
@narayani@bkbinthecity@pdulis@365anne@ludwigsdiana@anniesue Thank you all. Yes they are characters. They can be quite destructive scratching in the garden, and some people chase them away, but I haven't yet found a need or desire to chase them. @anniesue the doglets are fine with them as of today. Holly has always been fine - we had her since a puppy and she has learned right from the start she cannot chase any birds. Max and Charlie came as rescues who had never been taught anything, and what's more they had been starved and needed to catch or forage for food, so it has taken a few years and a few dead doves to get them to understand they can't chase everything that moves. Today for the first time I didn't have to shut the little gate on the back door to keep them in the kitchen watching. I didn't have to say more to them than "Good Boys!" Max sat on my foot watching every move but not attempting to go towards the birds. And when Charlie came out and saw Max's behaviour he just lay down near us and watched as well. What an amazing breakthrough.
@anniesue the doglets are fine with them as of today. Holly has always been fine - we had her since a puppy and she has learned right from the start she cannot chase any birds. Max and Charlie came as rescues who had never been taught anything, and what's more they had been starved and needed to catch or forage for food, so it has taken a few years and a few dead doves to get them to understand they can't chase everything that moves. Today for the first time I didn't have to shut the little gate on the back door to keep them in the kitchen watching. I didn't have to say more to them than "Good Boys!" Max sat on my foot watching every move but not attempting to go towards the birds. And when Charlie came out and saw Max's behaviour he just lay down near us and watched as well. What an amazing breakthrough.