Obituary

Woodie was a true character. He, his/her mate and associates have entertained for a long time. There are were at least 3 woodie visitors but no more. He was a slow learner but persisted in finding ways to get food when on offer, still kept trying to reach the feeder even when it was set just outside of woodie range. He mimicked the goldfinches by perching atop and set the whole thing swinging. he chose the highest, smallest bird bath, set the whole thing wobbly, loosing most of the water, sat in it and stuck his head in it to drink continuously - the latter a feat not many other bird species can do. Mostly, he hoovered up voratiously under the feeder - a bird lover's delight for preventing unwanted vermin. He had comical fights - hand bag at dawn slapping with fellow rivals. And recently, baby woodie was taking lessons in which seed head and flowers to nibble from the grass.
Woodie is no more. An uninvited visitor took advantage of his slow, lumbering take off and pounced. Dragged him off, beheaded him and left him. Now all that remains are feathers and an uncertain little woodie.
He will be missed.