Sir Henry

Last Sunday morning, daughter Kate mentioned she had heard quite alarming shrieks during the night very close to their bedroom which is also just 10 metres from the forest. I reassured her it was almost certainly the deer matingor perhaps even an owl - I am 99.9% confident we have an owl back close to the house.

Kate didn't look too convinced but as they were leaving that morning that was the end of the issue.

However a day or so later, I witnessed the blood curdling shriek myself and being the hero I am screamed for Angie to go and look at the hen house as there must be a  monster attacking our girls. She simply smiled!

It turned out that while we were away at LEGOLAND on Staurday, Mr&MrsB had persuaded her to give Sir Henry (their name not ours) temporary boarding. Sir Henry is a quail, one of several they keep in connection with their hunting/dog training activity. However Sir Henry has turned out to be a real Rambo causing all sorts of problems in the small population.

So Sir Henry was put in solitary confinement to stop him harming he others, however this type of single lifestyle is not for quails and so he started his very loud shrieking. Afraid of neighbours complaining and about to set off for a weeks holiday they asked for help. A friend would shortly get some female quails and then collect Sir Henry who could then get back to ruling the roost in peace.

Quails seem to be a little "quirky" and not very easy to communicate with. Taking a photo was a nightmare. Holding an animal in such small (but quite normal) quarters is not fit easily with our style/philosophy but so long as he is safe with us then we can accept it.