The Bird antics you will find at Pumpjack & Piddlewick

For The Birds

My tales and garden are full of the feathered lot. They make me laugh with their antics. They are extremely friendly and can also be quite moody.

I have been carer to a rooster and chickens. Looked after a disabled chicken called Poule Noir. Been home to a family of barn swallows. And rescued a dove, just to name a few. I also have a tawny owl, blackbirds, wood doves, sparrows, finches and particularly crows (which are my favourite) in my garden. And, of course, there are the ducks.

They make for some funny antics to write about.

Let's talk about duck poop, as you do here at PumpjackPiddlewick

Let’s Talk Duck Poop

People are obsessed with duck poop. Well, okay, maybe more in my world than yours. But believe me in the pet duck world it is constantly, and I mean constantly, discussed, asked about, mentioned, questioned… You get the idea. But, and here’s the thing, more by others than duck owners.Continue Reading

Will a murder of crows attack or protect ducks or chickens? Are they predator or friend we ask here at PumpjackPiddlewick. Let's delve...

Will a Murder of Crows protect Ducks?

I have a murder of crows. Yes, a flock of crows is actually called a murder (etymology link). They live in a big tree in my neighbours garden. Well, actually they live or fly between a triangular series of trees encompassing my house and garden, but mostly they roost inContinue Reading

Ready for Spring (!)

Winter here in France is the time to prepare the garden. Time to get it ready for spring and planting things. This winter has been fluctuating dramatically, giving me teasing glimpses now and then of spring to come. The odd dash of sunshine. The hint of warmth in the day.Continue Reading

Is country life really quiet and tranquil asks PumpjackPiddlewick

Who Says the Countryside is Quiet?!

With this years Vendange finished, I took a couple days to simply sit in the garden. Sometimes reading, sometimes watching the antics of the ducks. Sometimes simply listening. And noticing, the not very quiet countryside. A Lack of Quiet Life is never dull here, and certainly not quiet. I movedContinue Reading

Barn swallows in our house at Pumpjack Piddlewick

The return of the Barn Swallows

They’re baaccck! We know spring has arrived when the barn swallows return. And we can always tell when they return, because, quite honestly, they are noisy little buggers. When we moved into our new old restoration home it didn’t take long to notice the barn swallows. (As well as theContinue Reading