Another visitor

Michael spotted this fella when he let Summer out at about 10.30pm. It's a tawny owl.

It was on the poles on top of the bird table, only a few feet away from the back door, and paid no attention to Summer at all. Didn't seem to mind the flash as Michael took a few snaps of it either. I was watching from upstairs, but when I came down it flew off onto the trellis archway further down the garden.

Beautiful creature. I've never seen a wild one, but been hearing them calling the past few weeks. Never thought I'd get one visiting my bird table!

While I'm here, I thought I'd also post a pic of the new bunny, imaginatively named Neo. Because he's new.

Another parakeet sighting

Woke up to hear the 'keet screeching out front. I tell you, he can screech. When I went outside with the bins, he was sitting on the top of a telegraph pole.

Apparently he didn't like me looking at him and he flew into a neighbours garden, where I've heard him a few times since then. At least he's okay. And I'm pretty sure now he's a Monk parakeet (or Quaker parrot, since they are the same thing). Pretty bird.

In other bird news, we had a trip to Old Moor yesterday, first time in ages. 36 species, highlights included a great crested grebe catching fish right in front of me, two yellow wagtails (a life tick), a gorgeous juve great spotted woodpecker on the feeders, and a family of newly-hatched tufted ducks crossing the road just before we got to the car park. Two of them couldn't manage the kerb on the other side of the road, so I jumped out of the car and tried to help them. They kept jumping and failing and falling on their backs, poor things. I got one right way up and it got over, and the other legged it down the road, and eventually got up too. I don't think I helped very much, but I felt better that I'd at least tried! We did see the family later on the water, the female and 8 tiny ducklings. Cute.

And my hips are almost completely better.

A visitor

I've been hearing an unfamiliar screech noise outside for a few days now. Usually early in the morning, when I'm mostly asleep. I remember thinking that it sounded a bit like a small parrot, and wondering if once of my neighbours had got a lovebird or parakeet or similar.

And as I was watching a flock of juvenile starlings in my garden this morning, I happened to look over to the trellis archway just to the right of the small lawn. Some starlings, a collared dove and... something else. Something that looked green.

So I grabbed the bins and had a look at it. It's certainly nothing that's in my field guide! It's shaped like a ring-necked parakeet, with the long tail and parrot beak, blackbird-sized, but the colour is different. It's more of a minty green with white underneath. Very attractive, but I couldn't really appreciate it as I was desperately trying to think of how to catch it, because it's obviously not a wild bird and I can't see it surviving long.

Then it flew closer to the house, screeching. It landed on my bird table, and I braved going outside just in case it was tame and would let me approach it. I spoke to it and it looked at me with its head all on one side, listening. I took a few steps outside and then it flew off.

Help me out here Jan? I know you've done this before!

I'm going to put the rat cage I used for Porno bird out there, with food in. Can't think of anything else to do...

Nothing good again I'm afraid

Maybe a !!!TMI WOMAN STUFF!!! warning is in order.

This is embarrassing. But I'll tell it anyway.

I have unnecessary hair. Dark, manly hairs which grow on my chin, breasts and stomach. Not many of them admittedly, but enough to annoy me. Enough on my chin to take a good 5 minutes to tweeze them out every morning (and usually I end up getting bored and my hands ache so I shave off the last few). I've also noticed an increase in the area covered by my pubic hair. The problem's been getting steadily worse for the last couple of years.

Since I was going to the doc today anyway with my hips (which she isn't worried about unless they don't get better), I thought I'd mention it. I told her I thought it was a hormone imbalance, as I also usually have a couple of spots on my chin. She asked about my periods, and when I thought about it I realised that I'm quite irregular.

I was regular of course when I was on the pill, which I started taking at 17. At 20 or so I switched to the Depo Provera injection, which stopped my periods entirely. It's been maybe 3 years since I stopped taking Depo, and I'm pretty sure I've only menstruated this year. Once in April, once in June and now. Which is not normal.

Doc's thinking I might have polycystic ovary syndrome because I have most of the symptoms, particularly irregular periods, increased hair growth, "central" obesity (I'm apple-shaped), oily skin, seborrheic dermatitis, insulin resistance (well I most likely have that), and prolonged periods of PMS-like symptoms.

So I'm having more blood tests, to check out my hormones.

I don't know whether I'm happy or not. It could well be another thing that's wrong with me and can't be fixed. :(

On the other hand, it would give me something to moan about, which is always good.

EDIT: While I'm in menstrual mode (so to speak), I want to take the opportunity to pimp the Mooncup (silicone menstrual cup). This is my second period using it and I'm finding it very comfortable and convenient, and I'm being environmentally friendly. Plus I'll never have to worry about whether I have enough tampons on me and where I can buy more from if I need to again.

Seriously ladies, if you bleed, you need one. And no I'm not PPPing. I just like the product.

Sigh...

Now my other hip hurts too. I'm off to see the doc in the morning.

Also, I really have to buy the BirdVoicePEN, as spotted in the RSPB's Birds magazine. It's exactly what I need, seriously. Basically it's an mp3 player and either a guide or a set of stickers - you point the pen at the sticker for whichever bird and it immediately plays the song or call, whichever you've chosen. I guess it works on similar microdot technology to the digital pen I used to have (well I still have it, but it broke). Very clever idea.

I must have a spare £115...