Wildlife
Living on the very edge of Henley on Thames we are closer to the countryside than to the urban area. We also have quite a large garden with two ponds (one with fish and one without), a number of mature trees, a couple of flower beds, a large vegetable plot, three apple trees and several 'natural' areas of uncontrolled growth. Consequently we get wildlife in our garden.
Hens
Probably the most important creatures in our garden are our flock of chickens. We have kept back garden hens for nearly twenty years. When we moved to this house in 1999 we donated the hens we had then to my sister at Wood Nook Farm, (where they were sadly eaten by her dog, Lewis) and got a new batch for ourselves.
This flock consisted of four Black Rock hens, two of which, Pheasie and Streaky, are still with us. Others have been added at various times and some have died off so we now have a motely mix of cuckoo Marans, black rocks and brown and white leghorns. In total there are now 11 birds; one Red Rooster (see picture right) plus 10 hens. One of these hens was a donation from a work colleague whose garden pair had been attacked by a fox and whilst this one survived she seemed to have been traumatised and it was thought that she would be happier in the company of other hens so she came to join us. It has taken her a while to settle down - I don't suppose she knew there were so many hens in the world! She always roosts in the Yew Tree outside the hen house, along with one of the other hens who seems to prefer the more draughty sleeping quarters. One of the other hens, Big Bird, is eight years old and very arthritic and has become something of a victim within the group - hens can be very cruel. So she has been removed to a separate run on her own which she seems to prefer.
Currently the hens have their run in a very nice area of the garden with a panoramic view across the lower pond, several trees and bushes, a water feature and a substantial house with four separate nest boxes - luxury!.
Other birds of a feather and some creatures of fur
We receive regular visits from a pheasants - both cocks and hens. The cock pheasants are beautiful creatures with fantastically varied feather colours and patterns and bright red heads. They seem to spend much of the time throwing themselves against our patio doors presumably in the mistaken belief that the reflected images are rivals. Doh!
Every Spring two ducks appear in the garden for regular visits, landing on the big pond and then generally lazing about the vicinity for several hours before flying off again. They may be a breeding pair with a nest nearby because after about four weeks they disappear until the following Spring. We also get very rare visits from timid little brown partridges.
The Chiltern Hills were one of the areas targeted in a highly successful programme of re-introducing Red Kites to England. We see these lovely birds swooping and gliding over the garden almost every day - often in pairs although increasingly in greater numbers. They only eat insects and carrion but are a target for dog fights with the local crows who clearly feel they present a threat to their territory.
The garden is generally busy with a lot of the usual bird activity. Finches, tits, blackbirds and thrushes are amongst the most common but we regularly see woodpeckers and jays. We also have a grwoing number of magpies who have taken up unwelcome residence.
We used to get deer coming into the garden but the recent rebuilding of the fences has put an end to these visits. The local cats like our garden because there is no resident cat. Otherwise it is slugs, snails, mice and rats plus whatever floats above us. Finally, we have (thankfully) had only one visit from a fox. But we are a favourite playground for grey squirrels - rats with PR as far as I am concerned. And talking of rats, every now and again we have to deal with them coming too close to the hens. The last attack was sustained but we overcame them finally.
