New tricks

Well, I knew the jays were clever, but I've never seen them take the peanuts like this.

Learning to hang on to the side of the feeder, like a bluetit, could well be useful and was certainly helpful in today's strong wind.

It was a lovely day. I went out with a friend I have known since I moved into my very first flat in Birmingham.  We had a superb lunch (yes - free range turkey again) and, a hint - the Chase Farm Shop, on the back road behind Sutton Coldfield, is marvellous.  Well, they couldn't sell their own grown free-range turkeys in the shop next door and serve anything less than a magnificent piece of meat in their cosy little café.  Don't expect it to be plush, but it's wonderfully friendly and "the best food in the area" as a lady with an adorable, lively daughter told us.