What birds (are you/have you been) watching? What birds have been watching you?

[ardcarp]

Amazing Padraig!

This isn't really the place to talk about cats, but the clip reminded me of a tiny (and gorgeous) ginger kitten we had once. She was playing on our bedroom window ledge, and given the sure-footedness of cats, we didn't think the open window would be a problem. But it was. Maisy (as she was called) fell out, the drop being about 20 feet. I rushed downstairs expecting to see the worst, but she had landed by sheer luck in our water-butt and was swimming rather desperately to stay afloat. I fished her out, and after a shake or two and a rub-down she was absolutely fine. One of the 9 lives gone, I suppose.

[Serial_Apologist]

Amazing Padraig!

This isn't really the place to talk about cats, but the clip reminded me of a tiny (and gorgeous) ginger kitten we had once. She was playing on our bedroom window ledge, and given the sure-footedness of cats, we didn't think the open window would be a problem. But it was. Maisy (as she was called) fell out, the drop being about 20 feet. I rushed downstairs expecting to see the worst, but she had landed by sheer luck in our water-butt and was swimming rather desperately to stay afloat. I fished her out, and after a shake or two and a rub-down she was absolutely fine. One of the 9 lives gone, I suppose.

Cats are remarkable creatures, well able to look after themselves. Many years ago a neighbour's cat would visit me by jumping from a ledge by the common front entrance (to the house) onto my window sill, then tapping on the window pane to get my attention. But on this occasion he must have thought my upper sash was open, which it wasn't, and launched himself in a single lunge, missed his footing and plunged some 15 feet into the basement area. At the time I was in my flat, in conversation with a visitor, while half noticing this as I turned to look, alerted by the sudden blow, and she asked if I was OK, since I had turned very pale! I said what had happened, and the two of us ventured out, fearing to see a very broken pussy cat in the basement area. Instead the creature was nonchalantly make his way back to his owner's house, two doors up the street!

[Padraig]

Fiddle - i - fee !

[ardcarp]

As we're on a bird thread, I never heard a hen say chimmy-chuck.

[cloughie]

I concede - both Bryn & vinteuil win the prize

Thanks johncorrigan for the excellent corncrake story - I had to look up the noise it makes; impressive mimicry by the starling.

Amazing how the street cred of Starlings has improved over the years - they were more numerous in our gardens and not highly thought of but now the murmurations have made them stars and their plumage is admired - their absence has mad our hearts fonder!

[cloughie]

As we're on a bird thread, I never heard a hen say chimmy-chuck.

Never ‘ave-mate!

[gradus]

.. nor a cat utter 'fiddle eye fee'.

[cloughie]

.. nor a cat utter 'fiddle eye fee'.

Perhaps they only do it in the spring in the Appalachians! I Kid you not! Rodeo doh!

[gurnemanz]

We spent a week on Mull in September. On the boat trip from Tobermory to Staffa to visit Fingal's Cave the guide pointed to a pair of white-tailed eagles. Even though quite far away it was a great sight even without binoculars.

[Padraig]

.. nor a cat utter 'fiddle eye fee'.

That wasn't a cat.

[gradus]

That wasn't a cat.

Wasn't it?

[cloughie]

That wasn't a cat.

What was it then?

[Padraig]

What was it then?

It was i

[johncorrigan]

It was i

Good mews, Padraig. Sounds purrfect.

[Padraig]

Good mews, Padraig. Sounds purrfect.

Felicitous for the occasion, John.