The Unexpected Guest

It’s no secret that I am a lover of corvids, so it will come as no surprise that last evening I was happily gazing out of the kitchen window watching a magpie hopping springy circles around my lawn. The light was starting to fade & I was avoiding commencing the evening meal preparations by watching this fine fellow’s dance.

Then out of the corner of my eye I became aware of an unfamiliar shape perched on the fence. I noticed it because it didn’t ‘belong’. I’m pretty familiar with the regulars in my garden, so anything out of the ordinary tends to cause a blip on my radar.

I’m so glad I took a proper look, for on the fence where a fine woodpigeon would usually be seated was a stranger instead. A red-legged partridge no less!

I know it may not be terribly exciting to some, but for a bird I’ve only seen in open fields, to see one in my garden was a real treat. I still feel really excited about it today!

It was there for quite a while, long enough for me to get a grip & grab my sketchbook. It sat very still at first, so was easier to sketch despite the fading light. As it got closer to 7pm I headed for a higher vantage point. The bird was getting restless & moved out of its low rounded squat to a more straighter sleeker upright position. It hopped down the other side of the fence & returned looking like it may have had something in its beak, but I couldn’t be sure.

I tried to take some photos, but the light was so bad & my skills are sorely lacking. I have some vague colour references for a watercolour study though.

Then it launched itself off, low above the fences off into the scrub.

Needless to say, dinner was very late last night!