Walter came home for a chat

I was getting a bit worried and even went to the lengths of borrowing some better binoculars - ours are just cheapy ones) in an effort to see if any of the woodies around had rings on and were Walter. Then this morning there was a woodie in a tree in the garden. I couldnt see a ring due to the way it sat but it was there for about 5-10 minutes while I spoke to it and was only about 6 ft above my head which is not really normal woodie behaviour since they tend to be timid and scittish. I was 90% certain twas Walter but still I did not see the leg ring to be sure. Then this afternoon - well a few minutes ago- I walked down the garden and disturbed a flock of about 5 pigeons who flew off while I let the chickens into the end of the garden. I has just been dug ready for rotovating this weekend so I can start my veg growing - and self sufficiency efforts- and the chickens love newly dug ground. They also clear out all the bugs which is very helpful for us and good for them. Anyway I sat on the sleeper that is a border edge and drank my tea and then I realised that sitting above me in the walnut tree is a small woodie. I walked over and spoke to it and it stretched and I saw the leg ring. Its a great relief. Walter is ok and doing well and was with me a full half hour while he preened and I had a chat with him and his friends were all in neighbouring gardens waiting sitting on top of the trees at quite a distance from us. Anyway I am happy now since I know he is fine. I saw the leg ring twice in fact so definitely it is Walter. I was actually starting to get bored with sitting there but didnt want to go away and leave him - tho I am almost 100% certain he is actually a SHE. She is not as pretty as a male bird and having held one on Sunday when it got stuck in Walters vacated aviary that I am sure was a very pretty colourful male I am now sure Walter is a female. And its the 13th again. Definitely my lucky number! Also I have a feeling I will be seeing Walter again. Tho I know not when but (s) he will come back now regularly. I am going to move a bench down the bottom of the garden tomorrow to watch my veg grow. We have a rotovator hired for the weekend and I i ntend to plant broad beans and whatever else I have seeds for that can go in now on Monday. Also my dad has bought me 7 very heavy bags of rotted farm manure so its all out planting time. The main problem now is how to keep those pesky birds ( including pigeons!) off my growing veg without hurting them??