Hi Annie and Willpar
That did make me laugh – Frank thinking the food was better just because you gave it to the birds! I did the Garden Birdwatch and, needless to say, there were more birds around the next day and since – as usual! Today, I saw a pair of bullfinches. Amazing. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one before. They weren’t in my garden but from the house, so not far away, and could make a visit here.
The brick in the box is holding out so far. One night a different cat made an attempt at going in. It was a smaller cat, but it seems it didn’t think it could get past the brick and reversed out again. I wouldn’t be surprised if it tries again – but meanwhile hoglet is getting plenty of food.
She seems to spend a few hours (in total) each night napping in the nest box, but I’m almost certain that she goes somewhere else for the day. She also does a bit of foraging but not sure how much she finds. I did see the rat catch an earthworm a few weeks ago when it was here, so at least there are some of those around.
Hoglet is popping in and out of the feed box all night (and sometimes until about 6 in the morning) between napping and foraging. Sometimes as many as 12 times. I have been feeding her kitten biscuits since the rat was around (haven’t seen it for a while, again), but am thinking of getting her some wet cat food, to see what she thinks of that – although I suppose it might freeze when it gets really cold. I don’t dare try the hog food again, for fear the rat will be back. What are you feeding the hog there, Willpar? Glad to hear the it’s looking well rounded and is eating well.
I am hoping to get another camera, so that I can see what hoglet gets up to when she wanders down the garden. I don’t really want to move the other one from watching the nest and feed boxes.
I have been thinking of calling hoglet Holly – if she really is a female – as she was around at Christmas, but if she turns out to be a male, not sure yet.
The first one of the males was back here at the beginning of March last year, so not long now. Not sure what hoglet will think of HER garden being invaded other hogs!
