Two young hedgehogs around 10 weeks old were recently brought to Fairfield. They had both been caught up in gardener's netting which had cut through their skin and muscles as they had struggled to break free. Sadly, my head nurse was only able to save the least damaged hoglet which she then transferred to the Nuneaton Wildlife Sanctuary who will hopefully be able to return the hoglet back into the surrounding countryside.

Hedgehogs aside, whose numbers have been dwindling, I was given a real eye opener by a Danish friend recently regarding the wealth of British wildlife on our doorstep. As well as pointing out a Muntjac deer on Burbage common only last week he also revealed his extensive knowledge of the local birdlife and took me on a tour to Croft Hill. There, he guided me with his rather large optic lenses to what seemed like an avian safari. Peregrine falcons, Little Owls, nesting Goldfinches, Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers were all on view as well as in stereo sound! Without his guidance and big binoculars I'm sure I would have walked straight past most of these sightings without realising. By the end of the evening I had a real case of Lens envy!

So imagine my surprise when looking into my own back garden several days later I spot the most remarkable sighting of all. After consultation with the Danish expert of course I now realise that I am playing host to a Blue ringed Parakeet. Now even I know that this is not an indigenous species so I suspect that he is currently tasting freedom from somewhere. All the more reason for me to go and buy those big binoculars!

Terry Dunne
BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS