After the spring drought, we have had several days of regular rain, and not just regular - one shower so torrential that it was almost a 'white out' and a bout of storms, which was very welcome. There is nothing like like a good storm. A few days ago, we watched from my studio window as the thunder cracked overhead (leading to a brief power cut) and the lane outside swiftly became covered in a few inches of rapidly moving silty water.
Dramatic as it looks, once the clouds had passed, the lane was almost back to normal, thanks to the cottage being on a hill and good drainage. After a rather exciting evening, we had just sat down to dinner, when there was a scuffling in the wood burner flue and a muffled thump. We knew what it was at once. Despite a top cover, a starling had managed to get into the chimney. It flew straight to the window and seconds after I took this, was fluffing itself up on the fence, before flying off over the fields.
5 comments:
Exciting times at your house! We had a chimney swift, I think it was, get into the house through the chimney because we forgot to close the damper. Excitement ensued.
Hello, Gretel! It's nice that you had a quiet evening after the heavy rain. And that starling was just a passer-by - leaving a sweet memory from those minutes of excitement!
We have had some torrential rain haven't we. We had a young tawny owl down our chimney when we lived at Churchstoke. Hope you are keeping well. xx Jo
I often wonder what the bird must think.
"Oh well, look here. A sooty tunnel going deep into a mysteeeeerious chamber. I MUST INVESTIGATE FORTHWITH."
*hits bottom, sees humans*
"AAAAAAAHHHH! ABORT ABORT ABORT! FLY YOU FOOLS!"
*Indiana Jones theme as bird soars out window*
Despite a Cowl on our disused chimney, we once came home to find a starling sat on the back of the chair with our pet Lovebird... as if they were best friends!
We did release him, but it was a nice visit with a happy ending. I'm glad yours ended well too.
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