Lil' Boomer

Back in July, during lockdown,  Sheena's business premeses were left unattended for some time and became a bit overgrown. Waggytails Dog Training Centre is in the hamlet of Weston, and is adjacent to farmland. The car park is next to a huge maize field, and the astroturf and grass areas are separated from the car park by a hedge made of dead lelandii and other miscellaneous growth such as elder and nettles. Further in, behind the grass and next to the astroturf, is a large sandy area full of weeds. If you are a partridge, this is lovely foraging ground. The astroturf was full of little mossy weeds too and the grass was so long you'd lose your dog in it.

We worked hard mowing, clearing, cutting, brushing, sweeping, painting ... all those things that were needed for when the Centre could open again. The hall was tidied, social distancing for dog training implemented and barriers bought and the whole place given a deep clean (and a new kitchen).

One afternoon we were sitting having a rest in the astroturf area, in the shade near the hedge. Peep peep. We looked down to see a baby partridge pottering about. I put him back in the hedge where, hopefully, his mother was hiding. A few minutes later, peep peep. He was back. I put him back in the hedge the other side, deep in the undergrowth behind one of the outbuildings. I went back to painting.

Peep peep. He came back. No sign of mother. Peep peep. He was looking a bit tired. I picked him up, warmed him, and put him back in the hedge. Didn't see him for a bit until - peep peep. He was sitting on my foot.

By the end of the day it was clear mother had scarpered and this little chap was our responsibility. I took him into the sandy area and helped him find some tasty bugs (tapping the ground with my finger, he followed and snapped up the little protein packets). 

That evening we took him home and put him in a box - after learning that he mustn't get wet (which he did after diving into his water bowl) and having to warm him up in my hands, we left him overnight fully expecting him to have passed away. 

The following morning I went to check. Peep peeeeep. He was still with us, just, so I fed him some water on my fingertip and took him back to Waggytails. He was soon pottering about the sandy area, gobbling up the bugs and - in a humungous effort for such a little chap - ate a whole caterpillar! This was perfect timing, his stomach would be full as I popped him back into his box and took him to a rehoming expert.

Last we heard he was gobbling up waxworms and mealworms and snuggling under the breast of a broody hen. I hope he/she made it. A little fighter who had a tough start.

PS we called him 'Boomer' - because he kept coming back like a little boomerang.

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Photos (C) Sheena Stebbing