Monday 25 October 2010

So where is the haffalump?

We were sitting in the kitchen on Sunday when suddenly there was a horrible screaming/screeching noise outside.  My first thought was that a bird had been caught by a cat.

Custard was bouncing around wanting to go and have a look, so I opened the front door and let him into the garden.  Something was going on in the far corner - the shrubs were thrashing around like crazy - but Custard couldn't get right in there.

The screeching continued, so I went out of the garden for a closer look. There I saw a cat making a hurried exit (well done Custard!), and went to have a closer look to see what it had attacked and if it was OK. 

There was movement in a patch of grass...

I looked closer...

What on earth?


It was a weasel!  (Not the one in the photo, sadly).  And he was clearly very angry (but no longer screeching).  As I watched, he shook himself, looked around and then scampered off into the undergrowth, apparently unharmed by his ordeal.  I know these sorts of animals have a reputation for being able to look after themselves, but the size difference was a bit extreme.

I don't know if he is a new resident or just passing, but it was great to see him.  If he is a resident, I hope he learns to avoid cats in the future!

*************************************

Keeping with the animal theme, we had a near miss with the rabbits too.  A moment's lapse while cleaning their runs saw Blossom (a female who is in season) break into the run where Bubbles, our male, lives.

She went straight to him and introduced herself.

What did he do?

Like a lot of guys who meet a very forward female, he ran and hid!

We quickly returned her to her own run, but are now a bit more at ease about what might happen if she breaks in again while we aren't there. 

"Breeding like rabbits", like all generalisations, seems to have its exceptions!

10 comments:

terri said...

Aren't weasels considered to be rather nasty? If so, I would hope the cat scared that thing away for good.

Too funny that Bubbles showed no interest in Blossom! Definitely goes against the reputation of rabbits!

Anonymous said...

It is like a regular zoo around there...

Rock Chef said...

Terri - Yes, they do have that reputation - our main worry was that he might attack the rabbits, but from what I have read they seem to be safe.

Ignorethebucklesonmyjacket - We do try to encourage wildlife in our rather small garden!

agg79 said...

I'd rather have to confront a weasel than an opossum. I'm sure that Custard can help defend the homefront.

Poor Bubbles. Maybe he just got a case of stage fright.

Anonymous said...

what's pauly shore doing in your yard?

Rock Chef said...

Agg79 - Yes, the weasel was very cute,in a carnivorous predatory sort of way.

Wigsf - Getting mauled by a cat?

Unknown said...

Get a ferret, dish the rabbits (because they breed like the rodents they are!) :)

Viva le furet!

? Studious One eh? :P

Cindy said...

Hi I found your blog through TechnoBabe, I grew up on the prairies in Canada, and I know weasels are considered viscious. Liked reading your blog.

Rock Chef said...

Shadowthorne - Ah, you know I love ferrets, but don't expect me to be eating my rabbits - they are too cute! I would have thought you would approve of my new title!

Cinner - Hi! Glad you liked my blog. Off to pay you a quick visit now!

tz said...

the rabbit story is cracked me up! I'm not sure how close to the country you live, we're in the suburbs ourselves and I love it when wild life is still evident, we had a fox sun herself in our back yard a couple years ago...I'll see racoons at night near the storm drains and last week there was an owl in our neighbor's yard...