A continued lull

I was asked not to come in this week. Mr Head Ranger was in the office on his own, as everyone else was either ill or taking leave.  Apparently when the team are on call out, they get time off in lieu, rather than overtime, which means that everyone accrues leave that must be taken or lost. So you end up with an undersupply of hands. I keep telling Mr. Ranger that I have superb office skills, but he feels that he would have to spend too much time explaining things for me to be of use.  And anyway, he is right, I didn't do this to spend the time doing what I have done most of my life.

I sent the photo of the mangled bird I found last week to my colleagues. It has been identified as a Canada goose, about a year old. There are a few geese left on our reservoir after the majority have departed for the winter. Occasionally the nearby farmer shoots them (I can't think why - what about all that free guano?) so my bird might have been injured.  I was surprised it turned out to be a goose, as the rib-cage looked too small. Well maybe it was bigger before it was eaten. Various mammals/birds could have been responsible - as well as crows, ravens, gulls, we apparently have mink and badger as well as dogs around here.

Next week will probably be the last before Christmas, but we are forecast more snow and cold weather, so we shall see...