COME AND VISIT OUR SHOWROOM IN HIGHCLIFFE 24 To advertise call 01590 643969 or e-mail info@lymingtondirectory.co.uk
THOSE UNINVITED GUESTS A story of Black Gulls. <strong>The</strong>y often have a ‘larger lout’ reputation, not so for Monica, who has had gulls nesting on the roof near her for the past 5 years. Well, it all began when a pair of Great Black Back comprises of tasty dinners. Fish bones are Gulls decided our felt apex roof was the perfect frequently found in the bottom of the paddling nesting spot, just behind the central brick built pool below, by splashing children who squeal chimney. Well, how they knew that it was no with delight at finding the most bones. longer in use, is still a mystery. In case you are <strong>The</strong> chicks now sport pale brown feathers with unfamiliar with this large black and white gull heavy white mottling, and are nearly as big as with a wing span of one and a half metres, then their parents. <strong>The</strong>y roam the roof, picking up do read on! anything in their path, with all the curiosity of <strong>The</strong>y arrive each year around April, and meet up children. During the hot weather the parents with their long standing partner. In the privacy of roost with bills wide open, but as night falls, the their room with a view, they romantically mate sound of their deep, hoarse long trumpeting calls in perfect harmony. Job done, they begin and high pitched notes interrupts our sleep, and gathering sticks, seaweed and grass to build a provides an unwanted alarm call every morning. precarious and untidy nest. Much of it slips <strong>The</strong> felt roof is no longer green as it is coated in a down the roof onto our balconies below, but gooey white-wash of pooh! <strong>The</strong> juveniles are so unaware they continue with their messy bored, they strut, jump and flap their wings in housekeeping. <strong>The</strong>y share the role of sitting on ungainly fashion, anxious to see the world the nest , so we cannot tell the male and female beyond the roof. Now growing up is never easy, apart. One of them heads out, to forage for food. and on the last day of July, Barry begins his own This is often sizable fish and other marine life, to descent! Strutting defiantly across the car park feed the to the woods, he promptly loses his way in the quiet thick brambles. His devoted Mother speaks in sitter. soft dulcet tones to urge her off-spring back. She Sadly, we flies forwards and back to show him the way out. are not However, like all naughty teenagers, he disobeys the and hops onto parked cars before stepping ‘the recipients light fantastic’ across the extensive garage roof. of their catch, as an odd crab wouldn’t go amiss Many hours later, with gentle coaxing, he finally in a salad! returns home. In the early morning the skies become a war Suddenly and without warning, all four have zone, as seagulls and crows swoop like screaming flown, so our lives can return to some normality. spitfires causing mayhem! But our unfazed Well, that was, until Bandy returned, due to his nesters jab at the interlopers using their lack of flying skills. Like all good Mothers he was powerful bills to defend the nest, emitting gently persuaded to follow her and within two deafening territorial war-cries. days they too were gone, but the sound of his Generally three eggs are laid, greenish brown in wails could be heard nightly, until peace finally colour with dark speckles. One rolled down the reigned. roof this year, so only two were incubated. Late <strong>The</strong>se Great Black Back gulls are truly inspiring in May two fluffy leggy chicks named Bandy and parents as they work tirelessly to raise their Barry were seen briefly, but certainly heard, due family. <strong>The</strong> young take four years to reach to their persistent peeping for food every hour. maturity before they gain a smart new uniform <strong>The</strong> parents were in perpetual motion regurgitating of black and white feathers. food to fill wide open mouths! A few So I guess we will see the parents back again weeks later Bandy and Barry were spotted next year, to do it all over again! tottering along the ridge of the roof whilst OH........................... Shut the front door! shaking out their fluffy down. <strong>The</strong>y grow rapidly, and become much more demanding as food Monica Murfitt, Milford on Sea Please mention <strong>The</strong> <strong>Village</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> when responding to adverts 25
- Page 2 and 3: 2 To advertise call 01590 643969 or
- Page 4 and 5: ANDREW HALLIDAY FINE ART Andrew stu
- Page 6 and 7: Count on us to provide you with sol
- Page 8 and 9: WOODLAWN ACCOUNTING Andy Boettger L
- Page 10 and 11: Now available Doggie Day Care Fully
- Page 12 and 13: ’ 12 To advertise call 01590 6439
- Page 14 and 15: Nursing Home 01590 648000 enquiry@s
- Page 16 and 17: 16 To advertise call 01590 643969 o
- Page 18 and 19: UPVC, Guttering, Soffit, Fascia & G
- Page 20 and 21: Your Local Independent Travel Agent
- Page 22 and 23: 22 To advertise call 01590 643969 o
- Page 26 and 27: 26 To advertise call 01590 643969 o
- Page 28 and 29: FOR ALL YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING NEEDS
- Page 30 and 31: For Home PC & Laptop users Want to
- Page 32 and 33: 25 High Street, Milford-on-Sea, Lym
- Page 34 and 35: Parish Council comment on MOS1 - la
- Page 36 and 37: Department of Transport and the Hig
- Page 38 and 39: Geoff Dunk DipPFS, Certs CII (MP &
- Page 40 and 41: 40 To advertise call 01590 643969 o
- Page 42 and 43: , ’ Proud members of: 42 To adver
- Page 44 and 45: Mat Watson Property Services For al
- Page 46 and 47: PUZZLES 8 18 12 15 18 7 10 11 2 4 8
- Page 48 and 49: The SMUGGLERS INN Food served 12 no
- Page 50 and 51: SOUTH LAWN HOTEL Lymington Road, Mi
- Page 52 and 53: The Village News Traditional Newsag
- Page 54 and 55: Oct 4th : Stephen Christopher, Sing
- Page 56 and 57: New Forest Orchestra is a friendly,
- Page 58 and 59: We meet to make lace & chat about w
- Page 60 and 61: PLANNING AHEAD 17th—20th January
- Page 62 and 63: Old Milford Meadow - ‘Secret Gard
- Page 64 and 65: HOME HEARING LYMINGTON 01590 615181
- Page 66 and 67: VILLAGE DIARY: OCTOBER 2018 1st 6.3
- Page 68 and 69: CHURCH SERVICES St Francis of Assis
- Page 70 and 71: ACCOUNTING Andy Boettger 8 ARCHITEC
- Page 72: Call 01590 690155 01590 690155 / 07