Northumbrian Notes

I HAVE to admit that my preparations for the breeding season have been anything but ideal. Covid left me with terrible coughing fits and almost daily headaches for weeks after I had tested clear.

The headaches have largely gone now, but the cough persists, although I think it is improving. This has left me effectively carrying out just the basic feeding, watering and cleaning duties for the whole of February and the first fortnight of March, so as I write these notes in late March there is plenty to catch up on.

I have completed the canker treatment that I introduced into my regime last year and it was finished in time to allow a three-week break before pairing up, as is