‘Cat-ouflage’ doesn’t bode well for birds
OH, how it must feel to be a cat. I say this as Pixie and Coco, who have grown to become near permanent fixtures in my office windowsill, basking in the morning sunshine while at the same time being warmed gently by the radiator’s rising heat.
They look pretty content to the naked eye, but I know where they’d much rather be. Although resting, there’s always at least one pair of eyes keeping a close watch on the unsuspecting birds outside.
If a particularly inquisitive house sparrow or blue tit comes to land on the guttering outside, it’s considered the perfect target practice and soon chased away, leaving me to placate the pint-sized teeth-chattering beasts pawing at the glass!
Once they’ve gained enough weight to be neutered, Pixie and Coco will be free range felines, able to come and go as they please. But until such time, garden ‘playtime’ is carefully supervised.
Since going out, they’ve shunned the litter trays (what a shame - not!) and now look to do their business out in the fresh earth. Give me a filthy stable anyday of the week, but the stench of a ‘freshly cooked’ pile of kitten poo is something only for the strongest of nostrils!
Once relieved, playtime is an opportunity to work on the art of tree climbing, a must in the skill-set of any self-respecting cat. With the bright lights and baubles of the Christmas tree long since packed away, our two baby-faced tearaways have made the transition to the real deal - slippery lichen, wobbling branches and all. Surprisingly, given her bulk, Coco is able to skip across the branches like a gazelle. On the ground, however, she’s clumsy and will lollop towards the bird table, before looking confused as to why they’ve all flown away.
I fear that Pixie, meanwhile, will be the one our feathered friends need to watch with caution. She’s a natural stalker and knows exactly how to keep her body low, ears flat and eyes wide. Plus, just like Coco she is perfectly camouflaged!