Lunch is mostly on the deck looking over the valley below. On this day I had prepared a chicken salad with some left over from a roast. Dilli Darel arrived and sat on the balustrade. A frequent visitor but today as I was tucking in he dive bombed my lunch and went off with the chicken breast. I was momentarily shocked but got up and chased him. He sat on the balustrade with this massive bit of chicken knocking it against the wood, which is what they do, to make it bite size. Well there was no chance with this bit – we wrestled and he was not happy but I wrenched it out of his mouth. There was enough left on the ground to satisfy him. I headed back to my lunch a little shaken.

Yes they are cute birds, frequent visitors, but do not be fooled – they are also in to get as much as they can. I think I won this battle, just.