Enjoying the Last Day of Freedom...

This was the view from my garden this morning, and it's the reason I have to keep my dog on a lead!!

I expect they were enjoying the Autumn sunshine and a last bit of peace on the winter wheat, because the pheasant shooting season starts tomorrow!

Living on a shooting estate, I have to accept that these birds have been bred with one purpose in mind. It may not fit comfortably with my ideals, but is a fact of life in the countryside.

3,000 birds are bred on this estate each year - fortunately many more survive than are shot.

Let's hope there are a lot of cock-eyed 'sports men' out tomorrow.