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Dougal's Pet Corner
The place for your pet stories and pictures, let me have them |
| Hamsters make lovely pets for children, but don't be
mistaken they can give a very nasty bite and it hurts! The best time of day to handle your
hamster is the evening, between 7 and 10pm when they are most active. Clear a big space
for the hamster, put the cage in this space and either open the door or take the top off.
Rub some of the hamster's bedding on your hands to give them a familiar smell. When the
hamster is out and about, practice scooping it up with both hands and get it used to being
handled this way. |
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Be sure to use the floor, so that it doesn't have far to
fall when it jumps from your hand, which it will almost certainly do from time to time.
Don't try to grab the hamster from above, introduce your hands from floor level. |
| Try tempting it with a piece of vegetable or fruit, gently
stroking its back can also help to get it used to being touched - it will learn not to
fear this. In general, they tend not to turn around to bite, preferring to bite the object
in front of them. This sounds obvious but if you keep your fingers away from their mouths
you reduce the chance of being bitten. DON'T Try to pick up a hamster that is asleep or
has just wakened. Handle the hamster if your hands smell of food. Try to grab the hamster
from above. Handle the hamster in area where there is a risk that it could fall and get
injured. There's a huge range of off-the-peg cages to choose from these days. The two main
types are the wire-bar with a plastic base and the plastic or glass aquarium type. Each
has its strengths and weaknesses, just ask your Pet Shop for advice, they will be glad to
help. |
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| The Birds of
March |
March can sometimes seem rather a quiet month in the
birdwatchers calendar. The numbers of wintering birds, such as waders and wildfowl,
particularly the huge hordes of geese that we get in north Norfolk, drop dramatically as
these northern breeders head for the tundra, whilst it is still some weeks before the bulk
of the summer visitors arrive. The sighting of the first individuals of the returning
migrant species is always an exciting record. Perhaps surprisingly, the date, and order,
that species appear in, is not a totally random process, but has a pattern to it as a
result of species having 'learnt' when their breeding areas are in a suitable state to
support them.
One of the first species to appear is the Chiffchaff. This tiny 'leaf warbler' announces
its return by uttering its name, rhythmically and repeatedly; 'chiff chaff chiff chaff'. A
few decades ago this species was certainly returning from further south, but with warmer
winters, many are now staying put, and may just be 'returning' from a, sheltered site
locally. On the coast, birders will be looking for the flash of white that reveals the
presence of a Wheatear. The white patch on the upper tail gave the bird its original name
of 'whiters': Middle English for 'white arse' The male of this Robin-sized bird generally
arrives first and looks splendid with black mask, RAP-blue back and black wings, as well
as the white rump.
Other 'firsts of the year' that always appear in March are Sandwich Terns and Sand
Martins. It should always be borne in mind however, that whilst the general pattern is
predictable, individuals can always buck the trend, and it is this ever present
possibility of a surprise that makes birdwatching so eternally fascinating.
Cley Spy
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| Do you know who to
contact for the Sheringham Children with Diabetes? Please let Editor know if you do. |
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Dear @ Sheringham. Your regular contributor Vic suggests that you all "write to our
governing bodies, big businesses and European colleagues" to get "an adult play
club with shop and courtesans …….. licensed and medically checked" (Issue
No.7, page 3). Well said, Sir! As readers may recall, I have suggested this many times.
Sheringham should and could take the lead as the Total Sex Pleasure Centre not only of
Norfolk but of the EU. Sheringham, once known for its fishing and lifeboats, should now
become famous for sex-workers and porn-sellers, straight or gay or whatever, and not only
at the Hilbre Site. This will be a new lucrative source of tourist money, and rejuvenate
your ageing male population in the process and provide a legitimate career opportunity for
the otherwise unemployed school-leavers in the area who are among the best-looking in
England. Eventual soft-drug legalisation would be another welcome local asset Your Vic is
a really spunky guy! Yours in breathless anticipation, Candy Pelt. Lapdancer and Internet
Model, Ecstasy Club, NEWCASTLE.
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SHERINGHAM
TOWN COUNCIL |
Town Council Elections 2003 are due to take place on
Thursday 1 May at the same time as those for the North Norfolk District Council
Following the statutory 15 year review by the Election Commission these will take place on
new boundaries. The Town Council will have two Wards (instead of the existing three) which
will follow the boundaries for the new District Council wards. Each Ward will elect eight
Town Councillors Members of the Town Council - like those for the District - are elected
for four years and formally take office on Tuesday 13 May. Candidates must be registered
electors who are 21 years of age and over. They must be proposed and seconded by electors
from a Ward they wish to represent. They may stand for either Ward.
There will be a North Ward covering all properties on the coastal side of the A149 with
the addition of those on the Cromer side of Common Lane, Common Lane itself, and those
immediately facing the A149. The remaining properties will comprise the new South Ward.
The Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month with an Annual Meeting on the
second Tuesday of May. There are provisions for additional meetings on the third Tuesday
of July, September, November and February. Members are expected to serve on at least one
of three major Committees and may be asked to represent the Council on local voluntary
organisations. All Council Meetings are held in the evenings. No allowances are payable
but costs of training course are met from public funds. Nomination forms for the
forthcoming Elections can be obtained from the Town Clerk (or the Norfolk District Council
office) they must be returned to The Director of Democratic services at the District
Council offices between 24 March and noon on 1 April.
Future meetings of the outgoing Council are scheduled to take place on 4 March and 1 April
and there will be an Annual Town meeting, in the Community Centre, on Tuesday 25 March at
7.30pm. Minutes of the town Council and its Committees are available in the Library and at
the Town Hall.Prospective candidates are recommended to discuss the new Model Code for
Members with the Town Clerk or a Member of the outgoing Council.
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