I am sure that you will have read with interest Stuarts various articles on this winter’s Waxwing catches, It has however become something of an obsession with him as the following [true] story indicates.

I was with Stuart doing a ringing demonstration at Thrybergh country park on the 13th February. Stuart said that he had to leave early as he was taking his long suffering wife, Mandy, for lunch, for Valentines Day. Please note at this point that it was the day before Valentines Day and no doubt the Pubs were doing 2 for £5 meals or suchlike before the price hike on the actual day itself!

After lunch Stuart told Mandy that he wanted to ''check out'' one of the Waxwing sites.  On arrival at said site there were a good number of birds feeding. Stuarts Waxwing Obsession took over, and as poles and nets were permanently in the car, He decided that he was going to catch some of these birds. Now Stuart has this Flick netting method, which involves two people, was there anyone available?  Only Mandy! A quick instruction on the mysteries of Flick Netting, and into the fray the poor girl was dragged! Imagine the scene, it was very cold, it was snowing, All dressed for a nice romantic lunch, nice dress, high heels, no doubt some sexy underwear, and apparently Mandy looked quite good as well!!!!

I believe that this episode demonstrates that Stuart certainly knows how to treat a girl!!!!  Heaven knows where he will take her for her birthday next year?