8 am

This is more like my morning time! Time to let the poultry out of the Sheraton and, of course, Kayla has to chase the roosters and herd the ducks. No wonder she gets scratches on her nose! Luckily she then found a stick to run around with. Hilda & Igloo ducks (mother & daughter) are sitting on eggs but geriatric chook, Xanthe has pushed Hilda out of her nest.

Back to the house where the resident magpie is drinking from Shelley's water bucket. I have to barricade the gate of Shelley's grazing paddock with a piece of plastic lattice to keep her from getting under the gate. It is tied to the fence with baling twine and the magpie regularly unties the twine. Kayla chases the magpie away and has a drink herself - with two feet in the bucket for good measure.

In the aviary, Pip-Pa & Robyn are mating. Pip-Pa still remembers his three English phrases and was going through his repertoire. Coral is sitting on six eggs in the breeding box so hopefully I'll get some baby cockatiels soon.

Marco retires to a patch of sun on the verandah - his favourite spot. And the sweet peas have finally decided to flower - months later than usual. They weren't impressed with the drought which is still going so I've been watering them. They are growing on lattice on the verandah posts.