There is two parts to this story. This is the first part, separate post after this one for the other part...
I had a message from a friend last week that there was a swan just sat randomly in the middle of London Road (busy road!!) With cars swerving round it.
We jumped in the car and went there. No sign. But something told me to drive down Rowan Way and there we saw a man with her, with her wings out being very spicy towards him! Asked if he could manage, he said no, so we took over and escorted her back to the lake as you can see in the video. She was so gentle and loving with us, i think this is a female swan i know, my little buddy, she brings her babies over to me every year β€
Unfortunately it didn't end there for this lady.... Separate post with what was then to come....
My flock!
The extravagant fantail is Frankie, most of you know him and his wife.. One of the speckled ones on the right ledge/perch is his wife Lilli who came to me as a rescue, found wrapped in twining and unable to fly. She bonded with Frankie so she stayed. then there's 3 other (not so extravagant) fantails which are their kids. (Shadow, Angel and Ash)
Also a rescue called Baby as mentioned in previous post who i raised from a chick after he was found grounded in town, hes the darker one walking about on the bottom at the start of vid. Look at the difference in him now compared to my previous post of a scared tiny little baby fluff! and the white one is called Vanilla who is another rescue (and none flyer)
They're looking a bit out of sorts here as was taken as they'd just moved in here from being indoors. Since then, they are making the most of their ledges/perches. Have more to add yet and toys.
It is Ash, Shadow and Angels first time outdoors (had to move out not just to benefit them, but to relieve our chests! Lol)
Hoping to extend the aviary at some point to make the flight bigger but right now this is the best I can do.
(I am still closed by the way. May take the odd pigeon this year as canker sets in possibly but taking it easy)
Little juvie starling came in day before yesterday.
He had hit a window and was a little worse for wear.
A bit of rest and lots of yummy food and his finders collected him from me today to release back to his family.
And here he is very eager to go! π
Off he goes!
Stay away from cats old boy! Keep safe π
(Excuse being a bit tatty, he's absolutely HATED being in captivity. Wood pigeons really show the WILD of being a wild bird. Being such a common site you'd think they'd be a bit more chill, but they're such stressy birds, one of the most stressy ones IMO and can easily die of shock when receiving care especially when poorly. Sensitive souls bless them.
This is why they're not usually a candidate for keeping disabled ones in captivity. Some adjust, majority dont unfortunately. It all depends on the bird in question especially their age. An older adult is much less likely to settle than one kept from being a youngster.
Even in a huuuge avairy it can stress them so much.
You'd need something like a massive field surrounded by 30foot plus walls/fences and a safe top so no predators to get in to stand a chance with the oldies.
Fortunately I have now found a place that can offer such a thing should any NRs come in (but I'm still not taking any badly damaged ones in. You know me I like to give everything a chance but with severe injuries and how woodies are, in most cases of severe wing injuries, its often the vest thing to end their suffering. But of course needs to be judged on a case by case basis so please do still contact me with photos if you do find one.
(Oh my god seeing myself on vid I can see I've put so much weight on!! I really dont know how when I dont eat a lot! Damn hormonal conditions!!! Hopefully can lose a bit over summer!)
Miss House Sparrow returning back to the wild after finishing her antibiotics.
Unfortunately was unable to return her to where she was found so released her where there's lots more house sparrows - but she flew off in the other direction ππ she'll be ok once she gets her barings.
Keep safe little one and away from cats!
She was eager to go, so not the best vid!
New additions!
More happy birbs that have a chance at life where otherwise they wouldn't. They are all disabled for various reasons and Midnight and Max have new friends β€
I NEED HELP! A desperate plea!! I was gonna be extending this aviary anyway, now I have to do it and SOON.
Can any of my friends, or any friends know anyone who can make aviary panels as cheap as pos? I need 6 by 3 foot and need at least 8 (I think) to extend length and if I extend width will be more.
They are SO expensive to buy, I mean extortionate, then delivery on top makes it near impossible. (And I'll be forking out Β£350 soon for the ferret pen - Also aviary panels) all funds and excess money I get from now till baby bird season next year is saved for that reason for food, medications, any vets bills etc.
Was asked earlier what I want for xmas and I said aviary panels! Madness. They must be so cheap to make.
(I have some shabbier ones to split the aviary if needed. Right now they are all friends but that could likely change come breeding season so I'm prepared for that. Just need to get extended.)
The swift we had last summer being released.
He came in as a baby, unable to fly. We suspect he had fallen from the nest and was found by a lovely family.
He was with us for quite some time, gaining strength and growing.
We wasn't sure he would be ready when we released him but he was MORE than ready!
Out the box as soon as it opened and was off.
We stood and watched him for a while, while he got his bearings and when we had left we saw a group of swifts he was heading to so sure he grouped up with them before his long flight to Africa.
He was a very challenging bird to raise. Often even swift specialists fail with them so I was super happy to get him through. He was stunning. Not a bird you'll see up close very often, if ever.