At the beginning of the week No2 came back from walking the dog and said 'One of your blackbirds is in a bad way in the garden.' Of course I rushed out fearing the worst, but couldn't find anything.
Then a black bird (as in not a blackbird) came bobbing into view under the laurel tree...
He appears to be a full grown crow who's been in the wars and lost all his tail and damaged wing feathers.
Yesterday he was still knocking about the garden so I decided to feed him. He got grated cheese, bread, raisins and meal worms under the laurel so he'd feel safe. He ate a fair bit and then hid the rest in a space under some stones, carefully pulling up grass to cover the site.
My photos aren't good as I had to take them from the porch/car, every time I went out he bobbed off. Anyway, I nipped home at lunch to see him on the lawn...
It had been raining and he was trying to get enough moisture off the grass to drink. That really touched me, his resourcefulness. I got an old cat bowl and filled it up for him. Later in the day that too had grass in it!
I phoned the rehabber lady who took the baby chaffinch two years ago to ask for her opinion about catching him. She thinks he's best left for now if he's fending for himself. But I shall worry...
...as there are cats about, but he's quite a big chap so fingers crossed. Do other people seem to attract waifs and strays or is it just me? Every year I end up with a few assorted bird rescues, mostly with good outcomes but not always. Sometimes I wish I were the kind of person who just didn't notice, or could walk past. I can't walk past, ever.
So, I'll see what he's like tomorrow and if I can't take the strain of whittling over him I'll get the net out and whip him off to Mrs P while the feathers grow back...
