Jem Dies and the racer is collected

Wed. 22.8.12 - Today proved to be Jem's last day. He was the one with the damaged leg in my last blog. He was settled in a little dish, to support him, and wrapped up well, and sat in a box in the garden, on top of the hospital in the dappled light of the trees but still getting some sun. I had hand-fed him some peanuts in the morning, but he was not very responsive to eating, and I wasn't sure if he was drinking, though I tried to give him sips every couple of hours or so.

While I wasn't attending to him he had the grille up on the carrying box so he was safe from other birds and predators. He lasted the day through but passed away about 5pm. RIP Jem, you were a brave little soldier. He went to his watery grave with sweet scented lavender under his wings. Maybe I should've taken him to the Wildlife Aid to be put to sleep.... poor little thing.

Shortly after the lady came to collect her racer. She said she lived in Buckinghamshire, and the bird had been released in Windsor just under a week ago for training. Windsor's about 30-40 miles away from here. So off he went home, and suddenly, I had no duck, no racer, no Jem.... but still my little Faith who is doing quite well really. I think she might be getting a bit better, but still very thin.

 

The racer just before he went home - his eye seemingly a bit improved just by bathing it

 

 

 

Pearl had a minute or two in the big wide world of the hutch's table, as Jose and Happy were on the ground, and I took her out. Autumn watched from the dovecote....

 

 

 

Jose was doing the crazy thing she does of pecking just under the door step. I don't know what she finds there, but she seems to want to do it, so I let her get on with it....

 



 

Happy nearly always stands or walks with her, if she is on the ground - he seems to understand she needs protecting...

 

 

And he just waited - he didn't join in the peck-fest

 

 

 

Thurs, 23.8.12 - I've been very busy but have remembered to take Pearl's photo ....

 

 



 

Friday 24.8.12 - And here's today's ....

 

 

 

Sat. 25th August - Pearl screams (like all teenagers!)....probably for food! Not sure if you can see her open beak in this photo....

 

 

 

 

 

And here's the twins.... Spring first...

 

 

 

 

 

They are four weeks old now (barring a day) - here's Autumn

 

 

 

 

Did I say that I think Autumn is the oldest? Only by a day or so of course. Here's a close up of one of them - they still have that cute fluffy punky down on their heads

 

 



 

 

Happy likes to sit in the nest and coo - I think he is trying to attract Jose to lay again. Here I peeped through the doorway and caught Happy on the nest with Pearl, and Jose on the steps in the background.

 

 

Pearl can also now climb up the steps, and I tried to take her photo... but she jumped down!

 

 

 

Sun.26th August

 

 





 

My daughter's birthday - we had a picnic by the lake - with a dove banner!!!

 

Pearl's daily photo!

 

Monday 27th August 12 - Mummy Jose and Daddy Happy like to be on the steps. Pearl is now nearly grown-up - she'll be four weeks on Thursday

 



 

 

Pearl regains the step, and tired mummy Jose has a rest

 

 

 

 

Tues 28th Aug 12 - Remember Cloud? She is still around, and the troubles of the spring have been forgotten. She's now a beautiful healthy bird - seen here on the dovecote. Flash would never have allowed her to perch there, but Sky and Summer are more laid back.

 

 

 

 

Pearl comes shyly out of her hutchy-home......for the first time of her own accord...

 

 

 

And is quickly escorted back in by Happy... you're too young to go out alone!

 

 

All my babies will be fledging soon...... so come back soon!

 

To be cont....