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After nurturing the woodpigeons with such care for the past few weeks, I had hoped their release to the wild would be OK. Sadly, Alan the most able of the two has been killed by a Sparrowhawk the day after release.
I found his remains in Viewfield near the tennis courts, which was the direction I saw him fly to when released. Woody returned the next day and I was relieved to see it was alive, he has since been away again but returned again today. He is not yet savvy to the wild, and I will keep him in the Aviary for a while longer until he is more mature.
The paraplegic pigeon has also returned with the flock of feral pigeons and has survived being released. This bird you would not have given Tuppence for his chances, yet he has survived and can fly as well as any other pigeon, it's walking that he has a problem with.
Meanwhile Woody is company for the miracle duckling with the broken leg. Astonishingly the leg has healed into a usable limb once again ! After consulting the vet and our avian adviser Sue, I kept it confined to the coop for 5 days with no disturbance of any kind, and gave it painkiller medication once a day.
It sat motionless for much of the time only moving to eat and drink.
Incredibly after the 5 days I let it into the Aviary to see it walk, using both legs and feet albeit with a limp. It can also paddle with the broken leg and I have seen it scratch its face with it, and jump down from a ramp.
Sue was planning to take the duck into her Sanctuary where she has several one legged ducks, in the event that this duckling was going to end up the same way. I will now return this duckling to the river very soon.
With the arrival of the Cygnets, and the death of Alan the woodpigeon, this has been a bittersweet week for me.
Woody and Alan the woodpigeons are now flying short trips from worktop to floor and sink unit. I stopped using the syringe to feed them yesterday, and they are now feeding and drinking on their own. Sunflower seeds, and porridge oat flakes are a favourite, with the occasional garden pea. I happened to notice sparrows eating dandelion leaves in the garden, so pulled a couple for the pigeons, they too nibbled happily on the leaves. They are so laid back and relaxed which is contagious ! They will be put in the Aviary shortly, to get them used to normal temperatures and also the other birds. (Short video today eating sunflower seeds)
Woody and Alan the two young wood pigeons I have been rearing for the past couple of weeks, are about ready to start flying. What a joy and privilege it has been to be so close to nature.
These wood pigeons are the most delightful natured birds, and so genteel in their manner.
They are quite happy to sit on the kitchen units and watch me going about my business, and I don't need to worry about what they are up to, they are truly lovely birds. ( Short clip below.)
With Winter clinging on to the North of Scotland, the wildlife are still looking for food to get through the cold nights. The rescued pigeons have no such worries since they are indoors and being fed well. The paraplegic pigeon is still recovering after 6 weeks, the right leg is more stable and he is now able to not only fly around the house, but he even managed to fly back into his box which required a lot of skill. He sometimes sits at the window watching the pigeons in the garden and is keen to join them. I will let him go when the weather improves and feeding is abundant, where his chances of survival are at an optimum. When I found him paralysed and blood running from his beak, I was pretty sure he was a goner - yet again TLC and the will to live won the day.
As for Woody and Alan the two woodpigeons that I've had for 2 weeks, they are strengthening their wings and now look like two young woodpigeons. They have grown so fast and will soon be fledged. Short video below.
The 15 rescued mallard ducklings will be released this week into the river, hopefully now with a better chance of survival.
Woody and Alan the young wood pigeons are now too big for the size 6 shoe box, so have now moved them into a size 10.
Introducing them to the recovering paraplegic pigeon, I put them into his large box, however he pecks them if they get too close. It's a bit of company for him and he quite enjoys them being around.
They are preening and starting to peck at the wild bird seed, so getting the idea of how to feed themselves. (short vid below)
The Two Squabs = Young Wood pigeons, (Woody and Alan) are doing well in spite of my inexperience with young nestlings. They seem to be growing fast on the diet of liquidised wild bird seed, wheat oats, chick starter and lettuce.
I have now started to give them some of the solid mashed residue from the liquidiser, messy but getting them used to solids.There's no doubt caring for young birds is messy but rewarding ! Short vid below prior to feeding.
Meanwhile the Mother duck and 15 ducklings are also doing well and starting to grow.
