Three weeks ago one of my cats came in through the catflap carrying a largish dark coloured bird in his mouth. When I shouted at him he dropped the poor thing in the hall and ran off upstairs. I could see then it was a female blackbird. I picked her up giving her a quick visual once over. She didn't seem in any way injured...no blood to be seen, no drooping wing etc...understandably scared but not panicking either.In fact not doing anything really. No flapping of wings or resistance at all. Just sat there quite docile in my hands. Probably in shock I thought.
It was 5pm or thereabouts...can't be exactly sure of the time but it was dark outside. Unusual that it was caught in the dark and also unusual in that my cats rarely catch birds even in daylight, the two youngest being the only ones that catch anything...49-50 in cat years...usually catch rodents and even they are few and far between these days. I didn't want to release her in darkness only to be captured again so made a decision to put her in the greenhouse overnight and check how things were in the morning. I knew from experience that if she survived overnight she was in with a chance, but didn't really hold out much hope. To be continued...
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
Thanks Tiger, Sue and Alan. Glad you enjoyed it.
I have seen a couple of female blackbirds in the garden since Tiger. No way of knowing of course but one of them could certainly be her. At least she has had more than a couple of weeks of good food inside her to keep her going for a while.
Just waiting for the bird cake to cool down before throwing some out for the ground feeders. Am sure they will enjoy it.
Thanks Chloe for a moving and very well wriiten tale about Mozzie. I was not sure I wanted to read the conclusion, so was very pleased to see a happy ending. Congratulations. I am sure she will stay nearby.
Sad you got no footage and have no way to recognise her, but what a wonderful ending. Congatulations on your caring but sensible actions - and your persistance. And thanks so much for sharing Mozzie's story with us all.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Thanks Brenda and OG. I am also very pleased there was a happy ending. My heart was in my mouth more than once I can tell you :)
It was wonderful when I realised for sure that she was going to be able to fly and even more wonderful to see her disappear into that conifer like a bullet from a gun. The stupid grin on my face returns each time I think of her zooming off and leaving me half on and half off the step ladder clutching a totally redundant video cam :))
What a great story, and well told, too, Chloe! Particularly enjoyed the vision of her with 'her hands in her pockets'!!
I'm sure she has now recovered and is doing what blackbirds do, and all thanks to your care - wonderful!
Hi Chloe. Just wanted to add my thanks for taking the time and effort to rehabilitate Mozzie. Thanks also for writing such a great account of the events - I really enjoyed reading it.
How wonderfully written story Chloe! I just can imagine your feelings when she took off ! I wouldn't be totally surprised if Mozzie tries to re-enter your greenhouse if weather turns really cold and ugly LOL
my photos in flickr
Good aftrnoon ChloeB and I have only just seen the Mozzie story. What a wonderful job you did in caring for her and how delighted you must have been when she flew away. I didn't know whether I wanted to read it all but glad I did. I thought there might have been a sad ending. Thanks to your care and devotion she made it and flew free. A lovely heartwarming story.
Margobird
What a lovely story ChloeB, and beautifully told! So glad there was a happy ending.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
What a heart-warming story ChloeB. Twenty days is a long time to care for a wild animal. You were lucky to have a convenient greenhouse to keep her in!! I wonder whether Mozzie will remember what you have done, and if she nests next year, will she bring her young and introduce them to the hotel with wonderful food!! Well done.
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