Much of the weather while we've been down here has been downright dreadful. Heavy wet snow, rain, wind and cool temperatures. Yesterday was no exception, in fact it was the coolest feeling day since we've been here. Its not a really big deal, the idea of the trip is to visit family, and let the kids experience things they haven't yet, so who cares.
But yesterday afternoon, safely ensconced inside the living room of my parents, we all looked up when we heard a thunk on the window during a snowy rainy windy period. I looked up and saw a Robin hopping away, and was thinking that was the bird, but no sitting on the flower bed was a rather dazed looking Pine Siskin. I watched it for awhile but it didn't seem to be doing that well. So I thought a little warmth was in order to keep it out of shock.
A walked out and the bird didn't budge when I picked it up, and it sat quietly in my hand, the only movement was the pounding of its little heart. The kids were in the bath, but we got them out to see the bird. Travis and Hilary were pumped to see it so close, and it was hard not to let them handle it, but it was stressed enough as it was.
I held it for a half hour or so, and then it began to shift and move, so I set it outside. And then… nothing. it sat looking forlorn and cold in the snow and rain. When it didn't move and let me approach again, I thought releasing it would have to be reconsidered. So I brought it in and began preparing some quarters for it. And that was when it tried to fly away in the house.
Back to the door, and it sat quietly in my hand for a moment, before launching away and landing in the nearest large tree. It lingered awhile but then set out for places unknown. A great moment for the kids, and us.
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It was dazed and needed some time to get itself together. Nice job Clare.
I love Hillary’s beaming face in that first pic!
I remember nursing a few window-injured birds as a kid, but the ones who didn’t fly away within minutes always died.
Once in Fort Liard, someone found an injured kestrel and brought it to our house, thinking Michael would know what to do. Not sure why they thought we’d be experts, but we brought it to our friend Ken who was a true bird man. He had two parrots at that time, and an extra cage happened to be in his possession for the kestrel. After feeding up on meat for a few days, it was as good as new for re-release.
Early one summer morning, when I was about ten years old, I was going to a friend’s house for a visit. A small yellow bird whacked itself on their huge front window. I picked the bird up with my favourite hat and started carrying it home.
On the way, the bird came to its senses and hopped up onto the brim of my had. It sat there, looking around, while I walked down the street, gently carrying my had.
The bird hopped around and looked at me, hopped back in the direction we were going, and flew off.
In gratitude, it left a huge, greasy dropping inside my favourite hat.
How wonderful! There is something so special about rescuing birds . . . and sharing that moment with kids.
I also “rescued” a bird as a child and your post brought back some nice memories. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Dave. I was worried for a while that the stress was going to get to it, but the warmth seemed to do the trick.
Fawn, I did a little bird recovery in Fort Providence when I was there and days before my transfer I came across a Kestrel that had been hit by a car. I splinted its wing and it ate and drank right away, but Resources wouldn’t give me a permit to bring it with me until it recovered. I had to drop it off with the wildlife officer the day I left. I often wonder how it fared.
This bird left me a gift also Michael, but I was carrying it in my hand not my hat.
One day (again in Fort Providence) I found Purple Finch after Purple Finch on the ground from striking windows, but I couldn’t figure out why it was happening and didn’t hear any strikes. I happened to watch a flock fly from the feeder and it was my car window they were hitting. Simply moving the car made all the difference.
It is a great feeling Liza and SC.