More bird tales

As I was getting ready to go to bed, I see the Mip Mips have draped one of my socks over Ziva! It’s a white sock, so I’m guessing Lady Jane couldn’t help herself!

I didn’t have the best of nights, I seem to have had a number of nightmares. Not the frightening kind, just the ‘Urgh! Where did that come from?’ distasteful kind. Somehow heights always seem to be involved. Remember that weird dreams and what to blog?

As I’m writing this, I hear loud chirping – so loud, it is probably coming from inside the flat. So I investigate: One of the twins is carrying a Sparrow! Still alive. I didn’t waste time trying to see which twin it was – I grabbed hold of the cat till it dropped the bird, then took the bird away. Gave it some water – it seems to be a baby sparrow. It seems to just be in shock, I don’t know how to check if anything’s broken, so I’ve just put it in the cage with the Starling and I’ve contacted a local bird lady for help.

After sending her a message, I go to check if Sparrow and Starling are getting along – seem to be fine – and on the way back I see the Mip Mips busy with a pigeon in the kitchen! It’s dead, so nothing I can do. Ziva absolutely HAS TO teach her offspring to catch, kill and eat birds. That is a natural instinct I can not override. She herself would have starved to death, if she hadn’t either been taught or learned. I cannot override a mother teaching her offspring how to survive. But it is distressing to watch them play with it, even though it is dead. Never mind the mess of all those feathers everywhere!

The bird lady messaged me back and asked if I could bring the birds to her. So I packed the last tin of mousse, the grapes and everything else bird-related and brought them to her. She says the sparrow has either a broken or dislocated hip – and may have to be put down. I have every confidence that she’ll take whichever course of action will be kindest. She’s quite an amazing lady and it has been an absolute pleasure meeting her! I was impressed with the oak she has in her garden – acorns everywhere underneath! I picked a double handful to take home – I don’t know what I’ll do with them, but it’s been such a long, long time since I’ve seen an oak!

Back at home, I had better start cleaning – there’s the feathers from the pigeon, the bird cage needs cleaning and I really should vacuum the flat again.

I started with the spare bedroom. You will not believe just how much and how far that one bird managed to spread its mousse and crap! I cleaned it off the walls, off the closet doors and off I forget where else.

As I moved on to dishes, Rose came to visit – perfect timing (I don’t like washing dishes!). We watched the Mip Mips exploring farther and farther. They’re staying on the side away from the road, for now. I think that was my own fault, yesterday – I was working half-way to the road, so their ‘safe territory’ extended to the gate. Their ‘safe territory’ circles around me apparently stronger than the ‘distance from nest’. So now, when I need to work far, I shut them indoors. Like, when I distributed more of my specialty weed killer on the path I had weeded yesterday.

Today the Mip Mips explored the far right border of my garden, nearly went to visit Mr A, my neighbour on that side! They also climbed the fallen over Tecoma – and Lady Jane jumped down from quite a height! A little later we saw Mewthos dangling off a branch! Not a good sight, as there are rocks underneath that spot! But he clawed his way back onto the branch and all was well with my little world again.

Rose brought me cookies again! She calls them Ginger Squares, but I’m very happy with yummy cookies! I’ve swept the kitchen, and I’ve finished the dishes – all of them! I’ve cleaned the bird cage, thoroughly and emptied the litter box in the bathroom. Tomorrow I should clean the floors – wash the bathroom & kitchen floors and vacuum the main bedroom and lounge. But for now? I’ve earned a cookie! And they are yummy, yummy!

I’ve changed my sheets, being closely watched by Lady Jane and Mewthos – although their attempts to help were not exactly welcome by me. Now all I want is a refreshing bath and a good night’s sleep!