Now I know a lot of you have STUNNING wildlife and must smile at me waxing lyrical about what may appear to be non-spectacular animals….but…I had a real treat at the rescue this week, as this magnificent bird was brought in.
I was doing my usual shift, beginning with the pigeons and collared doves and was finding them all very stroppy. As their health improves, they tend to develop attitude and try to smack you with their wings and peck you. It doesn’t really hurt but it’s instinct to flinch I suppose. Anyway….there I was, working my way through 30 flappy, slappy pecking pigeons, when I suddenly came upon the barn owl. I was very surprised to see it as usually they go straight into the aviary. My co-worker explained that it had an eye infection so one of us would have to hold it while the other put drops in it’s eye. I jumped at the chance! Although I was a teeny bit nervy getting it out as it does have a very sharp beak and talons. But the poor little thing had hardly any life in it and actually turned out to be easier to handle than a stroppy pigeon. It’s eye was a messy slit which had obviously affected it’s hunting as it was bone thin and almost lifeless. Now, after five days of treatment it’s eye has TOTALLY healed and it’s devouring it’s food as though there is no tomorrow. So, it goes into the aviary soon and we all have our fingers crossed that it can fly. Then it’s just a case of feeding it up and releasing it.
I hope none of you are about to eat as I would love to show you an owl pellet. They swallow their food whole and then eject the pellet consisting of fur, bones, wing cases etc from their mouths. The pellets don’t smell as they don’t pass through the intestine of the bird and are quite dry.
So….moving swiftly on in case any of you are feeling queasy..
If a walled garden can’t be found for this old blind hedgehog, there’s talk of sending it to live with me….
And just look at these beauties that have just come in. Rabbits are being re-homed on a regular basis at the moment which means that rabbits on the waiting list can come in. Wildlife is still quiet, with very few new animals coming in…..the calm before the storm I think.
So another first of the year….our first chiminea! Since the new year it’s been either snowing, raining or blowing a gale. Last night was DRY…so hubs and I raced out and got a blaze going…
And as the fire burned I could hear the owls hooting and shrieking…..
And I thought about how soft and downy that barn owl was….
And how in a week or two, it may even end up hunting in my garden if I release it here.
Happy days eh?
I could just about feel the warmth of the fire. The owl is an interesting one. If only those creatures new just how you fussed around them.
Oh the chiminea is really warm Peter……it’s especially nice on a cold winter’s night. Lol….yes, the critters don’t appreciate our care.xxxxx
These do sound like happy days, and thanks for the lesson on the way the owl eats. I was sorry there wasn’t a bit more light in the pictures at the shelter, but was able to see the animals pretty well even so. The pictures of the fire were very good. Enjoyed the scene.
Thanks Shimon, I do love owls. We had another chimmy last night and again it was wonderful to sit out listening to the owls. We even had a mating pair fly over, a REAL thrill.xxxxx
Lol, thanks Toni.xxxxx
That owl is GORGEOUS! And the bunnies? Ugh SO cute 🙂 I want one of each 😉
Lovely pic of a barn owl…. what an honour to be so close up and hands on with it! Love the pic of the fire in the chiminea with the sparks all shooting up like that – looks wonderful…
It’s great that you do your work with the animals, so lovely that there are people like you who do what they can for them….xxx
Thanks Arose. It is an honour to be that close to an owl and to be able to help it. I was in today and it’s now flying around it’s aviary! So it will be released soon.
I do love a good blaze.xxxxx
What a stunning bird, glad to hear it will be released. And that’s a good blaze.
Thanks Dessie. It is a beauty isn’t it! I do love to sit outside around a blazing fire!xxxxx
Snowbird, I am so glad you were able to help the Barn Owl. They are so beautiful and I always seek them out in the Falconry Tents at Country Shows, along with the Little Owl, another favourite. We occasionally hear a Tawny Owl in the woods behind where we live. You can see why people get obsessed with these birds and start collecting all things Owl related, their beauty must really win people over. xx
Thanks Sam, how lovely that you have tawny owls. They are a magical species owls….and quite hypnotic to watch. It’s wonderful for us to to be able to intervene and help this one before too much damage was done. It will be fantastic to see it go back to the wild.xxxxx
Your skeleton must have got a fright with all the fiery stuff… 😉
Are you placing the barn own in the aviary with other small birds?
We often see owls and buzzards resting on field gateposts, they seem used to the cars and only a few take flight. It does not disturb the majority from peering into the hunting grounds.
Lol….
No the owl will be in an aviary on it’s own….it would feast on anything smaller than itself!!!
How lucky you are to see buzzards, we have never had them here in the past, but over the last few years I seen them soaring high in the skies….magnificent they are. You must post some pics for me!xxxxx
Actually, my “wildlife” is absolutely NOTHING compared with your rescues — it’s great fun to visit you and see chubby hedgehogs, bunnies, and barn owls. I must say, I didn’t know about owl pellets. Glad breakfast is hours away.
Lol, thanks Nikki! Oooops….glad breakie was a way off!!! xxxxx
Owls are such beautiful birds. Being able to care for injured creatures and get them back in to the wild must be so rewarding. Poor little hedgehog, thank goodness that he’ll be able to live out his days happily.
Thanks Jo, it is such a pleasure when things work out well and such beautiful creatures can go back. This owl almost seems to be co-operating with us, it’s very lively now but not aggressive towards us. The little hog will live it’s days peacefully somewhere…. maybe with me! xxxxx
Lucky you, I’ve always found owls to be the most fascinating birds but sadly it’s been years since I’ve seen, or even heard, one in the wild.
Nothing beats a good fire like that, and I’m sure that I can feel the warmth from here. xx
Oh Flighty, how sad that you don’t have owls, that really surprises me, I wonder where they all are. We have lots of owls here, tawny, barn and little owls mainly. We have a breeding pair in our garden and I love to hear their calls, cries and hoots, especially in the winter.
Ah, yes, you can’t beat a fire, especially in the winter.xxxxx
Ooo a barn owl – so glad you were able to help it.
Thanks Elaine, a real treat for me and a wonderful outcome.xxxxx
What a delightful post!
“30 flappy, slappy pecking pigeons”, is not only a handful, but a mouthful as well! How wonderful that your tender care helped give the owl a new lease on life. I was imagining putting drops into one his great big eyes! I have seen owl pellets before at school where the students eagerly dissected them. Interesting way to learn of their eating habits.
Your fire is displayed beautifully in your photos ~ I was expecting to see Duggy’s silhouette etched in the flames 😉
Lol, thanks Glo. hahahaha….it IS a bit of a mouthful isn’t it….maybe bring one of your poems on eh????
The owl still needs to have drops for a few more days but it’s wonderful to put them in a great black eye rather than an infected slit. I can’t believe how quickly the eye healed.
Lol….the chiminea is in the back garden and Duggy lives in the front, it would be great to seem him through the flames though!!!xxxxx
Just loved this post, as owls and I have a thing for each other, and it sounds as if yours will heal and be well! Hooray! I loved the fire pics, too. Glad you can be out and enjoy it. I start bonfires every full moon, but we’re getting SO much snow, lately…glad for that, too, though. Better than a drought. 🙂 Your posts always brighten my day: what as gift you have for joy! Thank you.
Thanks Catherine. Y’know I’m the same with owls. I get goosebumps every time I see and hear them. They’re so silent and mysterious when flying, they just appear like ghosts!
The one at the rescue sways slowly, it’s most hypnotic. This owl looks set to go shortly, it just needs a bit of feeding up to set it up!
I love the idea of having a bonfire every full moon…..we’ve had quite a bit of snow but nothing like yours. It’s so pretty but harsh on the wildlife. You can have some of our rain if you like, it seems to rain every single day!!!xxxxxx
What a beautiful bird! I would love to see one that close!! Gorgeous pics of the Chimmey too! x
Isn’t it just! You’ll have to pop into the rescue before it goes and have a peek! xxxxx
Very happy days! What a lovely post. Fancy being able to completely turn around the life of that amazing barn owl! I bet you end up as hedgehog mummy :yes: Thanks, Snowbird!
Ahhh, thanks Gilly. You know you’re spot on about turning things around for the owl. Such simple, easy, cheap treatment and a magnificent bird goes back to the wild. It’s a privilege to be able to help it. Lol….I do seem to be accumulating hogs….oh dear!!! xxxxx
Fabulous images……Such close-ups of Barn Owl…..You do a marvelous job! :yes:
I love those ‘fire/flame’ images….
Indeed….Roll On Spring….. :lalala: Hugs! :)xx
Thanks Ell.
Fire is so hypnotic isn’t it. Our chimmy is so warm, and sometimes we even throw a potato in and make toast on it. Food always seems to taste so nice outdoors.xxxxx
I love catching up with your new patients. Barn owls are such beautiful birds: I hope you get to see this one in the wild. And as for a roaring fire outside and owls hooting – what a wonderful atmosphere!
Thanks Wendy, we are all really optimistic re this one’s chances. It’s eye is completely healed and it’s vision seems perfect now.
Sitting outdoors around a blazing fire listening to owls is my idea of heaven.xxxxx