parrot crisis in Bonaire! part 6

I had been following the news checking the path of the hurricane to see if Bonaire had been adversely affected. So far, from reading the bonairetalk website it appears that everything is OK.

I've been following the echobonaire facebook update postings to check on the progession of the parrot rescue. Many of the parakeets have been rehabbed and released. Some of the amazons have been released but most are still being cared for.

Still, new parrots keep coming to the rescue either from confiscation from low-lifes capturing them or from other reasons. A new young amazon came in last week with a broken leg.

There was a notice out to those visiting Bonaire if they could bring toys for the parrots. A big part of parrots socialization growth is playing with toys. It helps their mental well being. I know myself, I am constainly changing and repairing (favorite) toys for my birds. It keeps them busy and it soothes their natural instinct to forage.

One woman from England is trying to raise funds for the parrots by selling specialized nail stick-ons. (They look pretty cool!)

My birds favorite toys are the ones I had made. They love things that they can wreck. Chinese finger pulls (remember thoses?) are a big hit. They are made of a soft paper/wood/rattan. My birds will tear those things apart. They also like little wicker balls and plastic beads that they can take apart.

Bigger parrots like bigger toys but on the same principle. They love towel rolls(They have to be "glue-free". JFYI, the glue in cheap paper towels is toxic.) They love plastic chains that they can disassemble and soft balsam wood blocks to chew. They even like cereal boxes stuffed with shredded newspaper!

I am happy with how things are progressing in Bonaire. Hopefully, this ridiculous illegal parrot trade will stop for good in Bonaire.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 33

Hurricane Irene blew by us.

We were lucky we excaped any damage in it's path but folks inland such as western Massachusetts and Vermont were not so lucky. They had some serious damage and massive flooding.

The surrounding towns here lost their electricity and had some downed trees but the affects were minor. I had put away anything that could blow away out of my yard so that nothing would not go sailing into my windows, or my neighbors. I took down my bird feeders as well.

The beach road was closed off all weekend so I could not get down to feed the pigeons.

My little pigeon is still hanging in there. I've introduced seed, corn meal and grit to his diet. He will attack me for the hand feeding formula which as of today I cut down to 3 feedings a day. He is starting to peck at the seed when he thinks I am not looking. He will not peck at the seed if he thinks I am watching him. In spite of the hurricane (more like a tropical storm) the visiting black pigeon landed on my deck and hung around there for most of the day.

I put the bird feeder back up today and threw more seed on the deck for the black pigeon. Today, he brought along a friend. Both of the pigeons chased the mourning doves away. My little pigeon sat close to screen, flapped his wings and "peeped" at the pigeons. They were very much aware of his presense. I am hoping I will be able to release him with those two pigeons and that they will welcome him to their flock.

the lunch bunch

There is nothing worse in life is the "shoulda, coulda and wouldas".

I've had enough of those regrets.

Sometimes you just don't 'think" and you get wrapped up in your own stuff. Then before you know it, even if you have good intentions, life passes you by.

I still miss my Aunt and it's been six years since her passing. I have still have those "shoulda, coulda and woulda" regrets.

I don't want to make those same mistakes with my father.

The sad thing is when people find out you are sick they tend to avoid you. They feel sorry for you but they seem to just disappear. I don't think my dad has many visitors. I think he doesn't want to be a bother to anyone either.

My father has his good days and bad days. I call all the time to see how he is doing. Regardless of my schedule I come up to visit even for an hour. I think an hour is all he can take.

I remember a funny thing my father said to me, "I like when you visit because you leave early". I cracked up. In other words, I'm not the "guest that wouldn't leave". I kind of can tell when it's time to go because he gets tired and needs to lay down.

He will call me with "speed dial" that my mother had set up for him.

He called me twice tuesday. He said he would like to go out to eat "only if it is an early bird special". I told him I had a coupon for lunch at the 99 restaurant instead. He loves the idea that he get's a "deal". That is good motivating factor in getting him out and about.

I joked with him about "disturbing my moths in my wallet"to pay for lunch. He wanted to pay so I joked, "oh no..I'm paying for this lunch because this is a cheap date! You can take me to the Wentworth instead! HA!" (The Wentworth is a la de da place) He cracked up.

I made sure we had a seat right near the door. He has a hard time walking. He was a bit self conscious about walking and he said, "he didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me(him)". I responded quickly and said, "oh no, they just think you're a friggin' pain in the ass". Again, he cracked up. Humor is important.

We talked about alot of things. I even told him about my blog. He was impressed. I expressed how I was disappointed with my neice and nephew in NZ because they had 'forgotten' for the second year in a row to acknowledge my sister's birthday (their mother). I expressed that I thought they were self absorbed and inconsiderate. Dad pretty much told me in a subtle way not to judge them because "they are not sure who's on their side". The kids parents went through a acrimonious divorce. Every once in awhile, my father comes through with a gem of wisdom. I think he is probably right. Who knows what is going on in those kids minds and what the situation is "across the pond".

We had a good lunch. He was exhausted after that. I take each day as a gift.

I can't worry about what happened yesterday or on how things were in the past. I can only focus on what is happening today. I can only make today a good day.

And we had a good day.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 32

I just ordered "The flying vet's pigeon health & managment" book from Foy's pigeon supply company. As I stated before, my goal is to get the little little pigeon healthy enough to be released into the wild.

I like to read. I like to read with a purpose in mind. I may never care for a pigeon again but I find them to be quite interesting.

The little pigeon is starting to get a little white color on his wings now. I think I got the hang of hand-feeding him. I've added seed to the mix and tomorrow I will scatter some grit for him to peck at as well.

However, he still makes raspy noises which makes me nervous. He's not out of the "danger zone" yet.

Today, after I fed him, washed him and let him enjoy some fresh air and sunshine a lone pigeon landed on my back deck!

It was the oddest thing!

The pigeon on the deck started to peck at scattered seed on the deck. My little pigeon was very interested in what that pigeon was doing and imitiated him! He pecked at the seed on the floor as well. They were watching each other intently through the screen door. I'll try to make sure there is scattered seed on the back deck to encourage this lone pigeon to visit. My little pigeon could use a friend.

We are expecting a hurricane to hit the east coast this weekend.

Hurricane Irene.

I hope the pigeons on the beach are able to find shelter from the wind and rain.

*here is a photo of Craow Dum sitting by the screened door. I was hoping to get a shot with the visiting pigeon as well.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 31

As I fed the morning pigeons I noticed there were more of them. They breed in the spring and summer months. I just saw on the morning news about a guy in Brookline who got in trouble for feeding the pigeons. I guess his nosey neighbors had nothing better to do than to bust his b@lls.

There are some people who just hate pigeons.

I fed my little pigeon his morning slurry of kaytee formula now mixed with a little seed. I tried to introduce him to a crock of water. He pecked at the seeds on the floor but didn't eat any. I washed him off because he gets some of the food in his eyes and ears. I worry about infection.

He still makes a bit of a raspy noise due to inhaling his food. I have to keep an eye out for that.

I am not sure my vet knows that much about pigeons per say, other than they are potential carriers. I keep him away from my other birds. I've checked his feather stocks for mites and so far, I see none. I may order some triple C antibotic powder through Foyspigeonsupplies.com to keep on hand, just in case. It is to cure any respiratory infections.

I try to feed him every couple of hours. Sometimes he eats with gusto and sometimes he just takes a couple of bites. I mostly want to make sure he has enough liquids.

It is a challenging undertaking and I've been a nervous wreck. I want him to survive and to be healthy.

* photo above is a picture of the make shift 'bottle". It is a medicine vial with a rubber glove covering with a hole in it so he can drink from. The food I use is kaytee exact baby parrot food with omega-3s and a scattering of parakeet seeds.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 30

The little pigeon is still hanging in there.

My husband took the day off of work so he could drive me and the pigeon to the vet. (I was having monster migraine monsoon)

It was a mad house at the vets. She took a quick look at the pigeon and thought he was OK. She said his lungs sounded OK which was my biggest concern. She said if anything is in his lungs it should work it's way out. She suggested I find a pigeon fancier to take him in order for him to 'model" (imitiate other pigeons) in learning how to eat seeds, fly and socialize in a flock. I've called pigeon fanciers that I had found through pigeon racing sites. None of them wanted to talk to me. Most were paranoid and wanted nothing to do with a feral pigeon.

The vet seemed to think "Craow Dum" should be eating seeds now since he is a ground feeder.

I found this a bit puzzling. This bird was still in a nest being fed by the mother. Once fledged, he would be eating ground seed but he is only 3 weeks old! I've introduce him to seeds but he hasn't gotten the hang off picking them and ingesting them. I am still hand feeding 5 times a day with a make shift bottle. He makes a complete mess. I have to bathe him after every feeding but at least he is eating.

After I feed him, I open the french doors so he sit by the screen to watch the other birds and to warm up from the sun. To my horror, a hawk slammed into the screen trying to get at him!

Earlier in the day while I was walking Mattie the naughty jack Russell a flock of pigeons zoomed by me as they were being chased by a merlin ( a small hawk)

I cringe thinking about the dangers this bird will be confronted with.

I actually think seagulls are nastier than hawks. Hawks are like snipers. A one shot kill. While seagulls are like nasty gang thugs that circle their prey . Each seagull will tear at their victim. I've seen then do it to their own kind that was injured. They are cannibals.

I hope the flock of pigeons accept "Croaw Dum" back to their flock. Safety is in numbers. I don't want to let him go but the freedom he will have by living by the beach would be the best. As of right now, I am feeding ,bathing him and trying to teach him to eat seed.

It is just one day at a time for him for right now.

* Here is a picture of Craow Dum sitting by the door. I used my camera phone to take the photo.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 29

I really didn't think the baby pigeon would survive.

He is still hanging in there.

It turns out this baby pigeon is just 3 weeks old, not four weeks like I had hoped for.

Pigeons lay only 2 eggs at time so that both Mom and Dad can care and take turns feeding the baby but something must of happened to why this baby was in the sewer grate.

I tried unsuccessfully to feed the baby by using a syringe just like I did with my cockatiels. I could only get a small amount of food in his crop. And I think I might have aspirated some food his lungs because he was "clicking".

This is not good.

Their beaks are different than parrot beaks.

My husband was on "pigeon duty' when I went diving on sunday. I was expecting major panic catastrophe when I arrived home.

But instead, to my surprise and delight....

My husband looked up a site on the internet on how to feed baby pigeons. Instead of using the syringe the "normal way" he removed the top and placed a rubber glove finger over it with a hole cut out. The baby stuck his beak inside the glove and ate the kaytee food with gusto! He fed him twice already! The baby, of course, had a 'food beard" from the drippings out of syringe/glove feeder but he was alert, chirping and had a full crop!

I was so proud of my dear husband!!

He was also "showing" the pigeon how to peck at the floor for seeds. He spread seed down on floor and tapped with his finger. The little bird was curious and started tapping his beak on the floor. He didn't eat any seed but it was start.

I fed him again (for the fifth time that day), gave him a bath, dried him off and put him in a clean heated tank for the night.

Yesterday, I fed him 5 times. It was stressful. I never know if he is getting enough food and water. I tapped the seed as well and let him walk around on the floor to get fresh air and sunshine through the screened-in (new) french doors after the little pigeon had his bath.

He is not out of the woods yet as far as surviving.He didn't eat as much this morning. I scheduled a visit with my vet for this afternoon to make sure he is not sick.

I have my fingers crossed.

* I found this picture on the internet of a baby pigeon. This is exactly how "Craow Dum" looks minus the crusty 'food beard"

dive # 836 August 21 2001

Dive # 836 August 21 2001
I didn't think I would be able to go diving today because I am now the care-taker of a baby pigeon but my wonderful husband stepped up to the plate to make sure the baby had a mid-morning feeding. (More on the baby pigeon on another post)
I think I really need my "hall pass" sunday to submerge underwater for a little "zen-like excape" for an afternoon.
Fred, Chris, Pete and Pat were front and center directing the operation. We had a nice mellow group today as passengers. Linda, Myanna and a new guy named Alex.
We parked the boat at the restaurant off of Folly Cove.
I was perfectly happy to be here.
On the surface the viz was pretty fuzzy but once you got past 20 feet it was fairly clear but remarkably colder. At about 20 feet I got 60F on my thermometer .Up by the wall was warm but the viz was really cloudy.
I spotted quite a few rays, a few good sized lobsters and one big monster striper that scared the crap out me. Pat said that same striper spooked her as well. I was going to follow Fred around since he was filming but apparently the battery went dead in his camera.
Oh well.
The next dive sight was at "naked man beach". If Pete said there was dog fish in the water I would've went for that second dive but I started to get cold right after my first dive.
AND I was hungry.
I was glad I brought my spinach sandwiches with me.
We docked fairly early at about 2:00 just as it started to rain a little bit. I was grateful for the early landing since I was worried about getting back home to check on the little pigeon plus I still had afternoon customers to attend to.
All in all we had a good day.

the Wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 28

Never a dull moment.

This morning we decided to run up north for a change of scenery. It was high tide and we were kind of sick of running south on the parallel street.

As I turned the corner near Christie's pizza I noticed something in the drain grate in the gutter.

I saw a pigeon.!

I figured, 'oh poor thing..dead" As I looked at him I noticed he was breathing. He was a very young pigeon that must of fell out of the nest above Christie's spiked sign. I looked up and saw a mother pigeon feeding a baby.

Shit.

This must be a 4 week old baby.

He still had baby down on him and a tiny tail feather. It is rare to see a baby pigeon other than a 'squab" which are usually larger than the parents.

There was no way I could get the baby back up in the nest.

I do not know how long this baby was in the grate or when the last time it had a meal but I could feel it's keel bone. He was weak and did not struggle.

Needless to say, I brought him home.

I put him in a 5 gallon aquarium with a blanket and heating pad. I mixed some soften pelleted food with warm water and tried to feed him. I got a little in. I will cut this post short because I will head to a pet shop to get baby bird formula and a better syringe. (The syringe I had was sticking)

I honestly do not know if this baby will survive due to possible other issues that I can not detect but I am going to give it a 'go".

Oh shit...wish me luck.

*the photo above is the baby in a towel. I used my cell phone camera.

the Wild Pigeons of Salisbury beach part 27

There is definitely a "new" crowd of pigeons this year. I still see "Galok" amongst the crowd.

Hung Cow, Snowflake, JLo, Mocha and Chocolate Chip make their appearance now and then.

Every once in awhile a "new' one will appear with distinguishable markings. I do not label (name) that one unless he/she makes an appearance numerous times. Craow Dum is gone. My husband is convinced he hooked up with "Brookah"lady pigeon and moved up north.

Sometimes you get "visitors" from Seabrook that show up for just one day. They must hear that there is "free seed" in Salisbury so they come on down to check it out. They also have to watch out for hawks and fast moving automobiles around the beach front. I've noticed that they don't actually eat the discarded pizza per say. What they go after is the corn meal dust underneath the pizza.

People will blame the pigeons for making a mess on the beach. It is actually the black back gulls that make the mess. They get inside the rubbish bins, pull stuff out and shred it. They are as bad as raccoons as far as making a mess out of trash bins. The pigeons keep a distance from the gulls. The gulls as opportunistic. They can be cannibals if they feel the urge to eat something that "taste like chicken". They will eat discarded chicken wings. I've seen them on the Isle's of Schoals eat baby gull chicks and injured comrades. If I were a pigeon I would keep a safe distance from them, for sure.

There are two dark pigeons that visit my back deck on occasion as well as a family of turkeys.

The pigeons come by around 3:00pm and the turkeys come around at 6:30am. The two black pigeons I call "Heckle and Jeckle". I try to keep my bird feeders filled so that "everyone" (goldfinches, pigeons, mourning doves, cardinales and turkeys) have something to eat.

* I finally completed the "memorial" Icon of Craow Dum as featured above. I took the photo with my camera phone in which the colours appear faded and the outline not as shape. Sorry about that!

The writing inscription on the Icon are written in Russian.

It says "The Holy Pigeon".

"Invisible, innocuous but yet, omnipresent"

dive # 835 August 14 2011

Dive # 835 August 14 2011

I felt remarkably well today.

When I have days like this I want to do as much as I can. It's like having a a gift card that you gotta use that day!

The weather was predicted to be rainy and windy so it was good chance we would not be going out. HOWEVER, the weather did hold off ,thankfully, and Pete was in charge for the day with four scheduled passengers. I would've been absolutely fine with diving in the harbor if the weather turned for the worse. Easy diving is always good.

I just purchased an (old fashion )jacket style BCD on ebay so I was eager to test it out. This type of BCD is hard to find. All the "new' BCDs are those weight intergrated types with all kinds of "hooks and ladders" attached to them AND they all weigh a ton!

Fred and Pete like their horse collar BCDs with just a back-pack. I need something that is soft on my shoulders and easy to get in and out so I prefer the 80's style BCDs. Fellow diver Alan H. was also "test driving" a older style BCD similar to mine as well. Besides Alan on board, we had Bill L, Pat W as crew, and a father/ son team.

We went to the wreck of the New Hamphire.

Water temp was 59F. I didn't scream jumping in.

The BCD seemed to work OK. No "auto-inflation" issues. It filled and emptied OK. The only problem was when I filled it it bubbled a little out of the inflator button. Regardless, I think it is a keeper.

I noticed that the flounders were unusually huge around the wreck site. There were some HUGE discarded scallop shells around there. A few lobsters were out and about and a large tautog. After I let air out of the BCD I turned to the left to see a good sized torpedo ray only two feet away from me! I spun around hoping I would see other divers (despite the 10 foot viz) to show them the torpedo ray.

Pete was scooting around with his UW scooter so I pointed out the ray and then took off with his "toy". HA!

I had thought about going in for a second dive since Pat was minding the boat topside but I think I sat out too long in the soggy suit joking around with the fellow divers that I got chilled.

The second dive was at saddle rock.

Nobody wanted any of my nice spinach sandwiches. I had brought extras. I thought Bill L would gag at just the sight of them. I am guessing, like Fred, he would run like hell from my 'famous' brocolli meat-balls with the spinach infused pasta. Pat did indulged in the turkey sandwich that I had brought along for good measure.

We pulled into dock just as it started to rain.

We cheated death again.

3 stooges redux

As I write this I am having carpenters replace our scrotty ol' sliders with french doors.

I stay out of their way so they can do their job.

Meanwhile.

I can hear the birds.

They now have a "new" audience.

I think to myself.

Oh no...

"Louie" starts up.

I hear ,"HEY! HEY! (wolf whistle) "HEY! yah YOOOU!"

Then "Patches" joins in.

"Whattcha doin"?"

Louie, again, "Doin' doin, doing?!"

I sit still bracing myself knowing what is next.

I hear a murmuring of the carpenters amongst themselves thinking that I am down stairs talking to them but no, it is the birds.

I hear "Whook" winding up with some preliminary garble.

And then I hear it.

Loud and clear.

"Whatcha doin' ya F*&^%ing nerd!?!?!?!....

oh Jesus Christ...sssssshiiiiiiit...

oh my Gawd! You sssssszzz.......STINK!!! STINK!! BZZZZZZZZZ! I loooooove you! Jesus CCCCCHrist........"

I cringe.

All I could think of is that scene in the three Stooges episode "Crash goes the Hash" where the parrot gets inside the turkey and walks around saying, "jeeper creepers..... what a night!"

I am afraid to go downstairs...

Parrot crisis in Bonaire! part 5

I've been following the parrot rescue situation in Bonaire. I am hoping by the time I go to Bonaire all the parrots will be rehabbed, released back into the wild and the smuggling situation will be shut down for good.

As of now, quite few of the brown throated parakeets have been successfully rehabbed and released. The amazon parrots that were also retrieved are larger so therefore they take longer to wean and to be be on their own. As of now, the volunteers are still caring for more than sixty baby parrots.

Just recently another baby parrot was retrieved from yet another smuggler. The baby was severely underweight and starving. The staff was not sure if the baby would make it. So far, the baby is doing OK. I am still awaiting a reply from my bonaire talk chat group to find out more about the baby. I am guessing STINAPA is doing there job cracking down on all this illegal activity.

(STINAPA-Stichting Nationale Parken of Bonaire. It is a national park foundation to protect and preserve Bonaire's national marine park and Washington Slagbaai national Park)

I remember a few years walking along the boardwalk seeing caged amazons in dirty, small rusted cages without any toys sitting there joylessly. Whenever I tried to talk to these people about the parrots I would just get a silent stare.

what grows in the garden STAYS IN THE GARDEN!

It was a rough weekend for me. Luckily, I could feel the "migraine monsoon" coming on so I prepared for it just like when midwesterners are warned a tornado is coming. In my case, I took my meds early, cancelled all my plans and rested with ice on my head and neck.

Amen.

The next day, I went out to water my garden, pull slugs off any leaves and harvest any bounty that the rabbits didn't eat. The bunnies wiped out my spinach but left everything else alone.

The tomatoes are starting to ripen. The cilantro is all used up, the basil is still growing as well as the mint. The peppers are doing well, the cucumbers are all over the place and.... the squash is well, obscene.

I thought I was hallucinating.

I know I've been on a zomig bender for a week now. I've been pulling these gigantic squashes off the vines and they seem to appearing in 'odd" shapes.

Granted, I do have a bit of a sophomorphic sense of humor but as I placed the squashes on the counter my husband took one of look at one particular squash and exclaimed, 'oh gross, that looks just like a giant goat scrotum".

At that point all the vegetables in the garden started to take on "various forms of laughable amusement". One pepper started to look like ex-president Ronald Reagan. I ate that pepper right away. It was sweet but tough just like the former president.

The giant goat scrotum squash lasted three dinners worth.

I'm sick of squash already.

*photo above is the "infamous" squash.

Parrot crisis in Bonaire! part 4

I mailed off letters to Bird Talk Magazine, my parrot chat groups, and to BOAF (NH pet bird club) in regards to the situation in Bonaire. Whether or not my letters get printed is another story. I hope the letters get printed, the word gets out and donations are made.

I just received an email from "Sam" of echobonaire who is charge of taking care of the baby parrots. So far, things are going smoothly. We will talk prior to my departure onward to Bonaire to see what will be needed at the time.

Since Bonaire is a small Island they do not have the plethora of speciality pet shops like we do in the USA. As I check Bonairetalk some of the folks who are heading to Jong Bonaire (where the parrot nursery is located)are packing feeding syringes for the growing babies.

The syringes are hard to clean so they go through them alot. As the babies get bigger they need different sizes as well. The type and size of feeding syringe is different for a small conure as it is for an amazon.

As the babies grow they will need different types of food as well. Some of the babies may be struggling along and need a speciality type food perhaps with a higher protein content.

As far as I know, everything seems to be going well.

* photo above is baby amazons. Little baldies. Aren't they cute!

broccoli meatballs

The shops in Newburyport come and go. A lot of my favorites are gone and I have some new favorites that have taken their place.

This week in Newburyport is a big local event.

It is Yankee homecoming week.

There are all kinds of events that go on all week like free concerts, pet shows, antique shows, art shows, a big road race and the famous parade. There are all kinds of vendors selling food, discounted items are for sale from all of their shops and side-walk performers are entertaining the folks sitting outside taking in all the going ons.

I took a walk around town after I finished walking dogs for the day. There was this new "smoothie" shop that had just recently opened that caught my eye. Most "smoothie" shops sell the usual mix of some kind of fruit concoction mixed with yogert or cream.

The sign posted outside this little shop announced :"spinach and brocolli smoothies".

No yogert or syrup is added to the mix just pureed spinach, brocolli, bananas and pineapple.

Despite the hefty price of $5.25 I had to try it at least once.

It was really good!

As I sat on a bench in the shade sucking down the smoothie I couldn't help but chuckle to myself thinking of Captain Fred.

I don't think he will ever forgive me the time I invited him over my apartment for a spagetti dinner and I had made broccolli "meatballs". His face contorted in such a grimace like somebody played a dirty trick on him. That incident happened about 14 years ago and he still talks about it.

He was pretty traumatized by my faux meatball debacle.

My guess would be that this new smoothie shop would be one place he would avoid like the plague!