Monday 20 July 2009

Baby Blackbird

It is difficult to tell that the little ball of fluff in the photo above is a baby blackbird. Today I could hear a bird calling loudly in the garden but it was nowhere to be seen. I spent ages looking up in the trees but not seeing any sign of a bird. Suddenly beneath the trees I could hear movement in the shrubs below. I saw a ginger cat scoot after something in the undergrowth. 'GIZMO, GIZMO'!!! I shouted at the top of my voice. I heard a bird calling again, shooed Gizmo away with the end of a mop and eventually picked up a little bird with the biggest mouth! It was very frightened.

As I held it in my hands it kept opening its beak wide for food but sadly its mother was nowhere to be seen. I had a sterile syringe from when I kept hens so I filled it with water and squirted it into the little bird's mouth. It still kept its beak wide open so I crushed up some blackberries. I was so fearful that it may choke but I pushed the berries down his throat. I then remembered that I had some meal worms, so I soaked them in water and proceeded to feed the bird with those too.

After much worry, and trying to keep Gizmo at bay, I managed to contact a local wildlife and ambulance service and they agreed to take him in. Hopefully the story will have a happy ending as the bird wasn't injured in any way. He was just too small to fly and fend for himself.


I know some people say that you should leave birds alone and not get involved but its mother was nowhere to be seen and it wouldn't have survived without her.

Life is very topsy turvy at the moment but at least the 'Grumpy Girl' has turned a corner.

18 comments:

  1. What a lovely post - love the pic. And I hope it survives as well.
    I hope you have turned a corner. Life is tricky sometimes, isn't it.

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  2. Just seen some other baby birds on blog....can't remember where!

    How cute the little bird looks....x

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  3. Arhhh poor little orphan Annie, let us know the outcome. "Grumpy Girl looks happier. Lovely post.

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  4. There was a blackbird making an awful noise in my garden earlier and I wondered if it had lost its babies!

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  5. Bird-helping-hero award to you. Though I am slightly concerned about why you happened to have mealworms hanging handily about...

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  6. A beautiful story! I think it was so kind and sweet of you to save the baby bird. I'm glad Ms. Grumpy now has a smile.

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  7. How cute! And you were very kind! ;-)

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  8. Great story, Simone - hope the baby blackbird will be OK - you did your best for it:) I like Miss Pink Dress with the little smile:)

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  9. Simone, I am so glad you helped this sweet little baby birdie. Oh, and I love Grumpy Girl's sweet little pink dress and the cute little smile on her face. Glad you're feeling better!

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  10. Oh I couldn't have left the bird either - I even made my neighbours drive me to the local bird rescue with a ring neck dove I found, stunned in the garden once!! The cat who prowls our garden now often brings us voles and birds - we've tried chasing her and squirting her with the hosepipe but nothing deters her unfortunately and we've had to except she's just doing the cat thing - sad though!

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog - I never really thought of myself as having a nice voice *blushes* but that does encourage me to do more video posts like T suggested on our new joint blog.

    Glad to see grumpy girl has turned a corner!! Take care x

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  11. Awww.. Great post Simone! A very nice read with my morning cuppa! I'm so glad you could save that poor little thing! I don't know who says to leave the birds alone, but I can't believe God means for us NOT to lend a hand to any man/animal in need! I could never have just left it abandoned and in danger either!.. And by the way, I'm glad "grumpy girl" is feeling a little better!! (0;

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  12. Loved this post, Simone. Great story and Miss Grumpy is now Miss Congeniality. I like the background you used, too!

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  13. It sounds as though you did a wonderful job Simone. He is gorgeous - I do hope he's OK x

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  14. this story reminds me so much of my mother rescuing a little bird when I was a child. I can remember its nest so vividly and how hard my mum tried to look after it.
    Kimx

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  15. Bless your little cotton socks, I would have done the same as you!
    I’m glad you’re feeling a bit happier!

    Enjoy the rest of the weekend…love Lou xxx

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  16. CK shops are lots of fun...not everyones thing, but I enjoy the colour and the pretty things....oh I had such a good day, first one since all the sad stuff....a good tonic for me..xxx

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  17. A smile and a change of frock! I am so pleased grumpy girl is now back in the pink. Poor baby blackbird, I can imagine its huge gape. Thanks for caring Simone. x

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  18. Lovely happy girl now, glad to see! She's rather wonderful. I think you probably did the right thing by saving the baby bird, or your cat would have got it. So gald you're feeling better.
    Love Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)

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