I don't know much about ornithology but I'm willing to have a go. And on reflection I suspect Cate has described the common or garden blackbird.
A blackbird is good, they are quite sweet, I know nothing about birds other than they have wings, sing loudly in the morning and fly. Some are really sweet we also have a family of Robbins, I know them they have red breasts!
There was a nature programme showing how birds of the Crow family are far more intelligent than others and one was filmed solving various problems that required the bird to work out a solution, one was the water test, there were several others but the water test really was exceptional...
I should just add for SB how useless I am at being 'at one with nature', every time I take the dog out (at least 4 times a day,) I have been saying 'hello girls' to a field of what I thought where young cows just at the top of the road. Only today my husband has told me they are young bulls! No wonder they ignore me
They must be pretty young bulls...as round here we don't keep young bulls for long, uncastrated and more than two in field.. Large numbers of (full) male cows, in fact any farm animals, really are often unwanted
My last update on jake, the crow. Having spoken to a number of vets and wildlife sanctuaries, I began to realise that as content as Jake seemed hopping around my garden, sitting on the dog and pulling out what's left of my excuse for a lawn, he probably would be happiest and most free being rehabilitated and re-integrated into his natural environment. Most vets seemed to be of the opinion that if he can't fly, he should be put down as he would never achieve quality of life. I found this hard to believe. The bird I've been watching wasn't unhappy or stressed, he was a youngster who was highly intelligent and adapting to his surroundings. I wanted a solution for him that either allowed him to become wild again, or live an alternative life, somewhere safe, with others like him. Trent park, in Enfield, seemed a perfect option, but they can't accept any more birds for a while due to damaged buildings during recent bad weather. I spoke to an animal hospital in Essex, who were happy to take him, assess him and treat him if possible, but said that if he wasn't repairable, he would be put down. Funds are limited and rightly so, are spent as efficiently and wisely as possible. So, for various reasons I won't bore you with, my wife, kids, jake and I set off for Essex at 7.45 last night, but something didn't feel right about it. I tried various last ditch calls to find out if we were doing the right thing, but everyone had shut for the day. 20 mins around the north circ, we remembered Nigel, a vet, a friend of a friend. We got his number and called for his opinion. He confirmed everything I'd hoped to hear. There is an alternative, there are places that will spend time and effort trying to mend him and help him be a wild crow, and failing that, he can live in an aviary with others like him. He told us about a place in Leatherhead he'd once visited which did just this. We pulled off the road, knowing Essex was no longer our destination. It's 8.15 by now, and I got on the blower to this place. They were closing shortly, but after a little tug on the heart strings, they said they'd hang on for us. We belted it round the M25, arrived at 9.45 and said our goodbyes to Jake. There were some watery eyes, I'm not ashamed to say. The little fella was with us for a week and a half and made a big impression. Amazing character, gutsy and amusing. I'll phone after 1pm to find out what their vet thought. I hope for and expect good news. It has been an emotional journey with Jake, I've learned a lot and we'll miss him. Thanks for all your interest and apologies Sku, for slightly highjacki g your thread.
I'm sure you have done the right thing Woody...If I knew you were having these issues, I would have suggested St Tiggywinkles in our village...which is would have fulfilled all the criteria you needed. Let me know if happens again!!! It has been a wonderful story Woody...I hope it turns out well. Let us know at 1
Was it the Wildlife Aid in Randalls Road, Leatherhead Woody? If so, my wife and I donate to them every month and have on a few occasions taken birds and other various creatures there when they've been found in a state of poorliness.
