Last night, Peanut finally came off her nesting site. Clearly she was bereft as she honked and screamed on the fence for hours, constantly looking at her nesting site on the garage roof.
Her haunting cries were difficult to hear, she was obviously mourning the loss of her potential brood.
Three rotten eggs have been discovered to date, and while Peanut screamed, a pair of crows flew off with what was probably the final egg. I’m sure the extreme heat had caused them to degrade more quickly.
Her screams continued this morning, at the crack of dawn, and she appeared restless and depressed. I wonder if birds feel loss as keenly as we do?
Peanut certainly looked forlorn. On and on the crying went, even from the top of the log shed.
Round and around the gardens she pottered, almost aimless. She is now half the bird she was, weight-wise, six months ago.
How I pity her.
Something simply had to be done and quickly!
Remember the plan I was hatching?
Hubs and I thought it may be worth a punt trying to capture her in Sam’s old crate, so ten days ago we got it out. At first we just left it by her feeding station, unassembled. After a few days, we put it up. Peanut didn’t seem to object to it’s presence and happily ate right next to it each day.
Today, I put her feed in it.
There would only be one chance at capturing her, as she would only trust the crate until it became a threat, and would certainly stop trusting me if anything went wrong. These days, Peanut is utterly tame around me and always comes for her food when called.
This was looking good, but the food was too near the entrance so I pushed it further back while she had a drink of water.
Back she came for seconds…..
Oh my….one leg went in!
Two legs…..
I knew I’d never get a better shot than this! Most of the bird was now in, all that remained was to close the door without stressing her.
RESULT!!!
No grabbing of legs, or damaging flailing wings. Just a quick cover over the crate to keep her calm. I couldn’t quite believe it, the plan hadn’t really been much of a plan, but what a result.
I was thrilled at how calm she was, no honking or thrashing about, even when the crate was carried to the peacock guys’ car.
I was surprised when several neighbours appeared, to see Peanut off, all delighted to see the back of her.
Peanut will be kept in a barn until the weekend, then will be gradually introduced to her new flock, under supervision. I shall visit and check on her progress at the weekend.
Fourteen acres of green-belt and a flock of peacocks, what’s not to like! I’m sure she will raise live chicks next year.
And Finally….
I will miss her, how quickly attachments are formed.
I shall also miss my valiant little Hettie hog who had to be put to sleep.
I believe deeply that birds (and all other creatures) feel loss as keenly as we humans do. Let’s hope that Peeps is welcomed by her new friends and is able to enjoy a new beginning. Well done Dina for giving her such a good home and for making the transition as gentle as possible. I do believe that the extreme heat is causing all sorts of issues for our fellow creatures.
Sorry to hear about little Hettie and yes we do make attachments much more quickly and deeply than we realise.
Sending you love and hummingbird hugs on yet another hot and sunny day. xxxx
I’m certainly with you, animals feel pain as keenly as us. I am pleased to see her on the other side of the dual carriageway, far safer, I’m amazed she survived so long here given our traffic! This heat is creating problems for wildlife, the rescue is flooded, most just need water. I love warm sunny days but now I pray for rain each day, this is not our usual climate! Thanks Janet. Good to see you back.xxx
Dear peanuts,
I hope she settles into her new home. I look forward to seeing your posts about her.
Well done with the swift and careful capture.
I have a hedgehog in the garden each night. I am feeding him as the garden is so dry.
Also plenty of water out for him.
Have a happy weekend.
Thanks Cheryl, I do hope to update re Peanut’s progress, it was wonderful being able to catch her so easily. How lovely to hear of your hedgehog, so glad you are feeding it. They need all the help they can get.xxx
It will be a grand life for Peanut, indeed! Here’s a drink to a nest full of babies next year. Cheers!
Thanks Casa, I’ll share that drink! Cheers!xxx
Oh my, didn’t you do well with getting Peanut into the cage, I’m sure things will work out well as she settles into new surroundings.
Sad news about Hettie though.
Love the picture of the three dogs at the door.
Good wishes for the weekend.
All the best Jan
It was such a relief catching Peanut so easily, her new quarters are certainly more appropriate, much more countryfied across the dual carriageway. Thanks Jan.xxx
Good work! You did the right thing. Poor Peanut, though, it’s hard not to feel sad for her. Even so, it’s for the best all around.
Thanks Jason, yes, it was hard to hear that plaintive crying, hopefully she’ll be happier around her own kind.xxx
The three dogs pic is a delight! They do you proud for the photo shoots.
The story of Peanut is so interesting with a wee trail of pathos winding through it. It enlarged most recently, the sadness as you write it, is palpable. You could write a lovely children’s book about the arrival of peanut and her life in your garden with your personal menagerie. Her trail into a new life with her own kind is a lovely warm ending. We’re going to miss Peanut updates. I do wonder where she came from; her freedoms up till now were of her own choosing, perhaps, (who really knows), a new chapter now begins in her life.
xxxx
So sorry to hear about Hettie.
Thanks Menhir, the dogs can be photogenic when it suits them! You’d think they’d been out for hours….roughly about three minutes! Ahhhh…how I would love to write a children’s story, maybe one fine day I’ll give it a go! I do hope to keep updating on Peanut, I shall certainly check up on her regularly. She is still able to fly and go wherever she chooses, although I hope she doesn’t come back here, far too many cars and no peacocks! xxx
Feeling a bit sad after reading your latest, Dina. Poor Peanut, losing all her eggs and crying out for them – a sure sign that she was feeling a lot of emotion. Also poor Hettie – and poor you, having to deal with all of this! Well done on successfully introducing Peanut to a large flock, I look forward to reading more about it after you’ve visited. Love the photo of the 3 dogs at the door, really made me smile. xx
Ahh, sorry about that Caro, it is haunting seeing a bird grieve so…….being a part of the rescue does create endless heartache, I suppose. I just try to do what I can for these poor broken creatures, not always pleasant though. Good to have you smiling.xxx
You used precisely the technique I used to use to get Dixie Rose into her carrier — well, except when she was being enclosed for a time for misbehavior. But under normal circumstances, the thought of a treat was enough to encourage her into the carrier. Eventually, of course, she began going in by herself, and then looking at me expectantly, for a treat. I still laugh to remember it.
I’m glad Peanut’s finally off to her new digs. There’s no question that birds and animals grieve loss, but they have a remarkable capacity to move on, as well. Being with her own kind will no doubt be good for her, and for you, as well. You did what you could, but a fresh start’s going to be good all around.
Sorry to hear about Hettie, but that, too, seemed inevitable. As for those dogs in your first photo — I laughed out loud when I saw that. What a crew!
Dixie Rose has me laughing! What a character! Cats…..so single minded. I do agree re animals grieving, I suppose they have to move on more quickly as survival is so time consuming. Peanut will be safer across the dual carriageway, far more countryfied there and plenty of other peacocks. They sure are a crew aren’t they??? Thanks Linda.xxx
What an exciting story, beginning with sadness and loss and very carefully arriving at a happy ending. I do like a happy ending.
Who were those three sad faces gazing through the window? I know you are a kind, caring person so there would be a good reason. I think they were saying, oh mummy why have you left us here?
Vera xxx.
I like a happy ending too, let’s hope it stays that way! The dogs are only out for a toilet break, they hate being parted from mummy so peek in, trying to look appealing. Thanks Vera.xxx
Good news for both Hettie and Peanut, although sad for you xxx
Thanks Gill, it’s very quiet with that peahen.xxx
Well done, I’m sire it will be the best think for her and that it will help relations with your neighbours. Sorry about Hetty.
Thanks Sue, she will certainly be safer over there. Just countryside, very few cars.xxx
so sad the end of freedom… worse than death. she may be happier in her new home, but she leaves me behind, still crying… the mother mourning her unfertilized eggs… oh what aching… never ending aching this world provides…
This world certainly has us aching, how I agree with that! Peanut will still be free, no clipping of wings so she can choose whether she stays or not. That side of the dual carriageway is certainly safer than ours. I’ll keep you posted re how she gets on. Thanks Shimon.xxxx
You were very clever and patient getting Peanut familar with her cage, & …how calmly she went in! She will have a wonderful life in wide open spaces with other peacocks. Poor Hettie … The downside of rescuing animals is having to say goodbye.. I would find that hard too……Lucky you have your dogs to keep you happy.
Paul & I had a good laugh at your great photo of the dogs at the door.. 😍😀
Thanks Gerrie, it was a relief to capture her so easily, with no stress involved. She is moving to a much more suitable area where I hope she’ll be happy. Good to know the photo made you laugh.xxx
RESULT indeed. I’m very impressed with your well-thought-out yet simple plan to encourage Peanut to be captured peaceably. She doesn’t know what freedom and joy awaits her 🙂 And good for the peacock guy to take her on to her new adventure. Hopefully, she’ll be distracted from her grieving and explore her new home to her heart’s content.
Poor Hettie. You did your best by her, right to the very end.
By the way, the raised beds look fantastic.
I was delighted to have caught her so easily, so much better than grabbing legs and having her stressed. That little hog had such a will to live. It’s a lot quieter around her for sure! Thanks Anne, the beds are filling out quite well. We just need a lot more rain.xxx
Oh, poor dear, mourning her possible chicks. I am so happy for her new and abundant life, all thanks to you and peacock guy. I hope her spirit brightens and heals; look forward to your update(s).
I am sad that Hettie has died, but grateful that her death was surrounded by your love and all the green life at your beautiful home, Dina. Blessings on her spirit.
I LOVE the photo of San, Annie, and Buddy…what an excellent print that would make! Such a perfect capture of those three and their wonderfulness. 🙂
Hope all is well in your garden. Sending love and peace for your amazing spirit and loving heart.
It was heartbreaking seeing her mourn those eggs. Poor thing, she will certainly be safer away from the cars around here! Poor old Hettie too, what a terrible disability she had. Animals do just get on with it don’t they? I shall miss them both. Thanks Kitty, love and hugs to you all.xxx
Well done with poor Peanut, and sad news about Hettie.
The picture of the three dogs staring in through the door has me smiling. xx
Thanks Flighty, I love how the dogs lined up in size order.xxx
May the gods of birds be with Peanut. Well done D. Hugs. 👍💕
I’ll second that! Thanks Bushka.xxx
Poor, mourning Peanut. Well done on catching her gently. I hope that she settles well in her new home, and look forward to seeing photos of her with her live chicks next year. RIP dear Hettie; she was a very lucky little hog to have you looking after her. Love the photo of your dogs peeking through the door! xx
Thanks Veggiemummy, it was a relief to catch her so easily, I didn’t like the sound of all that leg grabbing.xxx
Not surprising that you feel attached to her as I feel quite the same here – distance away and have never had any physical meeting with her before! I think I will miss her too! She is a beautiful bird with a very unique character. I enjoyed reading about her stories ( they always make me laugh ) in all your posts. But then for the sake of her, I’m more than happy to see her go to a better home where she would have friends and chance to raise live chicks! You have done a lot for her from the start to end. How fortunate she is!
It sadden me to hear about the plight of Hettie. It must have been like missing a family member for a while!
Nevertheless, do let go, cheer up and take care!
Thanks Jade, glad to hear you enjoyed reading about Peanut, I will miss her.xxx