Random Discussion

[Essjay]

That happens in 2 weeks time in the UK (28 March)

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Random off-topic, but not thread worthy

Fished something unexpected out of the garden pond yesterday- a pigeon!
A lovely Wood Pigeon, to be exact. Don't know how he got there, there are wood and wire covers to keep the herons out;

There are some small gaps between the stone and the framework, allows frogs and toads to get under and reach the water, but never imagined a pigeon would be able to get under, or even try. They're hardly the most co-ordinated of birds. Plus there's a bird bath mere feet away from the pond. But spotted him underneath the frame, clinging to the pond wall with just his tail dipping into the water.

Lifted the frame above him, and he didn't fly away. Clearly something was wrong. Got the bird net, and he jump/flapped away, landing on the steps and trying to get away, but struggling. Once I netted him, he sat forward into my hand, his feet seemed useless, and he was thin - could feel his poor sharp breastbone pressing against my hand.

No spare cage big enough to house a pigeon, so we decided to put him on the floor on the inside of one of the outdoor aviaries, so he'd be in the shed and sheltered, with some water and wild bird seed. When I put him down, he did stand on his feet, so they weren't useless, and when he flapped his wings, I didn't spot anything obviously wrong with them like a break or any blood. Not sure what happened to him, but I'm guessing he squeezed himself under there trying to get a drink, couldn't get himself out, and was exhausted and starving, and frozen in place after clinging to the side for so long... poor little thing

Went to check on him this morning, and he was up bright and early, perching in the outside section of the aviary, frightening the diamond doves, which are tiny little mini pigeons While wood pigeons are big, hulking wild pigeons. He must have looked like godzilla to them, lol.

Stolen photo of diamond doves sitting on someone's hand, for scale:

Him finding his way outside, and being up on a perch was a fantastic sign that he was feeling better! When I went in the aviary, he flapped away from me and seemed to have full use of his wings too, so I netted him. Gave him a look over, and he had a full crop, no sign of any injuries, and was alert, so placed him on the ground outside. He walked away and eyeballed me, before taking off and flying into one of the huge trees behind our house.

Really happy we saw him when we did! He likely would have died that night if we hadn't seen him. Birds can only go for a few days without food, he felt close to death thin when I first caught him, and I don't know how he clung to the side as long as he must have done. If he'd lost his grip, he'd have drowned... wish I'd have seen him sooner though, horrible to think of what he went through.

But it's so nice to have a rescue that ends up so well, so soon! He just needed a good meal and a good sheltered rest

 

[Utar]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart very nice garden pond sounds like that one lucky bird.
Check this out on youtube Hummingbird Pool Party

 

[emeraldking]

That happens in 2 weeks time in the UK (28 March)

Overhere, the same thing...

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart very nice garden pond sounds like that one lucky bird.
Check this out on youtube Hummingbird Pool Party

Aaaw, gorgeous little birds!
Thank you, was nicer when we were able to keep it uncovered, which it was for more than 20 years. But then a heron found it and got a lot of the fish, so had to be covered up.

I wish we had wild hummingbirds here! That would be a gorgeous bird to attract to the garden. We put out water year round and feed the birds in winter, and while there's the odd songbird, robin or goldfinch, it's mainly wood pigeons and squirrels who benefit... lol.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I never put net on my pond. I just bought extra goldfish and figured the herons and kingfishers were part of the entertainment.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I never put net on my pond. I just bought extra goldfish and figured the herons and kingfishers were part of the entertainment.

The herons got most of the fish though We wouldn't have had any left if we'd left it uncovered.

I think the long-tailed shukunbins we have in there were a gift from my uncle to help restock after the heron almost cleared out the pond, if I remember rightly.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

The herons got most of the fish though We wouldn't have had any left if we'd left it uncovered.

I think the long-tailed shukunbins we have in there were a gift from my uncle to help restock after the heron almost cleared out the pond, if I remember rightly.

Well, I was cheating--my pond was about 15m across and about 2m deep, and the goldfish spawned faster than the birds could eat them.

 

[Barry Tetra]

Am I the only one who feel like most high-tech plant stores are arrogant? If I told them I used house light and not Ada stuff, they will look at me with this kind of eyes

Don’t get me wrong, I like high-tech stuff but sometime it can be too expensive for something that is unnescessary like lily pipes that sells for $300

It just be me though....

 

[Colin_T]

Nope, I think that too Barry.

I went into a Hydroponic store years ago and was chatting to the guy. He seemed nice enough but told me I needed the latest new fangle metal halide lights for my indoor plants. I didn't get them but he was pushy and told me I needed them or my plants wouldn't grow. My plants were doing fine without the halides

 

[FishGuest5123]

Random off-topic, but not thread worthy

Fished something unexpected out of the garden pond yesterday- a pigeon!
A lovely Wood Pigeon, to be exact. Don't know how he got there, there are wood and wire covers to keep the herons out;
View attachment 131884

There are some small gaps between the stone and the framework, allows frogs and toads to get under and reach the water, but never imagined a pigeon would be able to get under, or even try. They're hardly the most co-ordinated of birds. Plus there's a bird bath mere feet away from the pond. But spotted him underneath the frame, clinging to the pond wall with just his tail dipping into the water.

Lifted the frame above him, and he didn't fly away. Clearly something was wrong. Got the bird net, and he jump/flapped away, landing on the steps and trying to get away, but struggling. Once I netted him, he sat forward into my hand, his feet seemed useless, and he was thin - could feel his poor sharp breastbone pressing against my hand.

No spare cage big enough to house a pigeon, so we decided to put him on the floor on the inside of one of the outdoor aviaries, so he'd be in the shed and sheltered, with some water and wild bird seed. When I put him down, he did stand on his feet, so they weren't useless, and when he flapped his wings, I didn't spot anything obviously wrong with them like a break or any blood. Not sure what happened to him, but I'm guessing he squeezed himself under there trying to get a drink, couldn't get himself out, and was exhausted and starving, and frozen in place after clinging to the side for so long... poor little thing

Went to check on him this morning, and he was up bright and early, perching in the outside section of the aviary, frightening the diamond doves, which are tiny little mini pigeons While wood pigeons are big, hulking wild pigeons. He must have looked like godzilla to them, lol.

Stolen photo of diamond doves sitting on someone's hand, for scale:
View attachment 131886

Him finding his way outside, and being up on a perch was a fantastic sign that he was feeling better! When I went in the aviary, he flapped away from me and seemed to have full use of his wings too, so I netted him. Gave him a look over, and he had a full crop, no sign of any injuries, and was alert, so placed him on the ground outside. He walked away and eyeballed me, before taking off and flying into one of the huge trees behind our house.

Really happy we saw him when we did! He likely would have died that night if we hadn't seen him. Birds can only go for a few days without food, he felt close to death thin when I first caught him, and I don't know how he clung to the side as long as he must have done. If he'd lost his grip, he'd have drowned... wish I'd have seen him sooner though, horrible to think of what he went through.

But it's so nice to have a rescue that ends up so well, so soon! He just needed a good meal and a good sheltered rest

Lucky you came along. Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Am I the only one who feel like most high-tech plant stores are arrogant? If I told them I used house light and not Ada stuff, they will look at me with this kind of eyes

Don’t get me wrong, I like high-tech stuff but sometime it can be too expensive for something that is unnescessary like lily pipes that sells for $300

It just be me though....

Nope, I think that too Barry.

I went into a Hydroponic store years ago and was chatting to the guy. He seemed nice enough but told me I needed the latest new fangle metal halide lights for my indoor plants. I didn't get them but he was pushy and told me I needed them or my plants wouldn't grow. My plants were doing fine without the halides

Wait, wait, wait...you mean some people think that any way other than theirs is wrong? Shocking.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Yup, lost an hour of sleep.

You should have just went to bed an hour earlier...heck, go 2 hours earlier, and you would have gained one...

 

[Colin_T]

Wait, wait, wait...you mean some people think that any way other than theirs is wrong? Shocking.

Be nice, Barry is a young un and still needs to find out how bad the world really is.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Be nice, Barry is a young un and still needs to find out how bad the world really is.

^^ Always the optimist ^^