All, I've written this up to save clogging up the main wall with
photos and individual discussions - I realise not everyone's that
interested! For those that might be, I'll update this blog daily
until we're all bored rigid, he flies or he dies. Thanks for your
interest so far, it's been nice :)
I still don't understand why a wildlife magazine wouldn't be
interested in your chicken stories and this. They are so
heartwarming and full of your charm.
I definitely don't think he's a woodpecker. My mum has a family of
them that regularly visit her bird house and hanging nuts. They
have lethal beaks a completely different shape to the chicks. I
think a magpie is probably nearer the mark. When you are ready to
release him into the wild, bring him here. There are hundereds of
magpies (literally) in the woods behind me. There's only one thing
about a hand reared chick, how are you going to teach him to fend
for himself? I think you may have him now for the length of his
natural life.
This is lovely. He is obviously in very safe hands. Has he a name
yet? I wondered if he's a chaffinch, because the colour of his body
looks pretty chaffinch-like. But I suspect he is already too big
for that. It sounds as though he's growing by the minute. Fingers
crossed for him, Whisks!
This reminds me of my cousin who used to be the local refuge for
avian waifs and strays. She was once given a tiny duckling who
couldn't make any oil in his feathers to keep him afloat. She
trained him to swim in her children's paddling pool and in the
bath. Her husband had just bought himself a new armchair and wasn't
impressed when the duckling, now called YoYo, made a mess all over
it. YoYo eventually went to live in an animal sanctuary as he'd
become too domesticated to fend for himself with other birds.
It’s so nice to read and see how well Woody is doing.
I’m not surprised Ruby reacted like that! She probably knew you
were planning a blog about ‘him’! It was a good idea, and could
have been quite funny to see Woody strutting around the yard
pecking and ruffling his feathers like a chicken if she had adopted
him.
I think people would love to read his story. It can’t be just us!
Maybe a local newspaper would be interested? It’s uplifting and
humorous. Definitely try.
Whisks. Thanks for this and thanks for you. I now have this image
of you in the supermarket with the equivalent of one of those baby
carriers strapped on you, only it's tiny.
I saw your speculation on if Jenny had in fact driven off the
parents. Some years ago I found Chloe (cat) standing guard over a
blackbird chick. It had fallen out of the nest. The parents were
dive bombing. But it couldn't stay on the lawn. I could see the
nest and also reach it. So I got the ladder out and, putting the
little chap in a box I took him back and put him in the nest. Left
the garden empty so everything could calm down. But no good. They
abandoned the nest. Bugger!
So, I shouldn't worry. You're almost certainly the little fellas
only hope. But I don't know how you'll do the flying bit. Is it
about 4 weeks to fledging?
Weens, the plan is to introduce him to the henhouse when he grows
more feathers, stops shivering, can stand and preferably fly. Once
he's learned to live outside, I'll leave the door open when I can,
so he can come and go. Eventually, I hope he'll re-integrate into
the wild. Not sure who's going to teach him to fly.
Thanks nats, I'm doing my best!
Spangles, neighbour liked 'Woody' when we thought he was a
woodpecker. It's as good a name as any, and you can't go mucking
about with people's names. That's a salutary tale about the
too-domesticated duck and your kind cousin! I'd really like him to
turn into a wild bird. The chickens will be wild when he moves in,
anyway. Incidentally, his oil gland is in the pics - it's a little
nipple just at the base of the tail - you can see it since he has
no feathers.
Minxie, I hadn't thought about doing anything more with this -
thanks for your enthusiasm. Hmm, maybe I will. On reflection, it
might not have worked anyway, since chicks feed themselves after
their mothers point them in the right direction - they're not
nearly so helpless, so Ruby wouldn't have dropped roast pork into
his mouth, nor worms!
Skylark - radio? Thank you, there's another thought. Aren't you lot
fabulous?
Alan, have you been spying on me in the supermarket? The madwoman
with a pocket full of worms and a squawking baby bird on my chest?
People steer well clear :) I'm fairly sure now he's not an actual
crow, so she didn't do something terrible and break up the
family.
Yes, birds - like the rest of us animals - are never sure if others
are trying to help or harm them. You can only do what you can do.
As for how long to fledging/flying, it all depends on what he is
and how old he is. Got me there!
A lovely read - You are very patient and caring - I do hope he
survives - he probably will when he has managed so long. I was
thinking of you today when watching the doves nesting here. it is
the closest I have ever been to a nest and babies.
They grow so quickly, big improvements each day. I expect the doves
to have flown the coop in a week - early.
Good luck whisks.
A really lovely story and as usual written in such an entertaining
way. I know you only wrote it to satiate our curiosity over your
new foster child but I agree with Minx- you should send it to a
magazine.
I hope he continues to thrive and I'm sure he will- he's so big
now. I'm intrigued as to how Woody's little life plays out. I have
visions of him sitting on your shoulder while you feed the hens.
Great stuff Whisks- warm and funny. Try the RSPB mag- and your
local RSPB should also be able to help identify it. Not a cuckoo is
it? Mind it doesn't grow bigger than you!
Whisks, this is lovely and a great read. I'll be tuning in daily. I
wonder if Springwatch would be interested in running this as a
feature on their website?
No idea of species...time will tell. Brilliant job you're doing,
just amazing.
Hi all, just updated this diary, continuing from where it left off
yesterday.
Bren, yes, isn't it lovely to see life developing so quickly? Hope
your doves thrive.
Geri, thanks girl, I don't know the end of this story either!
Debi, thanks - I like Who-can-tell-it lit!
conjensen, thank you; I looked up 'cuckoo' - no, don't think so. I
only wanted to know what it was so I'd know what to feed it, but I
seem to be on the right track, so it doesn't matter so much any
more. It's quite exciting, guessing!
Thanks Mark, you're always so encouraging. Springwatch, eh? Hmm.
Bit late? Sprungwatch?
This is so awesome and cute. Thank you for writting this, i had a
bit of a pants day today but reading this really cheered me up :)
So very awesome, I'll keep my fingers crossed for the little guy.
Whisks, you're a foster mum with a huge heart, armed with face
cloths and meal worms. This is as entertaining and heart warming as
all your other blogs. Keep updating please! Like Kate, I've had a
trying day at work and this has warmed the cockles of me old
heart...
So pleased to see Woody remains alive and squawking, Whisks. Your
devotion is wonderful and he was a lucky little fellow, landing in
your cleavage. Long may he thrive. Whether he goes 'chicken' or
into the wild doesn't really matter as long as he's well and
happy.
It's a lovely story, told with humour and he has quite a fan club
now so he'd better not disappoint us all! :-)
Next short update added, plus a couple more photos.
Thanks, Miss Muffet - somehow, the TV cameras passed me by :)
Kate, glad he's cheering up your day - he cheers mine!
Luvvy, good to keep those cockles warm and happy to share his
progress as long as peeps are interested in his, er, peeps.
Ama - I'd prefer he went wild - think of all the poo! Thanks for
following his progress. I'm sure he knows, that's why he's
strengthening by the hour.
Whisks - stop ignoring the calls from all of us that you have to do
something with this. Imagine us squawking if that means you'll
listen. PLEASE! Springwatch is a good idea for starters.
I've just caught up with all the excitement – wonderful writing,
Whisks. We have four distracted starling-parents in our garden at
the moment, being chased here, there, through the hedge and onto
the roof by a gang of fully-fledged youngsters, squawking FEED
ME!!! I'm sure the parents would sympathize with you.
J x
Update 3 attached.
Alan (also Spangles), no, he's far too big for a finch. I'll
measure him tomorrow as it'll be a week since the last measurement.
'He' assumption is just for ease of address. Can't really say
he/she/it every time, can I? :)
Yes Aonghus, you may be right. Not that I know anything about
puppies' feet, but I'll take your word. Should that be puppy feet?
Or without the apostrophe?
Geri, yes, I think magpie is the main flavour of this stargazy
pie.
Liss - yes, isn't he? Well, maybe not right now, given Update 3,
but in general, yes!
Debi, thanks; surely not? OK, I'll think seriously in the morning.
I've just been poo-ed on.
Yes John, it's a full-time job and no mistake.
Okay, lovely Debi - will tomorrow suffice? Do what exactly? I
emailed them once about some film footage I'd taken of chickens
chasing foxes. Who wouldn't want to see that? They never replied.
Have you taken him to the vet or asked a vet about his beak? Will
it affect the way he catches his own dinner when he's older do you
think? My cat lost his right fang last year and permanently looks
simple now because the tooth on the bottom catches on his top lip.
Unfortunately it didn't hinder him when he caught a pigeon last
week. (Sorry Woody).
No, not taken him to a vet. At first, we didn't know if he'd
survive any length of time but he's lasted a week now and he looks
strong. Do you know how rare avian specialists are? As rare as
hen's teeth! The one I take the chickens to has gone into
semi-retirement and is there for half a day once a week. Next
window, a few days time. If he'd been a Green Woodpecker trying to
catch ants, a non-closing beak tip might have been more of an
issue, but if he's a magpie, perhaps not? They scavange, whatever
they can find - carrions, fruit, meat, bread, all sorts. It's sort
of healed now, so I'm inclined to wait and see. Oh dear, I'm going
to worry now :( I keep trying to press it together, to make it heal
that way. Oh dear, oh dear.
Do you think he's damaged his legs in the fall? If you have him
much longer, he may start talking to you thinking he's human, :) It
may be worth having him looked at by a vet, just to check him over.
I echo Debi's remarks wholeheartedly, you know how I feel about
your writing.
Ah Weens, you're a sweetheart too, thanks. No, I don't think he's
damaged his legs - I think he hasn't yet realised that he has twice
as much leg as he thought! Bearing in mind that he'd still normally
be jammed into his nest with his siblings, there's not much
opportunity to stroll around. I think they'll come into play once
he fledges :)
I would send them the whole diary plus photos with a covering
message. They need to see the real thing to know just how damn good
it is. I'm sure it's right up their alley. If that fails, you could
even try getting in touch more directly with the presenters. But
let's take things one step at a time.
ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED COPY AND PASTE FROM THE SPRINGWATCH
SITE...SILLY ME!
STARTS AT THE END OF THE MONTH APPARENTLY - BET THEY'RE LOOKING FOR
WELL WRITTEN STORIES OF DEVOTION SUCH AS THE WHISKS AND WOODY
SAGA.
When and where is Springwatch 2011?
The planned start date is Monday 30 May, at 8pm on BBC Two. This
could change, but we will keep you informed here if it does. The
new main location is the breathtakingly beautiful RSPB reserve at
Ynys-hir in Mid Wales. Read more about Ynys-hir and why we chose
it.
How do I ask the team or the presenters a question?
The best place to ask a question is on a relevant blog post. The
messageboard is another way but it's easily swamped so it will be
more likely to get lost. You'll need to have a BBC ID to do either
(see 'How do I comment on a blog/messageboard' below).
You can also email us or send a letter to:
Springwatch
BBC Broadcasting House
Whiteladies Road
Bristol BS8 2LR
Please do note that while we try to read every correspondence we
cannot reply or respond to all of them.
How do I comment on a blog/messageboard?
You'll need to register for a BBC ID first. There is more
information and help on how to do that here. Then once you're set
up, just log in and you can comment away.
How do I send in a photo?
We've set up a group on the photo-sharing site Flickr for all your
photos of the season's UK flora and fauna. Flickr is a third party
photo sharing site and is not run by the BBC.
It's one of many places where you can showcase your wonderful
photographs with other Springwatch fans and the nature-loving
community.
If you use other photo sharing sites, post us a link on the
messageboard or the blog to let us know. You can also send us
photos on the above postal addresses. But please note we cannot
send them back or respond to all of them.
To join the group, you need to be a member of Flickr, or sign up –
it's free. Flickr's FAQ section is a good place to get more
information about how the site works.
I look forward to reading your and Woody's adventure each day, how
lucky he is to have you Whisks. I think you are a wonderful
inspiration to all of us and your diary is so beautifully written.
I'm convinced you will get these published, whatever avenue it may
be xxx
Hi Whisks, I have just happened on this blog and think it is
wonderful - not only your writing but the amazing job you are doing
for this bird. I do hope that you both succeed in his fight for
survival.
Btw my 9 year old says that velociraptors don't have beaks - they
have jaws apparently!
Keep us all updated, whatever happens. I can't believe there is
anyone who is not touched by this blog.
Whisks. People are clamouring for you to publicise this. I too
think that this is a special moment, but it's your moment. You and
Woody. If you were to go for publicity a mention to the local press
would probably get the local TV news crew round faster than a crude
metaphor and your life would be ruined thereafter. So you do what
you want, but take plenty of pictures!
About the beak. I read somewhere that superglue can be used, but
that may have been on a mature bird. I can't turn up any decent
supporting google on it. (I'm supposed to be working, but can't be
arsed today.)
Hi all, Update 4 included.
Debi, Mark, Spangles - I'm overwhelmed by your encouragement!
Thanks so much for the cheers and ideas. I really need to discuss
with Jenny first, before going any more public on this as it's her
story too and she should share some credit. I'll see what she
says.
Thanks kaz, but you'd do the same if someone proffered a baby bird
on your doorstep.
Em, thank you, and please thank your 9 year old for that useful
piece of information about velociraptor jaws. I didn't know.
There's a thing. We can rule out dinosaur now!
I'm not offering this as a serious thought, but it occurs to me
that you could probably get John West to sponsor him if you were so
inclined. (And thank God you aren't.)
Alan, not so sure about a TV crew clumping about my front room -
might be OK if they were all blindfolded and sent the industrial
cleaners ahead of them :) Also not sure about super-gluing his beak
together - perish the thought!
Spangles - if he carries on eating like this, it might not be such
a bad idea!
Mcallan - thanks for your comment on my wall - wonder why you
couldn't comment on the blog? Yes, he was very woodpecker-ish in
the early days, but we're still happy with the magpie diagnosis.
Magpies are crow family, as everyone knows :) [What am I saying,
'early days'? It's only been a week. Blimey.]
I have been silently admiring your struggle, but brings me in mind
of 'My Family and other Animals,' where G D raised magpies, who
learned to talk, apparently most corvids can; I did read a piece
about a crow called Hoppity, who lived for 22 years after being
raised in a similar way; lived in a box by the cooker and house
trained himself; he used to make 'nests' out of everything he could
lay his beak on, and had favorite TV shows, as I recall with was
the Sweeney, and he would appear and do a special dance to the
theme tune. So yes, they are very; he will probably teach himself
to fly, and now he's imprinted on you, he will try and become like
you, more than like a magpie; so watch your lap top!
My husband is deeply envious, his dream would be to have a per
crow, he has been trying to tempt one by our flats to eat from his
hand, no joy yet, but they have reached something of an
understanding. TFx
I imagine that you don't really need to identify his species until
you reach the point of selecting a local school for him. I can
picture the difficulties in filling in the required form,
though.
Name: Woody Whisks
Date of birth: Some time in early May 2011
Place of birth: Unknown, but possibly third tree on the right as
you look down the garden
Sex: Undetermined as yet
Nationality: Unknown, but possibly his/her parents were illegal
Spanish or African immigrants
Ethnicity: Black, cream, maroon, blue, green
Update 5 and next picture uploaded. Not sure why some pictures are
squashed/elongated in one plane. He's not as dumpy as that!
TFx, 22 years? Pardon? No, no, no, he must go back to the wild,
we're clear on that one. Don't mind a visit every now and again
(would like it - just to know he's all right), but prefer it if
kids fly the nest to live happily ever after. Gor lumme. Got me
worried now.
Spangles, that image made me howl! We might have to consider his
state of literacy as well - possibly special needs?
SS - indeedy - it's lovely to see life telescoped in this way and
be part of it.
Weens, thanks for your lovely comment on my wall. Yes, I'm awaiting
first flight with anticipation too. And no, no idea of gender. I
don't know about all birds, but the ones I do know about, don't
have any dangly bits to help the diagnosis - they're not
aerodynamic, are they? So bits all tucked away inside. Think
they're differentiated largely on comparision with the opposite
gender (bigger/smaller body parts, spur, combs, etc), and on
plumage - but he's still a bit short of that!
You are absolutely right about his literacy levels. I hadn't
thought of that. And I've realized he won't be able to sit at a
desk like his fellow pupils, so it looks as though home schooling
is the only answer after all.
He looks so sweet! And how wonderful that he's walking.
Update 7 and today's photo. Pic still distorted on here; he's much
chubbier than that.
Skylark, glad you're still reading!
Spangles, he might need a special school chair too, more like a
branch.
This is so heart warming! I really think it would make a superb
serial in a magazine or somesuch! Why not contact Springwatch? or
has someone already suggested that? I haven't read all the
comments! Awaiting next installment eagerly!
Mac
Update 8 and new photo added. Can't believe the photo's squashed
again - thought it was because I'd cropped them, but this one is
untouched. Gah. Maybe it's my screen and they don't look squashed
to others? Woody's almost perfectly spherical atm.
Geri - that's so funny! Wish I could think of a pun, but only
Hollyoaks springs to mind and that doesn't need any changes, does
it?
Thanks Mc, yes, I've had a look at the website and will look again
just now.
nats - that's great, and thanks :)
Another charming account of Woody's day. I'm completely fascinated
by him and can't wait to see what he does next.The pictures show
how much he's growing. He obviously thinks you're his mum, and he
couldn't have picked a better one :)
Woody looks pretty much spherical n my screen- so perhaps it's just
on some pooters. He reminds me of the 'pom pom pets' I used to make
when I was young. He looks very un-frog-like now compared to only a
week ago.
DELETE DELETE - sorry - Geri, I must confess I've not been keeping
up with the whole bird saga. And I just glanced up at my screen and
saw the word "Woody", closely followed by what I thought said "porn
porn pets", and...and... oh, dear.
Those still reading. Those still reading?? This is compulsive
stuff. Now he's mobile you'll have to move all your things up out
of reach. Oh no, that's human babies. Or is it, I wonder.
OMG he walked! Are we sure he's a magpie now. I had a good laugh
when you suggested he may be a penguin, how about an albratross, or
a falcon, or a hawk, or an ......
... and after a full day's hopping and walking, he falls asleep in
my hand. New photo just added. Ahh.
Thanks curly, nats, Mc, conjensen, Alan, Weens and Geri - glad to
hear you're following :)
Oh bless him, certainly must be a magpie, he has grown so fast! So
he probably will speak, if you speak to him, I bet he'll learn his
name or a few other choice words, so mind your p's and q's!
I've just stumbled upon this article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1173286/Theyre-scavenging-screeching-hooligans-bird-world-orphaned-magpie-stole-heart.html
Awww, cute photo. Great to have a catch up of the last couple of
days. You must be such a proud parent now he's walking ;-) Skylark
baby has just got going with that last month and I can't turn my
back anymore. Just be warned, the next step is opening all your
cupboards and drawers and emptying them on the floor and pointing
at indeterminate objects out of his reach with an insistent 'dat!!'
which gets more and more screechy for every wrong object you pass
him. Hee hee. ;-P
Tfx, I always speak nicely - I think? Heaven knows what he'll pick
up - children always mimic on the swear words you use 1% of the
time and ignore the rest of the eloquence, don't they?
Geri - fan-jolly-tastic article, thanks so much! Totally brill. So
that's what's in store, eh? No mention of the poo. There never is
:)
Thanks, Skylark, I'll look out for the next stage. Human babies
develop much more slowly than bird babies, don't they? Why don't
you try for a bird, next time?
Weens - jolly good idea! I had no idea how much fun and personality
birds would have until I got chickens.
John - kids, eh? Ain't that the truth?
Popping in here each evening had turned into my regular treat.
Can't wait for the next instalment. Strange about the
resemblance/differences to magpies ie the colour of his braces.
Like he's a negative image of the standard magpie ... yet also a
positive version of their negative image as ruthless thieves. Ooer,
missus. I think he's been 'sent' to you. *cue spooky music*
(And now I can hear you saying, 'He's not the messiah; he's a very
naughty boy.')
Update 11 to polish off day 11 uploaded. Getting ahead of myself
now.
Aw Debi, that's lovely, thanks. Yes, aren't the braces strange? I
saw a pic today where the braces were black. Wonder if it's a
different species of magpie? Or could be an albatross, as Weens
suggests. I think he might have been sent as well. Will include it
in next update, thanks. He's not naughty yet - apart from missing
the tissue placed under his blunt end :)
Wow - i think that u would be really attached now !!
You' ll miss the little man when he has gone or maybe he'll just
want to stay with you--I bet he's going to visit you regularly xx
ah what a experience
I don't miss a day, I've even got my mum hooked, she asks me
eveyday what he's doing. You should write it up into a story like
Marley and Me, and then they'd make it into a film. Absolutely love
it, please keep up the updates.
Amazing progress since I last looked in Whisks. Whatever this
little bird turns out to be - and it looks more like a magpie every
day - it would in natural conditions have been fully fledged and
ready to flutter its wings by now had it had the benefit of two
parents working together to provide natural food for it every few
minutes of every single day.
That you have brought him/her along so far is a triumph of love
over the harshest laws of Nature.
This is so lovely, and Woody continues to look adorable. I'm so
glad that he's flourishing, and love it that he's talking to you.
He did have a big weekend, didn't he? Yes, I expect he'll be going
to Oxbridge by the end of the week and running the country by
mid-June.
My Collins Wild Guide to Birds rather usefully informs me that
juvenile magpies have 'white feathers that look dirty'. Please
don't tell Woody that as I'd hate to hurt his feelings. Or maybe it
doesn't apply to him so he has nothing to worry about. It also says
that young magpies 'fly after 24 days and stay with parents for a
month or more'.
I was scrolling down through your photos this morning and I
couldn't get over how quickly he made the transition from something
that looked like one of those joke plastic chickens to being fully
feathered. How long did it take? A fortnight?
Update 13 added.
Weens - that made me laugh, you mum asking for updates!
Ama - I don't think he'd be fledged and flying by now in the wild -
by my reckoning, he's not quite 3 weeks old - so first flight
booked for the end of the week. So excited!
Spangles - I didn't tell Woody about the dirty feathers thing -
he's got such a lovely palette going and can't be expected to get
everything right first time. Besides, he hasn't read all the books
you have.
Aonghus/Geri, thanks yes, didn't he look plastic? And dead? No
one's more amazed than me by the turnaround.
My mum has nuts out for the birds, and I bought her a bird house
and she puts bird food in the bottom of it. They have a family of
woodpeckers that visit, and lots of other types of birds of which I
can't tell the difference, unless they have a red chest. BUT not
one magpie, yet where I live, there are hundreds. Not too many
during the day, but at twilight you can see them coming like a big
black cloud and settle in the wood behind me. There must be fifteen
magpies to a tree, and there are a lot of trees. Beautiful looking
birds, but thieves, and very messy. Can they talk? Will Woody be
talking? Oh, please can we have a pic of him smiling.
Today's photo added.
Weens, we have a sudden and inexplicable magpie shortage here - any
to spare? Oh hang on, I've got one right here :)
I'm trying to get a photo of his smile but it's the devil's own
job; all these pics are taken on my mobile phone and by the time
I've faffed around and got it set up, the moment's passed. Added to
which, there's a short delay between me pressing the button and the
shutter clicking, so again, I often miss the moment. In this one
however, he's almost smiling at me (he's looking up at me) but it's
not quite the right angle. Will keep trying.
Thank you Geri, I think they must be. It's most strange. It's very
windy here - perhaps with those long tails, it's not good flying
weather? Or they've been blown away?
The white V on Woody's back reminds me of rugby league shirts -
distant memories of watching Grandstand on mid-70s Saturday
afternoons.
As for magpie bad behaviour well...I blame the parents. Given the
good influences surrounding him, I expect Woody to have impeccable
manners, to repatriate jewellery stolen by his siblings and to say
please and thankyou.
p.s. he's gone international, a 'like' from a fellow writer in
Brisbane. 8-)
Update 14 included.
Weens, I may take you up on it if our own population don't muster
soon.
Mark, how nice of you to say so. I must admit to a penchant for
shiny things myself so I may not be such a good influence. And he
has a fan on the other side of the world? I'll tell him, he'll be
thrilled.
Yes, Barb and Spangles - his feathers are different all over his
body - texture, colour and function. It fascinates me.
Just a thought, but he's going to be a teenager soon, isn't
he.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/WitchBarb/random/funny-pictures-hope-it-was-fun-though.jpg
There are so many facets to this. I am currently getting my head
around the fact that you will have raised a kiddie through to
adulthood in a matter of weeks, whereas I've been 18 years at it
and I'm still not done. Have you thought about uni yet?
BTW. I think you get the award for the world's longest blog. I
think I may be getting RSI scrolling through it.
What happened? Did you take him to the exercise class with you?
(Would he have needed his own tiny leotard?) Did you leave him
behind? And if so, did Poppy leave him alone? I shan't feel happy
until I know!
Oh, and I agree with John about your wonderful description of how
little bits of strawberry become bits of Woody. Beautifully
expressed.
Update 16 and today's photo added.
Aw shucks, Debi, do you think so?
Weens - he's not going out on his own until he's at least 30
:)
John - thank you so much. From what you've said about your dad, I'd
like him loads.
Barb - we're well past that stage, thank you very much! Do you know
what they are? Woody didn't have all that fluff, but they've
certainly got the crow family beak. Oh gawd, now we're swapping
baby photos.
Alan, yes, it's fun having it happen so quickly - little time to
get bored. As for uni - yes, if he can get a scholarship. Perhaps
Newcastle?
Spangles - Poppy was out in the end, so that was all right. A
leotard? Tee hee. Nooo, they don't make them small enough and he'd
be rubbish at weights.
He would go down a storm at Newcastle Uni with his colours! This is
the best thing on the Cloud Whisks! I think when he eventually
flies the cloud will be awash with tears!
Mac
Update 17 and first perchy pic.
Thanks Spangles, they don't design gym exercises with birds in
mind, do they? Oh! You know what I mean.
And Mac? Wow, mega thanks, praise indeed. Off to lie down and fan
myself. Wow :)
I can see that you are going to be the type of parent that sleeps
with one ear open and won't go to sleep properly till your babies
are snugly tucked up in bed.
I saw this and thought you may be interested.
Countryside Tales Annual Short Story Comp
Story: 2000 wds. Theme: A Country Story (do not use the theme as
your title). Fee: £3 (free to subscribers of Park Publication
magazines). Prizes: £75/£25/£15. Details: web PARK PUBLICATIONS
U.K., 14 THE PARK. STOW ON THE WOLD., CHELTENHAM, GLOS. GL54 1DX
TEL: 01451 831053 E-mail : enquiries@parkpublications.co.uk
Whisks, I haven't commented on this so far but I've been following
Woody's story every day. It's beautifully written; by turns funny,
evocative, clever and totally delightful. You must publish! And I
agree with others, 'Life is the true philosopher's stone' is up
there with the best writing I've come across, thought-provoking and
wise. Well done.
Update 16 plus photo.
Weens, you are a star, what are you? I shall look at that comp
forthwith. And yes, I'm afraid I sleep with loads of ears open
already.
trafalgar - thanks so much. It's lovely to hear that people are
still reading.
We knew he was an intelligent little chap, but to respond so
swiftly and accurately to Michelle Obama's instructions is truly
extraordinary. Did he have anything to say about Obama's speech in
Westminster Hall or has he reserved judgement for the time
being?
By the way, please tell him that I'm most impressed by his
wingspan.
Tee hee, no he snored through Obama's speech, sadly. Thanks, I'll
tell him of your admiration, but before long he'll be able to fly
down and you can tell him yourself!
His response to the Obama speech seems to chime with that of some
political commentators, who found it polite but bland. What a
clever little Woody he is.
Wow - Whisks - I've not been on the Cloud much recently so have
only just caught up on Woody's progress. Adding to what Weens said
earlier, Countryside Tales also do an article comp, though I think
the word count's limited to something like 1500.
A while ago I read a piece by Frieda Hughes in the Times about
raising a baby magpie and how she felt when he eventually left.
From what I remember he stayed with her into adulthood and had a
habit of perching on people's head, which those who weren't used to
him found quite disconcerting.
Keep us all posted and entertained (I'm sure you will)
Thanks Rebecca, yes both Geri and Secretspi found that article and
posted it for me - one in the Times and the other in the Daily Mail
(which shows that you can sell the same story twice). She wrote it
well, didn't she? Can't wait for the stage when he tries to fit cat
biscuits into the toaster :)
Yes Woody's going to be much fun when he tries flying off with
stuff. :D
I passed a magpie on the way home from the school today- and
noticed for the first time how very long their tails are. (obv I
already knew what a magpie looked like). It's not until you know
one (kinda) personally, that you really look at them though.
I've just thoroughly enjoyed catching up on Woody's biography,
Whisks. What a sturdy little guy he's grown into since I last
looked! And so brave, too, putting up with the attentions of giant
chickens and cats! He's not going to pop his clogs on you now, I'm
sure, so it looks as if you'll have a resident maggie in your
menagerie for this summer at least.
Before commenting here, I went into the kitchen to make coffee and
as I filled the kettle, a magpie flew across the window and landed
in the cherry tree. A few days ago, because of a neighbour's
constant complaints about leaves in her barren little garden, my
beautiful eucalyptus had to be felled, leaving a rather depressing
view of other people's fences and sheds from my kitchen. So sad.
However, seeing a maggie fly-past cheered me up no end; got a good
reminder of what Woody will look like in a few weeks' time.
It occurred to me that as magpies take the eggs of other birds in
Spring, it might have been an idea to feed Woody on raw egg early
on - concentrated protein and probably a part of his natural diet.
That might seem like cannibalism to you though, Whisks but anyway
... you're doing a grand job. He grows quite beautiful. It'll be
lovely to see him spread his wings.
Such an interesting blog. Thanks for writing it m'dear. xx
Hi Whisks. All the time I've been away (with only my laptop and IE)
I could only read down to the start of First Update on your
charming, alarming, and quite disarming blog on do-it-yourself
magpie. So I'm only just catching up with the little fellow's early
memoires, which must surely be called, 'Fit to Bust - mealworms and
mammaries save magpie misery'. Lovely story, but I'm only halfway
through so far; I hope it all comes out right in the end. (It seems
to be all coming out right in the end, quite regularly at the
moment.)
Update 19 and new photo added.
Yes, their tails are as long as their bodies, hey, Geri? Glad you
feel you 'know' one!
Ama, yes, I hate it too when people fell trees and leave everyone
with a view of buildings and bleugh. Trees support so much wildlife
- I have a huge oak outside my office window so I can see halfway
up into the canopy - it's teeming with life.
Thanks Tony, that's really funny! You're so clever with
alliteration.
Hi Whisks, your fabulous daily updates are read nightly here and
never disappoint.
I can't believe such a beautiful bird really poos at all.
I can't believe such a beautiful cat would do any harm.
And I can't believe this story will remain unpublished for
long.
oh yes...nearly forgot - I can't believe the females are the bossy
ones ;-)
Finally caught up with the whole story so far and everyone's
comments. Great writing Whisks, as usual, not to mention the
dedication as a fostermother. But what a cliff-hanger you've left
us on with 'that' picture and the casual: I put him on the grass.
Tabitha watches him intently but he preens, unconcerned...
Fingernails all around Cloudland must be practically non-existant
by now.
I enjoyed Spangle's (and others') concern about Woody's education.
I came across this, which you might find useful:
But if that's too far to travel, I hope you trace his family tree
eventually so you can do home-schooling. If you do, it occured to
me that you might get some help from a branch library.
Curly-wurly, tee hee!
Cadidore - thank you kindly. Hope your Camelin is thriving
somewhere.
Mark - your points: birds do indeed poo; few people admit it :(
Tabs hasn't done any harm *yet* but she is, well, a cat. And thanks
for the 3rd sentiment - I've put out a few feelers, but no replies
yet.
Tony - as Curly - tee hee! All's well so far. I shall have to look
into pre-school, family trees and branch libraries - thanks for the
heads up.
It seems to me (but I may be wrong) that Woody already has strong
survival instincts because he dashed under the car at the first
sight of another bird.
This blog keeps making me think of Derek Tangye's books. He wrote
about the cats and donkeys that shared his life in Cornwall but he
also wrote about a gull in Evening Gull and later in A Gull on the
Roof; and about a pet Muscovy duck called Boris in A Drake at the
Door. He is one of the great examples of how to turn the experience
of living with animals into full-length, compulsively readable and
highly successful books.
I think he'll be alright ya know. Magpies don't really have many
predators other than cats... so you may want to get Tab to teach
him other cats can be bullies.Maybe you could play hime videos of
Magies finding food. Do they forage? Or do they just steal the
lunch of the smaller kids- he's going to be a hefty teenager by the
time he flies the nest so perhaps he'll be alright relying on brute
force and ignorance..seems to work for a lot of human teenagers
anyway.
Just finished latest saga! Woody is a star...so you must be a
starlet! Brilliant stuff Whisks....such a charming tale told with
real warmth. He does look very Magpieish!
Spangles has just made me think of Ring of Bright Water by Gavin
Maxwell and later filmed with the Born Free duo. It's wonderful,
the book complex beyond words and it makes me cry (yes me). Oh
sh**.
You may have a friend for life, Whisks. I saw an article on the net
recently about how a baby eagle was fed via an 'eagle' sock puppet
so it would never associate a human face or voice with being fed.
Not that I would ever suggest you should have done any such thing -
I actually only read the article after asking somebody about Woody.
Apparently bird behaviour tends to be shaped by a few formative
impressions.
The reaction of your hens to a bird flying overhead reminds me of a
plump, rather lazy marmalade tom we had called Marmaduke (original,
eh?). Marmaduke spent most of his life in the sock cupboard only
making the occasional foray outdoors. One day I and my father were
chatting out in the front garden while Marmaduke coiled himself
around our legs. A flock of geese passed overhead and when I
glanced down there was no sign of him. I eventually spotted him -
peering out from under a bunch of dockleaves a good twenty yards
away. The whirr of wings had obviously triggered some ancient
survival instinct. I had no idea he could move so fast. I don't
think he did either!
Thanks for your support chaps; I worry that the friend who warned
me might have been right; since I feed him, I'm his prime carer,
not the chickens, and he's more likely to learn from me - and I'm
not frightened of big birds in the way that he should be. He might
notice dangerous things, but not react quickly enough to save his
life. I'm just making this up as I go along; like most
parents?
Alan - video? no chance.
Spangles? Why thank you. I've never read Derke Tangye - must add
him to my wish list. I don't yet know how Woody's story ends. It
might be today, it might be twenty years from now.
Geri - I do hope you're right. He's not worried by cats, that's
another thing. It's me who stiffens when one gets too close!
Mac - I wouldn't be a star without you lot cheering me on, so the
congratulations revert to the sender. Isn't that nice?
Alan (again) - you old softie, you. I've never read that either -
couldn't bring myself to as a child as I knew how upset I'd be :(
Course, it may have a happy ending, I don't know?
Aonghus - it's a worry. I want him to live long and happily, but
I'm not really kitted out for an indoor bird - carpets, soft
furnishings, that sort of thing? I sometimes fancy one of those
scottish backhouses, though - where the family lived in one half
and the animals in the other.
Yes, wouldn't that be funny, Weens? Never thought of that! I'd
hoped he'd realise it only pertained to indoors - but perhaps he'll
fly to a park and search out those reading their papers ...
My how he's grown. When you think back to that little jelly baby
shaped thing that he was when you found him and look at him now,
well all I can say is he has very good taste in picking a parent.
I've been a bit busy this week so only just caught up on all of
Woody's doings. Can't believe how much he's grown and developed in
such a short time. And I loved that bit of writing about 'alchemy
in action'. I've never thought about it quite like that but it's so
true. Thanks for another great read :-)
Hi Whisks – following up on the New Scientist stuff about Magpie
self-awareness, have you seen this example of crow family genius?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8029933.stm
My daughter tells me that magpies can even pick simple locks!
That is astonishing, John - at first, I thought it was a
well-practiced routine - which was astonishing enough; then I read
the blurb which implied it was a one-off. Even more astonishing! I
may have a young genius on my hands. Gulp.
Weens - yes, jellybaby is very apt!
Skylark - glad you're still with us, thanks.
Barb - no. Just, no.
Thanks, Debi :)
Don't fret Whisks, remember the article Geri shared - the bird left
the 'nest' when the time was right. I expect Woody will collect a
shiny £1 coin, fly it to the shop, take a broadsheet, read it, do
the crossword, write to the editor and then poo in the paper before
recycling.
As for flying.....http://youtu.be/FCjlubLJcxk (Happy ending and
true story)
Alan - if you ever watch the film above, do have some hankies at
the ready.
I'm on Firefox, so can at last catch up! It's great to see Woody
doing so well. From the first pic where he looked so sorry for
himself to now he's made amazing progress. I can understand your
concerns about his entering the real world; all parents have those.
All you can do is give him the best start you can and wish him well
when the day comes. That day is going to be full of mixed emotions
for you I feel. It'd be nice if he did fly back for visits, just to
say hello. Don't forget he'll have a lot of instinct when it comes
to preditors too. I believe that he'll do well and have his own
magpie family, all thanks to you! This really is an amazing blog! I
can't believe I had to become a 'fox' to sneak up on you all!
Update 21 added.
Mark - yes, I think he'll have a fetish about newspaper by the time
I've finished with him! And what a truly lovely bit of film!
Minxie, I do hope you're right. Thanks for your encouragement;
we're all winging it!
He's quite a little climber isn't he? I didn't realise baby birds
were so agile..but then in the wild they wouldn't reach adulthood
if they weren't little toughies would they? Loving these little
updates, Whisks x
Thanks Geri. I'm assuming that he'd still be in his nest at this
point - which is a ball of sticks - so should be able to balance
and hang on, at least, when he goes for forays. It's a long way
down and no way back up - as he found a couple of weeks ago!
High drama indeed! I came on here for a bit of lulling pre-bedtime
and found myself perched on the edge of my seat. Great stuff. Glad
all birds were accounted for afterwards :-)
Thanks Skylark - tee hee :)
All peeps - I went out for a family lunch today - and have just got
back - at 9pm. Woody came too (of course) and had a full fun day -
including First Bath - but I'm too zonked to write it up now as
other members of Animal Farm needs seeing to as well. Will do it
tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with us - those that are! Wx
Saturday's events sound uncomfortably dramatic! I'm glad everyone
survived to tell the tale.
I love the idea of Woody going with you for a family gathering. I
can picture him at the table with a tiny white napkin wrapped round
his neck, and in front of him is a small plate bearing some
beautifully garnished worms.
Update 22 plus photo added. Sorry for delay, chaps -
unavoidables.
Yes, Spangles - lovely image (especially the worms) - but Woody has
a *black* bib - built in! So useful for showing up spilt food!
I can't tell you how much I'm loving this. I can't wait to read
each day's installment. It's the highlight of my day. The whole
cloud is madly in love with him.
Tee hee, yes Skylark, it was indeed a family introduction - he may
be with us longer than anticipated.
Thanks Debi, I'll tell him he's a good ambassador; I'd never given
them a second thought until now - it's been quite a ride - woohoo!
Thanks Mark, he's surprisingly smart - he watches and learns and
remembers and applies. His bathing in the spilt water was such a
surprise - but it didn't come from any memory bank, he made it up
on the spur of the moment; which is amazing in itself. I only
recognised what he was doing because I've seen the chickens in a
dustbath.
What a delight the story of Woody is, Whisks, and how well you tell
it. I laughed out loud at the bathing scene, he must have loved his
first bath. More, please.
This is such a compelling read, well-written and very enjoyable.
When I was a kiddie, I was a terrible one for bringing home
distressed animals. I had some successes with birds and mice, and
some tragic failures with a toad and a crayfish.
The mice thing happened when I spotted a adult mouse that had been
run over by a tractor. There was a hole nearby, and when I put my
ear to it, I could hear a high-pitched squeaking noise. I thought
that the 2-dimensional mouse might be a mother, and the squeaking
might be from distressed babies, so I dug them out and took them
home. I fed them by soaking a bread crust in milk, and shaping
little nipples along it. I kept them in a waste-paper basket until
they reached full size, then released them into the wild.
I rescued the crayfish when the Darent river dried up in the
drought of nineteen seventy-something. I only had a bucket to keep
him in, and no idea what to feed him on - no internet in those
days. Feeding turned out not to be a issue - he died almost
straight away.
Did I ever tell you about my toad rescue service? Hawley Road runs
parallel to the Darent river, and one day as I passed I noticed
that the road was covered in squashed toads. Toads live on dry
land, but migrate back to the river of their birth to spawn. This
meant they had to cross Hawley road, and since they're quite slow,
their survival rate didn't seem to be very good. So I fetched a
bucket and spent the day ferrying them across, getting some
decidedly odd looks from passing humans!
The next day I went there again, and was amazed to see several mums
and their kids ferrying toads in buckets. They'd seen what I was
doing and had decided to join in. Many years later, I saw a article
in the newspaper about people doing the toad rescue thing in
Hawley, and how the idea had spread, becoming common practice all
over the country. And it was me wot started it!
Well done, Wrathy! You must be so proud of starting the Toad Rescue
Service all those years ago, obvisly :-)
Whisks, the family lunch is a lovely chapter in Woody's young life.
Quite an experience for everyone involved and what a clever little
fellow he is ... taking a bath on his own initiative. Instinct is
simply amazing isn't it?
Springwatch has started now so will your story get a mention on
there? Hope so.
Hello again
Been away for the bank holiday weekend to a reunion and couldn't
wait to get home to find out how Woody is... the photos are
wonderful.
Thanks for asking about Camelin, he's exhausted at the moment
having just got to the end of his third adventure!
Update 23 added: two days for the price of one! New photos, of
course.
Thanks trafalgar, Spangles, Wrath, Ama, curly, Geri and Cadidore.
I'm thrilled to little bits that you still like him as much as I do
and that you're still reading; every day is an adventure. Wrath's
toad rescue deserves a special mention too - step forward, that
man; take a bow.
Oh good, I hoped we'd have a double dose of Woody's adventures
today! He really does sound too sweet for words, and I love the
image of him hopping upstairs to ask for some food. Give it another
week and you'll hear the fridge door opening, followed by sounds of
lots of rummaging, then the slapping together of two slices of
bread as he makes himself a cheese and pickle sandwich.
I wonder if mother birds have as much fun with their nestlings as
you are having with Woody? Although you may give a hollow laugh at
the idea of it being 'fun' when you have to clear up magpie poo and
keep a watchful eye on the foxes. Thank heavens the cats aren't
interested in him. I wonder if it's because he smells of you, which
protects him because it marks him as being part of the family?
Still following Woody's adventures, too. He is doing wonders for my
perception of magpies - I have to say that I wasn't at all keen on
them before with their ungainly way of hopping around - and they
can be quite vicious - I once witnessed a nasty attack on a smaller
bird. But that's not in the forefront of my mind any more when I
think of magpies.
I wonder if it might make sense to start a Part 2 of this blog as
it's getting quite long to scroll through and even taking a while
to load up?
SS, I take your point about splitting this blog, but thing is, a
kind friend has linked it to the BBC Springwatch page on facebook
so creating a Part2 complicates matters. That post gets buried in
no time underneath all the other Springwatch stuff, but he
resurrects the link occasionally to give it another run out.
Perhaps when Springwatch is over?
It's nice that you're seeing magpies differently - we can't chose
the body or species we're born into, can we?
Spangles - that's the other thing - I've run out of pickle! Oh no!
Love the idea of him rummaging in the fridge. Of only he were as
keen on housework as the state of his stomach.
I think Poppy's not bothered as she's used to strange species
co-habiting with her; Tabitha is much more frisky with Woody and I
have to watch her. It might be that he confuses her because he's in
the 'wrong place' - i.e. indoors. Or it could be that he smells of
me/us/the house, as you say.
Wow! Climbing the stairs in search of Mummy! Soon he'll be flying
after you and I reckon you'll be steaming your carpets for a while
Whiskers! And Ooooo! Linked to Spring Watch via Facebook? *sits up
straight; whiskers shivering with glee* (No, MY whiskers ... not
you Dear!)
Soooo pleased to hear his fame is spreading Whisks. I hadn't gone
to Spring W on-line as I felt I'd never get off it once hooked but
I'll definitely go to FB; see if I can share your blog with my FB
friends (all real-life family and friends and 99.9% of'em
nature-nuts).
Nasty experience for Woody ... getting a hefty peck on the head
from Pearl Guinea but I guess she thought he needed to learn a
lesson: "Hey, Kiddo, keep your head down out here. Not everyone's
your friend y'know!" Better to learn from Pearl than - in the last
moments of his sweet life - from Pixie!
Aaaaawwhhh! Wish I hadn't had that thought! I'm off to FB now.
Catch up tomorrow. XX
I love him climbing the stairs in search of Mum/food (same thing, I
suppose). It's like something out of a Disney cartoon - the pathos.
Great to hear it's linked to Springwatch. Well done!
As regards scrolling down, if you're at the top and hit the End key
you jump straight to the bottom, where hitting the Home key takes
you straight back to the top. The quickest way to find Whisks'
latest entry in the middle is to left-click and hold on the scroll
bar, and drag it up or down to the right place. That's really
quick.
I love the image of him climbing the stairs too. Would it be
possible to try and get a pic of him doing it..could I see a pic of
his cat box bedroom too? I know- greedy girl craving for more
photos. I just think it's so sweet that his bedroom is a cat box.
Is he shut in at night...how do you keep the cats off him?
Our little boy is growing up. Climbing the stairs, well I never.
What next? He'll be feeding himself if you're not careful, lol.
Good news about springwatch. This definitely deserves more than
just being on the cloud. It's begging for a bigger audience, and
deserves one.
Update 24 added with today's photos.
Yes Ama, he's very wary of the guineas now - just as well!
Tony, Ama, Geri and Weens - thanks, yes, it pulls at my
heartstrings to see him flapping at the top of the stairs - all
that way on his own! I'll try and get a better photo of him in his
cat box bedroom (as well as on the stairs); there is one or more
already - Update 2 shows it - I leave it open during the day but
put the top on at night because of the cats. And to keep him in one
place until I'm awake again!
That's an awfully big glass of wine for a small bird! He is having
a wonderfully adventurous childhood and adolescence, isn't he? The
other magpies won't believe him when he's grown up. 'Yeah, right,'
they'll say, when he describes going to the pub. 'And you lived in
a cat box? Pull the other one, mate.' 'No, no,' Woody will reply
patiently. 'Look at this website. See? That's me, and that hand
belongs to my mum. I still go home every Sunday for lunch.'
Update 25 loaded with more photos (plus 2 taken at Geri's
request).
Spangles, Weens & Tony, yes he'll be a worldly magpie in some
ways, and terribly naive in others. It's a worry. He has yet to
meet someone who is nasty to him so he thinks we're all family. Not
sure what to do.
Ah, we crossed in the post, Ama. He needs to fly away though,
doesn't he? Not too far, of course - the oak in the garden would be
all right. But not Spain, or somewhere like that. He's learning a
lot of some things and nothing of others. I suppose that's what
happens with all of us. He'll be a bit backward when mixing with
other magpies, even if he does know how to order his own drink in a
pub.
There was nearly a riot yesterday on my Facebook wall when we
couldn't get on the Cloud for our daily Woody fix. Hope he's ok.
You've got me feeling a bit anxious now. Hmmm - wonder what happens
if I link direct to here from Facebook ...
Update 26 plus photos.
Thanks Spangles, yes, I think we have the answer to his problem -
all OK now. Must remember Rescue Remedy, though.
Thanks Debi - wow! What happens?
Pnut Cat - it's nice to have friends in the forest, he would like
to come visit your tree, thank you.
Just had my Woody catch up after a few days away, some enforced by
a clear sky (no cloud). So, flying a few feet with confidence is
it? Excellent. If there's any one thing on my mind about this
wonderful bit of history it's that he think's the world is a safe
place. Bunging him in with the chickens and the guinea is a good
move.
Perhaps pnut cat could give him survival lessons. Like those
retired SAS types who lecture unfit overweight TV personalities on
how to do rugged and dangerous things. Unlike unfit overweight TV
personalities he won't be able to get a stuntman to do his stuff
for him.
You can hear the sigh of relief from far and wide that Woody's
alright. Debi's link onto Facebook works brilliantly. Woody will
have a whole new fan base by tomorrow.
I was going to tell you about all the complaints on Facebook.
People were so upset at not being able to read your bird diary
...but Debi beat me too it. It wasn't just complaints, it was more
like a demo!
Tony - does roadkill hang around long enough to go rotten? S'pose
in some circs. Yuk. He's on his own with that one.
Alan - it worries me too :(
Cadidore and Weens - what about facebook??? MarkR kindly linked it
- so Debi's really gorn an dunnit too? Wow oh wow. Group hug.
Thanks, all.
Update 27 with photos.
Mark, it wasn't me, honest!
Geri, I hope he'll get a job soon. Oh, since you asked, his bedroom
is in the background of the wilting picture - I put the lid on at
night.
I'm so pleased that Debi has put the link up. I've always said that
this deserves a bigger audience. Who knows what could come from
that. This weekend I'm at my folks. I've read them the whole diary
and shown them the pics, and now my mum is as hooked on Woody as
the rest of us. One more fan to add to the total. Keep going
Whisks, your fan base is growing.
Just caught up on Woody's doings - turns out I've not looked in on
him since Tuesday. Did try on Friday but the Cloud wasn't working
for me - sounds like others had problems too. To answer the human
housetraining question, our eldest was potty trained at 2 and a bit
but over a year later he's still not completely accident
free....let's hope Magpies are quicker on the uptake ;-) How do I
look for Woody on facebook? And Twitter? Or is it just a link back
to this blog? Thanks for more wonderful bedtime reading, Whisks.
Night, night all :-)
Well, she did spend a number of nights cuddled up with the giraffe
in his pen. Sadly, he didn't survive, but the reason he didn't
survive has given her the theme for a thesis on ungulate nutrition,
and the possibility of improving welfare in captive browsing
animals.
Just looked on Baby Bird's progress but not getting the latest
photos of Woody here. *Sigh!*
Woody is a super-star now so I'll go take a look at his recent
publicity photos on face book. Meanwhile, his daily diary is a joy
to read here Whisks. You are an amazingly devoted Mum.
One thing that seems to be recurring regularly is his regurgitation
of vegetable food. Forgive me for what I'm about to suggest because
I've never reared a wild baby bird from such desperately tiny
beginnings as you have, but from all my observations of birds in
the wild, I have never seen a member of the crow family feed its
nestlings on anything other than a high protein diet. Maybe a
vegetarian or omnivore regime is not for him?
Perhaps he should have his own Facebook page! In the meantime, I'll
keep linking to here on my wall and on Twitter. Suggest other
Cloudies do the same. Woody needs to go viral.
Ama - you can see the blog but not the photos? Oh no! Are you on
Firefox? I.E. argues with Cloud posts. As for his diet, you're
quite right - I've reduced the plant content of his diet and he's
much better. I should have said. And his poos are better too. I
only included it as I see crows et al eating bread, cake, potatoes,
whatever is thrown out to them, so assumed they must take some back
to their babies. Also, there's probably the odd leaf stuck to
insects, so they ingest that whether they want to or not. And
berries - I've seen magpies eating berries. I think. But he's
better with only a small vegetal input, so that's his diet now.
Animal protein and fat with a garnish. And I've cut back on the
grit too. It's all trial and error.
John, big respect to your daughter! Sounds like a gal after my own
heart.
Tony, I don't think he's old enough to be contemplating funny
business!
Skylark, thanks for the potty training info - so I've not failed
yet then :)
Crossed with you Debi. You are a complete star. Thanks so much. I
don't know that much about facebook; or Twitter, for that matter.
Another learning cliff so soon? Gulp :)
I've been busy for the last few days but I'm so glad that all is
well in Woody and Whisks land. Brilliant that he's learnt to feed
himself. I love the pic of Woody on your foot and the back of
Poppy's (?) head.
Still loving your daily Woody files - along with all the other
Woodyphiles, here. On a serious note, have you had any expert
advice yet on whether or how Woody could ever be released into the
wild? Coluld he learn to survive? Would he live long enough to get
the chance to learn? It probably wouldn't be his lack of fear of
humans that could land him in hot water, but his non-acceptability
to other large birds, not to mention four-footed preditors, if left
to his own devices.
Debi's beaten me to it yet again, I was going to suggest his own
facebook page. Great minds think alike, but in the meantime, I
shall do as Debi suggests and print a link to this diary. Another
day, another great read.
If you look under the last post, just before the comments begin,
you'll see icons for Twitter, FB, Blogger etc. If people have one
or more of these, you can just click and the link will magically
appear on your site. Takes a second and couldn't be easier.
Next step: Woody goes for world domination. You heard it first
here. All aboard.
I know I said this last time, but this is such an amazing blog.
Because it took me a while to be able to rejoin Woody's progress
because I didn't have Firefox I can see such big improvements in
him every time I look in. Your little boy is growing up! I don't
think he is going to want to leave with the meals you're feeding
him. Loving the pics too. Ooohhhh... now he's on Twitter too!
There's no stopping him now !
Hey! He'll have an NVQ in beak skills soon! In my childhood, we had
a book by Konrad Lorenz about the behaviour of jackdaws and the way
they learned. Whether any of his books are still available, I've no
idea. He also wrote a brilliant book called Man meets Dog, again
from a behavioural point of view.
I'm reliably told that Magpies, like Myna birds, can be taught to
talk. Now that would really make Woody more special than he already
is, and he'd be able to say hello when he comes back to say Hi. BUT
you have to train them, as you would a budgie.
Thanks peeps, I appreciate your continued interest.
Tony, no, I've not taken expert advice on rehabilitating magpies.
Is there such a thing? Gulp. Better look it up.
Debi - really? Duh, I've seen them but never knew what they do.
There's a thing.
Minxie, Spangles, Geri - thanks for your kind words.
Johno - Yes! I read Konrad Lorenz as a teenager and also Niko
Tinbergen - I'd forgotten them, thanks for the reminder.
Weens - That's interesting! I've no idea how you train a budgie.
Woody will probably learn the theme tune to Eastenders first; he
likes TV.
Phew Whisks; fine line between protection and the necessary freedom
to grow/fly the coop. Your Woody journal is growing beyond an
enchanting and compulsive blog. It's now a potentially fine
book/radio broadcast/film — or all three.
Hopefully a good lesson, well learned. Heart-in-mouth time, though.
Was it really a 4" wall he flew over, or should that hve been a 4'
wall? (Maybe it's just the Cloud and you typed ' but it appeared
here as ", like £ and $ replacing each other.)
Thanks - it was indeed a scary day - this might have been the end
of life as I know it.
Johno - they don't, do they? Yes, I slept - once he was back safe
and sound.
Pim - why, thank you. I wonder if it would be less 'complusive' if
the end were known - as would be the case in a book? Dunno.
Weens - you and me both, kiddo.
Tony - oops - mea culpa. Twas indeed a four foot wall and twas also
all my mistake in the typing. I've been out of imperial too long,
that's the trouble; I forget what's what. Might even be a five foot
wall. High, anyway - but low enough to see over. If you're over
four feet tall.
Yes, Whisks, dwelling on mortality comes gradually. When I was
twelve, and on holiday in Rome, I was nearly run over by a Ferrari.
I was more excited about it being a real Ferrari than worried that
I might not have survived to tell anyone that fact. I can just
imagine Woody boasting about the size of the fox and the height of
the wall.
Yes, you're right. I never saw danger either - just the possibility
of fine stories once I was out of the situation.
And Woody's been back out today, checking out the venues and making
sure they're suitably impressive.
I think he's pushing his luck, personally, not with the predators
but with you. You have enough patience to run patience courses for
patient saints needing to develop their patience. I salute you.
It's like reading Wind in the Willows or something. A lovely diary
entry full of naughty foxes and retaliating magpies- do you think
the big magpie was punishing Pixie for Elfie's antics?
Whisks. Debi is right. You could give patience lessons to oysters.
Let's just hope your pearl makes it.
You have created this comic image, in my mind at least. He just
fails to clear the wall, there is a small thud and a few moments
later he walks round, muttering to himself "What a stupid place to
put a wall"
Anyway, so long as you both keep ducking and weaving.
NO! Oh, Whisks, I'm so, so sorry. I am in tears, so can't begin to
imagine how you are feeling. What emotional agony it must be.
I realize it is far too early for what I'm about to say to have any
consolation for you, but maybe later on it might help: you gave the
little chap 29 days of complete love, patience and fun. It was a
very special relationship, and if not for you he would have died 29
days ago. You did something wonderful for him, and it sounds as
though he did something wonderful for you in return.
Oh my gosh - breaking news. Thank you dear Spangles - I was also in
tears. I went out to search one more time, on the off-chance that
the crow dropped him or he got away or something - it's happened
before; and then I eventually heard little answering caws, fought
through the stinging nettles, brambles - and I have him back! He
did indeed escape!
Whew oh WHEW!!! Earlier I'd found a single blood-stained feather of
his (magpie but smaller) - now I have the whole bird back!
He's shocked and battered, but essentially OK!
Sorry for worrying everyone. Feel silly now. Must tend to the sick
and wounded. Gosh, what a shock! Thank you God.
There's no need to feel silly! Thank God he's OK. But are YOU OK?
Double brandies all round, I'd suggest.
It seems to me that Woody is a very resilient and determined little
character who has now faced danger at least three times and
survived. He's most definitely here for a reason. Perhaps we will
soon see him taking his place in the Cabinet at Number 10?
That's very sad, Whisks... so sorry. Haven't commented on your blog
but been reading regularly. Was looking forward to da little guy's
first coherent post! :(
Chin up, m'dear. As Spangles says, you gave it your best shot and
he surely had a happy time, however short by our standards.
nahual, thank you. It certainly is a tough old world for a
fledgling - one of the million thoughts that went through my mind
earlier. It all happened in an instant. Must really go and see to
the war-wounded. People have been so kind.
Oh Whisks. What a trauma! Poor you. I'd say, Poor Woody, too, but I
don't suppose he can read yet. Please pass on my sympathies and
congratulations on his escape and tell him I'm expecting lots more
'mots justes' from him as his picture gallery continues to grow.
Hot sweet tea for breakfast, I think, to calm things down - and you
ought to take some yourself, Whisks. So glad he's safely home
again.
Blimey Whisks, hugely relieved for you and Woody. Short of keeping
him inside is there any other way of keeping him safe until he's
big enough to see off crows etc? Anyway, feet up, a fag and a drop
of brandy for you both. Your wonderful story continues.
Oh my Gosh- oh...I just saw your first comment on the home
page..did'nt see the update until the page loaded- which took a
lifetime. My heart's going-I'm on the verge of tears.. then I see
he's escaped the crow. Bloody hell- I need a lie down. xxx
Only just caught up with this and so have had the low and the high
in relatively short order. Phew! A close call. The crows know he's
around now, so you'd best be watchful for a while.
Only just caught up, too, so spared the trauma, but it must have
been incredibly upsetting for you at first, and not exactly fum for
Woody. Still, look at it this way - he's probably learned an
extremely useful lesson today which will serve him well in the long
term. Hope he's up for a treat tonight. And hasn't he grown?
Hi all, thank you so very much for your kind words earlier and I
feel such a fool, getting it wrong (but a happy fool to have my kid
back).
I normally write up the day's events as they happen, then edit them
up the next morning and post; this morning, events overtook me so I
didn't get to post yesterday's news. In penance and because it's
only fair to tell you what happened, I've included today's drama as
well.
Prepping it now.
Bless you all.
Just catching up with Woody's doings again - that was a bit of a
hairy one. Glad it worked out fine. Have to say, I'm finding this
fascinating from the point of view of the developmental leaps and
hiccups he's experiencing. It's like children in fastforward. Mine
have also had scary experiences (not being chased by foxes!) that
have freaked them out enough to set them back for a few days or a
few weeks. It's a worrying thing being a parent!
The important thing is that he's OK. Also - as somebody else
pointed out - that he's learnt an important lesson. Not that it was
the first time he's been attacked by a crow. I'd forgotten that
this happened right after he was born. Whisks mentions it in the
first entry.
I'm guessing this will all stop once he's fully-grown and too big
to push around.
Before my mother said Good morning, she said, 'Have you checked the
bird diary yet?' I hadn't even turned on my computer yet, give me
chance mother and then you weren't yet on. All day she's driven me
mad to 'keep checking'. Eventually, after your posting, I read it
to her. Both she and I were becoming more upset at the thought of
Woody being lost. Phew! Things woked out alright. Thank goodness. I
suppose she'll learn who not to trust naturally, but I want to
thump these birds taking advantage of her friendly nature.
Whisks - you must be exhausted with the fretting and the relief,
but what a joy to have Woody back and safe again. I am so pleased
for you both and thrilled to read he's eating and sleeping - WHAT
ABOUT YOU?
Take care, both of you and I hope Fate makes tomorrow a nice quiet
one in contrast to the drama of the last few days.
Oh yes, I think Spangles has it right with 'complete love, patience
and fun'
Phew (today's overworked word), what an account. I hope you've both
just about settled back to normal - whatever passes for normal in
the Whisks menagerie. I loved, 'Now he’s sitting on the back of my
chair as I type. Must remember not to lean back' - that WOULD have
been an ironic end to the day! So glad it ended happily.
I've just read yesterday's and this morning's drama to my
husband...I guess he'll be hooked now too. I hope Woody grows into
the biggest magpie your local crows have ever seen and he teaches
them a lesson! It would be great if he did learn to talk. You could
teach him some great insults to hurl at crows. Yeah- that'll teach
'em.
Oh! Tears here too as I read this unfolding. Woody's story is
packed with drama but we don't want tragedy, thank you very much.
So relieved. He must have more lives than a cat.
I agree, Tony, about the 'must remember not to lean back' comment!
:)
Whisks, I hope you and the young 'un are back to normal this
morning. I thought about you both a lot yesterday. Did you feel as
though you aged several years in one morning? If so, I hope you are
now back to your youthful self.
Thank you everybody, I'm bowled over by your response. The drama
continues. I'm loading Update 31. I don't know if he has a charmed
life or a death wish. My nerves are shot.
Just read about the crows - scary! For some reason that bit wasn't
on here when I commented earlier about the cats. I've always
thought crows were sinister-looking, but i never knew they were so
agressive! Glad Woody survived.
The tension is too much. For goodness sake keep him in for a few
days until those who had a go at him think he's gone. Not sure I'd
worry too much about letting him do what's natural (he's had a
wonderfully unnatural life so far). Don't suppose long jessies
(spelling?) they use for falcons are an option?
Wrath - no worries - the world is full of predators when you're
only three inches tall.
Pim - he wasn't supposed to go out this morning - he went exploring
through a small window, all on his ownsome. I knew nothing about
his expedition until I heard the crows and magpies. And foxes. And
guineas. And chickens. What's a bird to do?
He's sitting on my shoulder right now, asleep *again*. Not sure
about tying him in, although I won't let him go out without me for
now; I didn't even let him out this morning. :)
Maybe somebody already put it up? Anyhoo, it says you shouldn't
release a magpie et al back out into the wild until it's five or
six months old in order to avoid bullying by other birds.
Whisks. The stress and tension is getting to us, so you must be in
big trouble.
At some time you are going to have to move him to an aviary in the
garden, assuming you are releasing him. Somewhere fox safe, of
course. Do you have such a place? I'm guessing he can't go in with
the chickens.
Aonghus, that link didn't work for me, but I googled avian
husbandry anyway. Seems most of the advice, is *don't*. Too late
for us - he's part of my family now and we're part of his. I can't
just turf him out and tell him to get on with it, can I?
Alan, yes, the plan was to move him in with the chickens, but only
when he can feed himself. He's still not very good at it.
He's hardly left my shoulder all morning, clinging on. Apart from
his earlier excusion, that is.
Those branches on top of the henhouse shown in a photo a few days
ago, are my 'spare branches' - interesting shapes that can become
perches as the need arises. I'll rig one up for him when the time
comes, high.
Tony - your comment on that photo, btw, was funny :)
Also Guero - walnut shells for crash helmets? What a wonderful
idea.
Thanks for another splendidly written update. Perhaps Wood thought,
since he went out the door last time and got mugged, maybe things
wouldn't be so bad through the window. I know when our cat asks out
and sees it's raining hard when we open the back door, he declines
and walks through the house to be let out the front instead!
I had suspected what Aonghus has found, he really needs to be
protected until he is fully matured. It would be lovely to think
the other magpise were protecting him from the crows, but it's much
more likely they were joining in the bulleying. We get adult
magpies coming to our bird-table and none of them takes kindly to
another trying to land on the table while they are on it.
I reckon the injuries are consistent with bullying rather than an
actual attempt to kill him - the avine equivalent of giving him a
black-eye. If that's any consolation. Which it probably isn't.
I think, Whisks, you need to have a serious word with your cats.
They can't just sit around and watch their adopted sibling get
bullied like that. They should be defending the garden from pesky
crows!
Be still my beating heart. Poor Woody. Bullied not once, but twice.
You'll have to give him an extra special treat to buck him up, and
a big hug from all his cloudie friends. He has become a big part of
my daily ritual, almost one of the first things I do is check in on
him. So according to Aonghus's info, you have him for a few months
yet. Goodo, we don't have to say goodbye any day soon.
Update 32 and yesterday's photos added.
Tony - I think you might have something there - my cats do the same
thing: just because it's raining outside one door, doesn't mean
it's raining outside every door.
Aonghus, thanks for the link - that ol' cunning full stop, eh? I
should have spotted that. Very interesting info. Does indeed look
like we're mates for a while longer.
Geri - I've had a word with the cats. Thanks for the
reminder.
Weens - he's asked me to thank you for the hug and says you're a
big part of his life too. An unusual life, in magpie terms :)
Reading today's update it occurs to me that Woody's only
understanding of English comes from you. Everytime you say don't do
something, he promptly does it. I expect you give him a nice stroke
or a cuddle immediately after and a bit of friendly chat. Perhaps
he simply has the meaning of "don't" the wrong way round.
It seems he's caught on - window or door, outside is dangerous. For
the time being that's no bad thing. When the time comes, when he's
mature, if it's still a problem, maybe using the chicken cocp as a
half-way house will help.
So not only can you use Woody in place of a necklace, he also makes
a handsome magpie-bracelet.
Re the poo-ing, have you considered a nappy, or a little pair of
snuggies? Better on his knickers than yours.
Wow, I've just read this - how fab! You need a gold medal; they're
not easy to look after.
I went to the lakes over the weekend and I was sat by a lake,
minding my own business, when I hear all this commotion behind me
in the trees. As I went over to investigate there were about a
dozen tiny little birds (not sure what they were but they were
smaller than a blue tit), and one large crow. They were attacking
the crow and I guessed that the crow was after one of their young.
I went over to try and frighten the crow away when (to my horror)
it grabbed a little bird and flew up into the tree. I was too
late.
I felt so sorry for the little birds, they tried their hardest to
save one of their own. I know that it's nature but I'd rather they
didn't do it where I can see.
So it's nice to see you're doing a better job of keeping our wild
birdies alive!
Thanks Spangles - it's a miracle; several. No guarantees in or of
life, eh?
No Alan, despite appearances, I'm not a juvenile myself. He gets a
stern talking to when he does something I don't like, but he's just
over a month old and has only been mobile for the last fortnight.
Give him (and me) time to adjust!
Tony, I'm introducing him to the coop for short periods but he's
not self-sufficient enough yet. And I tried a nappy on a chicken
once. Didn't work, no, not at all.
Blue, thanks; that's interesting about the little birds taking on a
crow? Wonder what they were? Long-tailed tits (pinky and always in
flocks), Goldcrests or Firecrests (smallest birds in Britain), or
wrens (never seen a flock of any of these)? If there were lots of
them, I'd guess Long-tailed Tits - very pretty and always on the
move - the flock swarms into a tree, cleans it of bugs and moves
off, constantly fluttering.
Hi Whisks, just catching up again and relieved that Woody has
survived not one but two attacks. You've written some pretty
powerful stuff and got a lot of people rooting for Woody. Hope, for
your sake and his, that you have a few quieter days now...Boring
has its benefits :-)
In Lord Jim, Joseph Conrad wrote of a legendary guano island. A
place of fable where fortunes could be made from harvesting the
vast quantities of bird poo.
I just thought I'd mention the commercial possibilities. If he's
staying, that is.
Hmmm, holidays are a tricky one. I've seen plenty of adverts for
people offering holiday accommodation for dogs and cats while
you're away but not seen one yet that invites magpies...Have you go
any friends or relatives who would be able/willing to help out?
Update 34 and photos added.
Yes Alan, good point. If only I had several flocks living indoors,
it'd be a goldmine :)
Skylark, I've asked around but no takers yet. He needs regular
feeds and some living warmth. I'm still hoping he'll be in the
henhouse by then and that they'll accept him. He's still such a
baby though!
Thanks for another great update. I particularly liked: "sorts
through my jewellery with diligence, picking up and putting down
elsewhere according to his own filing system." You come up with
some delightful turns of phrase.
This is fast becoming the must read each day. How I wish someone
would pick it up and print it, it truly deserves to be in print.
When the day comes that Woody flies away (sob!) you should get it
submitted pronto.
You know, I love the part where you balance the love stuff with the
realities of nature, red in tooth and claw. But, like you, we're
all still rooting for Woody. Hope you manage to sort out going
away. Right. Off to do another Facebook link.
WAITING FOR THE OMNIBUS EDITION. Sigh...
I've just heard from the lovely Whisks who has lost all internet
access. BT tells her that she should be back on line by Thursday.
However, she is up to date with her blog and I can report that
Woody is fine. We'll just have to wait for the detail in the
omnibus edition later this week.
BBC 2 Springwatch tomorrow night has a film on culling corvids - a
proposal by some. I'm posting comments and links to Springwatch Web
and Facebook sites back to this blog to share Woody's (and Whisks')
side of the story.
Feel free to do the same. 8-)
Sincerely hope BT do better in Whisks' area than up here...... it
doesn't bear thinking about if not fixed today!
Have to go out to opticians soon - but it's OK because I can get
the updates on my mobile!!!!!
Frustrating news from Whisks. BT chap who is 'not a pole-climbing
operative' so can't fix a wiring problem says she might not be
connected for 2-3 days! All well and one or two Magpie nuggets for
everyone to look forward to — but, alas, not yet.
No connection to web takes its toll,
Leaving Whisks in a bit of a hole.
'Cos BT's in a spot,
And though their man is not,
All her readers are left up the pole.
Hi all, I'm now thankfully back on-line. Without phone line,
internet, email, Cloud for a week, it's been a long haul. Thanks so
much for your comments (which I've only just been able to see) and
for keeping the flag flying - for Pim being Postmaster-General and
to Tony for getting it eerily correct! I've been writing daily
updates in my lonely garret and diligently taking photos, but been
unable to post at all. I even tried on a couple of friends'
computers, but they didn't have Firefox which meant I couldn't even
load the blog.
To save overloading peeps' goodwill, I propose uploading them in
two-day batches until we're all caught up. Deal?
Thanks for sticking with this. I've just uploaded Update 35;
reading it through, I see what a lot has happened in a week; but I
can't tell you just yet. Oh no indeedy!
Thanks again to Woody's fans - he's pleased as punch. And lots of
love to you all for hanging on in there.
Whisks x
Ah, thank the powers that be, you're back and all is well in
Woodyworld. A magpie hopped onto my balcony yesterday and again
this morning - never happened before. I found myself asking him if
he knew how his kin was getting on. See what you've done to me? I
always used to be away with the fairies; now I'm talking to
magpies.
I know exactly what Debi means. We have a lot of Magpies around
here, and I've always viewed them as pests. Now I'm looking at them
from new eyes. We missed you Whisks, more than you know. Tony
filled the breach admirably, but there's no thing like the
original. Welcome back.
Welcome back indeed Whisks, we want to hear all about what the
little lad has been up to. It was fun speculatinng in my
'Alternative Version' but we want the real thing now.
A Lovely double-epeisode. Glad he's beginning to get used to the
hen house and the residents are beginning to accept him. Sounds
like they'll have to get better at dodging, though.
Hooray! You're back! Lovely to hear what Woody's been up to - been
suffering withdrawal symptoms like everyone else. Look forward to
catching up on the rest of his week.
Ahhh, a round of applause for all of us. I worried that you'd all
have lost interest. Nice to be back and lovely see you all again.
Next double episode tomorrow.
I know- this week's been torture, Whisks! So lovely to hear about
You and Woody again. Can't wait til tomorrow. He's so sweet- really
I don't know how I'll cope when he flies the nest never mind how
you'll feel!
As everyone else has said, it's wonderful to have you back and to
start to catch up with Woody's latest adventures. And as usual
you've left it on a minor cliffhanger. Did you relent and let Woody
back indoors? Did he stay out all night with the girls and Errol?
Did you get any sleep or did you lie awake wondering if he was OK?
I need to know!
Update 36 added - another omnibus edition. Thanks once more for
your comments my lovelies. Can't tell you what a thrill it is to
share this unfolding story with you all.
Another great installment. I ring my mum everytime you put
something new up and read it to her over the phone. She insists I
ring her as soon as you put something up. Even my dad is starting
to get interested now.
I have a couple of questions for you. Will his tail feather that
the crows ripped out, grow back? and at what age do you think he'll
fly away (sob sob)? I have a feeling that he won't fly away and you
have him for the rest of his natural.
Great. I loved the imperturbable BT man. It's probably in their
Health and Safety Manual: When confronted by excentric customers
treat them as normal. Try not to antagonise them. He probably could
have scaled the pole but was anxious not to hang around longer than
he had to.
Update 37 with another two days catch-up just added.
Weens - you really make me smile - love the thought of your parents
tuning in as well; I'm sure they're as lovely as you - please thank
them for their interest. Your questions? Yes, I expect the tail
feathers to grow back. I've just had a little look under his
petticoats and no sign yet, but dropping feathers - like dropping
hair - is normal and they'll be replaced in the fullness of time.
As for when he leaves home? Don't really know, but rumour has it,
about five months. Aonghus dug out that piece a while back that
said autumn, after first full moult. And the story that SS and Geri
found also seems to bear that out. I'll be sobbing too! Then again,
he might be a house magpie for ever?
Tony, yes, I wondered that too. Also, I forgot to thank you for
your ditty a few posts ago - you're so good with your verses.
Geri - indeed! Although I think he'll be a long time waiting for
some of his planted prizes to grow ...
Spangles, thank you. I hope there'll be two-day editions until I
catch up with myself. Poppy's recovering well, thanks. Sore, but
improving, thank goodness.
Woody seem to be fending off the opposition quite well now, and
knowing when discretion is the better part of valour. I loved it
when he 'peels away like a hurricane with an engine on fire and
darts for the house', wonderful! That paragraph about you having a
good poo clean-up was uncannily like my fictional version, wasn't
it? How weird is that?
There are so many golden nuggets in those last posts, I can't quote
them all. I'd just be copying and pasting the lot. The other
characters play such a vital role in the Woody saga too. Poor
Poppy. No one else could be writing this the way you do. (Though
Tony's had a damn good crack at it.)
Weens, noooo! I'm not sure we ever will unless I catch him in
flagrante delecto. Birds don't have dangly bits around the trousers
(aerodynamics and all that) and I read that the only way to sex
magpies is that the women are more bossy. He's just a
sweetiepie.
Tony, indeedy - didn't I say you'd got it uncannily accurate?
Thanks for the bigging up.
Debi, you're such a tonic sweetpea. Thank you. Poppy is a darling
too.
I hope you are sending this off. It's hard to believe that no one
has yet picked it up. My mum said to me on the phone tonight, she
hasn't been so interested in anything like this in a long long
time.
Update 38 added. Sorry for delay, chaps - been unavoidably detained
all day.
Weens, thanks, m'dear. We'll have to wait till the end of the story
- if there is one?
Geri - yes, he's a pickle and no mistake - into everything these
days.
Mc - thanks too. I'm not such a star.
Just a thought about the blue jay though. Can it fly? If not, how
would its mother get it back to the nest? I may be completely wrong
here, but surely the only thing she could do for the moment, is
feed it.
That's the thing Weens, I really didn't know what to do. I didn't
mention in the blog the trips back home to get food and each time I
returned, it was on the same twig I'd left it. Yes it could fly -
it could have gone somewhere else, but didn't. I chose the branch
carefully, making sure there was a 'staircase' to the canopy if
that's where it wanted to be. It wasn't in nearly such a helpless,
poorly state as Woody, but it had been separated all day, was wet
and cold and we weren't even sure exactly where it had come from,
since the person who nabbed it had pushed off for the day. Oh I
don't know; snap decisions have to be made, and I think in
retrospect, it was the wrong one. Still feel bad.
Spooky-wooky, Debs! First you're talking to magpies on your
balcony, then jays are whizzing past. This episode was on Saturday
but really continues on to Sunday - it was a Blue Jay weekend for
me, never mind what else I had planned. Did you see one on Sunday
as well?
Just had a big catch up - the very British BT man gave me a laugh
:-) How are you feeling now Woody has 'moved out'? Empty nest
syndrome? Sorry couldn't resist ;-P Hoping little bluejay has a
happy ending...poor little thing shivering on a branch. At least
he/she has you to look our for him/her.
Well if Woody's moving in with the girls at least it will leave
room indoors on your shoulder for BJ until he gets settled. It was
probably too late to do anything other than keep BJ once he'd first
been brought home. I've heard that parents will often refuse to
take their fledglings back once they have the smell of humans on
them (nothing personal - sweetie-pie. Oh, I did laugh at that bit
of your story!).
Please don't feel bad about BJ. You're a woman who can feel for a
Widow Woodlouse. You did what felt right at the time. Who knows
what the upshot would have been if you had just abandoned him/her?
Like Tony says, don't feel bad. If it could fly it could have found
his own way home but it probably knows it couldn't have find a
better home if it tried. I just hope Woody doesn't feel he has his
nose pushed out, but knowing what a lovely mummy you are, that
probably won't happen.
Update 39 just added.
Thank you for your supportive words, Skylark, Tony, Debi and Weens.
I felt just awful about BJ and didn't want to post this part of the
Little Bird story, but I'm glad I did and now it's over with. We're
back to just Woody and me. And the cats, chickens, guineas, foxes
...
It sounds as though you did all you could to help little BJ. After
all, you weren't the one who swept him up and carried him off. You
tried to reunite him with his family and you tried to find their
location from your neighbour. In East Sussex we have an almost
one-man-band wildlife rescue service and it says on their website
that baby birds that are apparently abandoned should be left alone
as most of the time they are perfectly OK and their parents are
near.
I loved the bit about you asking Woody if he was OK and the BT man
answering. You probably made his day!
Whisks, I have loved your little bird diary and I can feel the
tears pricking my eyes at the thought of Woody taking to the
skies.....................sorry, excuse me a minute while I find a
tissue...........................that's better! Whatever his
decision, you've done the best for him and all being well, he'll
lead a normal magpie life and probably have babies of his own one
day! As Aonghus says, at least you didn't have to go through the
teenage angst part...............Perhaps he'll keep in touch and
pop in from time to time to sit on top of your computer screen!
Keep in touch on the computer! That's it, Karen! It works with my
son. We only ever find out what he's up to by checking FaceBook.
But this was last Sunday. What's happened on Mon and Tue? Is he
still around today? Oh the suspense. Keep 'em coming, Whisks.
Who says he's gone, eh? Hm? Hm? I choose to look on this episode as
him asking to go to an all-night party and me asking for the name
and address of the parents who will be hosting it - then I'll see.
He might have had his first thought about freedom, but this isn't
him buying a flat and getting a job in Tangiers, oh no. But thanks
for the parental support, Karen, Aonghus and Tony; it was a grim
weekend, that' for sure. Glad you're hanging on in there with
me.
And Spangles - I appreciate your comments; I'm feeling better about
the whole thing now I've 'fessed up - although haven't yet phoned
to see how BBJ is. Don't want to hear bad news.
I also thought that was funny when the BT man answered instead of
Woody :)
'He vacillates between babyhood and maturity all the time.' Yes, I
know just how he feels, and I don't have the excuse of being a
teenage magpie.
I love the image of him roosting on the top of the bedroom door. It
reminds me of Cats in the Belfry, a wonderful book by Doreen Tovey,
in which she describes her grandmother's tame owl, Gladstone. He
perched on the top of the bathroom door so anyone using the
bathroom had to do so with the door open and with Gladstone staring
down at them, often with a dead mouse in his claws. So Woody has a
long way to go!
But bless him for knowing where his new bedroom is, and being happy
to sleep there.
By the way, I envy you for being able to sleep with the windows
wide open. We can't, because if we open our windows too wide our
cats take flying leaps out of them into the garden below in the
middle of the night, then yowl to come back inside.
I say, your chickens do themselves proud, don't they? Hard-boiled
eggs, pineapple, raddish and cucumber salad... I'd pass on the
Whiskas, myself, but it sure beats a couple of hanfulls of corn
flung on the ground. Glad Woody's trying to assert himself with the
pigeon. Is it just a ferral pigeon or is it the much bigger
woodpigeon? Our woodpigeons plump up the chests and momentarily
spread their wings while simultaneously thrusting forwards towards
any young pretenders, to scare them off the bird table when they
are feeding. They'll do it to other woodpigeons, too. It's a bit
like watching a close- range joisitng tournament when they both
start thrusting at each other.
Aw, don't feel bad about BBJ. You did what you thought was best and
there was only a moment to make the decision when he turned up on
your doorstep. It may have been already too late to reunite him
even then.
I loved your comment about the jewelery lost since 1999 - can I
borrow Woody to find a few bits and pieces for me ;-P
Next update loaded, peeps!
Must read that book, Spangles - sounds fun.
Tony, The chickens don't get to eat the eggs - just the hard-boiled
shells! It's a wood pigeon btw - I've taken a few photos but none
of them any good. It's a biiiiiig pigeon to a little magpie! He's
very brave.
Skylark, I'll put it to Woody whether he'd like a career in jewel
recovery - might be just up his street - although you may not have
it back for long!
Aw! Our baby has moved out of his cot into his first bed, and
doesn't seem to be complaining, bless him. He's growing up. Can't
you find a way to keep him as a baby?
Update 42 and new photos added.
Weens, kids never stay young for long - always grow up faster than
we think, eh?
Thanks Tony - got a shot of the pigeon at last .
Spangles - I don't think he's eaten the wasp yet, and interesting
point about the wasp/tabasco, but one I hope not to be able to
answer any time soon!
I'm a bit worried about how Woody swoops straight in through the
patio doors. I hope you keep them fairly grubby so that when they
happen to be closed he won't try to swoop straight in anyway, not
realising they are there. Where was Woody when little Miss Magpie
came calling? Those are particularly good photos you have posted
today, btw.
Yes Tony, I keep my doors nice and grubby - it's hard work, I can
tell you. Woody was looking the other way when Little Miss Magpie
tipped her cap - she stayed close to her mum and he was busy
stashing a raisin down my neck. Boys, eh? Thanks re the photos!
Debi, I completely agree. It's fascinating to read about magpie
behaviour like this. And I think the wasp should get a Best
Supporting Actor award. Posthumously, of course!
Update 43 - a two-day omnibus to almost catch up.
Indeed, Debi and Spangles! The WASP! Not everyone's had one gently
tucked into their ear! I'm finding it fascinating - an new day, a
new dilemma; glad you do too :)
Lol, Spangles re the Wasp Oscar! And PHEW, Whisks on the latest
installment. Obviously remote magpie raising is even more fraught
than being in loco parentis, in loco, so to speak. I love the
bookcase-larder - I guess he's cutting out the 'Read, mark, learn'
and going straight for the 'inwardly digest'; establishing a sort
of food library, maybe?
Phew! My heart was beating there, so I can imagine what yours must
have been doing. He had quite an adventure. I have this comical
image in my head of the whole street chasing him, plus the cats and
the fox. Thank goodness he's home, safe and sound.
Loved the wasp bit - would not have loved digging one out of my
ear! As a few others have commented, it's so fascinating learning
about magpie behaviour and development through your blog. And so
interesting too because it's really all that different from the
child development that I'm immersed in at this end - apart from the
learning to fly bit, of course ;-) My youngest (13 months) is going
through a phase of taking my silver watch off me whenever he can.
As soon as he spots it on my bedside table, or on my wrist, he
wants it. Then if he manages to get it, he toddles around the house
finding different places to 'put' it. I have to follow after or I
end up losing my watch for days on end. I probably shouldn't let
him have it in the first place but it's so funny watching him with
it :-)
Glad Woody found his way back safe and sound. What lovely
neighbours you have.
Thanks peeps, I didn't think I'd have anything to say, not being
there an' all, but it turned out I did.
Yes Tony, I wonder about this need to cache food, especially since
he's never experienced a shortage of it. He remembers where he puts
things too; days after I've forgotten, he'll go and retrieve
something.
Weens, don't forget the crows chasing him as well - there's always
the crows. Yes, maybe the flowers are presents, but I feel it's
more like putting his treasures in a safe place - 'hang on to this
Mum, will you? I might need it later.'
Skylark, I'm amazed that you too are bringing up a magpie! We
should swap notes. Have you thought of leaving open an upstairs
window so he can come and go? Oh no, then your watch might
disappear forever. Bad idea, that.
Debi, the respite was lovely for me - and I still have my twinkly
toes, although I was careful not to choose red - birds see red very
well indeed :)
Heavens, what an adventure! You already know this, of course, but I
have to say what wonderful neighbours you have. I look forward to
reading about your reunion with young Mr Woody Whisks. I wonder if
he'll greet you rapturously or give you the cold shoulder for a
while. Can't wait to find out!
My goodness Whisks, the stress is too much, I'm switching on my
computer with a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the next
adventure....................fascinating insight into the life of
an adolescent magpie!
Update 44 posted - now we're up to date! Phew.
See Spangles? He wasn't miffed at all. VG Tony :). Thanks Karen -
I'll be writing 'Coping with Stress' after this :)))
Re large open windows to fly through. Wouldn't a small one (too
small for a cat-burglar) with a windowsill, allow Woody to land
first and then hop up to the opening and slip through. If you've
got such an orifice, you could try it out with him beforehand.
Thanks for the latest great episodes. I like his stone cat olive
stash. Has he tried poking about under either of the furry cats?
Hee hee Tony :-)
Whisks, phew, glad all is well :-) Another update that had me
laughing out loud - "He hitches a lift on my shoulder for the ride
home, disgorges the snail and tucks it in my shoe. My foot is still
in my shoe." - hee hee :-D
Briliant reading Whisks, I'm still loving the daily updates.
I'm half traumatised by Woody's trials and half charmed by his
fabulous ways.
What a complex and clever bird he is and although you must be
bushed, you should be so proud of what you've done and
written.
You deserve an MBE for your services to the magpie community.
Thanks peeps, tbh, I'm amazed you're still with this story -
completely gobsmacked, and deeply humbled and chuffed.
Tony, I don't have such an orifice, sorry. I'm leaving an upstairs
window wide open but he hasn't made use of it yet. Other peoples'
yes - but not mine.
Skylark, that poor snail without its shell. I hope he ate it (I
think he did) to put it out of its misery.
Mark, I really appreciate your words and continued support - I did
watch that episode of Springwatch with the magpies while I was
incognito, so thanks for flagging it up to others.
I'm minded of what was said in the early days - the world doesn't
need another magpie - and recall when I realised I wasn't a 'big
picture' person, but a 'detail' person. I don't suppose I've made
an iota of difference to the magpie ecosystem in general, just to
one little bird. That's good enough for me.
That detail is what makes this diary (and you) so special. We're so
used to focusing on the macro - global crises, universal suffering,
life and death on a huge scale. Then we come here and realise that
every life is unique and matters. Thanks for reminding us.
Debi, wow, what a lovely thing to say, thank you, I'm very
touched.
Geri, tee hee - yes, I can see Woody & I sitting side by side
on the sofa eating peanuts and arguing over the TV :)
My mum was so upset with herself yesterday after having broken a
tooth. She's had a chain of things go wrong with her teeth. I rang
her to read yesterday's installment. By the end she had cheered up
completely and was laughing at Woody's antics. She (and I) can't
wait to see this in print. It's charming and delightful and you can
tell by the responses that you get that it has captured everyone's
heart.
What a lovely way to express it, Debi. Yes, I'm with you on that.
Reminds me of the starfish/beach story - can't possibly save them
all and make a difference....but it makes a difference to those
that were saved. And MarkR summed up beautifully too - half
traumatised, half charmed. My heart was in my mouth reading tonight
- glad he's not flown off yet. Whisks, we keep reading because you
write it all so entrancingly :-)
I've run out of superlatives for all this. I just sit back in
wonder and let the saga flow over me. I don't mean saga as in the
latest edition of a soap. I mean SAGA as in heroic and Viking. It's
a great, living, perilous, but life-affirming story, Whisks. And
Debi's point above sums up why.
You *are* lovely, thank you for making me feel I'm not alone in all
this!
Weens, I'm tickled pink that your mum follows Woody's story and
ouch about the broken tooth! Oil of cloves rubbed on, that's the
thing - an anaesthetic if ever there was one.
Skylark and John, this has really taken me by surprise and I do
appreciate your comments; I've gone all pink and silly.
Funny old thing - this is rough-and-ready writing, not polished,
agonised over, tinkered with. I note down odd/funny/scary things as
they happen during the day, then work them up into a few coherent
paragraphs, and publish the next day. I try to make sure that I
haven't repeated myself (I see I have today - 'light fades' - oh,
the shame), check for typos and that's that. Bosh, job done. Oh,
and I do spend time trying to get an interesting photo for the day
as well.
No time to ponder the turning of a sentence (some days I've barely
time to brush my teeth) - it's like writing a daily column -
whatever else is going on in my life, I need to phone my copy in.
It's been an interesting exercise in writing quickly and getting it
down; regularly.
I've learnt a lot from this process, so thank you very much for
letting me do it. If I hadn't had an audience, I'd have missed a
day here and there, and it would have slid and slid until I was so
out-of-date I'd have given up.
Credits all round. :)))
... Which isn't to say that I don't put a lot in to it because I
*do* - I'm living and breathing this blog all day long - thinking
of things to say, angles to explore, etc. Whatever I'm doing,
Woody's not far from my mind - nor my shoulder, for that matter.
What I tried to say, is that the writing has to go live the next
day, whatever state it's in - so it forces me to be quick. *This*
discipline is what I've found interesting; it's not something I'm
used to. Beginning to witter, so stopping right away.
Grouting the windowsill with humus - marvelous! I love the way you
always put a positive light on things - he cleared the mantlepiece
of clutter! And he's teamed up with Tabitha against Pidge -
providing airforce backup to the ground patrol - impressive. You
continue to delight, the pair of you.
Thanks, Tony - he's a total delight to me, except when he
rearranges my belongings to suit himself and I find pate in the
plughole. And thanks too, for all your splendid captions to my
Woody photos - they make me smile. :)
Update 47 added.
Ta Pim; I do have a little bit of film but my video camera is on
the blink so not much. I wonder if it would work as a book? Isn't
it more suited to a serial? Also, I don't yet know how long it's
going to be: I haven't seen him for the last hour, although I've
heard him so I know he's around. OMG, there's a crow. Best check on
him!
I agree with all the other comments, and especially those talking
about the wonderful details. I'm fascinated by the way Woody's
natural magpie instinct has asserted itself quite independently of
what goes on around him. Lovely!
Now my dad wants to know what's going on everday. We are loving it
and are disappointed when we get to the end. You always leave us
wanting more.
Interesting re the other Magpie though. I wonder if he/she will
come back. Would a female magpie be more tolerant of a baby magpie
than a male one would.
Yes, certainly it would work as a book. I'd buy one in a heartbeat,
and my mum keeps asking when is it going to print as she wants to
buy the book. Now dad is interested too, so that's another copy.
Your writing is a dream to read, charming, heart warming and in
parts frightening, and now we all feel part of Woody's life. You
can tell him he has lots of cloudie aunts and uncles.
It must be made into a book, Whisks. It wouldn't have to be just a
repeat of these serialised episodes. It could be structured in a
number of ways. With an underlying chronological order, but with
chapters devoted to different aspects - learning to feed, learning
to fly, exploring, finding and hiding things, adventures with hens,
guineas, foxes, cats, crows. Or you could open with Woody firmly in
(semi-)permanent residence (if that's how it pans out) and tell his
story in flashbacks. Or maybe, if it pans out differently, you
could start with the day Woody flies off for the last time - but
hopefully, by the end of the book, you'd be able to say that it
turned out not to be for the last time but that he still visits
from time to time. Who knows? - but it surely must be written?
Thank you kind peeps.
Spangles, yes his hoarding is quite amazing, isn't it? There's no
shortage of food in his life yet he does (don't I know it - there's
magpie food in my socks, my trousers, my ear ...)
Weens, lovely to hear that the Weens family are with us and I'll
certainly pass your message on when he wakes in the morning. The
other magpie was odd; I don't actually know what sex Woody is and
may never do so unless I catch him clarifying things, but the
encounter was in the oak where I've seen an adult and a juvenile
before. Perhaps she's eyeing up his prospects for her
daughter?
Tony, when, if, how the story ends may well shape the 'book'. I do
seem to have written a lot of words and it would be nice to do
something with it in the fullness of. At present however, I feel it
could 'end' any minute; but maybe it won't? I'm going with the
story for now to see where it leads. Thanks for the suggestions.
Don't want to tempt fate.
It's your humour I love - hummus grout, pate in the plughole,
washing line garrotes - like someone said above, you always find
the positive and get us laughing along with you. A book, most
definitely, to join the chicken stories, but for the moment, I'm
just loving the way the story unfolds day by day. Interesting what
you said about the discipline of writing quickly with limited time
to edit. I hadn't really given it much thought until you mentioned
it - I log on, another Woody episode is waiting, all is well with
the world :-) I think it just shows what a talented lady you are
that you've managed to sustain it for this long and maintained the
same high standard throughout. Not an easy task!
Update 48 just added.
What lovely things to say, Skylark. If it weren't for you lot
reading, I wouldn't be writing, so the compliments boomerang back
to you.
Oh Tony, you are a smarty-pants - no, the imperial/metric muddles
are entirely mine, not Woody's. The inside of my brain is like his
treasure trove - all sorts of things jumbled up.
And it's not so much what he's bringing home, as what he might be
taking away. Who knows where my stuff will end up? It's a worry
that comes out in tomorrow's instalment, which is already written,
pending nocturnal dramas. He is a little Woody Dodger though - must
remember that one!
I think it would work just fine as a book as it is. The pacing is
flawless, thanks to the ups and downs that are are intrinsic to the
natural life of a wild creature. (Even though his 'wildness' is
debatable.) All it needs is a proofread. It's entirely to your
credit, dear Whisks, that it works as well as it does in what, in
reality, is a first draft. Perhaps this is Woody's real gift to
you.
"As long as he doesn't poo down [the washing on the line]. He
does." I love it! And using your keyboard as a trampoline: you are
the queen of simile. Write on, Whisks.
Debi, you fluster me! Thank you so much. There's benefit in writing
quickly, eh? Yes, I see mistakes as I read back at leisure, but I
leave them for authenticity; however, I'll certainly address them
if or when ... :))) I see this diary as more of a team effort -
without all you lovely Clouders cheering it on, it wouldn't have
grown as it has. Thank you one and all.
Tony, you always find something nice to say; lovely, 'preciate
it.
Pim, thank you. I try to keep myself out of it as far as possible,
although I realise I can't excise myself completely as I'm part of
Woody's story. It's a delicate balance; why would anyone be
interested in my life which is one of minutiae, rather than car
crashes, murder and explosions? However, I will think on - books
are about transformations, aren't they? Yes, indeed I will think on
and adjust accordingly.
Just read your latest installment to mum, she saw an injured bird
laying on the lawn and kept an eye on it for an hour, then the
mother turned up. Mum said she was disappointed. After being hooked
on this, she would have taken it in. It would never have occured to
her before.
Aw Weens lovely, that's lovely. Glad the real mummy came back; we
hope she's able and wants the job. Bringing up your own young is
one thing. Bringing up another species' young is something else; a
huge learning curve - but life-affirming, it has to be said. I'm
happy to have done it, but I wouldn't wish for it - know what I
mean? Good on your mum for even considering it. :)
All these life and death decisions in the garden! We've had a few
baby blackbird dilemmas. Do you think he'll ever learn to
touch-type? Seriously, I think the keyboard fascination must be
Woody imitating Mum. Night Night.
I'm beginning to hear the Archers theme music when I tune in to
each installment of 'What Woody did Next' - an everyday story of
country folk. He seems equally at home on Shank's Pony as he is
piloting his own version of a spitfire - and he's given a
'dog-fight' a whole new meaning! I wonder if your neighbours bribed
him with the victoria sponge to spare their poor pooch, or if he
just decided he was entitled to the spoils of victory. A delightful
account, as always.
Yesterday, we had glorious weather (for a change), so I sat in the
garden watching the birds in the wood behind me. There were loads
of magpies. I've always looked upon them as noisy, dirty birds, but
now my opinion has completely changed and I sat watching them play
with a smile. However, they were not in my good books when they
were cavorting on my roof, wearing what sounded like hob nail
boots, at five thirty this morning. Our Woody is becoming quite
adventurous now, tormenting dogs, whatever next?
Mum and I have been discussing where Woody can go when you go away.
The place you took the first poor littl e bird to, who told you off
for not putting him back in the tree, would they take him for two
weeks. Have you any stately homes near you with a bird garden? (My
parents live in the grounds of Harewood House, and they have a
fabulous bird garden). Alternately, try ringing the RSPCA, they may
know of someone with an aviary in their garden etc, or come up with
an idea. Hope that gives you some food for thought.
Reading your daily diary entry, is the highlight of our day and my
mum must ring me two or three times asking if it has been posted
yet before you put it up. Whilst reading it to mum, it occured to
me, it would make a fabulous audio book too.
Hee hee, you've just hit the terrible twos, hee hee. Distraction is
the key. Tell him not to, and he'll just want to do it more. Got a
copy of Toddler Taming if you want to borrow it? Hee hee ;-)
Yes Tony, he's such a happy, optimistic little bird - getting in
pickles, the world is his playground; apart from when those nasty
crows come a-calling.
Alan, we're delighted to refresh you; thank you.
John - Delinquent? Woody? OK, maybe.
Geri - nice to hear from you and hope that your real world is
better than your last world.
Weens, I can confirm that magpies do not wear hobnail boots and
they're very clean - why, Woody has several vigorous baths a day
just for fun and is parasite free (I'd know, believe me). 5:30 is
dawn this time of year, as I'm sure you know :) and the birds are
up and about and at it.
You're very kind to worry about his accommodation whilst I'm away,
as is your mum (thank you Weens's mum). I'd been hoping/wondering
if he'd be independent by then and be able to sleep outside
overnight. Kids grow up so quickly these days. My henhouse is a
kind of aviary already, but he felt too confined there even for a
day when I went away recently. However, events tonight may make all
that redundant. He's been missing for seven hours and it's dark.
I'm worried sick.
Whisks, love the updates of the last couple of days. Brilliantly
written.
I hope your sleep has been momentarily disturbed by the laying of a
beak on your pillow and that now you're dreaming of how you're
going to break the news that he's grounded.
Ten o'clock now on Tuesday morning. Still nothing.
I'll still post yesterday's entry a little later when I've checked
through it.
Thanks, Weens. Fingers crossed.
Mark - how I'd love that.
Goodness me, I'm only away from the Cloud for a couple of days but
Woody manages to pack in several adventures in that time. I hope
he's back home with you by now. xx
I never swear, but I'm with Alan. I bet you've not had a wink of
sleep. If wishes would bring him home, he would be with you rigjt
now. As john says, we are all waiting with you.
Thank you, John, Weens and Spangles. Still no news. I'm as flat as
a flat thing.
Must push off to exercise class shortly but will leave upstairs
windows open just in case; and ask neighbours to keep an eye out
for bags marked 'Swag' leaving the property. Hell, I might give
class a miss. Sooo not in the mood.
Thanks, as always, for such good writing, Whisks, as Woody's
horizons expand. We must hope that he has found stronger
attractions than those that have been nurturing him so wonderfully
these past 52 days. Little Miss Magpie may well have been the lure
and Woody would obviously be a fine catch for any young corvine
debutante. Look out for a invitation to her coming-out party or
perhaps even to a wedding breakfast. And just maybe, in the
fullness of time, you'll be a grandmama. Let's all keep hoping so.
It must be such a strange time for you, Whisks. I'm with Tony -
maybe it really was time for him to expand his horizons. But I
really, really hope that you get some sign of him soon.
I was wondering, after your comment about other people not knowing
Woody's special. Could you ring his leg? It would set him apart
from the others. Hope he's home soon... keep logging on and
checking.
Thank you Tony, for trying to cheer me up. In my heart, I know he's
still too young for that, but I could be wrong. I hope I am. Oh,
and I've had him 55 days, btw! You've been so kind - and all those
captions too, they've really made me laugh.
SS, it's a very strange time in limbo, not knowing; fearing and
hoping at the same time. Thank you.
Cadidore, I'd love the chance to ring his leg! It's a good idea, if
he ever comes back - a sort of 'if found, please post back to ...'?
It's a very good idea - if nothing else, it might make someone
pause before killing him. I shall investigate tomorrow, on the
offchance.
Thanks people. xxx
He's probably having a whale of a time. Try to keep positive
Whisks, the whole cloud is waiting with you. Pets, who'd have 'em!
If wishing would bring him back, he'd be sat on your shoulder right
now. All we can do is hope and pray. If only you could get a sign
that he's OK but spread his wings to broaden his horizon.
Thanks Weens. I'm happy for him to go live his life, but I do wish
I knew that's what it is. Oh, I know there are greater perils in
the world than wondering about the fate of one little magpie; but
right here, right now, it's all there is.
This is a good thing, chances are he is exploring and he sounds a
hardy little chap. He's had a great start with you Whisks, and I am
positive he will bounce back through (or into) your door very soon!
xxxx
Thank you Liss. I do hope so. It's like when your Leo disappeared.
Not knowing is awful. Shall I go out? Shall I stay in? What if he's
hurt? On the bright side, if Woody's hurt somewhere, there'll be
someone along shortly to help him on his way. Believe it or not, I
hope that too.
Hey, he'll be back tomorrow and then I'll feel really silly!
Better to feel silly and have him back. I heard Leo on a walk
yesterday and my dad said I'd eventually stop listening out for
him, but I know I never will. xxx
Have'nt caught up for a while - with my slow connection it takes
over 20 minutes to download blog and contents, now.
I 'm sure Woody will return soon, if only for a flying visit - but,
as he grows, that may be all you can expect. Love him as you (we)
do, you know better than most that he's a wild creature. Every time
I've read these blogs I've had Randy Crawford's
'One Day I'll Fly Away' running through my head. And that, sadly,
is how it should be.
Be of good heart, Whisks, love. You and your little bird are in a
lot of prayers just now. God bless.
Thanks Liss; I lost a cat in 1987 and still miss him; but I think
he came back as my Poppycat now.
Trafalgar, I had no idea it took so long to load! Thanks for
sticking with this. He's only two months old and not supposed to
leave until five months - but what do the books know, eh? I'm still
jumping at the sound of magpies :)
Whisks, I've only just caught up with yesterday's news. Keeping
everything crossed. And no, I don't think you ever stop worrying
about them. Mine are still close by most of the time but when I
think about the teenage years to come and the freedom that I must
allow them to have, the thought terrifies me right now. Hope Woody
comes home soon. xxx
Our nearest and dearest went out last night for the first time
without being under the watchful eye of either myself or Mrs Tony.
Fortunately we were reunited safely at the end of the evening, so
all was well - and our son got his car back from the garage today
so he won't have to borrow ours again. :-)
Skylark, so do I, so do I. Thanks, lovey.
Tony, it does make me think what I put my Dad through, when I went
gallivanting. *I* knew I was fine and the rest was just details.
What goes around, comes around, eh? Oh, you were talking about your
car?
Mark, that's so kind and made me smile. Please thank the badgers;
black-and-white creatures unite; and bloomin' soon, please!
No news yet, FWIW.
No, you don't stop worrying. One of our brood is off to Chennai in
India for a year, next month, and I guess the sleepless nights will
start again. With you, CW.
Oh John, is it worth it? Can't do other than care, I suppose. I
spent months in India, aged 19. Generally, we come back safe, sane
and older. Thanks for being with me. I'll be with you, too.
Debi, I'm filling up. I've only just shut the patio doors - at 11
o'clock. The windows are still open, although he should be in bed
by now.
I've been aware of a heavy, sad feeling and wondered what it was
all about. Then I realized it was about Woody's absence. I don't
know what to say except that I'm thinking of you both and praying
for Woody's safe return. xxx
Oh Whisks, I've just logged on after a couple of days absence and
read your blog - I suppose it's inevitable with a wild bird that
the call of the wild will be strong but it doesn't make it any less
painful. I bet he's found a flirty female who's leading him astray
but I'm sure he'll return to visit and you've given him such a
wonderful start in life. Fingers crossed you'll find him perched on
top of the door or sitting in his favourite tree this morning
waiting for you. x
Last update just added.
Thank you Spangles and karen and all the lovely people who've shown
their support. I can't tell you enough, what it's meant to me.
You've had me in floods of tears.
In all fairness, I should add a little bit more and not leave you
on pins - because this just happened, just now, as I logged on to
share the last instalment of his story:I heard what sounded like a
magpie downstairs, indoors, coming my way. I rushed down.
I'll whisper this as quietly as I can. HE'S BACK! And HE'S
FINE!
Looks like I might wrap up this on-going story tomorrow instead of
today. Or perhaps the day after.
My fairy story came true.
All is very well with my world :))) XXX
I wonder what he's been up to. My guess is that he went on a
playdate with Miss Magpie and he was worried that he'd sound like a
softie if he said he'd got to go home because his mum would be
worried. So he stayed out, pretending to be brave while secretly
longing for home and a couple of radishes. Eventually, being a
clever young chap, he found someone's computer, hopped about on the
keys until he found the Cloud, then hopped about some more and
pulled up this blog. Then he read it (yes, of course he can read
after all those hours sitting on your shoulder!), realized he was
breaking his mum's heart, and came home.
I've just read this. Yippeeeeeeeee! Good ol' Woody. I had such a
heavy heart yesterday and now it's lifted again. Did I or did I not
say he's gone out for his first all nighter. He's obvously caught
the eye of a temptress Magpie. I really thought you wouldn't see
him again. I know how pleased I am, so can only guess how you must
feel. As long as he's well and fit. You won't worry next time,
you'll know he's just gone for a jaunt.
What a relief. Maybe Woody knew the 4th was Independence Day and
thought he'd try it for a while. At least you know now he knows
where you are and how to get home. x
Woody – you stupid idiot! How can you do this to your mother! Just
you wait until you have a brood of your own to worry about. Now,
give her a bit of TLC and a slice of worm. Go on, for heaven's
sake, young magpie – make it up with her and you might not be
grounded for the week!
I wrote that in relief before reading the installment you wrote
before he came back. And now you've got me crying. I know it came
out of a dark place – and I know you've had your fair share of
those, not just with Woody – but the transfigured picture of his
world you paint touches more chords than I can express.
I'm so pleased and relieved for you. The blighter! Time to accept,
I guess, that he's no longer a 'little bird' but a big teenager
flexing muscles and checking out the independence thing. Is the
ringing idea, which seemed good to me, a possibility? Anything to
save you (and us!) from any more emotional trauma.
A poignant episode. I'm so glad we had the sneak preview of
tomorrow's edition, first. I'm so thrilled to know he's still safe
and sound and still knows where home is!
I wrote these lines this morning, having gone to bed thinking of a
line you wrote last night, which seemed to have a metaphorical
significance. I hesitated to post it and I'm so glad I waited.
Perhaps some day these lines will be relevant, but not just yet,
and not with any sense of finality.
The patio doors are closed.
The heat of the day had lingered long
As the western sky dimmed slow to dark,
And the open doorway was an enduring portal,
A link to the world of nature beyond –
A world that had fused with the mundane and humdrum within,
That had transcended a natural divide
And blended the two in one.
The call of the wild
And the tender fondness of one who cares
Melded.
Briefly.
Granting life,
Receiving joy.
And now
The patio doors are closed.
So, he's back and in one piece. I think a large part of the
corporeal body that is the Word Cloud has been holding its communal
breath over the fate of this small creature. It seems a question
may have been answered. That question being, how does he return to
the wild, as he surely must one day.
God, this is corny, but it seems like maybe he was born free and
will make his own way in the world by his own choices; and you'll
have to let him. He always will know where to come for a nice cup
of tea of an afternoon.
Phew, what a relief, I've been worrying about Woody all day. I
guess he's doing what all teenagers do, exploring the world but
still coming home to see Mum for a cuddle and a cuppa or a radish,
when life gets hard. Perhaps he will return to the wild but still
come back too his childhood home from time to time - I guess none
of us has had any experiences of hand reared magpies to compare! I
shall be turning on the computer tomorrow to await the next
instalment.....................
At least he's unlikely (unless he's been visiting washing lines, of
course) to bring back a bagful of dirty washing – our usual gifts
from our offspring.
Echoing what Spangles said earlier, I've been in a very odd, heavy
mood all day and all because I couldn't stop thinking about Woody.
And made worse by a very busy day at work meaning I couldn't even
sneak onto the Cloud during breaktimes to check on updates. Only a
fraction of what you must have been feeling, waiting and not
knowing. Then I came on here tonight to check for an update,
loading the blog straight up, and the first thing I read was your
update. I know you wrote it as Woody's happy ever after but I still
felt bereft by the end, and yes, in tears too. Then I read all the
comments since I posted last night, feeling more and more upset,
and then, wow, yours saying he came back - wow, that was a bit of a
rollercoaster! So, so, pleased he's back, I just can't express how
much :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) Amazing how much lighter I feel already -
I hope you gave him a good telling off before his first cuddle ;-)
What can I say but thank you? You've heaped support on in spades.
It's been such an emotional day, from one extreme to the other and
back again in a blink and you've been unbelievably steady bricks in
all this. I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers (not that
you are, but it's a pleasing quote).
Spangles, you could well be right. He must have been a long way
away, as it took two days to find his way home.
Weens, indeed, such a relief and now I know he can survive on his
own, I won't fret so much next time. I don't doubt there will be a
next time. Yes, I will fret. But you know what I mean.
Cadidore, yes, I do know now, and it's wonderful to know. He's
going back to the wild in stages, which is how it probably should
be. It's so great to know he can manage on his own. And even more
great that he wanted to come back.
John, you had me in tears all over again. That is worthy praise
from a story-teller such as you. I was lucky to have such rich
material to work with.
Pim, yes he's definitely a teenager now. All night parties, wopping
off to India on a whim with a rucksack and a few quid with no idea
how to do it. It puts such a different light on parents.
Tony, what a beautiful, moving poem - it had me sobbing all over
again. Thank you for thinking of us. Yes, the patio doors is such a
metaphor. I feel it whenever I have to close them. I'll keep your
poem for when the time comes.
Alan, yes Elsa didn't leave home all in one go in 'Born Free' - she
came and went and came back, gradually extending the periods. I
suppose I did the same thing as a young whisk. It's the way of
things and it's fine. As long as he's all right. I do hope you're
breathing again and thank you for holding it.
Debi - you've left me speechless - you don't know how rare that is!
Thank you, sweetpea :)
Karen, yes, it would be perfect if he lives a full magpie life and
returns from time to time to tip his cap and tell me all's
well.
John (again), he might not bring back dirty washing, but he
certainly creates it!
Skylark, I'm so touched that you and Spangles identified so
strongly with his story. He came back just before I posted what I'd
written so in the interests of authenticity, I still posted what
I'd planned to post - but it wouldn't have been fair at all, not to
tell you he was back - that's why it's all been a jumble today. But
glad you read it all in sequence - which was the order I lived it
in.
And Aonghus (by wallpost), I'm very cheered up, very cheered up
indeed. Thank you.
Still think you're all amazing.
I think it's group hug night, tonight, Whisks – for all of us. I
have a friend whose hugs generally involve breaking a few vertebrae
and wiping the contents of her nose on your shirt, and yet her hugs
are still the most lovely hugs. And so I guess you'll be looking
forward to a few more wasps in the ear and poo down your collar...
M'Dear Whisks
Hope you've grounded him for at least tonight. Can't help thinking
that the stronger (and longer) the bond of time in your company,
the more likely he will be to return when he does start flitting
off.
Yes, John, a Group Hug all round, I think. Already started
gathering the ear and collar adornments.
Pim? He's fast asleep on top of the boiler in the kitchen as we
speak (10:45pm). He can sleep wherever he likes tonight, as long as
it's indoors. OK? :)))
Whisks - what a relief for you and many others. I'm sooooo pleased
he's back and safe and I did sneak a lunchtime update at work to
see he was back. Phew.
Your post was amazing - beautiful, uplifting and heart-breaking.
I'm with John and others on that one.
Sleep tight the pair of you. Gurgle a little, preen a little and
deposit insects and food about each other's person as you see fit.
I expect he'll snore and you'll smile 8-)
Goodness Mark, you've reminded me I'm still up (it's midnight). How
did that happen? Thanks so much for caring and for your words on
what I'd intended to be Woody's requiem; it turned out to be
precititate but I didn't know that when I wrote it last night in
tears. Literally, at the moment of posting today, he appeared. He's
snoring on the boiler right now and I'm definitely smiling. I'll be
snoring any minute. Whacked out with the emotion of it all. Both of
us. Night night, sleep tight.
A precocious young magpie called Woody
Shouldn’t venture so far away, should he?
“You sure gave us the frights;
“Why’d you stay out two nights?”
Couldn’t find his way home again, could he?
We shall all sleep easy tonight. (I'm on American time this week
and I'm just turning in. It's 4.05am, but 10.05 in my head in
Kansas City) I just wanted to see if it was true and I hadn't
dreamt it. I must admit to shedding a tear to hear he was home. You
make a comparison to Elsa the lioness. Even she came home for
visits, and brought her family once she had one. It's so comforting
to know that he will come back if he's been away, and you won't
bite your nails down to stubs because you know he'll come home when
he's had enough. Much love to you Whisks and a stroke for Woody.
I did indeed sleep well Mark, thank you - until 6am when a small
black-and-white person jumped all over me. That reminds me - please
thank your badgers for their vigil - it obviously worked!
Tony, I agree with Skylark, that's a lovely clever limerick! Thank
you muchly. He stayed away two nights but I'll let you off for the
sake of the rhyme :)
Thank you Weens, yes, it's wonderful to know he can survive when
he's out there alone. He was ravenous when he came home though! We
appreciate the love and the stroke :)
I've decided to split this blog since it's getting large and some
people are having difficulty reading it.
The continuation, Magpie Days, is found here:
http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/magazine/read/magpie-days_4126.html
Thanks again to everyone who's still with Woody. Round of applause,
and great claps on the back :)))
Whisks
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487 Comments
I definitely don't think he's a woodpecker. My mum has a family of them that regularly visit her bird house and hanging nuts. They have lethal beaks a completely different shape to the chicks. I think a magpie is probably nearer the mark. When you are ready to release him into the wild, bring him here. There are hundereds of magpies (literally) in the woods behind me. There's only one thing about a hand reared chick, how are you going to teach him to fend for himself? I think you may have him now for the length of his natural life.
Really Charming
This reminds me of my cousin who used to be the local refuge for avian waifs and strays. She was once given a tiny duckling who couldn't make any oil in his feathers to keep him afloat. She trained him to swim in her children's paddling pool and in the bath. Her husband had just bought himself a new armchair and wasn't impressed when the duckling, now called YoYo, made a mess all over it. YoYo eventually went to live in an animal sanctuary as he'd become too domesticated to fend for himself with other birds.
I’m not surprised Ruby reacted like that! She probably knew you were planning a blog about ‘him’! It was a good idea, and could have been quite funny to see Woody strutting around the yard pecking and ruffling his feathers like a chicken if she had adopted him.
I think people would love to read his story. It can’t be just us! Maybe a local newspaper would be interested? It’s uplifting and humorous. Definitely try.
I saw your speculation on if Jenny had in fact driven off the parents. Some years ago I found Chloe (cat) standing guard over a blackbird chick. It had fallen out of the nest. The parents were dive bombing. But it couldn't stay on the lawn. I could see the nest and also reach it. So I got the ladder out and, putting the little chap in a box I took him back and put him in the nest. Left the garden empty so everything could calm down. But no good. They abandoned the nest. Bugger!
So, I shouldn't worry. You're almost certainly the little fellas only hope. But I don't know how you'll do the flying bit. Is it about 4 weeks to fledging?
Thanks nats, I'm doing my best!
Spangles, neighbour liked 'Woody' when we thought he was a woodpecker. It's as good a name as any, and you can't go mucking about with people's names. That's a salutary tale about the too-domesticated duck and your kind cousin! I'd really like him to turn into a wild bird. The chickens will be wild when he moves in, anyway. Incidentally, his oil gland is in the pics - it's a little nipple just at the base of the tail - you can see it since he has no feathers.
Minxie, I hadn't thought about doing anything more with this - thanks for your enthusiasm. Hmm, maybe I will. On reflection, it might not have worked anyway, since chicks feed themselves after their mothers point them in the right direction - they're not nearly so helpless, so Ruby wouldn't have dropped roast pork into his mouth, nor worms!
Skylark - radio? Thank you, there's another thought. Aren't you lot fabulous?
Alan, have you been spying on me in the supermarket? The madwoman with a pocket full of worms and a squawking baby bird on my chest? People steer well clear :) I'm fairly sure now he's not an actual crow, so she didn't do something terrible and break up the family.
Yes, birds - like the rest of us animals - are never sure if others are trying to help or harm them. You can only do what you can do. As for how long to fledging/flying, it all depends on what he is and how old he is. Got me there!
They grow so quickly, big improvements each day. I expect the doves to have flown the coop in a week - early.
Good luck whisks.
I hope he continues to thrive and I'm sure he will- he's so big now. I'm intrigued as to how Woody's little life plays out. I have visions of him sitting on your shoulder while you feed the hens.
No idea of species...time will tell. Brilliant job you're doing, just amazing.
Bren, yes, isn't it lovely to see life developing so quickly? Hope your doves thrive.
Geri, thanks girl, I don't know the end of this story either!
Debi, thanks - I like Who-can-tell-it lit!
conjensen, thank you; I looked up 'cuckoo' - no, don't think so. I only wanted to know what it was so I'd know what to feed it, but I seem to be on the right track, so it doesn't matter so much any more. It's quite exciting, guessing!
Thanks Mark, you're always so encouraging. Springwatch, eh? Hmm. Bit late? Sprungwatch?
It's a lovely story, told with humour and he has quite a fan club now so he'd better not disappoint us all! :-)
Thanks, Miss Muffet - somehow, the TV cameras passed me by :)
Kate, glad he's cheering up your day - he cheers mine!
Luvvy, good to keep those cockles warm and happy to share his progress as long as peeps are interested in his, er, peeps.
Ama - I'd prefer he went wild - think of all the poo! Thanks for following his progress. I'm sure he knows, that's why he's strengthening by the hour.
Odd we're all assuming it's a he. Is this because only a bloke would be stupid enough to fall out of the nest?
In which case I'm guessing a magpie. Whisks, you may be nursing the avine equivalent of a viper in your bosom!
J x
Alan (also Spangles), no, he's far too big for a finch. I'll measure him tomorrow as it'll be a week since the last measurement. 'He' assumption is just for ease of address. Can't really say he/she/it every time, can I? :)
Yes Aonghus, you may be right. Not that I know anything about puppies' feet, but I'll take your word. Should that be puppy feet? Or without the apostrophe?
Geri, yes, I think magpie is the main flavour of this stargazy pie.
Liss - yes, isn't he? Well, maybe not right now, given Update 3, but in general, yes!
Debi, thanks; surely not? OK, I'll think seriously in the morning. I've just been poo-ed on.
Yes John, it's a full-time job and no mistake.
Wow, amazing how he/she has grown. I am more than sure this has been a special time for you..........your doing a very good job.
Bless You x
STARTS AT THE END OF THE MONTH APPARENTLY - BET THEY'RE LOOKING FOR WELL WRITTEN STORIES OF DEVOTION SUCH AS THE WHISKS AND WOODY SAGA.
When and where is Springwatch 2011?
The planned start date is Monday 30 May, at 8pm on BBC Two. This could change, but we will keep you informed here if it does. The new main location is the breathtakingly beautiful RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir in Mid Wales. Read more about Ynys-hir and why we chose it.
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The best place to ask a question is on a relevant blog post. The messageboard is another way but it's easily swamped so it will be more likely to get lost. You'll need to have a BBC ID to do either (see 'How do I comment on a blog/messageboard' below).
You can also email us or send a letter to:
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv/buzz
I'm looking forward to the next instalment of Woody's story.
Btw my 9 year old says that velociraptors don't have beaks - they have jaws apparently!
Keep us all updated, whatever happens. I can't believe there is anyone who is not touched by this blog.
About the beak. I read somewhere that superglue can be used, but that may have been on a mature bird. I can't turn up any decent supporting google on it. (I'm supposed to be working, but can't be arsed today.)
Debi, Mark, Spangles - I'm overwhelmed by your encouragement! Thanks so much for the cheers and ideas. I really need to discuss with Jenny first, before going any more public on this as it's her story too and she should share some credit. I'll see what she says.
Thanks kaz, but you'd do the same if someone proffered a baby bird on your doorstep.
Em, thank you, and please thank your 9 year old for that useful piece of information about velociraptor jaws. I didn't know. There's a thing. We can rule out dinosaur now!
Spangles - if he carries on eating like this, it might not be such a bad idea!
Mcallan - thanks for your comment on my wall - wonder why you couldn't comment on the blog? Yes, he was very woodpecker-ish in the early days, but we're still happy with the magpie diagnosis. Magpies are crow family, as everyone knows :) [What am I saying, 'early days'? It's only been a week. Blimey.]
My husband is deeply envious, his dream would be to have a per crow, he has been trying to tempt one by our flats to eat from his hand, no joy yet, but they have reached something of an understanding. TFx
Name: Woody Whisks
Date of birth: Some time in early May 2011
Place of birth: Unknown, but possibly third tree on the right as you look down the garden
Sex: Undetermined as yet
Nationality: Unknown, but possibly his/her parents were illegal Spanish or African immigrants
Ethnicity: Black, cream, maroon, blue, green
TFx, 22 years? Pardon? No, no, no, he must go back to the wild, we're clear on that one. Don't mind a visit every now and again (would like it - just to know he's all right), but prefer it if kids fly the nest to live happily ever after. Gor lumme. Got me worried now.
Spangles, that image made me howl! We might have to consider his state of literacy as well - possibly special needs?
SS - indeedy - it's lovely to see life telescoped in this way and be part of it.
Update 6 there now. :)
He looks so sweet! And how wonderful that he's walking.
Skylark, glad you're still reading!
Spangles, he might need a special school chair too, more like a branch.
Mac
Geri - that's so funny! Wish I could think of a pun, but only Hollyoaks springs to mind and that doesn't need any changes, does it?
Thanks Mc, yes, I've had a look at the website and will look again just now.
nats - that's great, and thanks :)
*creeps off stage left*
Thanks curly, nats, Mc, conjensen, Alan, Weens and Geri - glad to hear you're following :)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1173286/Theyre-scavenging-screeching-hooligans-bird-world-orphaned-magpie-stole-heart.html
Geri - fan-jolly-tastic article, thanks so much! Totally brill. So that's what's in store, eh? No mention of the poo. There never is :)
Thanks, Skylark, I'll look out for the next stage. Human babies develop much more slowly than bird babies, don't they? Why don't you try for a bird, next time?
Weens - jolly good idea! I had no idea how much fun and personality birds would have until I got chickens.
John - kids, eh? Ain't that the truth?
(And now I can hear you saying, 'He's not the messiah; he's a very naughty boy.')
Aw Debi, that's lovely, thanks. Yes, aren't the braces strange? I saw a pic today where the braces were black. Wonder if it's a different species of magpie? Or could be an albatross, as Weens suggests. I think he might have been sent as well. Will include it in next update, thanks. He's not naughty yet - apart from missing the tissue placed under his blunt end :)
You' ll miss the little man when he has gone or maybe he'll just want to stay with you--I bet he's going to visit you regularly xx ah what a experience
Geri - lovely article to share, thanks for that.
Yes, nats, I'm definitely attached!
Mark - thanks - nice to hear. I think that's my fave pic too.
That you have brought him/her along so far is a triumph of love over the harshest laws of Nature.
My Collins Wild Guide to Birds rather usefully informs me that juvenile magpies have 'white feathers that look dirty'. Please don't tell Woody that as I'd hate to hurt his feelings. Or maybe it doesn't apply to him so he has nothing to worry about. It also says that young magpies 'fly after 24 days and stay with parents for a month or more'.
Weens - that made me laugh, you mum asking for updates!
Ama - I don't think he'd be fledged and flying by now in the wild - by my reckoning, he's not quite 3 weeks old - so first flight booked for the end of the week. So excited!
Spangles - I didn't tell Woody about the dirty feathers thing - he's got such a lovely palette going and can't be expected to get everything right first time. Besides, he hasn't read all the books you have.
Aonghus/Geri, thanks yes, didn't he look plastic? And dead? No one's more amazed than me by the turnaround.
Weens, we have a sudden and inexplicable magpie shortage here - any to spare? Oh hang on, I've got one right here :)
I'm trying to get a photo of his smile but it's the devil's own job; all these pics are taken on my mobile phone and by the time I've faffed around and got it set up, the moment's passed. Added to which, there's a short delay between me pressing the button and the shutter clicking, so again, I often miss the moment. In this one however, he's almost smiling at me (he's looking up at me) but it's not quite the right angle. Will keep trying.
As for magpie bad behaviour well...I blame the parents. Given the good influences surrounding him, I expect Woody to have impeccable manners, to repatriate jewellery stolen by his siblings and to say please and thankyou.
p.s. he's gone international, a 'like' from a fellow writer in Brisbane. 8-)
Weens, I may take you up on it if our own population don't muster soon.
Mark, how nice of you to say so. I must admit to a penchant for shiny things myself so I may not be such a good influence. And he has a fan on the other side of the world? I'll tell him, he'll be thrilled.
Yes, Barb and Spangles - his feathers are different all over his body - texture, colour and function. It fascinates me.
As the son of a science writer, I can say with confidence that my dad would have been proud of that whole paragraph, CW.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/WitchBarb/random/funny-pictures-hope-it-was-fun-though.jpg
BTW. I think you get the award for the world's longest blog. I think I may be getting RSI scrolling through it.
Oh, and I agree with John about your wonderful description of how little bits of strawberry become bits of Woody. Beautifully expressed.
Aw shucks, Debi, do you think so?
Weens - he's not going out on his own until he's at least 30 :)
John - thank you so much. From what you've said about your dad, I'd like him loads.
Barb - we're well past that stage, thank you very much! Do you know what they are? Woody didn't have all that fluff, but they've certainly got the crow family beak. Oh gawd, now we're swapping baby photos.
Alan, yes, it's fun having it happen so quickly - little time to get bored. As for uni - yes, if he can get a scholarship. Perhaps Newcastle?
Spangles - Poppy was out in the end, so that was all right. A leotard? Tee hee. Nooo, they don't make them small enough and he'd be rubbish at weights.
What a lovely pic of him having a snack.
Mac
Thanks Spangles, they don't design gym exercises with birds in mind, do they? Oh! You know what I mean.
And Mac? Wow, mega thanks, praise indeed. Off to lie down and fan myself. Wow :)
Countryside Tales Annual Short Story Comp
Story: 2000 wds. Theme: A Country Story (do not use the theme as your title). Fee: £3 (free to subscribers of Park Publication magazines). Prizes: £75/£25/£15. Details: web PARK PUBLICATIONS U.K., 14 THE PARK. STOW ON THE WOLD., CHELTENHAM, GLOS. GL54 1DX TEL: 01451 831053 E-mail : enquiries@parkpublications.co.uk
Weens, you are a star, what are you? I shall look at that comp forthwith. And yes, I'm afraid I sleep with loads of ears open already.
trafalgar - thanks so much. It's lovely to hear that people are still reading.
By the way, please tell him that I'm most impressed by his wingspan.
His response to the Obama speech seems to chime with that of some political commentators, who found it polite but bland. What a clever little Woody he is.
A while ago I read a piece by Frieda Hughes in the Times about raising a baby magpie and how she felt when he eventually left. From what I remember he stayed with her into adulthood and had a habit of perching on people's head, which those who weren't used to him found quite disconcerting.
Keep us all posted and entertained (I'm sure you will)
I passed a magpie on the way home from the school today- and noticed for the first time how very long their tails are. (obv I already knew what a magpie looked like). It's not until you know one (kinda) personally, that you really look at them though.
Before commenting here, I went into the kitchen to make coffee and as I filled the kettle, a magpie flew across the window and landed in the cherry tree. A few days ago, because of a neighbour's constant complaints about leaves in her barren little garden, my beautiful eucalyptus had to be felled, leaving a rather depressing view of other people's fences and sheds from my kitchen. So sad. However, seeing a maggie fly-past cheered me up no end; got a good reminder of what Woody will look like in a few weeks' time.
It occurred to me that as magpies take the eggs of other birds in Spring, it might have been an idea to feed Woody on raw egg early on - concentrated protein and probably a part of his natural diet. That might seem like cannibalism to you though, Whisks but anyway ... you're doing a grand job. He grows quite beautiful. It'll be lovely to see him spread his wings.
Such an interesting blog. Thanks for writing it m'dear. xx
Yes, their tails are as long as their bodies, hey, Geri? Glad you feel you 'know' one!
Ama, yes, I hate it too when people fell trees and leave everyone with a view of buildings and bleugh. Trees support so much wildlife - I have a huge oak outside my office window so I can see halfway up into the canopy - it's teeming with life.
Thanks Tony, that's really funny! You're so clever with alliteration.
I can't believe such a beautiful bird really poos at all.
I can't believe such a beautiful cat would do any harm.
And I can't believe this story will remain unpublished for long.
oh yes...nearly forgot - I can't believe the females are the bossy ones ;-)
I enjoyed Spangle's (and others') concern about Woody's education. I came across this, which you might find useful:
http://theavenue.org.uk/activities/magpies-pre-school/
But if that's too far to travel, I hope you trace his family tree eventually so you can do home-schooling. If you do, it occured to me that you might get some help from a branch library.
Cadidore - thank you kindly. Hope your Camelin is thriving somewhere.
Mark - your points: birds do indeed poo; few people admit it :( Tabs hasn't done any harm *yet* but she is, well, a cat. And thanks for the 3rd sentiment - I've put out a few feelers, but no replies yet.
Tony - as Curly - tee hee! All's well so far. I shall have to look into pre-school, family trees and branch libraries - thanks for the heads up.
Seriously, have you any advice about the next stages??
This blog keeps making me think of Derek Tangye's books. He wrote about the cats and donkeys that shared his life in Cornwall but he also wrote about a gull in Evening Gull and later in A Gull on the Roof; and about a pet Muscovy duck called Boris in A Drake at the Door. He is one of the great examples of how to turn the experience of living with animals into full-length, compulsively readable and highly successful books.
The reaction of your hens to a bird flying overhead reminds me of a plump, rather lazy marmalade tom we had called Marmaduke (original, eh?). Marmaduke spent most of his life in the sock cupboard only making the occasional foray outdoors. One day I and my father were chatting out in the front garden while Marmaduke coiled himself around our legs. A flock of geese passed overhead and when I glanced down there was no sign of him. I eventually spotted him - peering out from under a bunch of dockleaves a good twenty yards away. The whirr of wings had obviously triggered some ancient survival instinct. I had no idea he could move so fast. I don't think he did either!
Alan - video? no chance.
Spangles? Why thank you. I've never read Derke Tangye - must add him to my wish list. I don't yet know how Woody's story ends. It might be today, it might be twenty years from now.
Geri - I do hope you're right. He's not worried by cats, that's another thing. It's me who stiffens when one gets too close!
Mac - I wouldn't be a star without you lot cheering me on, so the congratulations revert to the sender. Isn't that nice?
Alan (again) - you old softie, you. I've never read that either - couldn't bring myself to as a child as I knew how upset I'd be :( Course, it may have a happy ending, I don't know?
Aonghus - it's a worry. I want him to live long and happily, but I'm not really kitted out for an indoor bird - carpets, soft furnishings, that sort of thing? I sometimes fancy one of those scottish backhouses, though - where the family lived in one half and the animals in the other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbeXSsF_uw0
My daughter tells me that magpies can even pick simple locks!
Weens - yes, jellybaby is very apt!
Skylark - glad you're still with us, thanks.
Barb - no. Just, no.
Thanks, Debi :)
As for flying.....http://youtu.be/FCjlubLJcxk (Happy ending and true story)
Alan - if you ever watch the film above, do have some hankies at the ready.
Mark - yes, I think he'll have a fetish about newspaper by the time I've finished with him! And what a truly lovely bit of film!
Minxie, I do hope you're right. Thanks for your encouragement; we're all winging it!
Thanks Tony, Yes, it was a *bit of a day* yesterday. He's more and more active today; growing up as we speak.
All peeps - I went out for a family lunch today - and have just got back - at 9pm. Woody came too (of course) and had a full fun day - including First Bath - but I'm too zonked to write it up now as other members of Animal Farm needs seeing to as well. Will do it tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with us - those that are! Wx
I love the idea of Woody going with you for a family gathering. I can picture him at the table with a tiny white napkin wrapped round his neck, and in front of him is a small plate bearing some beautifully garnished worms.
Yes, Spangles - lovely image (especially the worms) - but Woody has a *black* bib - built in! So useful for showing up spilt food!
I can't tell you how much I'm loving this. I can't wait to read each day's installment. It's the highlight of my day. The whole cloud is madly in love with him.
Thanks Debi, I'll tell him he's a good ambassador; I'd never given them a second thought until now - it's been quite a ride - woohoo!
The lunch date was a great read but the bath scene just made me roar. He's such a smart bird.
Weens, you're absolutely right about us all being in love with him.
The mice thing happened when I spotted a adult mouse that had been run over by a tractor. There was a hole nearby, and when I put my ear to it, I could hear a high-pitched squeaking noise. I thought that the 2-dimensional mouse might be a mother, and the squeaking might be from distressed babies, so I dug them out and took them home. I fed them by soaking a bread crust in milk, and shaping little nipples along it. I kept them in a waste-paper basket until they reached full size, then released them into the wild.
I rescued the crayfish when the Darent river dried up in the drought of nineteen seventy-something. I only had a bucket to keep him in, and no idea what to feed him on - no internet in those days. Feeding turned out not to be a issue - he died almost straight away.
Did I ever tell you about my toad rescue service? Hawley Road runs parallel to the Darent river, and one day as I passed I noticed that the road was covered in squashed toads. Toads live on dry land, but migrate back to the river of their birth to spawn. This meant they had to cross Hawley road, and since they're quite slow, their survival rate didn't seem to be very good. So I fetched a bucket and spent the day ferrying them across, getting some decidedly odd looks from passing humans!
The next day I went there again, and was amazed to see several mums and their kids ferrying toads in buckets. They'd seen what I was doing and had decided to join in. Many years later, I saw a article in the newspaper about people doing the toad rescue thing in Hawley, and how the idea had spread, becoming common practice all over the country. And it was me wot started it!
More great stuff from the pen of the ornathological pediatrician. Write on, Whisks.
Whisks, the family lunch is a lovely chapter in Woody's young life. Quite an experience for everyone involved and what a clever little fellow he is ... taking a bath on his own initiative. Instinct is simply amazing isn't it?
Springwatch has started now so will your story get a mention on there? Hope so.
I watched Spring Watch last night, intently waiting for Woody's appearance. Perhaps he'll be on tonight......
Been away for the bank holiday weekend to a reunion and couldn't wait to get home to find out how Woody is... the photos are wonderful.
Thanks for asking about Camelin, he's exhausted at the moment having just got to the end of his third adventure!
Thanks trafalgar, Spangles, Wrath, Ama, curly, Geri and Cadidore. I'm thrilled to little bits that you still like him as much as I do and that you're still reading; every day is an adventure. Wrath's toad rescue deserves a special mention too - step forward, that man; take a bow.
I wonder if mother birds have as much fun with their nestlings as you are having with Woody? Although you may give a hollow laugh at the idea of it being 'fun' when you have to clear up magpie poo and keep a watchful eye on the foxes. Thank heavens the cats aren't interested in him. I wonder if it's because he smells of you, which protects him because it marks him as being part of the family?
I wonder if it might make sense to start a Part 2 of this blog as it's getting quite long to scroll through and even taking a while to load up?
It's nice that you're seeing magpies differently - we can't chose the body or species we're born into, can we?
Spangles - that's the other thing - I've run out of pickle! Oh no! Love the idea of him rummaging in the fridge. Of only he were as keen on housework as the state of his stomach.
I think Poppy's not bothered as she's used to strange species co-habiting with her; Tabitha is much more frisky with Woody and I have to watch her. It might be that he confuses her because he's in the 'wrong place' - i.e. indoors. Or it could be that he smells of me/us/the house, as you say.
Soooo pleased to hear his fame is spreading Whisks. I hadn't gone to Spring W on-line as I felt I'd never get off it once hooked but I'll definitely go to FB; see if I can share your blog with my FB friends (all real-life family and friends and 99.9% of'em nature-nuts).
Nasty experience for Woody ... getting a hefty peck on the head from Pearl Guinea but I guess she thought he needed to learn a lesson: "Hey, Kiddo, keep your head down out here. Not everyone's your friend y'know!" Better to learn from Pearl than - in the last moments of his sweet life - from Pixie!
Aaaaawwhhh! Wish I hadn't had that thought! I'm off to FB now. Catch up tomorrow. XX
As regards scrolling down, if you're at the top and hit the End key you jump straight to the bottom, where hitting the Home key takes you straight back to the top. The quickest way to find Whisks' latest entry in the middle is to left-click and hold on the scroll bar, and drag it up or down to the right place. That's really quick.
Yes Ama, he's very wary of the guineas now - just as well!
Tony, Ama, Geri and Weens - thanks, yes, it pulls at my heartstrings to see him flapping at the top of the stairs - all that way on his own! I'll try and get a better photo of him in his cat box bedroom (as well as on the stairs); there is one or more already - Update 2 shows it - I leave it open during the day but put the top on at night because of the cats. And to keep him in one place until I'm awake again!
Spangles, Weens & Tony, yes he'll be a worldly magpie in some ways, and terribly naive in others. It's a worry. He has yet to meet someone who is nasty to him so he thinks we're all family. Not sure what to do.
Thanks Spangles, yes, I think we have the answer to his problem - all OK now. Must remember Rescue Remedy, though.
Thanks Debi - wow! What happens?
Pnut Cat - it's nice to have friends in the forest, he would like to come visit your tree, thank you.
Perhaps pnut cat could give him survival lessons. Like those retired SAS types who lecture unfit overweight TV personalities on how to do rugged and dangerous things. Unlike unfit overweight TV personalities he won't be able to get a stuntman to do his stuff for him.
Alan - it worries me too :(
Cadidore and Weens - what about facebook??? MarkR kindly linked it - so Debi's really gorn an dunnit too? Wow oh wow. Group hug. Thanks, all.
Debi's link to Facebook will have really widened the audience - the adoring public just grows and grows. :-)
Mark, it wasn't me, honest!
Geri, I hope he'll get a job soon. Oh, since you asked, his bedroom is in the background of the wilting picture - I put the lid on at night.
My daughter spent most of last summer doing what you're doing with a baby giraffe in South Africa.
Woody is a super-star now so I'll go take a look at his recent publicity photos on face book. Meanwhile, his daily diary is a joy to read here Whisks. You are an amazingly devoted Mum.
One thing that seems to be recurring regularly is his regurgitation of vegetable food. Forgive me for what I'm about to suggest because I've never reared a wild baby bird from such desperately tiny beginnings as you have, but from all my observations of birds in the wild, I have never seen a member of the crow family feed its nestlings on anything other than a high protein diet. Maybe a vegetarian or omnivore regime is not for him?
John, big respect to your daughter! Sounds like a gal after my own heart.
Tony, I don't think he's old enough to be contemplating funny business!
Skylark, thanks for the potty training info - so I've not failed yet then :)
Next step: Woody goes for world domination. You heard it first here. All aboard.
Tony, no, I've not taken expert advice on rehabilitating magpies. Is there such a thing? Gulp. Better look it up.
Debi - really? Duh, I've seen them but never knew what they do. There's a thing.
Minxie, Spangles, Geri - thanks for your kind words.
Johno - Yes! I read Konrad Lorenz as a teenager and also Niko Tinbergen - I'd forgotten them, thanks for the reminder.
Weens - That's interesting! I've no idea how you train a budgie. Woody will probably learn the theme tune to Eastenders first; he likes TV.
Johno - they don't, do they? Yes, I slept - once he was back safe and sound.
Pim - why, thank you. I wonder if it would be less 'complusive' if the end were known - as would be the case in a book? Dunno.
Weens - you and me both, kiddo.
Tony - oops - mea culpa. Twas indeed a four foot wall and twas also all my mistake in the typing. I've been out of imperial too long, that's the trouble; I forget what's what. Might even be a five foot wall. High, anyway - but low enough to see over. If you're over four feet tall.
And Woody's been back out today, checking out the venues and making sure they're suitably impressive.
You have created this comic image, in my mind at least. He just fails to clear the wall, there is a small thud and a few moments later he walks round, muttering to himself "What a stupid place to put a wall"
Anyway, so long as you both keep ducking and weaving.
I'll write it all up later. Not now.
I realize it is far too early for what I'm about to say to have any consolation for you, but maybe later on it might help: you gave the little chap 29 days of complete love, patience and fun. It was a very special relationship, and if not for you he would have died 29 days ago. You did something wonderful for him, and it sounds as though he did something wonderful for you in return.
Take care, sweetheart. xxx
Whew oh WHEW!!! Earlier I'd found a single blood-stained feather of his (magpie but smaller) - now I have the whole bird back!
He's shocked and battered, but essentially OK!
Sorry for worrying everyone. Feel silly now. Must tend to the sick and wounded. Gosh, what a shock! Thank you God.
It seems to me that Woody is a very resilient and determined little character who has now faced danger at least three times and survived. He's most definitely here for a reason. Perhaps we will soon see him taking his place in the Cabinet at Number 10?
Chin up, m'dear. As Spangles says, you gave it your best shot and he surely had a happy time, however short by our standards.
Tough old world for a fledgling.
xx
I normally write up the day's events as they happen, then edit them up the next morning and post; this morning, events overtook me so I didn't get to post yesterday's news. In penance and because it's only fair to tell you what happened, I've included today's drama as well.
Prepping it now.
Bless you all.
I'm guessing this will all stop once he's fully-grown and too big to push around.
Take care, both of you and I hope Fate makes tomorrow a nice quiet one in contrast to the drama of the last few days.
Oh yes, I think Spangles has it right with 'complete love, patience and fun'
xxx
Whisks, I hope you and the young 'un are back to normal this morning. I thought about you both a lot yesterday. Did you feel as though you aged several years in one morning? If so, I hope you are now back to your youthful self.
Pim - he wasn't supposed to go out this morning - he went exploring through a small window, all on his ownsome. I knew nothing about his expedition until I heard the crows and magpies. And foxes. And guineas. And chickens. What's a bird to do?
He's sitting on my shoulder right now, asleep *again*. Not sure about tying him in, although I won't let him go out without me for now; I didn't even let him out this morning. :)
http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org/S/00Man/AvianHusbandryTechniques/UKBHusbIndTech/HR_Av_Corvids.htm.
Maybe somebody already put it up? Anyhoo, it says you shouldn't release a magpie et al back out into the wild until it's five or six months old in order to avoid bullying by other birds.
At some time you are going to have to move him to an aviary in the garden, assuming you are releasing him. Somewhere fox safe, of course. Do you have such a place? I'm guessing he can't go in with the chickens.
Alan, yes, the plan was to move him in with the chickens, but only when he can feed himself. He's still not very good at it.
He's hardly left my shoulder all morning, clinging on. Apart from his earlier excusion, that is.
Those branches on top of the henhouse shown in a photo a few days ago, are my 'spare branches' - interesting shapes that can become perches as the need arises. I'll rig one up for him when the time comes, high.
Tony - your comment on that photo, btw, was funny :)
Also Guero - walnut shells for crash helmets? What a wonderful idea.
I had suspected what Aonghus has found, he really needs to be protected until he is fully matured. It would be lovely to think the other magpise were protecting him from the crows, but it's much more likely they were joining in the bulleying. We get adult magpies coming to our bird-table and none of them takes kindly to another trying to land on the table while they are on it.
This is the same address only it works OK - unlike the last one.
Six months isn't definitive. Basically you wait until the end of the Summer after they've moulted their first coat of feathers.
Tony - I think you might have something there - my cats do the same thing: just because it's raining outside one door, doesn't mean it's raining outside every door.
Aonghus, thanks for the link - that ol' cunning full stop, eh? I should have spotted that. Very interesting info. Does indeed look like we're mates for a while longer.
Geri - I've had a word with the cats. Thanks for the reminder.
Weens - he's asked me to thank you for the hug and says you're a big part of his life too. An unusual life, in magpie terms :)
So not only can you use Woody in place of a necklace, he also makes a handsome magpie-bracelet.
Re the poo-ing, have you considered a nappy, or a little pair of snuggies? Better on his knickers than yours.
I went to the lakes over the weekend and I was sat by a lake, minding my own business, when I hear all this commotion behind me in the trees. As I went over to investigate there were about a dozen tiny little birds (not sure what they were but they were smaller than a blue tit), and one large crow. They were attacking the crow and I guessed that the crow was after one of their young. I went over to try and frighten the crow away when (to my horror) it grabbed a little bird and flew up into the tree. I was too late.
I felt so sorry for the little birds, they tried their hardest to save one of their own. I know that it's nature but I'd rather they didn't do it where I can see.
So it's nice to see you're doing a better job of keeping our wild birdies alive!
I'll keep popping in for updates xx
No Alan, despite appearances, I'm not a juvenile myself. He gets a stern talking to when he does something I don't like, but he's just over a month old and has only been mobile for the last fortnight. Give him (and me) time to adjust!
Tony, I'm introducing him to the coop for short periods but he's not self-sufficient enough yet. And I tried a nappy on a chicken once. Didn't work, no, not at all.
Blue, thanks; that's interesting about the little birds taking on a crow? Wonder what they were? Long-tailed tits (pinky and always in flocks), Goldcrests or Firecrests (smallest birds in Britain), or wrens (never seen a flock of any of these)? If there were lots of them, I'd guess Long-tailed Tits - very pretty and always on the move - the flock swarms into a tree, cleans it of bugs and moves off, constantly fluttering.
Thanks Skylark - yes indeed, there's a lot to be said for 'boring' - a nice quiet little life where nothing happens :)
I just thought I'd mention the commercial possibilities. If he's staying, that is.
Yes Alan, good point. If only I had several flocks living indoors, it'd be a goldmine :)
Skylark, I've asked around but no takers yet. He needs regular feeds and some living warmth. I'm still hoping he'll be in the henhouse by then and that they'll accept him. He's still such a baby though!
I've just heard from the lovely Whisks who has lost all internet access. BT tells her that she should be back on line by Thursday. However, she is up to date with her blog and I can report that Woody is fine. We'll just have to wait for the detail in the omnibus edition later this week.
BBC 2 Springwatch tomorrow night has a film on culling corvids - a proposal by some. I'm posting comments and links to Springwatch Web and Facebook sites back to this blog to share Woody's (and Whisks') side of the story.
Feel free to do the same. 8-)
http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/members/profile/104/blog-view/3989
http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/members/profile/104/blog-view/3989
Need a lie down now!
Mac
8-)
Have to go out to opticians soon - but it's OK because I can get the updates on my mobile!!!!!
:-)
Leaving Whisks in a bit of a hole.
'Cos BT's in a spot,
And though their man is not,
All her readers are left up the pole.
http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/magazine/read/not-the-latest-woody-magpie-update_3989.html
To save overloading peeps' goodwill, I propose uploading them in two-day batches until we're all caught up. Deal?
Thanks for sticking with this. I've just uploaded Update 35; reading it through, I see what a lot has happened in a week; but I can't tell you just yet. Oh no indeedy!
Thanks again to Woody's fans - he's pleased as punch. And lots of love to you all for hanging on in there.
Whisks x
A Lovely double-epeisode. Glad he's beginning to get used to the hen house and the residents are beginning to accept him. Sounds like they'll have to get better at dodging, though.
Loved the double episode - laughed my head off at Errol getting a 'present'.
Tough love - was that what BT were up to?
I have a couple of questions for you. Will his tail feather that the crows ripped out, grow back? and at what age do you think he'll fly away (sob sob)? I have a feeling that he won't fly away and you have him for the rest of his natural.
How is Poppy? I hope she's feeling much better by now. And that she continues to thrive, as well as the rest of the brood.
Weens - you really make me smile - love the thought of your parents tuning in as well; I'm sure they're as lovely as you - please thank them for their interest. Your questions? Yes, I expect the tail feathers to grow back. I've just had a little look under his petticoats and no sign yet, but dropping feathers - like dropping hair - is normal and they'll be replaced in the fullness of time. As for when he leaves home? Don't really know, but rumour has it, about five months. Aonghus dug out that piece a while back that said autumn, after first full moult. And the story that SS and Geri found also seems to bear that out. I'll be sobbing too! Then again, he might be a house magpie for ever?
Tony, yes, I wondered that too. Also, I forgot to thank you for your ditty a few posts ago - you're so good with your verses.
Geri - indeed! Although I think he'll be a long time waiting for some of his planted prizes to grow ...
Spangles, thank you. I hope there'll be two-day editions until I catch up with myself. Poppy's recovering well, thanks. Sore, but improving, thank goodness.
Tony, indeedy - didn't I say you'd got it uncannily accurate? Thanks for the bigging up.
Debi, you're such a tonic sweetpea. Thank you. Poppy is a darling too.
Weens, thanks, m'dear. We'll have to wait till the end of the story - if there is one?
Geri - yes, he's a pickle and no mistake - into everything these days.
Mc - thanks too. I'm not such a star.
Just a thought about the blue jay though. Can it fly? If not, how would its mother get it back to the nest? I may be completely wrong here, but surely the only thing she could do for the moment, is feed it.
Thank you for your supportive words, Skylark, Tony, Debi and Weens. I felt just awful about BJ and didn't want to post this part of the Little Bird story, but I'm glad I did and now it's over with. We're back to just Woody and me. And the cats, chickens, guineas, foxes ...
I loved the bit about you asking Woody if he was OK and the BT man answering. You probably made his day!
And Spangles - I appreciate your comments; I'm feeling better about the whole thing now I've 'fessed up - although haven't yet phoned to see how BBJ is. Don't want to hear bad news.
I also thought that was funny when the BT man answered instead of Woody :)
Thanks to all those still reading and commenting. This is growing like Topsy!
I love the image of him roosting on the top of the bedroom door. It reminds me of Cats in the Belfry, a wonderful book by Doreen Tovey, in which she describes her grandmother's tame owl, Gladstone. He perched on the top of the bathroom door so anyone using the bathroom had to do so with the door open and with Gladstone staring down at them, often with a dead mouse in his claws. So Woody has a long way to go!
But bless him for knowing where his new bedroom is, and being happy to sleep there.
By the way, I envy you for being able to sleep with the windows wide open. We can't, because if we open our windows too wide our cats take flying leaps out of them into the garden below in the middle of the night, then yowl to come back inside.
I loved your comment about the jewelery lost since 1999 - can I borrow Woody to find a few bits and pieces for me ;-P
Must read that book, Spangles - sounds fun.
Tony, The chickens don't get to eat the eggs - just the hard-boiled shells! It's a wood pigeon btw - I've taken a few photos but none of them any good. It's a biiiiiig pigeon to a little magpie! He's very brave.
Skylark, I'll put it to Woody whether he'd like a career in jewel recovery - might be just up his street - although you may not have it back for long!
Did he eat the wasp? If so, I wonder if wasps lose their sting when they're dead or whether they have a nice Tabasco-style kick.
Weens, kids never stay young for long - always grow up faster than we think, eh?
Thanks Tony - got a shot of the pigeon at last .
Spangles - I don't think he's eaten the wasp yet, and interesting point about the wasp/tabasco, but one I hope not to be able to answer any time soon!
Indeed, Debi and Spangles! The WASP! Not everyone's had one gently tucked into their ear! I'm finding it fascinating - an new day, a new dilemma; glad you do too :)
Glad Woody found his way back safe and sound. What lovely neighbours you have.
Yes Tony, I wonder about this need to cache food, especially since he's never experienced a shortage of it. He remembers where he puts things too; days after I've forgotten, he'll go and retrieve something.
Weens, don't forget the crows chasing him as well - there's always the crows. Yes, maybe the flowers are presents, but I feel it's more like putting his treasures in a safe place - 'hang on to this Mum, will you? I might need it later.'
Skylark, I'm amazed that you too are bringing up a magpie! We should swap notes. Have you thought of leaving open an upstairs window so he can come and go? Oh no, then your watch might disappear forever. Bad idea, that.
Debi, the respite was lovely for me - and I still have my twinkly toes, although I was careful not to choose red - birds see red very well indeed :)
See Spangles? He wasn't miffed at all. VG Tony :). Thanks Karen - I'll be writing 'Coping with Stress' after this :)))
Great pun, Tony!
Whisks, phew, glad all is well :-) Another update that had me laughing out loud - "He hitches a lift on my shoulder for the ride home, disgorges the snail and tucks it in my shoe. My foot is still in my shoe." - hee hee :-D
I'm half traumatised by Woody's trials and half charmed by his fabulous ways.
What a complex and clever bird he is and although you must be bushed, you should be so proud of what you've done and written.
You deserve an MBE for your services to the magpie community.
Tony, I don't have such an orifice, sorry. I'm leaving an upstairs window wide open but he hasn't made use of it yet. Other peoples' yes - but not mine.
Skylark, that poor snail without its shell. I hope he ate it (I think he did) to put it out of its misery.
Mark, I really appreciate your words and continued support - I did watch that episode of Springwatch with the magpies while I was incognito, so thanks for flagging it up to others.
I'm minded of what was said in the early days - the world doesn't need another magpie - and recall when I realised I wasn't a 'big picture' person, but a 'detail' person. I don't suppose I've made an iota of difference to the magpie ecosystem in general, just to one little bird. That's good enough for me.
Geri, tee hee - yes, I can see Woody & I sitting side by side on the sofa eating peanuts and arguing over the TV :)
Weens, I'm tickled pink that your mum follows Woody's story and ouch about the broken tooth! Oil of cloves rubbed on, that's the thing - an anaesthetic if ever there was one.
Skylark and John, this has really taken me by surprise and I do appreciate your comments; I've gone all pink and silly.
Funny old thing - this is rough-and-ready writing, not polished, agonised over, tinkered with. I note down odd/funny/scary things as they happen during the day, then work them up into a few coherent paragraphs, and publish the next day. I try to make sure that I haven't repeated myself (I see I have today - 'light fades' - oh, the shame), check for typos and that's that. Bosh, job done. Oh, and I do spend time trying to get an interesting photo for the day as well.
No time to ponder the turning of a sentence (some days I've barely time to brush my teeth) - it's like writing a daily column - whatever else is going on in my life, I need to phone my copy in. It's been an interesting exercise in writing quickly and getting it down; regularly.
I've learnt a lot from this process, so thank you very much for letting me do it. If I hadn't had an audience, I'd have missed a day here and there, and it would have slid and slid until I was so out-of-date I'd have given up.
Credits all round. :)))
If only there had been daily filming of this wonderful story. What a documentary! Nevertheless, it s a great, publishable story.
Ta Pim; I do have a little bit of film but my video camera is on the blink so not much. I wonder if it would work as a book? Isn't it more suited to a serial? Also, I don't yet know how long it's going to be: I haven't seen him for the last hour, although I've heard him so I know he's around. OMG, there's a crow. Best check on him!
Interesting re the other Magpie though. I wonder if he/she will come back. Would a female magpie be more tolerant of a baby magpie than a male one would.
Yes, certainly it would work as a book. I'd buy one in a heartbeat, and my mum keeps asking when is it going to print as she wants to buy the book. Now dad is interested too, so that's another copy. Your writing is a dream to read, charming, heart warming and in parts frightening, and now we all feel part of Woody's life. You can tell him he has lots of cloudie aunts and uncles.
Spangles, yes his hoarding is quite amazing, isn't it? There's no shortage of food in his life yet he does (don't I know it - there's magpie food in my socks, my trousers, my ear ...)
Weens, lovely to hear that the Weens family are with us and I'll certainly pass your message on when he wakes in the morning. The other magpie was odd; I don't actually know what sex Woody is and may never do so unless I catch him clarifying things, but the encounter was in the oak where I've seen an adult and a juvenile before. Perhaps she's eyeing up his prospects for her daughter?
Tony, when, if, how the story ends may well shape the 'book'. I do seem to have written a lot of words and it would be nice to do something with it in the fullness of. At present however, I feel it could 'end' any minute; but maybe it won't? I'm going with the story for now to see where it leads. Thanks for the suggestions. Don't want to tempt fate.
What lovely things to say, Skylark. If it weren't for you lot reading, I wouldn't be writing, so the compliments boomerang back to you.
I should think you must be beginning to feel like Fagin by now, waiting to see what treasures the Woody Dodger will bring home next.
And it's not so much what he's bringing home, as what he might be taking away. Who knows where my stuff will end up? It's a worry that comes out in tomorrow's instalment, which is already written, pending nocturnal dramas. He is a little Woody Dodger though - must remember that one!
Agree with Debi; it's a natural for publication. And if you wanted to add a tad more of how it's affecting/changing/enhancing your life...
Tony, you always find something nice to say; lovely, 'preciate it.
Pim, thank you. I try to keep myself out of it as far as possible, although I realise I can't excise myself completely as I'm part of Woody's story. It's a delicate balance; why would anyone be interested in my life which is one of minutiae, rather than car crashes, murder and explosions? However, I will think on - books are about transformations, aren't they? Yes, indeed I will think on and adjust accordingly.
Also meant to say, Weens, your tireless affirmations are great to hear. Thank you.
Mum and I have been discussing where Woody can go when you go away. The place you took the first poor littl e bird to, who told you off for not putting him back in the tree, would they take him for two weeks. Have you any stately homes near you with a bird garden? (My parents live in the grounds of Harewood House, and they have a fabulous bird garden). Alternately, try ringing the RSPCA, they may know of someone with an aviary in their garden etc, or come up with an idea. Hope that gives you some food for thought.
Reading your daily diary entry, is the highlight of our day and my mum must ring me two or three times asking if it has been posted yet before you put it up. Whilst reading it to mum, it occured to me, it would make a fabulous audio book too.
Alan, we're delighted to refresh you; thank you.
John - Delinquent? Woody? OK, maybe.
Geri - nice to hear from you and hope that your real world is better than your last world.
Weens, I can confirm that magpies do not wear hobnail boots and they're very clean - why, Woody has several vigorous baths a day just for fun and is parasite free (I'd know, believe me). 5:30 is dawn this time of year, as I'm sure you know :) and the birds are up and about and at it.
You're very kind to worry about his accommodation whilst I'm away, as is your mum (thank you Weens's mum). I'd been hoping/wondering if he'd be independent by then and be able to sleep outside overnight. Kids grow up so quickly these days. My henhouse is a kind of aviary already, but he felt too confined there even for a day when I went away recently. However, events tonight may make all that redundant. He's been missing for seven hours and it's dark. I'm worried sick.
I hope your sleep has been momentarily disturbed by the laying of a beak on your pillow and that now you're dreaming of how you're going to break the news that he's grounded.
I'll still post yesterday's entry a little later when I've checked through it.
Thanks, Weens. Fingers crossed.
Mark - how I'd love that.
It's 11:37am. Still no news. Thanks for your wishes.
Must push off to exercise class shortly but will leave upstairs windows open just in case; and ask neighbours to keep an eye out for bags marked 'Swag' leaving the property. Hell, I might give class a miss. Sooo not in the mood.
SS, it's a very strange time in limbo, not knowing; fearing and hoping at the same time. Thank you.
Cadidore, I'd love the chance to ring his leg! It's a good idea, if he ever comes back - a sort of 'if found, please post back to ...'? It's a very good idea - if nothing else, it might make someone pause before killing him. I shall investigate tomorrow, on the offchance.
Thanks people. xxx
Hey, he'll be back tomorrow and then I'll feel really silly!
I 'm sure Woody will return soon, if only for a flying visit - but, as he grows, that may be all you can expect. Love him as you (we) do, you know better than most that he's a wild creature. Every time I've read these blogs I've had Randy Crawford's
'One Day I'll Fly Away' running through my head. And that, sadly, is how it should be.
Be of good heart, Whisks, love. You and your little bird are in a lot of prayers just now. God bless.
Trafalgar, I had no idea it took so long to load! Thanks for sticking with this. He's only two months old and not supposed to leave until five months - but what do the books know, eh? I'm still jumping at the sound of magpies :)
Tony, it does make me think what I put my Dad through, when I went gallivanting. *I* knew I was fine and the rest was just details. What goes around, comes around, eh? Oh, you were talking about your car?
Mark, that's so kind and made me smile. Please thank the badgers; black-and-white creatures unite; and bloomin' soon, please!
No news yet, FWIW.
Debi, I'm filling up. I've only just shut the patio doors - at 11 o'clock. The windows are still open, although he should be in bed by now.
Thank you Spangles and karen and all the lovely people who've shown their support. I can't tell you enough, what it's meant to me. You've had me in floods of tears.
In all fairness, I should add a little bit more and not leave you on pins - because this just happened, just now, as I logged on to share the last instalment of his story:I heard what sounded like a magpie downstairs, indoors, coming my way. I rushed down.
I'll whisper this as quietly as I can. HE'S BACK! And HE'S FINE!
Looks like I might wrap up this on-going story tomorrow instead of today. Or perhaps the day after.
My fairy story came true.
All is very well with my world :))) XXX
I wonder what he's been up to. My guess is that he went on a playdate with Miss Magpie and he was worried that he'd sound like a softie if he said he'd got to go home because his mum would be worried. So he stayed out, pretending to be brave while secretly longing for home and a couple of radishes. Eventually, being a clever young chap, he found someone's computer, hopped about on the keys until he found the Cloud, then hopped about some more and pulled up this blog. Then he read it (yes, of course he can read after all those hours sitting on your shoulder!), realized he was breaking his mum's heart, and came home.
I'm so pleased and relieved for you. The blighter! Time to accept, I guess, that he's no longer a 'little bird' but a big teenager flexing muscles and checking out the independence thing. Is the ringing idea, which seemed good to me, a possibility? Anything to save you (and us!) from any more emotional trauma.
I wrote these lines this morning, having gone to bed thinking of a line you wrote last night, which seemed to have a metaphorical significance. I hesitated to post it and I'm so glad I waited. Perhaps some day these lines will be relevant, but not just yet, and not with any sense of finality.
The patio doors are closed.
The heat of the day had lingered long
As the western sky dimmed slow to dark,
And the open doorway was an enduring portal,
A link to the world of nature beyond –
A world that had fused with the mundane and humdrum within,
That had transcended a natural divide
And blended the two in one.
The call of the wild
And the tender fondness of one who cares
Melded.
Briefly.
Granting life,
Receiving joy.
And now
The patio doors are closed.
God, this is corny, but it seems like maybe he was born free and will make his own way in the world by his own choices; and you'll have to let him. He always will know where to come for a nice cup of tea of an afternoon.
Spangles, you could well be right. He must have been a long way away, as it took two days to find his way home.
Weens, indeed, such a relief and now I know he can survive on his own, I won't fret so much next time. I don't doubt there will be a next time. Yes, I will fret. But you know what I mean.
Cadidore, yes, I do know now, and it's wonderful to know. He's going back to the wild in stages, which is how it probably should be. It's so great to know he can manage on his own. And even more great that he wanted to come back.
John, you had me in tears all over again. That is worthy praise from a story-teller such as you. I was lucky to have such rich material to work with.
Pim, yes he's definitely a teenager now. All night parties, wopping off to India on a whim with a rucksack and a few quid with no idea how to do it. It puts such a different light on parents.
Tony, what a beautiful, moving poem - it had me sobbing all over again. Thank you for thinking of us. Yes, the patio doors is such a metaphor. I feel it whenever I have to close them. I'll keep your poem for when the time comes.
Alan, yes Elsa didn't leave home all in one go in 'Born Free' - she came and went and came back, gradually extending the periods. I suppose I did the same thing as a young whisk. It's the way of things and it's fine. As long as he's all right. I do hope you're breathing again and thank you for holding it.
Debi - you've left me speechless - you don't know how rare that is! Thank you, sweetpea :)
Karen, yes, it would be perfect if he lives a full magpie life and returns from time to time to tip his cap and tell me all's well.
John (again), he might not bring back dirty washing, but he certainly creates it!
Skylark, I'm so touched that you and Spangles identified so strongly with his story. He came back just before I posted what I'd written so in the interests of authenticity, I still posted what I'd planned to post - but it wouldn't have been fair at all, not to tell you he was back - that's why it's all been a jumble today. But glad you read it all in sequence - which was the order I lived it in.
And Aonghus (by wallpost), I'm very cheered up, very cheered up indeed. Thank you.
Still think you're all amazing.
Hope you've grounded him for at least tonight. Can't help thinking that the stronger (and longer) the bond of time in your company, the more likely he will be to return when he does start flitting off.
Pim? He's fast asleep on top of the boiler in the kitchen as we speak (10:45pm). He can sleep wherever he likes tonight, as long as it's indoors. OK? :)))
Your post was amazing - beautiful, uplifting and heart-breaking. I'm with John and others on that one.
Sleep tight the pair of you. Gurgle a little, preen a little and deposit insects and food about each other's person as you see fit. I expect he'll snore and you'll smile 8-)
Shouldn’t venture so far away, should he?
“You sure gave us the frights;
“Why’d you stay out two nights?”
Couldn’t find his way home again, could he?
The continuation, Magpie Days, is found here: http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/magazine/read/magpie-days_4126.html
Thanks again to everyone who's still with Woody. Round of applause, and great claps on the back :)))
Whisks
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