Shelby wanting to learn computers!
Shelby exploring her new-found playroom!
As for the minor problems, they were nothing that could not be solved with a bit of minor ingenuity. First, both little Mockingbirds were soaked to the bone, chilled to the point of shaking and hungry. Shelby was the first to come inside this morning. I rigged up a light over the birdcage so she could dry out and warm herself. I knew that she could not possibly spend all day in the tiny cage so out came sheets and blankets! I covered everything in the livingroom and just let the cage door open. For anyone that has not seen my livingroom, you have to understand that it is not like the classic formal livingroom nor even like a den..it is rustic..very, very rustic. This said, I had no qualms about letting her just fly around and explore. She was everywhere! Then about two hours later, I heard Knox. At first, I could not find him. Then I spied poor, little wet Knox. He fit the idiom of "drowned rat" perfectly! The bird was so wet that he could not fly. I gingerly picked him up and toted him inside. After wrapping him in a towel, I hurried to the kitchen. I had boiled an egg earlier and it was still warm..so I knew this was just what he needed. It took a good hour before Knox was ready to join Shelby in her new-found playroom! They had wonderful time exploring the nooks and crannies of the room while the rain poured outside. Neither wanted outside!
Poor Knox looking a bit worse for wear.
Sweet Knox after warming a bit.
After the rains stopped, I opened the door and coaxed my little friends out to get a bit of fresh air. Away they flew! Happy campers! Then I spied something moving near a large pine tree. My nephew and I eased our way closer to get a better view. Oh, my goodness! There was a tiny Red-bellied Woodpecker flopping around in the edge of Puddlepond. Another tiny creature in trouble! I scooped him up and just like the others, he was freezing! He snuggled down in my hands and made no effort to escape. Poor baby! I looked around trying to find Mama Bird. She was in the top of the pine tree. Now what to do??? Warming the bird was easy..getting him back to Mama was the problem. I need a temporary nest! Woodpeckers all nest in holes that they drill in the trunks of dead trees. Surely, I could not do this..something else would have to suffice. After pondering this for a bit, ingenuity struck again! I hit upon the idea of cutting a hole in a plastic coffee can and wiring it to the trunk of the pine tree. I was not sure if Baby nor Mama would approve but with Ms. Put on the prowl, this little one did not stand a chance if left on the ground. After getting it situated, I held Little Bit up near the hole. Not wavering a bit, he climbed right in and snuggled into the cloth that I had put inside the can. Now..the moment of truth..would Mama accept the makeshift housing and come to feed her baby? I waited..and waited..and waited for what seemed like hours. Oh, please come! Then a fluttering of wings and a bit of quiet chattering. Little Bit's head flew out of the hole and Mama poked a nice fat caterpillar into the gaping mouth! Success! Mama and Daddy were soon feeding their little one as if this was their home away from home! Little Bit would be ok! I did not have to feed another bird! By this time, it was getting a tad dark so I turned to head inside feeling quite content with my deed. Oh, no...there on the screen door were two Mockingbirds..both wanting inside for the night. Not again......
Baby Red-bellied Woodpecker that was washed from his nest with all of the rain.
Lovely makeshift housing for misplaced Little Bit!
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