Just got time to slide this blog in before I end up missing a month entirely. Disgraceful - and no excuse.
Quick catch-up then. If you bother to keep up with the other blog http://belizebirdrescue.blogspot.com/ you'll know I've been having one or two issues with the local possum population. I sadly lost one red lored (Timba) and amazingly managed to snatch back a white-fronted before it became too badly mangled - he's back in the aviary sporting a bald spot half the size of his head. That is one lucky parrot. Possums are now really close to bottom of my List of Fave Animals. Anyhow, I had a very efficient trap built and managed to 'dispose' of 3 possums and 3 rats so far. Not bad for a city gal.
As far as the parrots go, in my panic I threw most of them back into the safety of the aviary until I could catch those nasty critters. We now have 5 only out on soft release and they're doing remarkably well it seems. There's just a slight question mark over Bibi and a white-fronted female (I really must get names for these WF's - suggestions welcome) who spend an hour or so a day at the neighbours getting a little closer that I would like, but then they disappear off with the wild birds for the rest of the time. We've decided it's got something to do with the two captive white-fronts at that property attracting them with their calls. Fascinating stuff, and not something I factored in as an issue to a released bird, but I suppose it's only natural for them to be curious of other parrots, captive or otherwise. They probably wondering why they don't fly off with them. A jolly good question, if you ask me.
Meanwhile, back in prison, spring is in the air and there are several pairs of red lored doing things that they are unlicensed to do in captivity. I have told them several times, but I don't think they care. It's probably time for another release attempt - the barrage of possums seems to have abated for now, so fingers crossed they'll be safe. If I can just get that new flight aviary built back in the bush, they will have taller spindlier trees to roost in and the possums won't be able to get to them. Reason number 26 for getting it built asap.
And speaking of which - we are still $8500 shy of our target, so I am going put my begging hat on briefly to tell you about a wonderful chap, Geoff, who has volunteered to do a virtual tour of Belize to raise money for Belize Bird Rescue. He has a route of 475 (!) miles to include swimming, rowing, cycling and running. He lives in he UK - hence the 'virtual tour' but he will travel the equivalent distance on the streets and seas of his home town of Bournemouth. He starts with the row tomorrow and hopes to be finished in a month. There are various ways you can help and even if you're unable to contribute yourself, you could download a sponsor form from our website and collect on his behalf. http://www.belizebirdrescue.com/geoffsquest.html I'll be keeping track of his progress on the website if you're curious. I think he's totally crazy - but I love him for it. Go Geoff!! And Go Fans of Belize Bird Rescue. Print up that sponsor form and go annoy your work colleagues. Just imagine, a piece of that aviary could be yours...
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