Hi, I just had to tell someone this story.
I went down to my shed as usual this morning to feed and clean my rescue clan.
They all seemed to be acting a little strange, just sitting still and staring at me. The last time I remember them like this was after Charlie Farley escaped, then they looked sort of shell shocked.
I always say hello to each of them by name, and as I did, I realised one was missing. It was Poly, the male. The only time he's quiet is when he's on his nest sitting duty, apart from that he's always parading about flirting with the other ladies, so you can never miss him.
I called and called him and looked in every corner of the place, in each nest box, behind the bin and feed boxes, he was just not there.
Then I started to panic, I felt so sick as I was sure he'd got out like Charlie.
I blamed my husband as yesterday was the first time he'd ever been in the shed as he was looking at a way to make them an outside area. So I had to assume he hadn't been careful and Poly had got out. He is a good flyer but only has one eye so doesn't guage things too well.
I was so upset, I just went back to the house and didn't even do the feed and water.
Later I went back down as I thought I'd have to face the day and look after the others. As I stood in there I noticed an old cardboard box on the floor that Poly and Bandy had used for their last nest. I'd left it on the floor as the others liked to mess about with it. It wasn't in it's usual place so I picked it up to put it back, and guess who I found underneath it... Poly !!
He had obviously been messing about in it and it must have toppled over somehow and trapped him inside. Heaven knows how long he'd been stuck in there, maybe all night.
I've got to give him his due though. As soon as I released him. Bandy his mate who was sitting on their eggs, started cooing like mad. I think she was giving him a hard time for not coming to relieve her for a break.
Poly went straight over to her and took over the nest duties. She looked very pleased to be able to get up and have a stretch and drop her 'bomb' !!
Boy did she need that
(It must have been a long time since she'd moved).
So that was why they had all looked so sheepishly at me when I went in this morning. I think they all knew he was stuck under the box. Why didn't they tell me !
I've never been so pleased to see him performing as usual when I went back tonight.
Janet
