This early afternoon I saw one of my feral-born cats bringing a bird into the yard - the bird was laying still in her mouth so I assumed that it had already been killed, and gave a big sigh of sadness for the bird. I watched as she headed for one of the bushes, I guess to hide her prey from any other watchful cat eyes.
I feed my ferals a big helping of food, in fact this one had just enjoyed a whole packet of Weruva Love Me Tender food - her favorite. There's several bowls of kibble, and a dish of various canned food left over from last night's feeding on the patio, - but - I guess not as good as the Hunt, and as not as good as what a Fresh Bird would be.
I thought about going out there to disrupt things, but thought it was of no use until I saw the bird trying to get away from the cat - Tortee. The bird was still alive and fighting to live!
I ran out, almost through the screen door, hoping that I would scare Tortee away - and it worked.
I couldn't find the bird!
Tortee ran across the yard and positioned herself under the lemon trees.
As I tried to find the bird I wondered what on earth I was going to do to help the bird - I have no experience - , I have nothing to put the bird in, --- eeeek - and so many other questions ran through my mind, but I wasn't deterred.
There is was! A baby mockingbird! He jumped to one side of the bush he was in, then as I went to that side, he jumped to the other side. Okay - at least he was active, that's a positive thing. One wing looked like it might have a problem. Ugh!
Then he jumped out from the bush onto the gravel - and took off flying really really good - right towards the lemon trees and Tortee!!!
The baby bird managed to get into the tree and Tortee went after him. I ran towards the trees in an effort to continue my rescue attempts.
Over the wall they went. I ran and got a ladder to look over the wall to see what I could see - and neither the bird or the cat could be seen.
I don't know if he escaped, but Tortee just now showed up - in front of my patio doors - so - hopefully that means she was unsuccessful, AND that the bird made his escape.
The bird's leg did looked like it might have been damaged - but, for now - I have hopes that he'll be all right.
This event leaves so many questions about the Hunt. Why don't the cats kill the bird immediately? Maybe they just want to play with it before they do that. I don't even want to think about that - but I now know that if this happens again, I won't just think all is lost if I first see this sort of thing again.
Tortee (R) with her older brother 4-Socks
Tortee and 4-Socks under the Lemon Trees
I feed my ferals a big helping of food, in fact this one had just enjoyed a whole packet of Weruva Love Me Tender food - her favorite. There's several bowls of kibble, and a dish of various canned food left over from last night's feeding on the patio, - but - I guess not as good as the Hunt, and as not as good as what a Fresh Bird would be.
I thought about going out there to disrupt things, but thought it was of no use until I saw the bird trying to get away from the cat - Tortee. The bird was still alive and fighting to live!
I ran out, almost through the screen door, hoping that I would scare Tortee away - and it worked.
I couldn't find the bird!
Tortee ran across the yard and positioned herself under the lemon trees.
As I tried to find the bird I wondered what on earth I was going to do to help the bird - I have no experience - , I have nothing to put the bird in, --- eeeek - and so many other questions ran through my mind, but I wasn't deterred.
There is was! A baby mockingbird! He jumped to one side of the bush he was in, then as I went to that side, he jumped to the other side. Okay - at least he was active, that's a positive thing. One wing looked like it might have a problem. Ugh!
Then he jumped out from the bush onto the gravel - and took off flying really really good - right towards the lemon trees and Tortee!!!
The baby bird managed to get into the tree and Tortee went after him. I ran towards the trees in an effort to continue my rescue attempts.
Over the wall they went. I ran and got a ladder to look over the wall to see what I could see - and neither the bird or the cat could be seen.
I don't know if he escaped, but Tortee just now showed up - in front of my patio doors - so - hopefully that means she was unsuccessful, AND that the bird made his escape.
The bird's leg did looked like it might have been damaged - but, for now - I have hopes that he'll be all right.
This event leaves so many questions about the Hunt. Why don't the cats kill the bird immediately? Maybe they just want to play with it before they do that. I don't even want to think about that - but I now know that if this happens again, I won't just think all is lost if I first see this sort of thing again.
Tortee (R) with her older brother 4-Socks
Tortee and 4-Socks under the Lemon Trees
