Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Light was just fading, tonight. I decided I'd feed the Dogs before it did and opened the door. Out they poured, into the kitchen. Pushing and giggling. I followed them and just shot a glance at one of my traps, to see a robin on top of it! " Ooh! Get In There! " I thought. Then ..... Hang about. He can't get in there! Bloody door's down! And, yes! There's something in there! " Sorry, Dogs. Back ye come! In here a minute. (Confused little faces. But, they're good Dogs) Lock the door on them and out I go. Dunnock. Treat! I like dunnocks! Fetched it in here and flushed it into my catching box. Took it out of there and ..... Bonus! It's not ringed! Bloody soon sorted That out! Ringed. Winged. Couldn't resist a swift snap shot. Weighed and out we went. Well away from the kitchen light and that glass door. Let it go and; Flutter Lop! It's little wings whirred as it dropped to the grass! I Have Abso Lutely Shit Myself!!! What in gods name have I done to this poor little bird?! Picked it up and examined it, as it gripped onto my fingers. Unconsciously checked its wings and tail for moult. Watched it breath. Ran through my options of how to take care of it for the night. IF it didn't just f**king die, right there on my hand! Part of me's holding it together. Leafing through the strategies for holding a bird over night. The pro's and con's. The stuff we need to absorb, as Ringers. The other part's panting; " Oh my god! Oh my god! I don't f**king believe this!!! " But, I'm blanking that part. I need to think. " Whirrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! " And the little bugger's gone! I watched it, perfectly clearly, as it flew strongly away and up into some nice cover a fair way off! Fan F**king Tastic!!! Straight on the phone, to the boss. Yes. Seems dunnocks can be prone to this. They knacker themselves in short order and, occasionally, just need a couple of minutes to get their shit back together again. Thank god for that! Something new learned. And, thank god I have a walking, talking encyclopaedia of Ringing knowledge, just the press of a button away! Now, before I forget completely: Dear Little Thing! 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 i like them too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob58 1,580 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Fantastic little bird and a lot of people don't even notice them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobcullen79 1,495 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Finding a dunnocks nest as a boy was always a good day. Lovely song at last light whilst carp fishing under the stars for the night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,774 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Well done Pete and a happy ending,i had a youngster bump a window a couple of years ago and after 10 mins it happily flew off again. Just relooking at these pics and in fact do you think it's a young robin instead of a dunnock Pete?. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Well done Pete and a happy ending,i had a youngster bump a window a couple of years ago and after 10 mins it happily flew off again. Just relooking at these pics and in fact do you think it's a young robin instead of a dunnock Pete?. that would be my guess Quote Link to post Share on other sites
budharley 945 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 it tried to fly off but was stuck to the shit on your fingers only messin mate I love dunnocks real characters of the hedgerow 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
budharley 945 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 (edited) Well done Pete and a happy ending,i had a youngster bump a window a couple of years ago and after 10 mins it happily flew off again. Just relooking at these pics and in fact do you think it's a young robin instead of a dunnock Pete?. now you mention a robin you have got me thinking but im sure I can see some black flecks on its wings mate on yours in the first pic and the same on petes Edited November 30, 2013 by budharley Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stealthy1 3,964 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Cock or a hen Pete? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted November 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Fireman; That's a dunnock, mate. Completely different jiz to a robin. Stealths; We can't tell, outside adults in the breeding season, mate. But, my boss cracked a way of better ageing them, through the eye 'colours' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stealthy1 3,964 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Do the eye colours change as they moult? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 a young robin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted November 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Paul; That's a robin. Stealths; I'll dig you out the piece, mate. Give me time. Tied up this time of the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stealthy1 3,964 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 It's 100% a dunnock......when i used to keep birds it was always a buzz to enter the aviary and see that first deep turquise egg nestled in a dog-hair cup. cracking birds, but mostly flighty, though I did have one that was very steady. Great pics. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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