Bunty's Little Life

 
She was there again this morning.
Just as she had been over the last four days
A weak homing pigeon sat quietly on the guttering of the cottage
Waiting patiently for some food.

All the neighbours and neighbours grandchildren  are aware that she is about
They all spare her a quick look as they pass,
and we gossip briefly about her when they see me scattering corn on the road where she has realised food will be left
One of the kids has called her Bunty.

In the great scheme of things , a little life of a knackered old pigeon means absolutely nothing,
But do you know what?
to me, who it could be said shares a quiet village based little life
The fate of  Bunty has become quite important
 

42 comments:

  1. Best wishes for Bunty. Perhaps she is an old soul from the village come back to keep watch. Not that I beleive that sort of thing as it's against the Catholic Doctrine, but still...throw some crumbs her way from me will ya?

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  2. This appears straightforward to sort out:

    http://interbug.com/pigeon/lost.html

    Note their advice:

    "If the homer you've found is uninjured, do not continue to feed the bird. A healthy bird will be quite capable of returning to his home in time for the next meal. Further feeding will only encourage the homer to linger at your location."

    They also provide information about how to report it.

    Nx

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  3. The bad weather will have blown her off course. I hope she finds her way home when she recovers her strengh. Sometimes they have an address or telephone number stamped under their wing.

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  4. Yes @Doohie, looking at another website, they mention something about the name stamp too:

    http://www.homingpigeons.co.uk/straypigeons.htm

    I would attach (somehow) a very small message to its other leg...to find out where it ends up...although I don't know how you would do this, or whether it's the 'right' thing to do.

    Nx

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  5. me thinks she's not quite healthy nige

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  6. When we lived in Wales they used to turn up quite regularly. They'd stay for a few days, then just go.

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  7. I have two rescued homing pigeons. sometimes they can't make it home as they are just too flipping weak. Racing pigeons is a cruel 'sport', there for one reason only...to make money. I caught one pigeon who was too weak to fly away... found (via the band)and called the owner, the response was "If you don't want IT throw IT out". The other pigeon I have was found by a vet friend, they were told by the owner "Let it go, if it makes it it makes it, if it doesn't it doesn't".
    The pigeon would have been attracted by your birds, they cannot surivive in the wild. Bunty will quite happily stay about as long as it can get food....some shelter for the winter so she can come and go as she pleases would be lovely !
    Jane x

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  8. Don't stop feeding the bird, John. If it didn't NEED the food, it wouldn't still be there. Pigeons are not opportunistic, they are very attached to their homes. When the bird is strong enough it will go. If I found a pigeon like that here, I'd pick it up and check it for wounds, assuming it had either been hit by a hawk or shot by an idiot. Pigeons are very grateful.

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  9. we had Bunty #2 share a roost at the stables for a few days last week.
    Arrived fluffed, knackered and anxious, ate an awful lot of horse feed and slept in the straw. Re-charged her stamina and departed again for home 3 days later. Knowing what fate probably awaited her for being late/going offcourse I wish she'd stayed

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  10. Awww. Eat up, little Bunty.

    I think my dog had stunned a bumblebee last week and it seemed to be on its last legs/wings... I put it inside an empty bird-house so Parker wouldn't bother it to death or make it's last moments on earth even more horrific for the little guy... it clung to the stone, just breathing for quite a while, and then all of a sudden, it buzzed and flew away, totally fine!

    Most people would probably think I'm crazy for helping out a bee (a pigeon is inherently smarter than a bee, with more feelings), but there is so much horrible-ness in the world, that any time you can save or help something along in some small way, it does matter. I felt really good after that.

    I hope he gets better, and at least you know that you tried, that you did something.

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  11. Exhausted bumblebees respond very well to a drop of sugar solution on a teaspoon......it has the same effect as giving spinach to Popeye....that's just your regular bumblebee though....not the homing sort.....

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  12. And indeed, Bunty might be in ill health and knows s/he is too weak to fly home so has looked for a plan B.

    I'm sure the word is out among the feathered population that if you're feeling under par, there's a place in Trelawnyd where you can find refuge...

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  13. Anonymous4:14 pm

    She has found a spot of sunlight in a cold world and will no doubt stay until she is strong and then will return to her home. I think there must be a spotlight on your little sanctuary John.

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  14. I always find it amazing that a "throwaway blog subject" ( for many a pigeon post would elicit yawns a plenty)
    would get almost as many comments as the holocaust!
    tee hee

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  15. I hope the pigeon decides on whatever it is comfortable with.

    On the Holocaust, I think for many people it's either receding to the depths of history or they have been beaten over the head by it.

    My mother had a cousin who wound in one of the camps by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My husband's people are Prussians and not the most sympathetic of souls (nuff said on that topic). I live in North America and the Americans drag up the Holocaust for many diverse reasons.

    It should never be forgotten but we should not be constantly made to feel guilty for it because our surnames are Germanic.

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  16. I agree.....no one should be reprimanded for the sins of their fathers!

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  17. We often will release these beautiful birds at the end of a service. They circle three time. Always three times. Then fly off in the direction of home.
    It's rare that one becomes disoriented and lost. In the 13 years we've been doing it, we've only lost two birds and we think that was the doings of a hawk.

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  18. People are nicer then we are led to believe from the newspapers...best wishes to Bunty.

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  19. You are a kind guy, John. We need more like you. Some pigeon fliers wring their necks if they return home too late. To some they are just commodities. lily. xxx

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  20. If Bunty's owner knew where she was, then I expect he would be quite excited. A racer walked into my house once, and the owner was really pleased I identified it by the ring number. It was worth about £5000.

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  21. No identifying marks? Think I would call if there is, to feel out the reception Bunty would get. If it's bad, what is one more bird for you?

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  22. Funny you should mention pigeons.
    We have 2 or 3 that come and enjoy the droppings from the smaller birds feeders. One of our neighbours is quite incensed about this and has asked us not to feed the birds.
    Why does man think he's the only one entitled to a life I wonder....
    Keep up the good work you lovely man...
    Briony
    x

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  23. You have such a lovely life, with such capacity for love. Lucky you. Lucky Chris. Lucky Bunty.

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  24. We all know how you feel about waifs and strays. Good on you John

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  25. Bunty is not a pigeon! Bunty is a MI5 intel agent in deep cover!

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  26. Could some sort of Railway Warrant be arranged for her to travel on?

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  27. First, I think it's great that you have taken the little Bunty in.

    Second, no one should be reprimanded for the sins of their fathers!

    Oh my gosh. What a great observation, John. If only others could see it this way.

    Hope you all have a good night and a great Friday!

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  28. The life of a knackered old pigeon means nothing in the great scheme of things, but thank you for meaning someting in the life of a knackered old pigeon. And thanks to the kid who named her Bunty.

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  29. Wow, an awful lot of us are rooting for Bunty! Give that little bird whatever she needs to get healthy and you will be our hero!

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  30. Ah the good life says Bunty!

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  31. What Joanne said...thank you John. Somehow, they end up where they know you will take care of them.

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  32. I hope she stays and prospers.

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  33. Anonymous3:14 am

    Dear John, should I ever be on my last leg I will come to you and your village. Please do feel free to give me any name you like.

    U

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  34. Never a dull moment for you!

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  35. Will a breeder of racing pigeons be interested in the fate of a knackered old bird? I ask you to consider this if you're thinking of contacting the owner.

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  36. Birds - Bees ? It all happens here! I hope you adopt her John - after reading these comments, she's better off at yours !

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  37. ok on a serious note..... whenever I've found stranded "ringed" pigeons I've managed to get in touch with the pigeon racer's association who know who the pigeon belongs to..... mebbe three times people have driven quite considerable distances to reclaim a lost or exhausted bird..... they are always eternally grateful. Might be worth trying.... you should be able to get a pigeon assoc number off the web somewhere.....

    on a lighter note..... let me furnish your ears with a number by the fantastic John Shuttleworth.... this was his entry for the Europigeon song contest...... click here to hear it!

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  38. http://www.nationalpigeonassociation.co.uk/#/lost-birds/4526937672

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  39. Rooting for Bunty...and what a kind soul you are for throwing her some food

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  40. Jason
    I can't catch her as yet, so hopefully she will just feed, get stronger then fly home!

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  41. Oh..thank god for people like you...just when I think I may have to move permanently into the " go away world bubble" a person like you gives me a speck of hope .....this little story is just what I needed today......dear bunty ....please give the sweet bird a toss of corn from me...xx

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  42. Anonymous10:51 pm

    I KNOW! Like my gosling. Your turn now.

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes