Visit us at Rancho Colibri

*** Ok, so I am giving up on trying to make frequent regular posts to this blog. It just isn't realistic in my busy world. ***

Bird watching. The hummer population has grown to about the full compliment now. They are busy chasing each other around and fighting over the feeders. Soon, they will make babies. I have noted that there just aren't as many as usual. Maybe due to the drought, although this spring has seen more rain than usual. Anyway we are happy to have them here at Rancho Colibri!

As for other birds, the newest arrivals are the Western Kingbirds. They are so delightful to listen to and watch as they go after flying insects. Apparently the Mourning Doves have had their first babies. I think I counted two new ones out with a parent the other evening. We are so honored to have THREE kinds of doves here: Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, and the Ringed Turtle Doves. Hearing all of their songs as the same time is a kick. They really don't sing in the same key!

Of course, there are also assorted babies from the Starlings, Pigeons, House Finches, House Sparrows and others. In June we usually start seeing the baby Roadrunners learning from their parents how to chase bugs, lizards,...and find baby birds. That's nature!

Chickens. Well, the chickens are still with us. The hens, Mazey and Chicken Little, were brooding and sitting on nests of about 16 (unfertile) eggs each, until a couple weeks ago when I removed all the eggs. Now they are out scratching in the yard, eating bugs and sleeping in the Wisteria vine at the front gate. The rooster we "inherited" has seen a doctor about the drooping wing. Doc wrapped it up, said it was just dislocated. He also noted that the poor guy is severely malnourished--not our fault, he came that way. Rooster Cogburn was OK with the wrap for the first three days but then on day four, he fell over on his back. We tried to right him but he couldn't maintain his balance. We removed the wrap thinking that maybe it was hindering him, but it didn't help. So, we have been keeping him in a crate on the front porch ever since. In the crate we have rolled up towels for support and it is lined with newspaper to make it easy to clean up when he poops. We got the recommended chicken feed for him and he seems to like that. We have to feed and water him every few hours. We change out the papers several times a day too. Who knew how much work a chicken could be! Our hope is that we can put some weight on him and then he will be able to stand up again. Otherwise, it may just be a lost cause. Our hearts are just too big sometimes.

Well, that's it for now. We are expecting the Rufous Hummingbirds to show up in mid-July. That will cause a bit more excitement around here. 'Til next time.