Jackdaw

[featheredfriend]

Hello everyone, it's a while since I posted on here but I thought I'd share my Jackdaw story
I noticed him in late spring running about my garden. His right wing was damaged in some way but I could never get near enough to find out how. As he seemed to be coping okay I thought it best to leave him. He was fairly young and after a couple of weeks of seeing me bring food to the various feeders and table he got a bit bolder and waited for me to move away before he dashed out for his food. Later he got bolder and hopped as near as he dare and looked at me expectantly.
His family lived in a neighbour's disused chimney and one morning I drew back the curtains to see one of his parents teaching him how to groom. He watched for a while and then copied. It was a special moment for me to observe. Summer arrived and he had started to try to close his injured wing and was now going higher into the trees and using the branches to come down as we use stairs.
I was beginning to think he would be there for life. However on my birthday I happened to glance out of the window just as he launched himself from a branch. Unfortunately his first attemp didn't work and he hit the lawn with a splat and lay there for minute both wings outstretched looking a bit dazed.
He recovered quite quickly and within the next week was gone.
The family are still around and come for food and I think he's with them as one of them is a little more bedraggled than the others and he takes his time whereas the others grab and quickly fly off.
I think it's him.
I learned a lot about jackdaw behaviour but I thnk the best thing was seeing that his family hadn't deserted him and continued to look after him. Wonderful!

[wizzo]

What an absolutely lovely story Feathered Freind! Thanks for sharing and a big welcome back to WAB I love the Jackdaw as you do. What a wonderfull way to observe, and to get to know your subject. Well done! Wizzo

[sunnydale]

I agree with wizzo, a lovely story to read.

Welcome to WAB featheredfriend!

[Jason Claxton]

I've only had one injured Jackdaw brought to me Featheredfriend,when I was younger.The best ever was a Water Rail ,a fair few years back found in someones garden,we choose to release that in suitable habitat.The Jackdaw was a real character and took to pecking our trainers

[posie]

Lovely interesting story F.F., As you say that one is probably him. Do you get little birds as well with the biggies around?......Posie..

[featheredfriend]

Thank you all for your response to my jackdaw tale.
Thanks for the welcome back Wizzo and I now love jackdaws too. Do you know if they'll stay around or in and around the chimney all winter or do this year's brood fly away? I wondered if just the parents might stick around. Thanks. ff

[featheredfriend]

Thanks, sunnydale for your comments and welcome back. What a lovely user name. ff

[featheredfriend]

Thanks Jason for your message.
I don't think I know the Water Rail. We are a bit inland here. When you say 'brought to you' I guess you are either a vet or a wildlife rescuer or have a reputation locally as one who rescues injured creatures. Great. I liked the image of the Jackdaw pecking at your trainers. Mine didn't get quite so close but it did trust me enough to be about a couple of feet away and watch what I was doing. ff

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by featheredfriend

What a lovely user name. ff

Thanks ff. Not very sunny in the Dales today though, I'm afraid

WARNING...if anyone is heading for Lathkill Dale any time soon.....hire a dinghy!!

[big bill]

Hello featheredfriend and a warm welcome to the site

[featheredfriend]

thanks Big Bill.

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by featheredfriend

Thanks Jason for your message.
I don't think I know the Water Rail. We are a bit inland here. When you say 'brought to you' I guess you are either a vet or a wildlife rescuer or have a reputation locally as one who rescues injured creatures. Great. I liked the image of the Jackdaw pecking at your trainers. Mine didn't get quite so close but it did trust me enough to be about a couple of feet away and watch what I was doing. ff

Yes I'm not a vet or officially a rescuer as such,Featheredfriend.But I've been looking at wildlife and helping where I can since I was about 10,people get to know that I have that interest and bring them to me.The Jackdaw got up to some very naughty antics,the worst was when one of my friends was climbing a tree,he landed on his shoulder and started pecking his ear,the lad was right at the top of a tree and didn't see the funnyside.It is likely that this Jackdaw was an escapee or released.Cheers Jason.

[Davy Crockett]

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

Yes I'm not a vet or officially a rescuer as such,Featheredfriend.But I've been looking at wildlife and helping where I can since I was about 10,people get to know that I have that interest and bring them to me.The Jackdaw got up to some very naughty antics,the worst was when one of my friends was climbing a tree,he landed on his shoulder and started pecking his ear,the lad was right at the top of a tree and didn't see the funnyside.It is likely that this Jackdaw was an escapee or released.Cheers Jason.

This does happen Jason as you say when people know you are interested in wildlife it snowballs and annimals arrive at the door on a regular basis.
Anyway not a bad thing

[featheredfriend]

Jack was here in the garden this morning. He was on his own and busy looking for worms. I watched him pull one unfortunate one out of the lawn and enjoy it. He looked very well and fit and stayed quite a while. I was thrilled.