Fragile life

The room where we make things has walls of glass. In the UK these rooms are called conservatories. The problem with walls of glass is that birds see right through the room to the other side; and of course being birds, they don't know what glass is. So sometimes little guys like this fly into it. 

When I found him he was barely breathing, he looked asleep on his side. I was worried another animal would get him so I brought him inside. Inside the conservatory is our craft space. The only quick thing I could find to put him in was a basket with linen scraps in it. I wanted something to prop him up with so with one hand, I unravelled my latest attempt at knitting while holding him with the other, then laid him on the yarn. 

I went and made him some sugar water and came back to find he was more awake, he drank some of the water and seemed quite calm.

I looked on the RSPB website and found that you can drop off injured birds at veterinary hospitals. While I was online he seemed to perk up even more and began trying to fly. Yay! Both wings were working, my heart skipped. I discovered then that he couldn't use his left leg so I took him to the vet. We had to wait in a waiting room with a barking dog, thought birdie would have a heart attack.

The vet took him in his huge hands and examined him, I was right, no use of the left leg. He said the leg didn't appear broken but birdie probably had brain damage and couldn't be rehabilitated. Even if he could blue tits need almost constant feeding and a bird sanctuary wouldn't have the manpower.

 
So the vet gave him a birdie size injection. I'm telling myself it was a nicer ending than being snapped up by a magpie or torn apart by a stoat. 

This is what I've learned. If you find an injured bird put it in a container with a lid and holes for air. Put it in a dark, quiet place and call the RSPCA to find a vet that will take the bird in. (This birdie got agitated when I tried covering him and putting him in a dark room so I left him in the basket where he seemed calm.) Also, broken wings can sometimes repair themselves but broken legs are less successful.

I forgot to ask the vet if sugar water was a good thing, but birdie seemed to improve with it. I gave it to him because blue tits are very energetic, almost like humming birds and humming bird feeders are filled with sugar water.

To warn the birds about the window I've strung across a length of lace as a temporary measure, we'll see if it works. I'd always wanted to hold a blue tit, careful what you wish for :(

 

On another note, last Sunday the sun came streaming through the bedroom window. It was a beautiful day for Mother's Day here in the UK and I actually slept for eight hours straight! Usually T & G are so excited on Mother's Day that they wake me up very, very early; this year they were too busy making things - sleep was bliss.

I've been busy with an upcoming article and back-and-forth to school a lot, but birdie is far sweeter to show you than anything else going on right now, think you'd agree :)

 

Comments

[Mathyld / encore petite]

Oh no ... Poor birdie ...
It was not because of your wish, but I see what you mean ...
Your words are soft and delicate. And I love your idea of the lace, let's hope it'll work ! Because this is too sad, really ...

x x x
___m___

[Christy]

poor birdie..yes the lace valance is a good idea!

[Lisa at Lil Fish Studios]

Poor little guy. I can really feel how caring you are though, by the lengths you went through for him.

[Care]

Awww, poor little birdie... He looks so sweet and soft and delicate! I hope the lace works!

[Sarah]

It's difficult..and heart breaking!

My boyfriend has brought home a few injured birds, we had one with a broken leg..cuts peeled down to the bone.
They were going to amputate the foot. We allowed him to gain weight before the operation.. and lo and behold.. he used it!! It wasn't like normal, but he certainly was using it and he flew away several months later with a little piece of our hearts.

LOTS Of work though..and boy.. birds sure do poop alot!

Sigh.. Sorry to hear.. but you did your best.. and that's the best one can do.

[Nanou]

Oh, sweet Nini, you're wonderful ! Definitely the best birdies' friend I know.

Your creative conservatory is so inviting for us, I easily understand that feather friends are tempted too ! It was maybe the dream of that tit to access to your cosy craftroom and spend time with you, by all possible means, like heroes of legends or tales who sacrify themselves to make their dream come true ... Maybe the birdie achieved his aim and thanks to you, he had a nice end of life, without suffering, surrounded with care and love.

I've heard that hanging CD (compact discs) on threads could take birds away thanks to the reflections of light moving in the wind.

Happy belated Mother's Day, Nini ! (I missed it because ours is much later.) Good luck for your busy everydaylife, sweet friend, I know what you feel :) Have a nice Friday, wishing Mister Sun is still at you !

[Christina]

What a lovely bird. We don't have them here in Australia. You did the right thing so that he wouldn't suffer, as sad as it may be. He is lucky that it was your window and not someones less caring. xx

[Nic]

Poor little thing, but at least he was comfortable and cared for. Unfortunately, Nature doesn't care how cute and fragile something is.

[Sonia]

oh no, I am so sorry
I also love birds & what a weird end for that sweet blue tit :( but he/she couldn't have had a better end, you have such a wide heart, his/her life ended with no pain & cruelty. Thank you for him/her.
sending tons of hugs.
I REALLY have to email you soon. But life's so crazy, I'm sure you can relate. xoxoxo

[Alli (One Pearl Button)]

Aw, how sad. It was good of you to take care of him - he certainly had a much better ending than what would have come otherwise.

[Jinger]

Ah, what a sweet little bird and cared for so tenderly.

[Lisa]

What a sweet little bird, but so sad. . .
We have the same problem here with cardinals. I hope the lace works, I might have to try it too.

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

Poor blue tit - but a very common problem even with normal windows :o( You did so much to help him.

Lucy x

[Lyn]

Oh you did your best for him and it was kinder. i hope the lace works too.
love
Lyn
xxx

[Elizabeth Mackey]

We once nursed a bird with a broken leg, and he made it! We put a little tooth pick as a splint and just hoped for the best. After a bit of time, we set it free. I guess it depends how hard it flew into the window, but I've seen birds do this a lot, they become stunned, but then they recover.
Sorry to hear of the outcome of your little patient :(

[Lisa]

So sorry about the blue tit. What a truly lovely bird.

Funny, I did a post with a pic exactly like yours with the sun streaming in, but I wanted to crawl back in!

[deb]

Poor little birdie... so sweet and such beautiful colors. You my dear are such a kind soul. The lace "flags" are such a clever idea.

Happy belated Mother's Day and Happy Spring!

[aqeela]

So kind of you to persevere rather than turn a blind eye. Things like this restore my faith in humanity!
Aqeela xx

[gigi]

oh poor little thing. when i read that you were able to get him to the vet, i had high hopes.

*sigh* you are right...fragile life.
xoxo
gigi

[joanie]

We would have tried rehabilitating the little guy if the vet thought it was possible he would recover. He said it was brain damage and not a broken leg :(