SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

WORLD OF HUMMINGBIRDS!

Emma feeding new foster baby hummers 
Monique, CALadyDi's local hummingbird rehabber contacted Diane about about a nest that was accidentally cut down, then found with new babies in it and no mom to be found. The babies appear to have been born 5/17 and 5/18. There were still egg shells in the nest.

With them being as young as they are, there are grave concerns about their immature digestive systems. What the babies need for survival is a mother hummingbird to feed them, not a human.

It had been  discussed and decided that they would take steps to put up a nest next to Emma's current nest, to get her "used to it", then to replace that nest with the orphan babies' nest. They then will press the two nests together closely, but they will still remain separate. (Much like they did with Hope's nest). Ideally, she'll be able sit on the eggs (continuing their incubation) and be willing to feed the babies (as shown below) at least until they're about 9 days old, when their chance of survival with human feeding are much, much greater.

Are they positive this is going to work?
 Nope.
This type of thing is unprecedented at this time. They are taking this all one step at a time.

The orphan's crops appear to be emptying at the present time, and they are staying alive, but the chance of continued survival diminishes as time progresses without a hummer mother

They hope this will NOT jeopardize the eggs in any way. And this is all being done with much care of supervision of trained people. The orphans' chance for survival if they do nothing, is very very slim.
If Emma can help (like she did for Hope), this is worth a shot, right? It just doesn't seem fair to sit by and do NOTHING.

Emma has shown us her amazing miracles before (have you read the story of Hope?) Let's see what she does this time...

HERE'S THE STORY OF HOPE. If you haven't read it, YOU MUST:
http://ourhummingbirdnest.shutterfly.com/nominateemma
 Read the story about the foster hummers Mia and Phil -http://ourhummingbirdnest.shutterfly.com/ourbabies
site link-  http://www.ustream.tv/worldofhummingbirds