Friday: In sad shape ... very tiny hummingbird tried to feed from the nasturtiums in the yard but lost his loft, couldn't perch and wound up flailing in the earth under some petunias ... calling out in little 'peeps'. The rain was coming down hard and the wind was so high - a storm that resulted in a couple of tornadoes well East of here in Ottawa/Gatineau.
He couldn't fly any longer or perch, certainly wasn't going to get off this property alive let alone launch on that journey South. I just had to try.
I scooped him into the container without touching him and tried to interest him in feeding from an eye dropper because there was not an ounce of strength. He just laid on the bottom, wet and frail, no interest. All afternoon and evening, no luck in getting him interested in food. Three a.m. attempt at feeding was no go ... I almost lost hope. Then around 4 a.m. I noticed a tiny tongue snake out to sample some food and it was like a light came on. You'll see from the pics that he is now very attached to the eye dropper. Also encouraging is when he supped a taste of hummingbird food dripped into the hibiscus blossom. This is a sturdy flower and with a skewer through it - a perch for tiny feet.
Saturday: In between constant feedings, otherwise spent enclosing in with 'Daisy' fencing an old dog kennel to make roomier digs. If he lived, he would need space to gain wing strength. He ate and some strength came. At first he perched a little, then preened a little, eventually using his straggly 'wings' to assist in scrambling up higher on the trellis to perch.
Today he can sort of helicopter in short bursts. He cannot yet hover. But he is trying mighty hard!
Pics through plastic or fencing ... not the best, but they tell his story. So far. I will call the bird sanctuary to see what the best path is. I don't mind an over winter guest but may have to cancel my fall camp trip - or arrange for a hummingbird sitter.
Frost possible tonight - woodburner is blazing.
