Not homeless

When arriving home these days, we approach the driveway very cautiously so as not to startle visiting wildlife, or more accurately, the wild turkeys.

Squirrels or chipmunks and groundhogs rush off up a tree or down a hole, but the turkeys get their feathers ruffled and that doesn’t do. We hope that they will retain images of this being a peaceful haven for them.

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As far as we’ve been able to determine, the flock numbers 17 again, as it did last year, three or four adult females and their young of varying sizes. However they huddle together and move about a lot which makes it hard to keep track.

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In the above I almost got the 17 in one shot. You’ll have to take my word for it that the odd-looking shape to the right of the yucca seed pod is part of a turkey.

We have white stripes on the windows to prevent bird strikes, which narrows the view considerably and I avoid getting too close and scaring the birds. Such challenges!

Often enough when the turkeys arrive on the scene, the peacock soon turns up.

There is news on that front:

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Concerned for Ralphie’s welfare over the coming Winter, I posted a message in our local online forum which produced immediate results.

It turns out that Ralph, who is actually called Junior, in fact belongs on the farm just up the hill. He became restless back in July, so the owner decided to allow him to roam. It seems he does not go far and returns every night to roost safely – with his sister. She too is allowed to wander but tends to stay close to the farm chickens and we’ve not seen her yet.

Ralph and his sister were still in egg form when their mother expired, so these two peacocks were hatched by a broody hen. (To us he will always be Ralph, I’m afraid).

This is a much happier outcome than I’d expected. I visualised attempting to catch the boy and giving him over to a rescue group, hence never seeing him again. To find out that we are just part of his daily excursion and that he is quite safe was such a relief.

Just last night I ordered 5 pounds of mealworms for him, having discovered that he loves them. However it seems he will be allowed to continue visiting and it is only polite to offer refreshment to one’s guests.

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It was a bad idea to keep Ralphie’s treats in the same cupboard as the kitty snacks.

The packet makes the same sound too. Grant got these at a local Tractor Supply, raising his eyebrows rather at the price, but I discovered they came from China so no doubt they incur a tariff. Checking for the same product at Chewy I found twice the amount for the same price.

Little Man makes fierce with Ralph through the glass door, but I doubt he’d be as bold if he met up with him outside. Not that we plan to allow it to happen.

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Did he tell you about the five wicked cats, Zoomer?

Chipmunks move really fast, but not always fast enough. The girls don’t chase them anymore, but the wee boy would. Another reason for keeping him in!

Just now chipmunks are zooming about left and right to stock their winter lairs, with much chattering and complaining.

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This may sound silly, but these past few weeks we’ve felt almost reluctant to go out at times if Ralph hadn’t been by. What if he came while we were out and not there to talk to him and feed him? He does seem to find things to peck at in the gress, but a moulting peacock needs his grubs!

And he really did appear to seek companionship. Clearly, he’s a sociable sort of fellow.

It’s so nice to know he’s not a homeless bird.

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