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Post by Learner on Apr 6, 2021 13:41:53 GMT
Hi, I haven't visited the forum for a very long time - I guess life got in the way. I hope all the people I spoke with on here are safe and well. A difficult time for many.
My news: Nothing startling but my aviary is in pretty good order - a few birds no longer with me and one or two new ones added as happens over time.
My neglect of the forum was not a conscious decision - just getting on with life - but I knew you were here.
I am now able to see my grandchildren and look forward to a time when they take an interest in the budgies and my little collection of finches. (Presently they just like looking). My grandchildren are 2 years and 3 months old and (as grandchildren always are) totally delightful. Twins - one girl and one boy. Growing fast, behaving wonderfully well and developing interests in all sorts of things as well as showing their individual personalities.
My family members are ok. As for many, it has not been easy these last months. We have kept apart, missed each other and friends and longed for a return to "normality". I worry for my children's safety - one a keyworker and the other keeping a building business going so working with other trades people.
Bird flu seems to have battered some populations of wild birds and swans. Hoping they recover. Little seems to have been in the news about this.
I have lost family and friends during this difficult time but life goes on - just not as easily as it did before. We have stayed home. Restricted travel mostly the local shops 5 minutes walk away. I am soon to be allowed to visit an elderly cousin in her nursing home 30 minutes walk from me. She is 94 and has been kept safe and well. Thankfully the telephone has allowed me to talk to her every few days.
So that's my news - nothing startling or wildly interesting. Just ticking over. It would be good to hear how others are doing.
Take care.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,779
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 6, 2021 14:25:57 GMT
Welcome back. Glad to hear you're doing okay My little one is just a few months younger than your grandchildren.
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Post by ffiscool on Apr 6, 2021 15:15:40 GMT
Lovely to have you back and I’m sorry you have lost family and friends. A few of my friends lost close family members.
How lovely you’re seeing your grandchildren. I’m sure they’ll love the buds and finches as they get older.
I hope you’ve all been jabbed if you chose to, it’s definitely going to help cut down severity, if caught.
What we’re living through, your grandchildren will learn about in history books.
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Post by jellybean on Apr 6, 2021 15:51:45 GMT
Welcome back Learner. It's been a difficult year, glad you've kept safe and well.
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Post by birdguhl on Apr 6, 2021 16:01:55 GMT
Welcome back, Learner! I have had times away from the forum for similar reasons but glad to be back and connected up again. Sorry you've lost people - very difficult, and of course life's other challenges don't go away at times like this. I hope your birds have helped keep up your spirits, despite changes in your flock too. And that's great about your grandchildren. Here's to better times ahead and an enhanced capacity in all us for enjoying our blessings!
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Apr 6, 2021 17:27:26 GMT
Hi! I'm new to forum since you've been away and am looking forward to hearing more about your flock! I have two little budgies and am learning more about budgies everyday.
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May 2, 2024 10:30:58 GMT
Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2021 21:14:54 GMT
I'm a newbie to this forum as well and I have two buds called Bluey and Bisuit(pic in avatar). I'd love to see some pictures of your flock Learner!
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Post by ariella on Apr 6, 2021 21:29:50 GMT
A hi from me also. I’m using the forum more and likewise, learning lots and enjoying reading old threads. Life can definitely get in the way sometimes and this past year has certainly been a strange one for all. I’m really sorry to hear of your losses. Your grandchildren are such a lovely age and I’m sure as restrictions are lifted gradually and hopefully people who can, have the vaccine and follow the rules, there will be some lovely reunions this summer and many, many much-longed for hugs.
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Post by skysmum on Apr 6, 2021 21:40:09 GMT
Good to hear from you Learner , im glad you and yours are well. Twins, how lovely, hopefully you will be able to enjoy lots of free time together again very soon
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Post by Hezz on Apr 7, 2021 0:47:58 GMT
Hello, Learner. Glad to hear that you and the birds are doing ... well ... as well as can be.
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Post by suesbird on Apr 7, 2021 9:12:37 GMT
Hi Learner, glad to hear from you again. All good here, just have Pip now.
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Post by willowsmum on Apr 7, 2021 11:01:17 GMT
Welcome back Learner. It's nice to know the forum is here waiting for you when you need it.
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Post by Learner on Apr 7, 2021 19:03:39 GMT
Thanks for all your response all the more so as I have been missing without leave for so long. Pleased to see there are new members and more established ones who I recall are still here. I have just arrived home from a long (and lovely) baby-sitting day. Not quite worn out but relaxed and ready for an undemanding evening. Cold out although the daft birds seem not to notice - they have a heater in the "bird-room" (shed) but are often out until the light dips even more so if it is raining. I have, probably foolishly, increased the number of little chirping finches that I have. The original pair of zebras raised two clutches of chicks and I hadn't the heart to sell any so have eight. As well as those I bought one lonely Bengalese finch as he was sitting in a cage surrounded by birds of a different species so I took him home. The chap in the pet shop assured me he would have "more in soon". But... along came the Bug and no new Bengalese for sale. In all my little bird waited almost two years for a companion like himself. Now (thanks to the chap in the local pet shop) I have a total of four Bengalese - such sociable, gentle little birds. Never a feather pulled out of place and they roost together on one perch every night - no squabbling and pecking orders needed as is sometimes the case with the budgies. My aviary has been trouble free - is regularly surrounded by a group of local cats both on the roof and under the bird-room. My birds are safe as the flights are double meshed and any rodents that might want to take up residence are no where to be seen. Both lots of birds (budges in their flight & finches in theirs) totally ignore the cats although I am sure one or two of the budgies would happily grab a cat tail if it could be reached as they dangle down from above. Our cat indoors often had her tail tugged when I had six budgies in the conservatory - the cat often dozed next to their indoor flight so they took advantage of her tail as something else to play with! Warmer weather approaching - moulting may be close as my once sleek and gorgeous looking budgie crew are beginning to look a little dishevelled.. I don't think it is my imagination. In fact, I am sure it's not as I hoovered up enough feathers to make a small pillow yesterday... so much easier with a hoover than chasing the things around with a broom. neither set of birds blink when the hoover goes on although the finches often skedaddle outside which makes life easier for me. Training: I recall my very early concerns about trying to get a flock of budgies to go back into the bird room when I first had the aviary. I am delighted to announce that all (including the scatty zebras in their flight) are able to follow a simple verbal command. "In you go. Go on" and they do just that even before I step into the safety door. One after the other the budgies flit across the aviary onto the platform and in through the little door. I must admit it has taken ages but once the older budgies got the idea the newer ones just followed... so useful if I want to shut them in early because I am going to be late home (rare as I go nowhere apart from baby-sitting when needed). So - persistence and conformity really does work with budgies (to my amazement with zebras too). My birds have the hang of it - I do the same and expect the same - they know what is happening and oblige. All for now - new owners keep up the training - it works....... eventually.
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Post by ffiscool on Apr 7, 2021 23:25:30 GMT
lovely to have been babysitting, but tiring!
would love to see pictures of the finches and buds... not seen bengalese before
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Post by samwiseg on Apr 8, 2021 9:06:26 GMT
Hi and welcome back Learner! Wow a lot has been happening for you and sorry to hear you've had a bit of a rough time due to this awful pandemic. Glad you are ok yourself and the flock are good and increasing! As ffiscool has said would love to see pictures if and when you can
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