John Mackay

Good to be back. Still trying our best with the birds.

We are having to hand rear a baby Black Headed Caique this season. It is around 3 weeks old at present, just put it's closed ring on a few days ago.

Occasionally hand reared available but mainly parent reared babies. All close rung and DNA'd. Unrelated pairs can be made with some species.

Found an adled egg thrown out today, sure I heard a little squeak coming from the nest box too. So think at least one has hatched. I dare not look as the parents are always in the box when they hear me and are very nervous. Will have to leave it for a while yet.

Had 2 young fuscicollis hatch over a week ago. Looked OK when I had a chance to check them yesterday. The other pr have eggs due to hatch, unable to check as yet. Hope they will be OK with this colder weather we have been forecast.

We have a few youngsters in the nest and all seem to be doing well. All in outside aviaries. 2 x Severe Macaws fully feathered. 2 x nests of YTC fully feathered (1 nest of 2 and 4 in the other rearing brilliantly). 1 x nest of 2 YTC around 3 weeks. I do worry about the heat but it seems all is going OK. Worrying less as a few are just leaving the nest during the day.

Ours prs are gentle enough, one pr to an aviary but mix well with other species. Ours with Diamond Doves, CP Quail and Green Singers.

Dosn't time fly. Good to see/hear positive feedback from new owners.

Well done, they are looking good.

I don't think so. Some listed in last years PS breeding register, but probably details sent in wrong. Someone from South Wales? contacted me saying he kept them, didn't believe them so asked for pics and never heard from them again. Took it as a scam so deleted info.

Good to see Mortimer is settling in so well.

Happy Birthday mate.

Not too bad really. Very good fertility rate overall. BHC 2 prs laid 11 eggs, hatched 10. 2 died, h/r 4 and p/r 4. YTC p/r 4, lost 7 in bad Winter. GTC laid 4, fostered 3 under Hahns, 3 hatched, 2 died, h/r 1. Hahns p/r 3, h/r 1. Capes 2 prs, p/r 2 each. Severe Macaws, 2 prs p/r 4. YC Macaws, clear again. Brown Headed Parrots, nothing yet.

A friend lost their pet African Grey earlier this evening. Any sightings or news I can pass on to them. I have given them John Hayward's details.

Cockchafer