August 4 2008
Work continues on the building...the walls are poured and dried, and look great! Next step will be the floor with the heating system in it, and the plumbing. Now that we're moving, we have a guesstimated finish date of mid-September. CLICK HERE FOR PROGRESS PICTURES
We didn't get to do bug screen this past week, due to nasty weather. But we have an offer of volunteers for this coming weekend to get at that. All of the experience we have gained on this first one will be vital when we start to make them for the new building.
Another new macaw joined us this week. Willy is a shamrock, a cross of scarlet and military macaws. He's 23, and hasn't been handled at all...very shy and fearful. He'll take a lot of work. He and Louis harlequin are neighbors, and they like to yell at each other. Louis is obviously attracted to women, and flirts outrageously with them, but still can't be touched.
We're working to establish compatible groups out of the 7 ringnecks that are here. The current trial is to have three of the females together, and the two wild boys in a second cage. Then Cher is seeing how she likes Paulie...they seem to be getting along so far. We don't want any of these birds being aggressive toward each other, but also don't want any breeding. Paulie is the only tame one of the bunch...so we need homes for these groups that would be satisfied to have them be birds and watch them.
The new amazons are making progress. Nate the Nape will step up for me every time now, despite making all those ferocious amazon noises and movements. Eddie is still shy, and will only step on a stick most of the time. Both take snacks from fingers easily, and toss the ones they don't want.
AUGUST 8 2008
A bunch of new kids on the block this week. Moe Senegal and Amelia Lovebird are both pretty good little birds, and are looking for homes where they can get out and be played with and petted more. Gomez Macaw and Charlie Amazon are old friends of ours who're here for a visit.
Cher and Paulie are a good pair...they feed, preen, and snuggle each other...they will be placed together. Since Cher isn't tame, they need a home where they can be seen and not touched.
AUGUST 19 2008
We found a good home for Moe the Senegal, and I'll be delivering him when I go to the Fair in Des Moines next Sunday. Vet visits this week for Gomez and Charli, and they're both healthy. Gomez had a beak trim, because he's a scissorbill case.
Last week I went to talk to some young people at the Dubuque Humane Soc, and Ralph and I had a great time there. I want to take this opportunity to remind people that we love to go out and do educational talks, and only charge for the gas. Let me know when your club or group would like a visit. Next Sunday I'm in Des Moines for the Mid-american Cage Bird Soc Fair at the Botanical Center...come visit if you're in the area.
Much progress on the new building...wall insulation, backfilling, grading and contouring is done, and the gravel, insulation, and tubes for the in-floor heat system installed. We expect the floor to be poured tomorrow or Thursday, and they'll start the framing for the roof next week and finish plumbing next week. click here for pictures.
AUGUST 29 2008
The building is coming nicely. The heat tubes are in the floor, manifolds on the wall. The floor is poured, and the framing has started. They'll start the roof next Tuesday. New pictures are on the Building Page . We got another very nice donation this week, and are closing in on having enough to pay all costs immediately.
Moe has gone to his new home, and is doing very well there. I picked up Kiki the kakariki, and she's a case that will need a bunch of time. The story we get is that she's an ex-breeder, but very young. She's cage-bound and untamed, and her head is plucked badly. But she apears to be healthy and is eating well, and learning to handle a larger environment.
SEPTEMBER 11 2008
Cher and Paulie IRNs are off to a fine new home. We have a Senegal due in this weekend. Gracie BG has been taken off the available list...she seems to want to stay here pretty badly and hang out with Sammy Scarlet. Timot Cherryhead has grown in a fine new crop of feathers to cover his previously bare tummy.
Progress on the new building: the roof is all done, and the insulation blown into the attic. The electricians have started work, and the plumbers are due next week. The doors should also arive next week for installation. The polycarbonate sheets for the solar windows are in, and I'll pick them up today. I hope to have the building sealed next week, and utilities in the following week. Things have been slowed down by the massive flooding last month and rains this month, which put many of the contractors behind schedule on all their projects. We still are hoping to be able to move the birds in before cold weather
SEPTEMBER 29 2008
Ki, Sparky, and Harper, ringnecks, were adopted last week together, and have gone to their new home. That leaves just the two males to be placed. Cima Senegal and Amelia lovebird also found a home, and have left us. Today I picked up Lucy, a young female Bluefront Amazon. She's pretty badly cage-bound, and very hand-shy, but is very pretty and is in apparent good health. We'll work with her and try to get her happy with people.
Last weekend I had a great time at the Quad City Parrot Society's Fall Fair, and met a lot of great folks there.
The new building is getting close to use, and I'm hugely stoked! The septic and water systems are in, all electrical work is finished, and we're just waiting on the plumbers to finish up. Then I have a little finish work and a lot of cleaning to do, and we can start moving birds, maybe in two weeks!
We've received a donation of three Fresh Air air cleaners from Cleaner Living Inc of Geneseo IL, for which we are very grateful. They are also offering a discount on a cleaner to anyone who has adopted a bird from us. Their website is at www.cleanerlivin.com
OCTOBER 18 2008
Seven of the female ringnecks from last year's placements have returned because they were unable to get along in their adoptive environment. They're listed on the available page. We also have added Charli LC Amazon to the sanctuary flock. Gomez BG macaw has returned to his home, and was way happy to see his real keeper. We have a possible adoption pending on Louis-Louis the Harlequin Macaw. Willy Shamrock is still a tough case, and we're trying to calm him.
Good news about the building....there's just the plumbing and heating to do and they swear they'll be here next week to finish up. Not-so-good news...there's been a miscommunication on the costs, and we're going to be short on the money by about $12,000. I've arranged to pay for it short-term by taking oiut a loan against our home. If I have to pay for it out of my pocket, I will, though it'll be a stretch on a teacher's pension. So, if any of you can help, or know of a funding source I can try, please let me know. Here's how you can donate if you're able SUPPORT.
NOVEMBER 7 2008
Much news here in the last three weeks. In fact, so much has been going on I haven't had time to update here...sorry! OK, so first: we're ready to move in to the new shelter. The heat is on, water is running, and a few big plants are in place. Abi and I plan to start moving little birds and their gear tomorrow. I'll work this coming week on other gear. We hope to have a gang of volunteers here on Sunday the 16th to tear down and move the big bird room, as well as coverage from the local newspaper. All help will be gratefully accepted...we'll need people to disassemble and move the large cages, people to wash them and people to move boxes and tubs of food, toys, and gear. We'll also need some people to babysit the birds while their cages are torn down. We plan to start the final push on Sunday at 1 PM, and hope to see a bunch of our friends there. After everybody is moved, we can plan the party!
In other news; We brought in three birds from Illinois...Shrek Bluecrown Conure, Moochie Greencheek Conure, and Peeper cockatiel. Moochie has already found a new home. See the available page for details on Shrek and Peeper. Another new arrival is Bubba, a very engaging Blue and Gold Macaw. He'll need a home with some macaw skills and a willingness to work with him cuz he has a lot of attitude. Lucy BFA has also found a home, and is being heavily spoiled, as all birds ought to be.
Finally, in financial news. We've received an offer of a $6,500 matching grant from the Alma Natura Foundation. We get the money if we raise a matching amount from other sources by January 30 2009. So far the matching funds are at $400. OK, I know it sounds like PBS or NPR, but....every dollar you can spare in the next 11 weeks will double itself. I know the economy has tanked and things are tough, but we'd sure appreciate any help with this.
NOVEMBER 16 2008
Abi and I moved the little guys last week with help from Marian and her daughter.. Sixteen birds with their cages and food etc, all done in an afternoon. Today, we had help from Mike and Bob, and got seven of the macaws and their cages moved, as well as a bunch of playstands and boxes of toys. Massive thanks to all of our helpers. We still have six big birds and their cages to move, plus three more playstands and a pile of boxes.
Matching fund donations are at $500.
We'll be traveling soon to northern Wisconson to pick up an Orangewing Amazon...he's reported to have some aggression problems since his long-time cage-mate died...more news on him when he's here.
NOVEMBER 23 2008
The big news is....we're IN! The move to the new building is a done deal. All the birds are there now, along with their cages and most of the playstands. There's still organizing, sorting, shelving, etc, and a lot more to do to the building once it's paid for and we get more funding...but Iowa Parrot Rescue is officially in their own custom built structure!
