Donna, I'm glad you were successful with trapping the cat. I hope that the vet will find a nice barn for her to live in, where she will be useful and happy. When I trapped kittens and knew that they would never see their mother again, and mother cat was crying outside looking for them, I couldn't stop crying. It was so sad. When the woman came to take them away I was so choked up I had trouble speaking. It's hard. You did the right thing both for the birds and for the cat, whose life would undoubtedly be short and fraught with danger. good job

Donna you went above and beyond what most would do. Thanks for helping the cat. You never know, with human attention at the vets she may just socialize enough to become a lap cat? If not I hope she goes to a nice farm with a nice warm barn.

Thanks Anita and Lisa...I needed to hear that!

Donna did you call the vet to find out about the cat? Boy or girl? Feral or Stray? Sometimes cats like this are just strays that have been living outdoors for a long time. They can be "rehabilitated" and placed in homes with some work. True ferals usually will not be able to live with humans. Please let me know when you find out what's happened to the cat. And how are your birds faring? Wishing you much luck with this nesting.

Anita, I believe it was a female. I left a long note late yesterday afternoon for the vet and today I called a left word for her to call me. I really don't know if she is feral or a stray, as I know nothing about cats. When she first appeared on the fence, she would run away when approached. One very cold night in January, she was under my neighbor's shrubs "meowing", so yep, I fed her. After awhile, she began coming around more often and grew more comfortable in my yard. She would stay gone for a day or two, reappear and over time, seem to spend more time hanging around here. She would rub my patio furniture and she grew accustomed to my presence. Don't have a clue if that's the behavior of a stray or feral! My gut feeling is that it's possible she will become more social with more and more human contact. I am concerned about her and hope my vet calls soon with a report.

The birds are doing well...Mama blue has laid 5 eggs as of yesterday so I guess I count today as the first day of incubation. Many thanks for caring.

Donna

Donna, that certainly sounds like a stray cat, not feral. Did she eat in front of you? If she did that kinds cinches it that she was somebody's cat once. That would be better for the cat since she may get a home. I'll be waiting to hear.

Spoke with my vet yesterday and the cat is doing very well. She is eating and using a litter box, and while she will "hiss" at the staff, she allows the vet to pet her. She came close to finding a new home yesterday, but it didn't work out. A couple brought their young daughter in but she was afraid of the cat.

She will be spayed and receive her shots, but she needs a little more adjustment period. Once she is spayed, it will be easier to relocate her. I hope she will be adopted shortly thereafter. I don't know what will happen if time goes by and she's not relocated....guess it's best to take one day at a time and think positively!

Donna

Great news about the cat Donna. So the eggs that your female Blue laid, they are the male's that was killed? She was laying eggs when he was killed right? Is that new male around now with the female?

Donna

Good question, so here's the timeline. Daddy blue died on the afternoon of 5/28. The other male had been around for several days prior to that. On 5/31, there were 3 eggs, 6/1, 4 eggs and 6/2 she laid the 5th and she is now incubating. The new male guarded the box for at least two days after Daddy blue's death. What do you think?

The new male, or new Daddy seems very attentive and protective of Mama and the nestbox. This has been such a weird turn of events. Just hope all goes well again with this 2nd nesting, as we all hope for our blues!

Donna

I believe the new male may "be da baby daddy" as my girlfriend would say. LOL

You are toooo funny!!!! You may be right. Obviously, there was no grieving period for Mama blue. But for now at least, both seem to be happy and content. I won't be content until I see 5 babies fledge and the cat gets a new, good home!