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	February 2009
Tuesday 24th February	It's small potatoes, I know, but today we released a small dove we had been nursing for a week or so. She was found in our orchard, unable to fly, yet with no obvious sign of injury or disease. We guessed she was a youngster who had simply become tired and under-nourished, but we will never know for sure. Anyhow, after a week or so of cage rest, she is off doing what doves do best: eating, making little doves, and feeding the local hawk population (harsh, but true).
Friday 20th February   the other release	She's out! After an afternoon of coaxing and sweet-talking yesterday and then a morning of it today, Titch finally worked out that the only way she would get to Mick was by walking out onto the outer platform. She sat for a moment looking at the sky, then launched herself into a nearby flamboyant. Mick, who must have been watching, sailed down from the tall trees on the hillside to join his girlfriend. They sat for a while revelling in their accomplishment, then took off for the bush. We hope they will come back and visit, but realistically, we don't think they will - at least not for a while: they've got some catching up to do in the nesting department.   And they're off...	Stepping out of the aviary   Reunited
Thurdsay 19th February   Release (well, half a one)	It was to be Mick and Titch's big day today. We have been half-heartedly trying to get them both out together for over 3 weeks now but today we decided to just get on with it. So... door open, food outside, and Mick came piling out. He had been ready for a while now, we were just waiting for Titch to catch up. Typically, today Titch decided something unusual was in the air and she was NOT coming to the platform to eat. After 2 hours patiently waiting, we conceded the first round, removed all the food in the aviary and decided we would wait until 4pm (the usual feeding time) to try for round 2. Meanwhile Mick is covering every inch of the sky, flying back to the aviary periodically to check Titch is okay, and then screaming off into the tallest trees once again. Quite a sight!	Free at last
Tuesday 10th February	Busy day for us. We were asked by the Forestry Department to talk at one of the local Universities. Forestry made a presentation on the outdated and inadequate Wildlife Laws of Belize, which we underlined by our experiences so far. If we were looking for further proof, later that day Forestry handed over a badly injured barn owl, which we understood had been hit by a car. It unfortunately died of its injuries. The vet diagnosed a broken wing, fractured skull and badly damaged eye. The following day, purely by coincidence, we met the Audubon Society officer who had found the bird in Belize City. In order to rescue it though, he had to fend off the local youth who were intent on stoning it to death. It's going to be a long, hard road...	A healthy barn owl
Tuesday 10th February   Report written by Bruce, Nox's new carer	"It has been over two weeks since we took the owl. For those of you who don't know, his name is Nox oculus. It means Night eyes in latin. We call him Nox for short. On the Sunday evening Nox arrived, we transfered him into his new home, a 5'× 5'× 7' wood and chicken wire enclosure. It has a large box for him to sleep in and all the perches he needs.  For the next few days, Nox ate well but wouldn't go into his box.  After a while, I noticed that he looked thirsty, so I took the needle off a syringe and gave him some water. He eagerly drank it. Apparently Nox isn't drinking from his water dish. Up until this date I still give him water with a syringe. On the evening of day five, dad got Nox to perch on a branch he was holding. He then took Nox out of his cage and sat on a bench with him. I fed him while he was perched on the branch. The next morning I did the same as dad . He was a very good bird and didn't jump off. On day 8 I took Nox on his branch and let him perch in a tree. After a few minutes me and dad took him to the garden and let him perch on another tree. There we got him to perch on the glove. Me and dad walked him over to his cage and fed him the rest of his beef.  We then put him in and said good night. The next evening I fed Nox and then took him to the same tree in the garden. After a couple of minutes I got Nox to perch on my arm, and then took him for a short walk. Later I put him on his roost for the night. He is finally adjusting to his new home, And I think he will be very happy here." For questions and comments E mail: noxoculus@gmail.com	"Nox oculus"
Monday 9th February   Update	We had some excellent news today.  We hadn't seen Kleintjie since February 2nd - 4 days after her release. It was possible was a 'failure' and become disoriented and lost but we were heartened by the fact that we hadn't seen Mr P either - which could well mean they were together. Sure enough, today they both returned, looking confident and comfortable in each other's company: Mr P's very distinctive scrappy wings, and Kleintjie's small stature flying side by side, swooping into to the aviary area, saying hello and goodbye to Kalie and Bonnie, before clattering off toward the river. It brings tears to the eyes!   Meanwhile, Kalie and Bonnie remain firm friends, and are behaving much as a pair - cuddling together at night and sharing lumps of sweet corn. We have a nesting box (courtesy of the owl's new owner) which we intend to put up close to the aviary - just in case...