Hard to believe it’s the end of the year already

Where has this year gone? The days may have dragged but the months seem to’ve flown by, and here we are, heading into 2026 in just a few days. Wow…

The fundraiser ends tomorrow; no sense dragging it out when it’s obvious we’re not gonna come close to meeting the goal. Currently, we’re still at $670, meaning we have $1330 to reach the $2000 goal. Many thanks to those who donated.

The sole new intake last week was a gray-phase screech from Laurens County. She was found in the road, stunned. Nothing is broken, although she does have a dilated right pupil. She’s eating well and glaring daggers at me, though, so fingers crossed there’s no soft tissue damage and she can be released later this week, after a few days in the mini-pen—after New Year’s Eve, of course.

The barnie has a favorite perch; can y’all tell? He’s also eating well and beak-clicking and toe dusting like crazy. Now if he’d just be still for good, clear photos… No screams when I go in to feed, which I’m not complaining about. I need to slip around to the flights at night and see if he’s vocalizing any at all then. This will also allow me to see if the local barnie population is responding to his calls.  

Given the upcoming New Year’s Eve fireworks, though, Sir Barnie will be moved back inside overnight Wednesday, to make sure he doesn’t panic at the noise and do something stupid. He won’t be happy, but better a healthy and slightly unhappy bird come January 1 than an injured or dead one.

Hope y’all enjoy whatever plans y’all have for New Year’s Eve, and here’s wishing everybody a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!