Last night I was up late and about ready to go to bed. I heard the horn on my car beep. Just once and no more. It was curious, as my car was safely in the garage. I went to the laundry room and opened the door to the garage. I turned the lights on and waited for a couple minutes. I did not let the dogs out, although they were anxious to investigate for me. The door from the garage leading to the pool house was open. I turned on the light in the pool house and thought I heard something scurrying. I did not see anything. I shut that door and concentrated on my car. There was no further honking and I decided to open the garage door in hopes that if there was something in the garage - it might go out into the night, instead of making my horn honk. I stood at the door for as long as the cold would allow. Nothing..... I finally closed the garage door. I checked the alarm on the car and all was normal, with the alarm engaged and the red light blinking periodically, on the dash.
I rechecked the pool house, but saw nothing and heard no further scurrying. I decided it could wait until morning to check it out.
This morning I opened the garage and the dogs hurried outside to run. It is what they do in the mornings, no matter how cold, or wet it may be. It actually had warmed up this morning and was almost 40 degrees. I did not see or hear anything in the garage and the dogs did not seem the slightest bit interested in smelling around the car.
I went into the pool house and while I was taking care of a few chores in there, I once again heard scurrying. So did Journey and he was hot in pursuit, at the far end of the pool. He cornered the scurryier on a window sill when it fluttered to a resting place. I could not see it very well, but it was tiny and it had wings. I commanded Journey to "leave it", which he immediately did. "Good boy Journey"! He practically had it in his mouth - but he stood back. I went into the house for a towel to be certain I could catch it. If it got away I was afraid it might land in the pool, which is very cold at this time of year.
The frightened little guy did not move and I carefully picked him up and took him outside. I placed him on the edge of a planter so he could catch his breath. He was soooo tiny and breathing hard. I went inside to get my camera.
Next I placed a small dish of seed, and a small dish of water on the picnic table near him. Another bird seemed to be frantically calling to him and swooping nearby. I watched him from the doorway and in a minute or two he took off and headed to the area where the other bird was moving about from branch to branch of various trees and bushes.
My gentlemanly dogs watched the whole scenario. I was very pleased with them. They did not go near him, even while I was inside getting my camera and the food.
His mate probably wondered where he had been all night.
I don't think he was the cause of my car horn honking, but maybe if he really thunked down on it .... well, who knows. Anyway, he is not hurt and he is back with his mate. Hopefully he will not fly into the pool house again when the door is open - or if he does, hopefully he will fly out before I close the door. I don't know what kind of bird he is. He is very tiny, and a little puff ball. I am so glad he is okay. He is a tough little bird and come spring he or she will most likely parent some strong babies.
