They have been concerned about Mortimer, say Jules de Groot and Doug Jamieson of Alderwood Farm, as they've been getting calls from island residents and businesses reporting that he has been a bit of a pest. But they know that their charge - they've been looking after him since the spring - doesn't mean any harm. The couple wants to let islanders know that if a friendly crow approaches them, begs for food or lands on their heads or shoulders, it is probably Mortimer.
"We rescued the crow that fell out of the nest at the Ruddy Potato in the spring," de Groot said, explaining that Mortimer lived in a box in their house and quickly learned to open his beak to receive food. This is a habit that the now-teenage-aged crow has retained and de Groot is worried that people will feed him inappropriate food.
"Mortimer is very attached to Doug. He stayed on the farm and also got used to the dogs and people," de Groot said. "He even came on vacation to the cabin with us a couple of times in the summer."
Things changed in early September when de Groot and and Jamieson took turns visiting family. Mortimer felt that he was not getting enough food and attention. He also made new friends with his peers (other crows) and discovered the short flight to the cove and all the treats available there, according to de Groot.
"I just spoke to the people at the marina and heard that he was sitting on someone's shoulder helping with gardening," de Groot said, adding that she had messages from other businesses to say that some people get annoyed, especially when he settles on the heads of their children. "He used to sit on my head and thinks that it's a safe spot for him to land," de Groot said.
She adds that she realizes that this can be bothersome and is worried about people reacting in a way that would hurt Mortimer. She says, "We want to make sure that people know that he is tame and that, because of his upbringing, he's not as afraid of people as his other feathered friends."
Asked about the best way to let Mortimer know he is not welcome, de Groot suggests shooing him away. She admits that she hasn't trained a crow before but has read that crows are highly intelligent.
Earlier this week, Mortimer showed up at the pub and Jamieson picked him up to bring him back to the farm. But de Groot says that he isn't staying as they can't compete with all the attention he is getting elsewhere. "He started out as the Alderwood pet crow but belongs to Bowen now," she said, adding that on the one hand, she is happy that he's independent.
"It's nice that he sits in the trees at night and he seems to have quite a few crow friends," she said.
But she is also worried. "We want to ask people, 'Please don't hurt him!' He is like any other teenager - a bit inappropriate at times but we feel that people need to be informed and inspired rather than scared and frustrated."
