Takahe Time

Yesterday was my day for feeding the takahe and talking to visitors about them. I went in a little early and weighed out little pottles of 'takahe easi meals'. They have different amounts depending what time of the day it is.
I made my way to the top of the lake, a slow job due to several school groups taking up the path.
I arrived to discover another school group already involved in takahe talks being given by their guide.
The takahe are no fools however and they spotted me and the bag that contains their food. It was not quite time for their lunch so I hid the bag and did not speak as they seem to know my voice. They hung about suspiciously, and finally bit the shoe of the other guide giving the talk, so I gave in and brought the bag into view. Two beady eyed birds with rather sharp and prehistoric beaks glued themselves to my heels as I went to their feeders and put in the food.
Horrors! I had brought the wrong pottle and had short changed them - 12 grams instead of 50. I went to the front of the fence to talk to visitors in the hopes they would not notice. No such luck!  These birds can subitize! They quickly finished their meagre offerings and started harassing me. I finished my talk with two grumpy birds at my heels and a few laughing visitors watching their antics. I excused myself and shot back to the shed to weigh out the rest of their meal and returned out of breath. I went through the process of putting out the correct amount of food watching my fingers as takahe can give a nasty nip as they try to get to their meal.  They have preferred sides at the dinner table (feeding trough) T2 always feeds to the left and Puffin on the right. Just like a long time married couple they have their little ways. They were satisfied with the correct amount of food and left me alone at last as they wandered off  to the lake for a drink.