Taibhse was a happy camper living in the barn until his human (Boy #1) went to work at summer camp all summer and then the temporary humans (Boy #2 and Girl #1) went on family vacation for 10 days. Yes, plenty of food and water was left for him. Sometime in the week after we returned, he decided to move out of the barn while Boy #1 was tending to his food/water/litter box. This was the first week of school.
We had seen him off and on ever since. But in the last 2 weeks, we are seeing him every day, and he's been walking closer and closer to the house. So Sunday I decided to put a bowl of food on the back steps for him. Yesterday, wife went in the kitchen, startled Taibhse while he ate on the back steps, causing him to totally freak out, knock the bowl of food on the ground and then fall off the steps. Would have loved to see a video. I refilled the bowl last night and put it back on the steps, but further back on the platform, so that it hopefully won't get knocked off. This left it maybe 3' from the back door.
This morning he was back to eat again. Remington (10 year old cat) was sitting at the sliding glass door alternating between hissing/carrying on at the door and taking his frustrations out on Smudge (5 year old cat) when he would come to see what all the commotion was about.
Once I get him used to coming to us for food, I will trap him again and take him and get him fixed. Will probably end up back in the yard, but at least then he won't help make any more cats.