Okay, I am going to attempt to upload a very short compilation of photos that plays more like a movie than a slideshow. Let me set it up for you.... I think I posted a few weeks ago about the robin that built a nest in the Birch tree right off our patio. We have had a great time watching her feed her babies, etc. However, I wasn't prepared for how quickly the babies would leave the nest (or maybe this was the pesky brother and his sisters pushed him?) At any rate, he wasn't very smart to hit the ground at my house without proper flying ability... uh, did anyone mention that I have a 90 pound RETRIEVER... of.dead.birds! Anyway, survival of the fittest right?
After us trapping Vince (the dog) in the house ALL MORNING so that the bird would be safe, and Googling what to do with Fledglings that leave the nest before they can fly, and BUILDING THIS FLEDGING A FALSE NEST and nailing said nest to the tree and lining said fake nest (also known as a milk jug with the top cut off) with paper towels and cotton balls, and fetching the ladder, and catching the baby bird while his mother (or father) swooped down on us and tried her best to distract us away from her infant, and then climbing the ladder using NO HANDS because, uh, my hands were gently cradling the baby bird who was trying to screech at the top of his lungs to let him go.... after all that... theridiculous bird would not stay in the new nest either! Turns out he had not actually fallen from the nest, he had left voluntarily and no amount of coercion or frustration or pleading was going to keep this determined little fellow away from the big wide world that awaited him. So what was left to do but have a little fun at the poor birds expense? Like I said, survival of the fittest. And I'd say this little bird can survive anything after living through this day.
After us trapping Vince (the dog) in the house ALL MORNING so that the bird would be safe, and Googling what to do with Fledglings that leave the nest before they can fly, and BUILDING THIS FLEDGING A FALSE NEST and nailing said nest to the tree and lining said fake nest (also known as a milk jug with the top cut off) with paper towels and cotton balls, and fetching the ladder, and catching the baby bird while his mother (or father) swooped down on us and tried her best to distract us away from her infant, and then climbing the ladder using NO HANDS because, uh, my hands were gently cradling the baby bird who was trying to screech at the top of his lungs to let him go.... after all that... the
By the way, turns out the dog isn't much of a hunter of live birds... it seems to be the lifeless kind he prefers to retrieve. Since this day, we've had two others from the bird family land in the yard and he seems not to have noticed them in the least. Oh well, good news for the birds, I guess. Now if I could just figure out how to keep them out of my garden....
2 comments:
Is it possible that we are related????? I have researched and built the same "mock" bird nest. Warning: Make sure if you use a plastic bowl as the base poke holes in it so water drains out!I am a sucker for all of God's little creatures...furry and feathered!
Nic
Great job with the slide show! Never a dull moment at your place for sure! And I just love how you're doing all you can to help Mother Nature out with her non- cooperative creatures!
At least the kids learned a really valuable lesson. "Scream as loud as you can and refuse to stay put and you will get your way eventually!"
That's what my grand kids do!
Grannie
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