Yesterday morning, I heard some peeping from the nest-ish area of the arbor vitae. I figure everyone returned home safely. Some time during the day the family seems to have moved to a tall willow a few houses down. I still see the parents, they visit our yard, but no sign of the fledglings. Well, I did find a broken egg shell, woohoo!
The cat was the only one thrilled by this since she can now go outside. Unfortunately it is getting warmer outside and she would rather we come inside to pet her. Poor, misguided kitty.
Good bye little birds, hope to see you soon just leave some blueberries for me.
christopher
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Our Backyard Aviary
A month or so ago, a cardinal couple moved in to one of our arbor vitae. This evening we watched two fledglings leave the tree. The first launched hirself* in my direction, mom flew with hir. The little bird landed behind my chair. We moved away so the parents would approach. It looked like a lot of work to feed them and help them back.
We quietly cheered hir through several mighty flights, and stifled chuckles as others ended in lightly comical thuds against the compost bin. There was a bit of drama involving other birds. A man sparrow landed in the garden, his intentions unclear, dad felt the fellow should leave. Despite our earnest pleading to remain in the bush for hir parents sake and sanity, the second fledgling leapt/dropped to the ground. Everyone was playing now.
A cat bird (grey bird? darker scalp color? variety of songs/noises?) came along and jumped into the arbor vitae. Mom swooped back. We heard the sounds of a tussle issued from the shrub and the grey bird darted out. The parents returned to aiding their babies toward the nest.
It is dark now, they seem done flying for today. One is perched on the glider ten feet from home. The second was last seen in the parsley. I think the parents are high in a neighboring tree, watching the area. The little ones are still and quiet. I placed a potted crape myrtle nearby, hopefully it will make it easier in the morning. I'll keep an ear out for them tonight.
Sleep well. Rest up and try again tomorrow.
christopher
* not knowing the gender of the young bird I have chosen a contraction of "him" and "her" over the less warm "it".
We quietly cheered hir through several mighty flights, and stifled chuckles as others ended in lightly comical thuds against the compost bin. There was a bit of drama involving other birds. A man sparrow landed in the garden, his intentions unclear, dad felt the fellow should leave. Despite our earnest pleading to remain in the bush for hir parents sake and sanity, the second fledgling leapt/dropped to the ground. Everyone was playing now.
A cat bird (grey bird? darker scalp color? variety of songs/noises?) came along and jumped into the arbor vitae. Mom swooped back. We heard the sounds of a tussle issued from the shrub and the grey bird darted out. The parents returned to aiding their babies toward the nest.
It is dark now, they seem done flying for today. One is perched on the glider ten feet from home. The second was last seen in the parsley. I think the parents are high in a neighboring tree, watching the area. The little ones are still and quiet. I placed a potted crape myrtle nearby, hopefully it will make it easier in the morning. I'll keep an ear out for them tonight.
Sleep well. Rest up and try again tomorrow.
christopher
* not knowing the gender of the young bird I have chosen a contraction of "him" and "her" over the less warm "it".
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