I love watching all the bird nesting get underway. I look at the trees, bushes, and eves to see where a new nest might appear. The repeated return of a bird in the same flight path is such a give away. Of course, every year we have the swifts that go back to their usual building place.
We have all kinds of birds, but I am especially fond of the blue birds as their song is so beautiful. A few years ago the greatest thing happened when a blue bird made it's nest and actually laid eggs. The young hatched out and I was so excited to see all the feeding activity. I even went and bought special live bluebird buds and a special feeder to help out. The parents never tired out with that endless feeding.
There was a tremendous storm during the night and when I went out to see the baby chicks in the morning the whole nest had been blown to the grassy ground. Mama bird was sitting in the tree and as I started to approach she made a terrible noise. I felt as if my heart had been ripped out as this was sure to be the death for the little newly born chicks. The mother was just so helpless and hopeless. Her place of safety to raise her family had been taken away. Instead of being a nurturer and feeder, she now had to take on the role of security guard. The little chicks were in anguish and mama bird was in manic motion trying to keep any predators away.
I had to get a plan together; there must be a way to help. I was frightened that if I made contact with the chicks the mother would leave. My own stress level was going through the roof as I had never been on a chick rescue mission before and their cries for food were so pitiful. Not much protection for this nest on the ground. I noticed the cat was wondering in this direction, well at least I could intercept her.
The mood of the mama bird was frantic and angry. I could think of only one thing to do. Take the ornamental birdhouse down off the wooden stake that was holding it off the ground. I managed that okay and then started to cut the bottom away from the birdhouse so it would be floorless. It took a bit of blood sweat and tears, but saving things is never easy.
I slowly went over to the nest ant placed the birdhouse over it like a lantern. I came back into the house and started to watch from the window. Low and behold the mother finally entered the house and was with her chicks. The movement of to and fro started again for the Mama bird. This anxious bird was relentless and determined. She barely stopped. I hope they all survived. Then one day they were gone. It was over, they had found their own way.
What seemed hopelessly depressing turned full circle by giving the family in need a tool. The bird did not need to be codependent on me. It needed a shelter to use as a home until all was ready to fly away. I have found this is true with people too. A person can be miserably depressed by an event that has been a life game changer. Charging in and trying to 'fix it' does not usually help the feelings that may have the person chronically overwhelmed. Teaching and giving a person tools, instead of things, allows them to develop their own perseverance and resilience. The strength to manage moods and emotional crisis comes from knowing what tools to use. This is how chicks survive and become emotionally centered women.
