Our Feathered Friends

By

Mikayla James

Here in Southern Oregon we are fortunate to have such a wonderful variety of birds, Robins, Pine Siskins, Goldfinches, both Lesser and American, Bullocks Orioles, just to name a few. Not forgetting the noisiest and smallest of them all, the Hummingbirds.

With the warmer weather our windows are open and we can listen to the bird songs, from the courting songs of the adults to the cheeping of the chicks. It is also the time of year when nests are a plenty. Our feathered friends are amazing adept at hiding their nests. A pair of Pine Siskins built their nest in a small Colorado Spruce and it was only by chance we noticed it, a tiny nest with three tiny eggs. Each evening we would quietly walk down the garden and take a quick peek. Low and behold one evening three pairs of eyes stared back at us, three little beaks wide open, just hoping we were bringing food. Just as we were planning how to cut the grass around the tree without disturbing the baby Pine Siskins they were fledged and had flown the nest.

Then there is the Robin’s nest in the tree by our deck. What a wonderful surprise it was, that whilst watching the hummingbirds swish and whirl through the branches of the tree closest to the house, we noticed a nest. Two little heads were peering over the edge, initially we were unsure what kind of babies they were, until later one of adult birds returned, they were Robins.

It was a strange experience, for just as soon as we had spotted the nest, and seen the babies and the parents, the babies flew the nest. It was though just for a few hours we were permitted into their world to witness the chicks in the nest. One chick flew the nest early in the day; the other waited until lunchtime and put on a display of how even feathered babies can be utterly frustrating to their parents. This baby couldn’t quite figure out what to do with its wings. When it attempted to flap down to the ground it went upwards, landing on the smallest of branches, only to fall off and land in an ungainly heap on the ground. The adult bird bounced around the ground watching their offspring make a total hash of flying. The baby decided for the moment flying was not an option instead chose to bounce after its parent until it found a place to rest. For several hours the parent would bounce and forth bringing food to the baby. As darkness fell we could only hope that the baby had finally learned how to fly and that the parent bird was taking a well deserved rest.

For a few weeks during this spring and early summer we have had the honor of witness the some of natures smallest creatures get their start in life. Moments like this will truly last a lifetime.