Barn Swallow Update:
Last week the kids and I went to the garden to strip the pea plants. The weather got so hot I knew there wasn't a point in letting any peas remain on the plants. When we returned we found this little guy on the front porch.
It must have just happened. I doubt he would have been there very long since The Dog practically lives on the porch during the day.I scooped him up with a piece of paper and plopped him back in the nest (but not before waiting for the camera to be fetched...document, document, document).
I checked on him later in the day.
He was still ok, although I noticed he was the smallest of the bunch. I don't know if he was accidentally shoved out by his bigger siblings or maybe it is one of those "survival of the fittest" things. Ick. Then, I had to ponder the long-term ramifications of saving a baby bird that, had the nest been anywhere else, surely would have died. Will we be plagued by a few less mosquitoes? Will he be a meal for a hawk on a day it would have otherwise eaten a chicken? Or maybe (less selfishly) someone somewhere will enjoy watching him swoop through the air.
Here they are begging for more to eat.I've been spending quite a bit of time sitting on the stoop watching the parents feed the youngsters. There is something to be said for shoving food down a baby bird's throat. Quick & effective.
This one was taken yesterday. They're starting to get feathers and actually chirp! All four are doing well, although one is still noticeably smaller than the others.
See you all next week!
1 comment:
Safe travels....looking forward to seeing you guys!
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