Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian: birds

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Babies in the Blooms

We just finished our back porch. It was a year long project that we were elated to bring to completion. We had hoped to get it finished by June so we could enjoy the warm weather and the best view of the pond.

No sooner had we placed the last plant on the stand that I had stored for two years then two Carolina wrens took over. Seems they thought it had a pretty spectacular view too. It also afforded them safety, food (from all of the plants I put out there), and water (dog bowl next to dog bed).

If you don't know aything about Carolina wrens then let me enlighten you. They are LOUD! Very loud. They have a high itched "chirp!" that they yell as soon as they are within 20 feet of their nest. I realized a few days into my ornithology study that this announcement was what got the babies to stick their head up and gape open their mouths for the impending meal. To say that these guys are big eaters puts even Jekyl to shame. They eat constantly. From sun up to sun down those parents delivered meals of bugs (favorite seemed to be wingless, multipled footed larvae). Most of the time the meal looked to be about the size of the awaiting patron. But somehow they alway seemed to shove that mega-morsel down those babies hatches.

As soon as the nest was identified the porch became "off-limits" to both 2 and 4 legged visitors. (Not what my husband had in mind for end of project celebration).

I kept a photo journal of the babies, the dates of the photos are included. Boy do they grow up fast.

It took about 1 month for the eggs to hatch, and then 13 days for them to shove off and make it in the big wide world alone.

July 1, 2012

July 18

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

The watchful eye of Wren and Sprout

We left for vacation on the morning on July 27.

We came home a week later to an empty nest and a quiet porch.

I will be keeping a watchful eye out for the 5 brown wren's who grew up under the constant peeping Tom eyes of our kittens, and I will make sure that next spring a large pot of nasturtiums awaits them, JIC any of them need a safe place to raise a family.

We will have a glass of wine on our one month old, barely used porch tonight.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

My Favorite Time of Day

Nothing in the world makes me happier then being home with my pets.

Today was a rainy summer day, and everyone decided to watch TV and nap.

Charlie, top left, Savannah on the floor, Jekyl at end of couch on the floor,
Wren on the far end of the couch, and Donner at front of picture.
It's a good life.

The only creature stirring is the house sparrow who built a nest in the flower pot on my porch just off the dining room.

Because our house is under restoration my temporary desk is on the dining room table. So as I sat and typed all day I got to watch her bring bugs to her babies. She arrives with a boisterous cacophony of chirps and a delectable treat. She delivered groceries to her 5 bald big beaked babies every 10 minutes. I am impressed by her vigor and stamina. She is entertaining and inspiring. I guard her nest like a tyrant.

Mom is on the edge of the flower pot, right in front of the vertical metal support.
She's fast, so this was my best shot of her.
The nest is the pile of twigs on the near side of this pot, right in front of her.

3 day old babies.

Feed Me!!

The rest of the inside clan ignores her most of the time. Wren and Sprout can occasionally be seen sitting near the glass door to peer in on their comings and goings. The birds announce their arrival with groceries and the cats go running to see the deliveries.

Little Sprout is my constant companion. She follows me everywhere. If I stop to hesitate she writhes between my ankles and curls her tail to hobble my movement. I have grown very attached to her. She is a purring monster and she has fit in seamlessly. She is starting to play with the dogs, unwilling as they are to acknowledge her.