The story began with us working in our garden.
Monday, May 21st
One of our Burning Bushes which usually was home to a Robin every year had some type of ick on it... and because it was so close to the garden I asked my husband to cut it out. I had off and on looked for a nest in it this year but did not see one...
As my husband fired up the chain saw and began cutting it down... a bird flew from the bush. I stopped my husband and sure enough, there was a small nest... made of grasses. 3 little blue eggs and a larger brown egg.
What to do now?
I picked the nest out of the bush and looked for a spot nearby to place the nest... The lilac was the only thing available. I removed the brown egg and tossed it aside, before placing the nest carefully in the lilac. My husband finished cutting the bush out. It was late in the afternoon, and I sat on the deck and watched the birds fly around frantically searching for their little brood. Finally we had to leave for a baseball banquet feeling a bit discouraged about the situation.
Tues, May 22
The next morning, I went outside to check on my garden and the little nest and Mama was sitting on it. Amazing! Thank you, Jesus!
Well, that lilac wasn't giving much protection from the sun and rain... so we tied some branches from the pine tree in it... Well, again... Would the birds come back to the nest or abandon it? All day we watched as the parents flew around squeaked and chirped but seemed to wary to approach... Again disappointment over the situation.... Even if they came back would the eggs be viable... I wondered. I often said a little prayer for the feather family in the backyard.Wed. May 23
Coffee in the garden the next morning showed that mama had indeed returned to her nest. and so whenever I was in the garden I peeked at the nest. still- 3 little blue spotted eggs. Wondering if they would or could still hatch.
Saturday, May 26My morning coffee-garden check showed 3 little blue eggs. Later when I looked, there was a pink baby with dark downy fluff on it. And then later another... 2 little babies had hatched.
Sunday, May 27
Still two babies...We looked them up in the Bird Field Guide and found out that they are Chipping Sparrows. It rained really hard.
Monday, May 28
Still 2 babies at the coffee-garden check. Later I went out to plant some seeds in the garden and the mama flew off the nest so I looked in... Nothing the nest was empty. I looked below. The ground below is covered with ivy... I looked at the nest again and saw that it had a hole in it. So I searched the ivy below carefully and they were in there- still alive. What to do... I took the nest and pushed it back together and set them in it and set it back on the branches... But this was not good. It would just fall apart again. What to do... I searched the house for something anything that could hold the nest yet drain.... Nothing... No idea.... I tried to tie the pine branches around it to hold it in place and together. I sat down and said, "What am I to do Lord? Do I give up on these little things? What is the lesson to be learned here? I got my answer. We don't give up on things. We use our heads and our hearts. As I searched my kitchen drawer for a small funnel and some twine... I placed the nest in the funnel and tied it in the lilac. And again waited... and watched for the mama to return to her little ones in the makeshift nest. To no avail it seemed- maybe because now my scent was on the little ones or too much on the nest...
We went to bed and as I laid my head down I wondered about the birds and my husband said to me, "I pray that the mama is on the nest and the babies will be alright." And I said, "I was just thinking the same thing."
Tuesday, May 29
Coffee-garden walk revealed that mama was indeed on her nest. And when she flew off I peeked in and the two little babies were doing just fine.
God is so good. He created a world filled with amazing creatures that are resilient, adaptable and strong... Creatures that we can enjoy and that we should care for and appreciate. And if He cares about them, how much more must He care about us! I feel so blessed! Thank you, Jesus!
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