The chickadees from the box in the front yard magnolia chose today to fledge and my special birthday treat was the chance to *rescue* this little one from my neighbor’s steps. Getting out of my car from work, my neighbor was almost frantic at the baby bird who had taken up residence just outside his front door. He said it had been sitting there for a few hours and every so often another little one would come along and try to help it. Bird whisperer that I am (lol!) I was able to pick up the little chickadee and place it in a bush without so much as a cheep in protest. The parent scolded me from above, but we both felt the baby would be safer off the ground. A few minutes later when I returned with my camera, I watched it make a very deliberate flight to the pear tree where it perched for its’ first photo. I often poke fun at my neighbor because any sort of wildlife encounter makes him very nervous. He’d have left the baby bird alone, but worried over it endlessly. I’m glad he knew enough to leave it alone. So often, well-meaning people *kidnap* perfectly healthy baby critters in an effort to help them. I’m wondering now where the other five babies are. I haven’t seen them, but consider that to be a good sign. I’m sure they’ll show up in a few days at my feeders with their parents. Baby birds are the sweetest things and the chance to hold one, even for just a second, is a nice little gift on my birthday.
Oh Laura…Happy Birthday to you!!!
I hope you had a wonderful day with many happy surprises!!
How lucky you are to have these little ones fledge so close, and that you could help this one out. Precious photo!
happy birthday. i thought about you all day. i hope your day went well, but we’ll talk when you have a chance. my bunnies grew up and out of their nest, but they found a home in one of our bushes. i also saw a bird today with a bright orange belly and black wings? any guesses???
A very happy birthday to you, Laura and best wishes for your next year. I haven’t known what to do when I have seen young birds seemingly stuck on the ground outside our house. Eventually they do get away.
ruth
Happy Birthday, Laura. Holding a baby bird and then watching it fly safely away is a very special birthday gift that can’t be purchased in any store.
Happy, happy birthday, Laura! This is a wonderful time of year to be hatched whether we’re people or birds:0)
That must have been a really special treat to hold that precious fluttering heart.
Happy birthday, Laura. I’m glad you got to save a little bird on your special day.
hugs,
Laurie
Happy Birthday and was a perfect little gift from mother nature! This is a great time for many of these little babies chickadees to be flying around!
Happy Birthday, Laura! And a happy new life to the little chickadee!
Now, why do you do this to us? How about some warning???
I am going to ask everyone who reads my blog to send me their birthdays! I will NOT be caught unawares again, By Gum!
Happy birthday, dearest!
Good catch on the chickadee.
On an outing, Isabelle’s classmates found one, and the moms were milling around, wringing their hands, and all the KIDS started yelling, “Isabelle’s Mom! Isabelle’s Mom! We NEED YOU!” The kids knew that I was “The Bird Lady”. It was cute.
Happy Birthday, Laura!
And rescuing birds–I grew up believing that whatever you did on your birthday, you would do all year. Not a bad thing to do all year–rescue birds.
When I find baby birds, presumably trying out their wings, I leave them if they are sitting somewhere safe. This spring, I have moved 2 from my driveway–baby robins who don’t have the hang of flying. I put on garden gloves, then pick them up and put them nearby, usually under a tree. They look at me most suspiciously.
Happy Birthday! A sweet story.
Happy birthday, Laura! A close encounter with a bird is indeed a neat gift.
Holding a baby bird on your birthday is a true gift, Laura! Happy Birthday!
A belated Happy Birthday Laura! What a grand treat to reorient that little fellow on your b’day!
Happy Birthday Laura!! It’s such a treat to feel a tiny life in your hand.
Happy birthday! What an amazing gift! Totally cool. Glad you were able to relieve everyone’s mind . . . parent chickadee and worried neighbor alike. That picture is lovely!
Oh I see you got my gift. I was going to wrap it, but those little chickadee chicks are so wiggly. Glad you liked it!
Happy Birthday!
From one Gemini to another, Happy Birthday, Laura (mine was on the 2nd)! The chickadee episode is a great one for a birthday.
Happy Birthday! I know that I am a day late, but bet you still are still eating your celebration cake, right?
You did a good thing with the little bird. At least your neighbor knows who to come to for help.
Thank you for sharing your birthday gift with us. Such a lovely experience. And, happy belated birthday.
Happy (belated) Birthday!
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift, being able to help a creature in need.
Happy belated bird-day!
I had a similar experience, trying to get a fledgling back into his nest, but I guess I’m not the bird-whisperer that you are–he just kept running/flying away from me, frightened out of his little mind. His mother showed up, though, so I figured he’d be okay. I love baby birds!
Happy Birthday-Sounds like that was a nice treat.-Chickadees are a great little bird.
Thanks for the good wishes everyone!
Late to your birthday party, but full of good wishes still! That was quite a lovely birthday present that little chickadee. Truly the best.