One thing I hate about spring is when baby birds either topple out of their nests or fledge into unfortunate circumstances. We had a dove couple set up their nest in a staghorn fern on our patio a few weeks ago. Generally I try to discourage this as our Cattle Dog jumps on anything that moves. By last weekend, the dove's two babys had gotten quite large, and I needed to water the plant, I did not want to loose it. Well the weight from being watered snapped the wire basket it was planted in, it semi-broke away sending the mother dove flying and the babies precariously perched in their nest. My hubby (cursing all the while) propped it up with an elaborate set up. Later we carefully moved the nest into a small old bird cage, taking the top off and securing the door open, and the parents came back to care for the youngins. Fast forward to yesterday, both babies fledged at some point, but.... when I went out to feed my dog last evening, I found one of them, mauled of course. I feel so guilty, sad, mad at the entire situation. Not to mention my staghorn is a bit worse for ware. Time to replant it now.
Awww, don't be too hard on yourself. You did the right thing. I've done similar things and know exactly how you feel :'( Last summer I had to rescue a humming bird from my cat. I put it in a window box, near another feeder. When I got home from work it was gone. I don't know if he had a speedy recovery or what. I was mad at myself because I knew better than to have a bird feeder when I own a cat that thinks she's the best hunter in the world. I got rid of the seed feeders and birdhouses because of the cat. I had no idea she'd be quick enough to catch a hummer
I won't put up feeders here because of stray cats. The other day a little dove flew right into the side of the house and killed itself. I felt really bad. It was being chased by a bigger bird, maybe a hawk. Poor thing. I wouldn't throw it out for those darn cats either. dooley
I don't really have a cat problem in my garden as it's all securely fenced in but I do have a resident pair of sparrowhaks. Between them they manage to catch around a dozen or so small birds every breeding season (another half dozen or so at other times of the year) and there's nothing I can do about it. You tried your best that's the main thing and it looks as though one of the youngsters may have survived.
I know the feeling. Our cats catch fledglings too, and I don't like it one little bit. But if we didn't have a bird house then maybe the birds wouldn't find a good place to nest anywhere. At least now they get babies out there, even though they loose one or two.
You tried! I don't know why birds nest where they do. I guess they feel less threatened by humans than other critters so they nest in our "space". We've had robins nest on top of our porch lite right next to the door, and every time we went outside the babies would start flapping.
I have a Robin that builds a nest in the Lilac outside my kitchen window every year. Every year the wind blows the nest down and the eggs smash on the ground. It makes me very sad I hope she doesn't try again this year.
No you can't blame yourself. You did what you thought was best. Sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan them.
Don't be so hard on yourself. We have cats too, so I don't feed the birds. My cats catch grown birds and I get upset, but it is the law of the land so to speak. In fact two of the cats would team up, one staring at the bird while the other caught it. I was amazed when I saw this, I have foiled their attempts more than once.
Frank - I'm pretty sure the first baby made it up and out of the yard. I took the old bird cage down when I spotted the momma dove back in the there sitting on the old nest probably ready to do it all over again. Then I put an old soccer ball on top of my replanted staghorn to keep them out of there. The pair of doves were trying to balance on the ball and get around it. Pretty determined. But not on my watch!
One thing though... if you and hubby hadn't saved the nest for the mama and papa, neither of the babies would have survived... Doves are so sweet, but they sure do pick funny places to build their nests... Sorry you were sad.
What a sad story. Those things happen, but they are never nice. I hope the next brood fares better. Condolences.
