Yesterday, early in the morning, after some pretty significant rains and storms, I saw our bird house falling apart at the seams. As some of you know, I am very aware that there were baby wrens in the house (at the time, I didn't know how many because the position of the nest and the depth of it does not allow "seeing" the babies--I could just hear the chirps).
When I went to inspect the house, the roof collapsed into pieces and the hanging rope would not hold because it relies on the roof being intact. I took it to my outdoor table, glanced in and there were four perfectly beautiful, open-mouthed baby wrens. My heart leapt and sank in an instant. I can tell you I panicked. I woke up my daughter and her friend (they were in the tent in the living room enjoying a summer sleepover) with real concern that I may not be able to get this house (and nest) safely back to the parents so they could continue feeding!
I told them I was running to the store where I remember buying this stupid bird house (yes, we will be using a REAL one next time) in hopes I could maybe rig something. Nothing there. Only bluebird boxes, which I bought anyway in case I was going to have to do a nest transfer and hope for the best.
Then it came to me: duct tape. We joke about it all the time in our family that anything can be fixed with duct tape. I found the closest roll (ugh, pink zebra striped duct tape), and started trying to put together the roof, but it was wet and would not hold. But then I thought, what if I envision the house like a big head and I wrap the house like it must be wrapped whole--then the tape would stick to its self. Oh, and I had to make sure the tape was super tight at the top because the ONLY thing keeping the house suspended is a tight hole for the knot.
It's a horrible mess, but it's working. While I was at the store the birds were feeding the babies on the table (but not at first--they kept going to the shepherd's crook with live bugs in their beaks and clearly confused). I had my daughter call me as soon as she saw that the parents realized the babies were temporarily displaced, so I knew when I was searching the Walmart aisles that the babies were being cared for.
Here is the house today, it's survived another 24 hours and the parents are feverishly back to the feeding schedule--bugs, bugs, bugs. Here's hoping that the pink zebra duct tape holds. I'm saying a few bird prayers too. And then as soon as these fledglings fly away, I'm retiring this cute, but very bad, bird house. Aidan will just have to paint another one (the blue bird box, perhaps).
Sorry for the long sob story. It's been an adventure!
LOL I would have done the exact same thing! I so feel your pain!! So happy that they are well and that Mama and Dad are back in the feeding business! Love that you caught takeoff here!
Oh wow1 I think the pink tape looks mahvelous! And you got a shot of one flying out! Just great! I am surprised they don't just fly off when all that happened, but I guess they must protect their babies. Duct tape fixes all! And in Big Fat Greek Wedding, the dad would use WIndex to cure everything. So you should spray the bird house with that. haha
My heart was in my mouth - so glad the house is holding and the babies are all OK. I think there was once a skit on the CBC about duct tape. It fixes all! Glad it worked in this case and, BTW, fabulous shot!!
You are a wren heroine, Daryl! Great work saving the day for this family. I think your repairs look very inspired. It's a wonderful shot and narrative. Thanks for posting it here!
Yay!! I'm so glad you were able to come up with a temporary solution. I could feel your anxiety as I read the story. I would have been the same way if it were me.
And it's wonderful news to learn that the parents accepted the new color scheme. It surprised me to read that they were even feeding the babies while the bird house was displaced. I would have thought they would have been too disturbed by the change.
**I saw your reference to the tattered bird house on one of Vee's shots, so of course I had to come read the full story. :-)
@luvmynynix@jodimuli@amrita21@gsanemone@vskolnik@espyetta@rossevs@witchyjacq@shunter@elisasaeter@lunaksi@kaarina365@writingdays@danette@pflaume@twistergirl@taffy@pasadenarose Thanks all for taking a look at my funny looking bird house. I've checked out there this a.m. and parents are still feeding away (larger bugs now!) and the tape is still holding (another rain storm last night even). I sure hope this all ends well. I don't think my heart can take another total nest "fail" like the last time when the Chickadees were raided by the Chipmunks. The Wrens are very aggressive, though, and I watched a parent wren attack a chipmunk who came to close to the vicinity. I've been running out shooing the chipmunks too (just to increase the "lore" about the crazy bird lady label I've gotten lately ;)). I know my photography has been more "narrative" so I appreciate your willingness to read the text under my photos--I've taken 365 on as a writing and photography project! Now, off to see you photos--you'll notice I'm spending more of my time there. Thanks!
@espyetta Thanks. :) I did try to make sure the zebra duct tape was well-caught in manual (I was experimenting with the aperture!) and I threw in an action bird shot too! LOL!
@darylo You have to keep us up to date on these little ones!! I look forward to the next installment when I check your site! You tell a great story, btw!
Wow - what a fantastic rescue Daryl - I couldn't read it quick enough! Real drama in your garden, but it sounds like you kept a cool head and saved the day with duct tape!! So glad the wrens approve of your brightly coloured renovations! : ))
Lovely shot, great story, I think the shot is made with the bright colours, don't think it would have looked half as good with plain black duct tape. Maybe email photo and story to makers of duct tape, ' Yet another use for your tape" make a nice advert.
June 14th, 2013
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Good work D.
And it's wonderful news to learn that the parents accepted the new color scheme. It surprised me to read that they were even feeding the babies while the bird house was displaced. I would have thought they would have been too disturbed by the change.
**I saw your reference to the tattered bird house on one of Vee's shots, so of course I had to come read the full story. :-)