Sparrow Nest - A story of survival

THE BIRD NEST Jan 2013 

The whoops of joy from the garden told me that the boys had been successful in their bird nest hunt. To my relief Mason declared that it was empty and left it dropped on the lawn. He had been hassling us for a couple of days to get a nest out of the tree. Ed finally conceded and went out armed with a stick to knock it down. It was a sparrow’s nest, a covered mass of twigs and grasses accessed by a small hole on the side. The nest lay forlorn and forgotten on the lawn for several days. We kicked it aside to mow around it but otherwise left it alone. One afternoon I was lying on the couch having a cup of tea looking at the garden. The long hot summer was morphing into a drought, sick of the endless sunshine we were hiding inside in the cool with all windows and doors wide open to capture any breeze. I saw a little bird pecking at that old nest and marveled that nothing goes to waste in nature as it was raiding that nest for recycled building materials. 

 The grand-kids returned a few days later and the peace and tranquility of the garden exploded in kids’ cries and energy. Suddenly they all approached the house, the four year old cradling something in his hands. A small fledgling lay there trembling with fear. 

 “Let’s put it back where you found it and its mummy will come and look after it.” I said trying to sound calm and in control 

 “But it was in that nest and Mason broke it open” Said Emma pointing to the one on the lawn, concern on her eight year old face. “There were two birds in it and one is gone and we can’t find it” 

 “Let’s kill it” was Mason’s ten-year-old ADHD impulsive reaction, which I ignored as calmly as I could.

I looked at the abandoned nest on the lawn and realised what they were saying was true. It had never been empty and that bird wasn't stealing the grass. It was mum, dad, or both feeding their babies. Now it was broken in half and we only had one baby. I grabbed the nest and put it back together as best I could. Gentle little Ryan then popped the baby bird back in that makeshift case and I made the kids back off. I gave them a lecture about Gods living creatures while memories of my own childhood and many cruel experiments haunted me.

Yesterday, a day later, the garden was once again child free, and the sparrow was carrying food to and from the nest. Relieved that she hadn't abandoned her remaining baby I couldn't resist a sneak peek. There inside were both her babies snuggled together looking fat and well. Clever Mum. Now they are safe – as long as Mr Rat or Mrs Stoat don’t come roaming – but they haven’t yet so I hope…