End of the Black-Chinned Hummingbird Saga
Jul 11, 2020 16:18:03 #
Yesterday I took no photos of the nest. This morning I set up my lawn chair to observe for a few minutes before setting up the ladder and getting the camera, as is my normal routine. Shortly after I sat down momma hummingbird showed up, buzzed the nest a couple of times and left. I patiently observed for another hour and a half, yet she never returned. Very odd I thought to have absolutely no activity at the nest for that length of time. I thought maybe I had made her nervous, so I went in fixed myself some breakfast and a third cup of coffee. Continued walking outside and checking the nest from a distance of approximately 40' to see if she was sitting on it. No appearances. I finally decided to set up the ladder in such a way as to investigate the inside of the nest. Sadness overtook me upon the witnessing of a ravaged and empty nest. The side of the nest that I could not observe from the ground had been torn out (see photo). I have no idea of what attacked the chicks, but the robin's nest, approximately 3 feet above, was still fully operational and very busy. Possibly the robin was large enough to ward off whatever did so much damage to her neighbors below. Hawk? They're around. Squirrel? I've seen them in the back yard, but never in the front trees. There was a partially eaten cherry complete with pit directly below the nest on the ground. Could that be a clue? Or did that possibly come from the robins? Don't know. Have no other ideas. Will most likely continue to be one of Mother Nature's many secrets. I know I'm very disappointed that I've lost two little critters that I was so determined to document their lives from hatching to fledging. I was so enjoying our mutual time together and learning from them. I guess in the sad ending of this saga I documented their entire life, even though it ended a mystery.
Jul 11, 2020 16:36:35 #
Wow. That's too bad. Nature is not always nice. I used to raise parrots. Lost one brood to a chipmunk before I got smart enough to use 1/2 inch wire mesh. I thought the parents would try for another clutch, but nothing until the next breeding season.
Jul 11, 2020 16:36:43 #
Jul 12, 2020 01:59:02 #
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