Angry Momma Birds Update

Last month I posted about two vigilant momma birds tending their nests in the sweltering heat right outside our front door.

The momma robin's nest was planted in the center of our lilac bush near our porch, which didn't offer a lot of shade in the blazing heat. The mourning dove's nest was in the center of a hanging plant on the side of the porch, which offered more shade and cooler temperatures.

Every day I filled our bird bath with cool water to help the mommas stay hydrated. Sadly, the heat took its took on the momma robin. She either perished or simply abandoned her nest. She was there one morning then did not return.

Her four beautiful light blue eggs remain unhatched.

The mourning dove momma had a happier ending. After weeks, the mourning dove eggs hatched. First one, then the other, with momma swooping back and forth across the front yard, from the maple tree to the roof and back to her nest.

You can catch a glimpse of the chicks in the center of the plant. See their tiny black eyes and pointy beaks?

The chicks survived the record-breaking temperatures and eventually flew out of the nest. They made some practice landings in the gravel beneath the plant. Now they can be heard, along with their momma, cooing from our rooftop.

While I'm happy the two mourning dove chicks survived, I'm sad that the momma robin never returned and her eggs didn't hatch. I can't help but wonder what happened to her and am not sure what to do with the abandoned eggs.

Angry Momma Birds Protect their Nests in the Sizzling Heat

With record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures lately, it's not easy to stay cool. Yesterday I was out shopping for a few more birthday gifts for my husband, who is celebrating a big birthday today. (Happy birthday, Honey!)

Running from store-to-store in my air-conditioned car zapped my strength. I was happy to get home and have a large glass of iced tea.

Outside, the lawn is turning brown and my flowers are wilting. The birdbath, which has been moved under a tree for more shade, is a popular place for not only birds, but also wasps and bees. Too bad it's not bigger or I might be tempted . . .

Amid all this heat and humidity, I've found two maternal heroes - a momma robin and a momma mourning dove. While watering plants and flowers, I'm trying to avoid disrupting them from minding their nests.   

Momma Mourning Dove has taken residence in a hanging planter on my front porch. Momma Robin is caring for her eggs in the lilac bush beside the porch.

Today when I tried to get some photos of their nests, I got a tad too close and they let me know about it.  Momma Robin screeched and dive-bomed until I backed up while Momma Mourning Dove hopped on the roof and called for help. So, I retreated to the porch and took some shots from a safe distance. Momma grizzlies got nothing on angry momma birds.

So, while the heat is taking a toll on humans, at least we have our air conditioned retreats. Heroic momma birds seek out cool, shady spots while they vigilantly await the birth of their chicks. I'm awaiting the birth of the hatchlings too, but I'm keeping a safe distance.