Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Casualties of the Heat

I am so very sad.
I've had a bluebird bird house for years
(it's not for bluebirds, just looks like a bluebird).

Imagine my delight when
we spotted a couple of wrens flying in
and out the other day.
We delighted in the sweet songs
of babies coming from within.

My joy quickly turned to horror
when I walked out one morning and saw
this:

Worse yet,
there were 5 more dead babies inside.
Needless to say, it
just broke my heart.

The only reason I can come up
with as to why this happened
is the heat.
Yes, even Minnesota
is having heat indexes of
around 105 degrees.

I hesitated posting this
but thought it might serve as a reminder
to all of us to remember
our feathered friends
during the heat wave
that is sweeping the nation.

On a happy note,
I had a larger sprinkler going
last evening and I had
hours of enjoyment
watching
the variety of birds
enjoying a shower.


Stay cool.

23 comments:

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Ah so sad.

I feel terribly sorry for people who are suffering from extremes of heat this summer.

No electricity, no air con, the risk of fire,
it must be a nightmare.

I am complaining here because of all the rain we have been having in Ireland this year.

I have little to complain about.

Thanks for making everyone aware about what the high temps can do Jill.

Take care


x Fiona

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness that is so sad - I never thought about it. sandie

Unknown said...

I do have to thank you for sharing this. I sure never thought of something like this happening!

TexWisGirl said...

we lost our wren's brood to an ant invasion. sad.

Beth said...

The continuing heat wave is a killer. I am sorry for the birds.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Poor little birds!

We STILL have no electricity here. It is hot hot hot. But we're making do.

nanny said...

I have found 5 dead birds in my yard the past few days.....

Susan said...

Oh, so sad. Poor little things!

Bonnie said...

I am so sorry! I go out a couple of times a day and check birdbaths and do a little critter hydrating. Bonnie

Anonymous said...

So very sad. Poor little thing. This 107 degree heat is hard on me with plenty of water and an ac when I need it...I can't imagine how the animals are suffering.

I've been filling all 4 of my bird bathes every day. Believe it or not, they are nearly dry each day. I'm sure most of the water is evaporating away but at least the birds, bees and butterflies have a water source in my yard during this heat wave.

EG CameraGirl said...

Very sad, Jill. That reminds me - I should make sure our birdbath is full. :)

Paula said...

It is sad but a good reminder as you say. I do make sure I have water in my birdbath but I think I will put my sprinkler on late this afternoon.

Ellie said...

Oh my goodness that is so sad. The poor wee things and not a nice thing for you to find.
It never really occurred to me that birds would struggle so much with the heat.
Here's hoping you all get a decent amount of rain soon - and some cooler temperatures.

Rohrerbot said...

Graphic!!!! It's always sad and heart breaking to see that kind of thing happen. You're right...it was probably the heat. We put birdbaths out here and must fill them daily here for our birds. Shade and water to deal with the 100+ temps. But that nest was probably like an oven. It's happens and when it does, it's hard to witness.

Separating thoughts though....have a great 4th!!!

Debbie said...

sooo sad jill, thanks for reminding us. i fill the bird bath several times a day, to keep the water fresh and cool!!

Nancy said...

I've been keeping an eye on our bird baths as well -- it's really been intolerable lately.

Dawnll said...

My that is so sad sweetie, I feel so bad for the little creatures.
I went out after work and cleaned the birdbath and added clean water...been trying to change every day for the birds.
Hopefully no more for you

snowwhite said...

Jill,
This is so sad. Heat wave killed innocent baby birds. We must member it will happen anywhere. I feel every year we have hotter summer.
keiko

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Jill this is so sad we have been luckier with the heat we have had steady breezes and it has only been about high's of 28c. I ti supposed to change this week. Our bluebirds are almost ready to fly so I hope they can find somewhere cool maybe in the bush.
I am glad you shared this people should know. B

Anonymous said...

How sad.
Blessings to you and yours this holiday week. Take care.

Lisa said...

How sad! We just found a young osprey that had gotten tangled in our pool screen. He was unable to fly. When we spoke to someone at the wildlife rehabilitation place, she said that young ospreys were "dropping like flies" because they were trying to leave the nest too young and couldn't yet fly well and so ended up starving to death.

We've lived in this house for 11 years and in the past year have rescued a baby squirrel, baby seagull, and now a baby osprey. Nothing before that. So strange!

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

Oh, no! The extreme heat, and power outages can be so dangerous.

My Mind's Eye said...

Oh Jill I'm so sorry. Many years ago we had 2 successful bluebird broods...April and May. Nothing in June then their silly mom decided to lay 5 eggs in the middle of July...I believe she must have been a juvenile herself to do this but they did not make it either. I hope you find something pretty to lift your spirits on this hot Independence day.
Hugs Madi and Mom