Thursday is Bird Day

  As soon as I awoke this morning, I knew it was going to be a special day.  I had no idea what was to be different but something was, for sure!  At 5am while I was sipping that first mug of coffee, I heard a strange sound.  Hmm?  Wonder what that was?  Since I was the only one awake in the Little Bayou House, the noise sounded loud...really loud.  It was sort of a "sandy, fluttering sound".  Maybe gritty was a better word but still fluttery with a slight grinding.  I eased my way to the dining room and waited.  Yep, the noise came from there and I knew exactly what was causing it.  The sound came from near the fireplace.  It came as no surprise that I found a small, black bird clinging to the old stove.  "Well, now!  What have we here?  Are you lost?"  The little bird allowed me to lift if from its perch.  I gently held my little ward and unscrewed the cover to the fireplace.  "Ok, little one.  Off you go!  Head on back up that chimney!"  As soon as I lifted my hand inside the fireplace, the tiny bird fluttered up the chimney to be greeted by its family.  It was free and so happy to be reunited!

  All day, I felt good about helping my little friend.  The screecher (as my niece, Kammie, has labeled the bird.) was none other than a chimney swift.  Each year, dozens of the birds nest in the old brick chimney.  They do well but, every now and again, one youngster cannot hold its place and it tumbles to the bottom of the fireplace.  Once there, it worms its way through the old wood stove and into the house.  No problem.  I just pick them up and, depending on the size of the bird, either open the fireplace and replace the bird or take it outside where it can take flight.  It happens a couple of times every year.

  This evening, I was still feeling pretty good about the incident when Son came to tell me that there was a bird in the house.  He and I headed back to the dining room where, once again, a chimney swift was clinging to the wood stove.  Son started unscrewing the cover while I picked up the bird.  These are such gentle birds.  They do not struggle to get away nor do they fight.  The birds sit calmly in my hand until it is time to leave.  This one did not want to leave.  I held my hand up in the fireplace but the bird clung to my fingers.  "Nope, it is dark in there.  I want to stay with you." I tried to ease it onto the side wall where it could cling to the bricks.  "Nope. I like your hand."  So, the next step was to take the bird outside where it could fly free. "I really like you!  I want to be your friend!"  Oh, come on, little one!  FLY!  It took a good five minutes before the bird even thought about leaving my hand once we were outside.  It just sat in my palm like a happy camper. 

  I have a feeling our escapade with Thursday being Bird Day is going to extend over into the weekend.  We will have to be extra vigilant while Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, is in the house, however!  And that made me smile...I keep hearing how wildlife rescue groups admonish folks for letting their cats outside but, obviously, those well-meaning folks never have wild birds as visitors INSIDE their houses.  I do!