A few weeks ago, every time I went out the front door after dark, I heard a flutter of wings and could just catch the silhouette of a winged form as it disappeared into the trees.
The first few times, I thought it was a bat, but then I finally got a look at it, and instead of just seeing motion flitting into the night, I was able to recognize the motion as the flapping of bird wings. On another night, instead of charging out the front door, I peered at it through the blinds and saw a small sparrow house finch huddled against the porch light.
It’s gotten to where I glance out the window at him each night as if to say good night to this creature who has decided to make himself at home here. When I heard that it was going to get cold, I made sure there was seed in the feeder, which I hadn’t done in weeks, and each of these icy mornings, I’ve found myself relieved to see that he’s still there when I go out to get the paper.
There’s no nest construction going on, and it seems an unlikely spot for a nest anyway. I suspect it’s just a convenient way station between here and there, then and later, but it pleases me to know that that little bird finds our front porch to be a place of refuge, a home, however fleeting it may be.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
We had a fluttering in our garage the other night, which luckily turned out to be a bird, not a bat. We left the garage door open, but the poor thing didn’t seem to get that it needed to fly down to fly out. Amy even fashioned a plastic bag at the end of a broom as if to make a net, but all I could do was laugh and say, “Here’s hoping the bird flies down into your bag.” Finally, after a few hours, it figured out how to get out…and promptly flew into the window on our backdoor. I guess it was just a bit dazed, as it flew off.
We set the lint from our clothes dryer out in the winter for the birds to “insulate” their digs. It’s always gone, so somebody’s putting it to use! Later!
George, You had me laughing at the image of tha plastic bag net. Sounds like that bird will have some tales to tell the flock.
Christina, Maybe I’ll have to make a little offering to my little avian spirit.
hey! I thought “the net” was a good idea. Much better than just a broom.
I think it’s a great idea. And definitely better than the broom alone.
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