When I was a small child, growing up in the 70's, as in all other generations there were superstitions based on the environment and current events. At this time due to circumstances unknown Bluebirds had basically dropped out of sight. For this reason, if one did happen upon one, it was advised to make a wish.
Of course, Blue Jays were readily available in the woods, so I would often close my eyes and make a wish as one of those flew by. I really knew it was a Blue Jay. The Blue Jay knew it was a Blue Jay, but here's to wishing on the blue wings. That was decades before the term "manifesting" came into play.
Some time later it was learned that the Bluebird population had indeed dropped by 90% during this era. There were multiple reasons for this massive decline, but living in farming regions it was likely evident that agricultural changes and the use of certain pesticides contributed to what happened in our woods. The use of products such as DDT destroyed the insect population Bluebirds fed on, causing eggshell thinning.
I was just a little girl hoping to make a wish during this Bluebird crisis totally unaware of the efforts underway to make environmental changes that would help to create a resurgence.
Many other birds were saved from the brink of extinction during this time. The Bald Eagle suffered serious population drops, and the great Egrets actually faced extinction. I even remember grumblings from local farmers about the crackdowns on pesticides which helped the farmers to manage the insect invasions and produce what they believed to be healthier and heartier crops. I guess life will forever be a learning curve.
So, what brought upon this topic in my weekly column? Well, as most southern ladies enjoy working in flower beds and building gardens, our yards become a haven for wildlife, especially birds. We have bird baths, bird houses, bird hutches, and bird feeders inviting the colorful array. And in the past ten years I have begun to witness more of those petite periwinkle blue backed birds with the deep orange chests fluttering about my yard in mid-spring.
These birds enjoy nesting in pre-existing bird houses along with Starlings and House Sparrows. I have these bird houses throughout my yard as well as on my back patio. So, the other morning when I was trying to drink my coffee and read in my breakfast room there was a sudden disturbance brought to my attention as well as my small dog Chloe. Two birds were back and forth fretting and fighting. One was the bright blue species I had wished upon as a child and one a soft gray and beige.
I was outraged that this bird was interrupting my beloved bluebird as she tried to build her nest in one of my houses, so as mankind often attempts, I interceded and tried to frighten the beige bird away.
To no avail. Each time I returned inside, the interaction continued until perhaps Mother Nature whispered in my ear to look this bird up on my phone. Yes. Turns out Bluebird mates for life and only on rare occasions do they divorce if mating is unsuccessful. Look it up. And only the male is that bright blue. The female, the very frustrated female I was disturbing as she and her husband were attempting to build their nest is a beige and gray with only hints of blue.
I had to laugh at my stupidity doubting my interruptions caused a divorce but certainly a conversation between the couple about the crazy large human holding a coffee cup and doing an odd dance while the small furry beast barked. Oh well. Life is a learning curve. And could I have been wishing on a beige and gray bird all along?
More to come about our new patio guests.
