That's Wild!

Timesharing Nests

For the last five years, a pair of flycatcher birds have made their nest on the porch of the Best Friends mailing office. Mama bird didn't seem to mind the comings and goings of humans. And the baby birds used parked cars as landing and launch pads while learning to fly.

This year, we had to enclose the porch to make an extra office. So the first concern was how to make sure the birds knew they still had a home there.

The nest was gently moved to safe spot while construction was underway during the winter. And then a little box was built up high on the wall under the porch roof and the nest was placed inside it.

Sure enough, when the birds returned this spring, they inspected their new condo, found it to their liking, and raised four babies there. Then they were off on their travels - as usual. Except that this time they must have spread the word about the top-notch accommodations because as soon as they left, sparrows hustled in and built a nest right on top of the flycatchers' nest.

Next year they may all have to organize a serious timeshare plan!

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