The Tale Of 2 Squirrels, A Mama Bird & Me ...

Yesterday wifey called me into the boys room and told me she heard some funny sounds coming from the ceiling (no, this is not a ghost story). I went in and heard this weird scratching kinda sounds coming from above the boys room ceiling. Wifey thinks they're rats but I begged to differ. I don't see how those little critters could get up there and besides there's basically no food in there for the to prosper. I was more inclined to believe they're squirrels. But we both weren't really sure and left it at that since it wasn't really causing any harm.

Then a little later, when wifey was hanging the laundry out back, she noticed twigs and leaves were dropping from the roof and we could hear chirping sounds coming from the top. That's when it hit us that there's probably a nest up there full of baby birds. Cool cos I was told that having a bird make a nest in your house brings you good luck. Not that I really believe any of that nonsense but who knows it just might be true. And thankfully, mama bird decided to build her nest in the ceiling this time instead of the tree in the lawn.

I say this time because this is not the first time I've had birds nesting in my place. There's been a few other occasions but mostly they'd make a nest in the trees in my lawn. At least this time it's in the ceiling and away from those pesky squirrels that roam the neighbourhood. Yes, we've got this two resident squirrels that I've officially named Chip and Dale and I've actually fought with both of them before trying to save the life of a young newborn baby bird. Before you all ask me just what in heavens name am I blabbering about now, let me explain from the beginning and yes, I'd advise you to go make yourself a nice mug of hot coffee or whatever beverage that suits your fancy, get some tidbits and plonk a nice soft cushion on your chair cos this might just turn out to be one of those long winded posts I'm well known for ... LOL! I'll try to keep it short, I promise :D

My house probably seems like a maternity hospital for birds cos they just love building their nests here to usher in their newborns and I'm actually happy that they do cos the sounds of those newly hatched baby birds chirping are a joy to behold, well, not unless I'm trying to nap that is, cos their incessant chirping can be a tad annoying during nap time ... hehehe ... A few years back, this mama bird decided to enlist herself in the Phillips Maternity Hospital for Birds (LOL) and build her nest in this potted tree I had in the porch. Since my living room fronts the porch, I could see mama bird flying in everyday with twigs and leaves to build the nest. It was an interesting thing to see, unfortunately I didn't own a digital camera back then or I would have cataloged the process.

So this went on until she made the nest and laid the eggs and soon the baby birds (urmm, is there any other specific name you call baby birds besides baby birds?) were born and since they were too young to get their own food and all that, mama bird went out looking for stuff for the lil fellows everyday. Now while I was curious to actually go close up and see the lil fellows, I didn't dare cos mama bird was a very protective mother. She used to sit there in the nest and stare at me sitting there in the living room and though I sensed that she knew I wouldn't harm her little babies, she was still protective all the same and kept a close eye on me whenever I was in the living room.

Now, one day I was watching TV with the little fellows chirping away and mama bird was out looking for food, I noticed that chip and dale who usually runs and plays around my mango tree grew a little interested in the chirping sounds coming from the porch. They sneakily but cautious started coming closer and I could tell those two mischievous fellows were up to no good. I normally get up and walk to the porch and they'd quickly high tail it out of there. This happened once when mama bird was on her way back and quickly flew in to protect her newborns and I think she knew I was also helping out with the guarding duties cos she never was afraid of me being near the nest since then.

Now a few days later, I was as usual watching TV in the living room with the babies chirping away in the background. I can't really remember what I was watching but I was so engrossed in it that I failed to notice Chip and Dale stealthily sneaking in like some commando squirrels towards the nest. Mama bird was out grocery shopping again I guess. Suddenly through the corner of my eye, I notice movement and that's when I turned my head and saw, Chip, or was it Dale jumping on the fence and trying to jump on the branch of the potted tree to grab one of the lil fellows in the nest. That was when I jumped out of my chair, ran to the porch and grabbed the nearest 'weapon' I could find which was a broom to try and stop the darn squirrel from grabbing the baby bird.

At the same instant I heard a shrieking cry from above and see mama bird swooping down joining in to defend her little babies. It was a sight to behold. There I was with my broom to trying to shoo those little rotters away and with mama bird as my partner trying to claw at them. We made quite a pair, me and mama bird with the nest behind us facing off against Chip and Dale! But those two little rascals were just to persistent and one of them managed to slip between us and grab a baby bird and high tailed it out of there. I couldn't do anything, not even try and hit the darn squirrel for fear of hitting the baby bird in it mouth as both chip and dale made a quick exit to god knows where with the poor squealing baby bird. Mama bird was more worried about her remain babies to also do anything much.

I was devastated, damn those two little four legged freaks! If I ever lay my eyes on them again, they're going to be roasted squirrels, that's for sure. I was sad for mama bird and I felt I failed in my duty as protector of the nest! Damn those two squirrels for making me look bad! I think mama bird was disappointed with me too cos soon after she took her little babies and left the nest to a more safer place. Oh well, I did try my best to fight them off. And since when did squirrels eat baby birds? Anyway, Chip and Dale are still roaming around mischievously and I've let them be, though if they were to get in the way of my car, I'd gladly run over the little rotters for stealing and probably feasting on that little new born baby bird!

That's why this time I'm glad that this new mama bird decided to make the nest in the ceiling of my house. It's nice and cozy and most of all away from the prying and evil eyes of those two rascals! And I think sometime soon I'm going to hear incessant chirping from the ceiling which would be a good indicator that there's a new batch of baby birds in this world :D I suppose the sounds of those chirping would make good background music as I search for some tips on acne treatment for my older boy seeing as how he's breaking out with them already. In the meantime, if any of you know of any birds who are going to lay some eggs, do tell them that the Phillips Maternity Hospital for Birds is now open ... hehehe ...