What would Mama say?: Birds in the car
One of my dearest friends, Brenda, has a green Honda Element, which she has had for a number of years. She adores driving it.
When she first got it, her granddaughter who was just a few years old at the time, couldn't pronounce, "element;" so, she called it, "the elephant."
Brenda said the vehicle was intended for college kids who like to camp out and/or surf. The back seat lays down to allow for sleeping bags; the back can open and a canopy of sorts can be added; and, you can take a water hose and spray the inside of the vehicle out when you want to clean it.
There's a place in the top at the back, a kind of pop-out thingee to allow for air. She leaves it open a bit; and, guess what happened? A sweet liitle bird flew in and made a nest in a little CD holding place.
She said her husband, Gordy, took the elephant to town to pick up some things from the store.
When he returned, she said he told her they had babies in the car -- the bird had not only made a nest but laid eggs as well.
Of course, Brenda is well aware of the cleanup that will follow the babies learning to fly and leaving their calling cards, so to speak. Maybe she'll put down a tarp of some sort. I'm not certain. Right now, she's just delighted by the thought of baby birds hatching in an open compartment of her vehicle.
What I like is there' no discussion or argument about the issye with her husband. He thinks it's cute, too. At least he's OK with it.
Of course, Brenda has left the moonroof or whatever it's called open enough for the bird and her babies to get air and be able to fly away when the time comes. I think this is sweet. Does this mean I would feel the same way? Would I want a bird family or even a bird living in my car? I don't think so. For one thing, I'm a bit of a klutz. I'd be too afraid I'd somehow hurt the bird, especially the baby ones.
I'd be the goofy woman calling a DNR ranger or a wildlife rehabilitator saying, "You've got to come help me get this bird and her eggs out of my car. Please."
Or maybe, I'd just call Brenda. She always knows what to do.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: What would Mama say? Birds in the car
