Bird’s Nest: A Shelter for Our Winged Friends
Giving back to Mother Nature
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir
Some days are the best days! Some days okayish! Some days, as worst as it could be!
Now, whatever kind of day it is for you today, just step outside and look for a bird in flight, and imagine you glide along with it. There’s no one to stop you.
Spread your wings wide open and fly!
Feeling as light as feathers!
Oh! The sense of freedom!
Just keep flying! and flying!
Knock knock! Back to reality! Just tried something new! 😊
Are you relaxed and elated?
Now, we can delve into today’s topic. I want your full attention!
It’s once again proven and you have experienced the bliss of Nature at this very moment. Mother Nature is the key to our happy and healthy living!
How can we Bring Nature Close to us?
As we have travelled far away from Nature, destructing most parts of it, now we have to only re-create Nature spaces to enjoy its benefits.
At least, for those who live in the cities.
What would you say, if I ask you, what is the most essential thing to create a beautiful garden?
Do you say, the right kind of tools, good quality seeds, good soil, and most importantly Enough SPACE?
But, I would say, it’s only that “thought” about having a garden is enough, everything else will fall into place.
I’m so grateful that the pandemic has helped humans understand the importance of having every other coexisting species in our lives, including our loved ones.
EVERY other species, either big or small, has a role to play! So do we!
Payback to Nature
Of late, an understanding of the importance of including plants in our lives has resulted in some green spaces popping up here and there!
Even though we are doing this for our own benefit, admittedly, it’s our duty to create at least a small area of green space in our homes as a payback to Nature!
Do you ask me why?
Here’s the answer.
As a result of urban development, which of course is inevitable, we “humans” have invaded more and more of this wonderful planet.
Do we “humans” alone own this planet? But, we act like we are the only ones living, right?
We don’t even realise (or 100% conscious about) the fact that we share this planet with millions or we could say decillions of other species.
Let’s take ants for example, one of the tiniest creatures, more than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified, according to Wikipedia.
So, imagine the numbers! The beautiful big and small species.
So, wouldn’t it be fair enough to share a little space in our homes with at least a few of them? Thereby giving a small bit back to Nature.
Experiencing Nature!
Thanks to the Bulbul family that nested in our house that brought me back “alive!”
My son said, looking at this picture, “Good mothers have good kids who can make your thoughts fly with happiness!”
I’m grateful for so many things in life! This is one among them!
I started getting closer to Nature over the past decade or so “once again.”
Yes, I am saying once again because, even though I grew up as a Nature’s child spending most of my time in Nature, in the woods, alongside streams and waterfalls in the mountains of Nilgiris in India, when I moved to a city in May 2000, for my first career, I became a bit lost in the busy city life until the time the Bulbuls nested in our house in June 2011.
I started watching them building their nest, filming and talking to them, as I always do. “I regained myself.” Then slowly I started to watch through the window and noticed there were many birds visiting that place.
Then it became a routine, watching and filming. Only then I realised my original self and started feeling lively.
It was a wonderful experience; I got very close to the bulbuls, even fed them grapes and oranges “with my own hands just like feeding a baby,” can you believe that?
My husband is very good at naming. Just like naming our babies, after dropping out a few names, we named the nestlings Chingu and Pangu.
It was like an extended family to us. Even after leaving the nest, they gave us a few visits as a family. Used to see them now and then until the time we were there.
The Apartment Life
You have the heart and mindset, you can do anything!
Then, when we moved to an apartment, again felt very detached. Yet, there was a little, 5' x 11', an east-facing balcony that gave me some hope.
Slowly, the balcony turned into a small garden with a few pots and some grass and plants of about 1' x 11' area.
Included more and more plants and vines and slowly the garden became more lively.
Being a Nature lover, birdwatching, gardening, trekking, and all activities in nature was my hobby. I am so fascinated towards nature conservation.
So, out of interest, I always updated myself with related studies including bird behavior, sustainability, preserving and re-creating natural habitats, etc.
That knowledge helped me create a natural pond with river rocks, live plants, fish, and some natural wood from my childhood collection. It looked and felt so lively, awaiting the arrival of our Winged Friends.
I waited and waited and my neighbors and even my maid would advise me it is impossible to attract birds there, as it was on the first floor and very noisy atmosphere with kids running around.
But, I didn’t lose hope and still waited!
By then, the Bougainvillaea I planted on either side of the balcony started blooming and I crafted the branches to serve the birds with garden benches to rest on.
I owe them gratitude for giving us year-round blossoms, making our tiny balcony bright with vibrant colours, and dancing to the music of the fragrant breeze!
After a few weeks, I noticed some birds come very close, but wouldn’t stay, maybe they were inspecting.
Then, it became a routine. Especially when the vines of Clitoria ternatea (commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, a wild climber) started blooming, the grill was full of blue flowers filled with ample nectar, waiting to feed the sunbirds.
Now, our balcony became a stopover site for many species including scaly-breasted munia, bulbuls, oriental magpie-robin, tailorbirds, and purple sunbirds.
It didn’t stop there. Then, to give that jungle effect created curtains of hanging vines with money plants and heartleaf philodendrons; the birds love to swing on those vines.
Our balcony is now a haven and a feeding ground for birds, butterflies, and even hummingbird hawk-moth and wasps, and many more.
They have actually learned to befriend humans.
Are we ready to shake hands with them?
Here are some tips and tricks that I tried to attract birds and butterflies:
- Observe the local birds visiting the neighborhood and do a small research about their food habits and their color choice.
- Plant more flowering plants with nectar, a good mix of different varieties.
- Avoid hybrid varieties.
- Include some wild, native plant varieties.
- Include vines and climbers.
- An addition of a natural water feature with water lilies and fish, surrounded by live plants, a natural ecosystem, could help even better.
- Finally, don’t completely clear the cobwebs 😊 (maybe you can skip this part; I know what kind of mess it’s going to create) so that the sunbirds could feed on the spiders, especially when feeding their young.
- And, spread some “LOVE.”
Now, are you ready to share your homes with these little angels who are ready to share their happiness and peace with us?
WELCOME TO A NEW LOVELY, LIVELY 🐞WORLD!
Thank you for visiting my little garden!
Are you a nature lover? Would you like to create a bird-friendly garden at your frontyard, backyard, or even in a small balcony? Create a water garden?
I would be more than happy to help.
