BetterBirds - Spring Newsletter

The Hatchlings Have Arrived

It is mid May and as I look out my window, I notice a lot of activity at the chickadee birdhouse. The chickadees are flying to and from the birdhouse, bringing food to the nest. As I crack open my window I can hear the excited chirps of the new hatchlings piercing through the air. After weeks of preparation by the chickadees, first selecting the birdhouse and then bringing straw and small bits of string and fluff to build the nest, the big day has finally arrived. The proud papa and mama are working feverishly to bring food to their little brood.

The seeming intelligence of these little creatures is truly amazing. Yet all of the creatures on our planet seem to know just what to do when presented with the task of raising their young. For the Chickadee it is no different. The new mother waits at the birdhouse with her young as her partner heads out to forge for just the right food for the newborns. He is back in a flash and hops up to the entrance of the birdhouse where the female meets him, and he passes her the precious food from his beak to hers. She takes it into the nest and instantly the hatchling begins their frantic chirping, mouths agape, demanding to be nourished.

The process of life has once again been thrust into motion. As complex as it is, it is difficult to understand how at the same time, it can seem so simple. Certainly, it is Mother Nature’s way of replenishing the earth, but this time I feel that I have gently reached out my hand and magically stroked the joyful spirit of these daring little acrobats to once again flourish. And in a small way, the meaning of life and the beginning of a new season has touched down, right here in my backyard. Awesome!