Happy Poetry Friday! Linda has the round up today at her blog A Word Edgewise where she is hosting a clunker exchange. Linda graciously posted a list of lines she didn’t use for one reason or another – a clunker. You can take one and weave it into a poem and leave one of yours for her to work some magic with.
One early morning last week I was sitting on our enclosed porch when I was startled to see Fred, my male bluebird, excitedly flying close to the window – a new behavior. He landed on the ledge and peered in. It was as if he were trying to get my attention. I knew there was some nest building going on in one of the boxes, so I investigated. Inside I found an egg, but it wasn’t a bluebird egg. After some further investigation I determined that it was most likely a cowbird egg. There’s an abundance of advice available on the internet, some conflicting, so I wasn’t sure what to do. I decided to listen to the bluebirds and follow their lead.
Something New
The bluebird peered in the window
as if calling for my attention,
as if calling Come and see!
Yesterday,
nothing occupied
the perfect pine needle nest
in the box by the hydrangeas.
Today,
one white and brown spotted egg
nestled in the soft bed.
Was this the cause of the
What to do! excitement?
Later,
a pale blue egg rested
next to the first.
Like the bluebirds,
I’ll let nature take its course.
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Not a great picture, but there are now four bluebird eggs in addition to the one from the visitor. I’ll keep you posted.
Imagine the Possibilities 
I was just hearing about that yesterday. A cowbird had laid an egg or two in some other kind of nest, and a person wanted to toss them out because the cowbird chicks can mess with the other baby chicks, but apparently it’s illegal where I live to toss any kind of bird eggs. I’m rooting for the bluebirds!
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You’re right about the eggs being protected because the cowbird is a native species. The only nest that can be destroyed is a house sparrow’s because it is invasive. I don’t think it is a house sparrow egg – they would have taken over the whole nest, not just dropped an egg.
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How cool, and fitting poem! I think I remember reading that cowbirds do borrow other nests to deposit their eggs into… Your pic is great, good luck to the brood, thanks!
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Fred! I love that you named him! What a sign of hope -the natural world showing us what it means to care for one another.
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His mate is Ginger. I don’t name all the birds, but the couples (especially the bluebird couples) are special. In the past I also had Sonny and Cher.
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As you may recall, we have a wood duck house. Sometimes a black-bellied whistling duck will come into the house and lay eggs. Once when this happened the wood duck somehow got rid of the invasive egg. Did she eat it?
Birds are fascinating. We had a blue bird house but they don’t often nest this far south. I hope these beauties hatch healthfully.
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You are lucky to have bluebirds and what pretty eggs in their nest! I’ve heard about cowbirds — they like to leave their eggs in other birds’ nests. Kind of like fly-by-night parents — not too responsible. But that is nature. Fascinating that Fred was signaling you!
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I think the signaling was what stood out to me most – that desire to communicate. I don’t know if that was what was happening, but it was a different behavior.
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It’s a mystery, & now we wait, Rose. It’s fun that you named the pair & now seemingly coming to you for help adds another layer. I hope you tell us what happened!
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Oh, the drama! I think it’s a great photo to illustrate your poem. This a very in the moment poem. Can’t wait for the next installment!
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This is so interesting, Rose! I have never heard of a cowbird or their egg-laying intrusions. Fascinating! I love that the bluebird came to tell you what was happening. I can’t wait to hear how this develops!
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The gentle progressive unfolding of a natural miracle drove your poem towards its sweet conclusion, Rose. Loved the way you structured this. More to come, no doubt…
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It takes such patience and trust to let Nature do Nature instead of intervening with human hands…
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You are a good human to sit back and allow nature do its thing, Rose – even after Fred politely invited you to bear witness! I love the idea that there will be a blended family of birds in your yard and look forward to more poems as things develop. (Love the names Fred and Ginger and Sonny and Cher. 🙂 )
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Love the contrast between yesterday and today. Keep us posted on what happens! What a drama!
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I love that “perfect pine needle nest.” And that picture!! Swoon!
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When my Juncos arrive, I will be naming them for sure. I love your poem and am rooting for the bluebirds.
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You taught me something new! I didn’t know about cowbird eggs and I hope you’ll continue reporting to us about what’s happening. 🙂
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Rose, this is fascinating! I love that the blue bird tried to elicit your help. I can’t wait to learn what happens. I hope the little blue birds will be safe in their nest with their foster sibling.
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