I have a hummingbird nest precariosly balanced but sticking way out of an established ficus pemalia plant that has engulfed my column by my main entrance. I have several feeders and the hummers are always feeding. Recently I watched one buzz me and continuously return to her nest right there. We had a freak cold storm out of Alaska coming with freezing rain and strong winds. I know the nest is too exposed to survive it. I wanted to help protect it a little and I was able to install and umbrella in such a way as to protect the nest without ever having to touch it. Momma hummer was doing her due diligence to ward me off but I was done very quickly and still saw her. She did go back to the nest but when I checked on it later she wasnt there. I was very relieved to be buzzed by her the next morning but I havent seen her sit on the nest and now I havent seen her the rest of the day or evening. I am devestated that in trying to subtly protect the nest that i caused her to abandon it. Especially since she has dealt with my constant in and out of the front door the last two weeks. Will she be back? Did I cause her to leave? Input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone. I must say I have been taking tons and tons of pictures when the babies come. I think there are three boys and a girl, but I am not sure. I love watching the six of them fly in. They are not staying in our yard for the most part they are back by the field behind our property but they come to eat regularly and I love love love to watch them. Kenn, I just got an order from Southern Insecataries yesterday, I must say even though they are pricey this year they do have really good worms and I love to order one day and have them the next. I am so hoping Sunshine has some available soon though that DHL shipping from Georgia is ridiculous! Oh and I checked that Duncraft site and it told me they offered free shipping on your first order only. Donna

Well, I spoke with the wildlife rehabber and nobody does song birds. Aside from capturing/putting him in a cage, there's nothing I can really do. The local vet won't work on wild birds unless your a rehabber. Both recommended I look into becoming certified. I'll think about it but we're pretty rural and I don't see too many people caring for birds (unless they're a raptor). So, I made sure the little guy was in a safe area and was visible to the parents. Mom and dad were both flying around but I think they were trying to encourage more than feed. The fledglings have been out for over a week and they can fly really well; they're all in the learning stages of catching their own food. I think he ran into something and dislocated a wing joint. Little guy moved so fast on the ground that I couldn't catch him without fear of further injury. Unfortunately, he didn't make it. I think he died from dehydration. Poor little guy.

The original decline in populations of the Kirtland's Warbler was due to loss of the early successional jack pine habitat, through decades of fire suppression, these birds depend on. Fire opens the jack pine's cones causing seeds to come out and germinate after a fire. The young growth of pines that followed is what the Kirtland's Warbler depended on. Once the population of Kirtland's Warblers declined from loss of habitat, added pressures from parasitism of their nests by Brown-headed Cowbirds added to their declining population. So, the Kirtland's Warbler was not on the "brink of extinction" due to cowbirds, but originally was due to loss of habitat that cause their population decline in the first place. In addition to cowbird parasitism the Black-capped Vireo experienced declining populations due to loss of habitat via urbanization, fire exlcusion, grazing, and brush control. The Golden-cheeked Warbler has suffered tremendous habitat loss of its Ashe juniper habitat due to the expansion of the cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Waco. Add to that parasitism by cowbirds, and you get the same story as for the Kirtland's Warbler. These three species, both with normally limited distributions due to extremely narrow habitat requirements, make them susceptible to habitat loss and the added pressures that brings on their populations. The moral here is that other causes, primarily loss of the species primary habitat, are the reasons for the initial decline of these species. Then, the impact of cowbird parasitism is enhanced because the species impacted have such low populations from habitat loss, they can't make up for the loss of parasitism by cowbirds. Thus, wildlife biologists and land managers institute cowbird removal programs within the species last remaining breeding habitats so that populations can more easily recover as new habitat is created to aid in recovery. One should study up on it. And a final note (which has been mentioned on this and other forums) Brown-headed Cowbirds are a protected native species. Any killing of these birds, however deemed "right", is illegal without a permit. If you are going to write about killing them or other species besides starlings, house sparrows, and rock pigeons that are not protected, you should be prepared for people responding to your posts with less than sympathetic views. BN