Thunk! As the piñon jay hit the window;
I heard it from the greenhouse not far away,
and as I looked, albeit with a bit of trepidation,
I saw the creature from behind, dazed of course,
trying to get her bearings, and in two beats
of a heart, she toppled to her side;
Now I hastened over, picked the bird up,
turned it over to face me, his eyes wide open
in question, though no signs of brain bleed, and,
doubtless still dazed, I stroked his indescribably
exquisite indigo head, chest, spoke tenderly to him,
coal black eyes never leaving mine, asking why,
why would you do something like this,
and please tell your tribe to cease
this destructive habit, nothing we have done,
from hawk decals to hanging cd's has worked,
and the jays and doves, the most sturdy of birds,
continue their intermittent hits;
One leg was folded up, the other outstretched,
and as I felt momentum building, I placed her
on the rock wall and she promptly listed nearly
over, yet as I ventured again to pick her up,
a loud squawk emitted from the beak, and I felt
like well, with that kind of response, perhaps
she would make it, and as I turned to go,
I sensed her taking flight, and looking back,
no bird was left in that spot, and I am left
to wonder, as ever, if I saved or simply
prolonged this exquisite winged life for just
a little longer.
Stellar jay, New Mexico ~ bj 2022
Always torn when a bird strikes happen, glad this one made it. <3
Far as we know! But yes, it really is heart wrenching. That we literally have tried everything I’ve ever read about, except covering up those windows, which face out over that amazing valley and mountains behind. Humans win once again, but at what cost! 🙏💕
What a beautiful bird Bela.. Our heart stops when we hear that Thunk …. Its happened several times in our home too… blackbirds and sparrows… Yet disorientated by the suns reflection of the garden in our patio windows… So pleased it was able to fly off after regaining her balance.. No doubt her head will ache a little…
Sending Love to you and ALL of those Winged Ones.. <3 xx
Good hearing from you, my friend. And the bird that hit (piñon jay) is not the bird pictured (Stellar jay), in case that is confusing. I just love the colors and size! of the Stellars. They are back for the winter! And for whatever reason I know not, they seem to be a lot smarter about flying into windows. Which is a relief.
Hope all is well on your end, Sue. We had an Irish friend visiting the other evening, and he filled in a lot of blanks vis a vis what is going on ‘over there,’ a mere ocean away. Hoping you are surfing the waves of change as best you are able. Love you. 💓
Ireland depending on which part I hear is worse than England.. We are more than a little crazy here over the ‘Pond’ lol… Yes surfing the waves… we are… Lots of it is not in my future version of reality 🙂
And thank you for clarifying about the bird.. I thought it was the breed which went thump into your window.. 🙂
I hope you have had a good harvest! 🙂
Hubby planted Spring cabbage plants today and several rows of Broad beans for Spring..
I have just not had the energy to help him this summer.. But he is coping bless him..
Sending mega hugs and well wishes Bela.. xx <3
Our garden is not very deep & opposite the big picture window of the kitchen is a 6ft sometimes 7ft hedge. Big wood pigeon, little sparrows, they all fly into it with an occasional mortality. I think they see the reflection of the hedge & the sky! It is always a shock when even the little birds crash into the glass with such a loud bang. We have now planted a small tree (well, one I can control) between the hedge & the window but we’ll have to wait for a couple of years for it to grow. 🙏
Yes, we are still in the process of trying this and that. I can well imagine birds see the hedge’s reflection, as they see reflections here of forest and sky. We take small comfort in that we are helping far more reproduce by feeding them than those that are lost. We have seen their numbers increase dramatically since moving here three years ago. But it’s still sad, is it not. Good luck with your new plan! 🌲☮️💗
There’s some kind of special glass you can get that they use in many city buildings to keep this from happening. It may even be required in new construction. (K)
https://www.audubon.org/news/what-does-bird-safe-glass-even-mean
Kerfe, that is so cool! I don’t know if you’ve read Helen MacDonald’s “Hawk,” or was it “Vesper Flights,” where she travels with another bird expert to the top of the Empire State Bldg to witness annual migrations of birds that often lose their bearings due to all the windows – these are old migration routes for thousands of birds. (This might get you there? https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/migrations-watching-migration-empire-state-building). So it is and has been a real problem. Fabulous NYC is taking action!
Thanks for the link! As one of their suggestions to actually screen the outside windows is one we have considered, though the windows do not open. Still, it would provide protection. Thanks again. 💓
Yes, I did read “Hawk”–a wonderful book. Between the windows and the lights, there are lots of hazards for birds in the city, but at least some action is being taken. Every little bit helps…
Good luck! I’m sure you can find a solution to at least improve the situation.
We keep trying. But this article was really helpful, thank you! 🙏💕
From he to she. So interesting how our mind finds meaning. It made it. That feels good 💛
For me as well, Val. Thank you. 🙏💜