Audrey's Story
                                           Audrey, Arthur & I...

This is a story of how two birds can change someone's life...mine.

It still amazes me how two little wild birds possessed the power to change a persons life forever. This feathered tale is about my experiences with my darlings Audrey & Arthur, (Great Crested Flycatchers) frequent nesting parents in South Florida.

Eight years ago in early June my husband had a major operation that would keep him from working for 2 weeks.  Being a builder and a very active man, it took no time before he felt absolutely useless and bored.  Therefore, he did what builders do….build!  Lumber is in abundance at our home due to the nature of his business so it was easy pickings for materials, yet he had to find something he could build while remaining seated.  I’m so grateful my dear neighbor dropped by for she suggested a birdhouse. Perfect!

Not only did he begin to build one birdhouse by the end of the week he had constructed 32 houses! Clearly side effects of a workaholic not working! 

Now that project birdhouse was complete – there was little real estate for these houses to rest upon so our garage got another delivery of goods.  I certainly couldn’t have hung them all in the yard and risk being known as the lady with a zillion birdhouses, so I began giving them away. The houses quickly became Christmas gifts, birthday presents, graduation and just about any occasion that popped up.  Yep, if you were our friend or family member, chances are you got a birdhouse.  

Finally after 6 months they all were gone and I regained some precious space once again in the garage.  We're not one for garage sales, instead we prefer donating.  One afternoon I began to clean out the garage and round up the newest batch of items.  There on a high shelf  sat one lonely left over birdhouse.  I ignored it and allowed it to remain.   I guess it was a memento of the year he built a slew of  houses.   That birdhouse actually sat in the garage for 2 more years before it found its place in the next batch of item donations.  Upon returning from work my husband saw the treasured house, quickly removed it and  hung it in our front tree. Again, the house quickly was ignored and was viewed as yard decor.

A couple summers passed and while doing yard work my husband said there was a strange noise coming from inside the birdhouse or (so he thought).  “We’ve got birds,” he shouted while tracking lawn dirt throughout the house.  “Come on, my house is a success and we’ve got tenants!”  Being the dutiful sport I hiked out to his house to observe his find.  I needed only to stand on my tippee toes because the house was only 5.5 feet from the ground. Sure enough as we  peered in the entrance hole, ten small beady eyes peered back in complete silence!  What a sight!  I had never experienced seeing a wild bird so close before, far less 5 of them all huddled together in a small birdhome.

Never being a devoted bird watcher I was stunned and thrilled about this new experience.  It was exciting and I couldn’t wait to show my neighbor that IS an avid bird watcher.  Throughout the day I would peek in and speak to the sweet tweets.  I was ignorant of the  (dos and dont's) of nesting birds. It was just so fascinating and fun  I just couldn’t help myself.  Unfortunately my neighbor was working late and wouldn't be able to view until the next day.

Morning came and I couldn't wait to see my new feathered friends.  To my dismay when I looked inside the box was empty; completely barren of any life it had presently held.  I was so surprised at how this event was able to cast such a black cloud of disappointment and gloom over me.  How utterly strange it felt to feel a bit depressed over something that was only experienced for a couple of hours just the day before.  I forgot about my neighbor’s scheduled visit so when she arrived with much anticipation, I informed her everyone had gone.

Knowing bird’s behaviors and traits she informed me that some birds return to nest in the exact place year after year.  She encouraged me to write down the date and look for them again next year.  Sure – sure I said as if I was going to bother with this call to action – NOT! Weeks passed and the event became a distant memory. 
It’s as if the older you get the more you live in a warp speed zone…for in no time winter came and went and it was spring once again. 

Though it is a lovely time of year I dread the chore of yard work.  Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband that doesn’t mind the task.   I didn’t record that date from the previous year but my neighbor did and phoned me to keep an eye out for visitors to the birdhouse. My neighbor being very organized had backed up the date to account for when they birds may have begun to nest of fledge (meaning to leave in bird talk).  To appease her I said I would keep watch and let her know.  I did glance over at the house sometimes but for the most part….the house just did what it does…decorate the tree.

Weeks later, as if my husband has some special power, he again spotted those feathered visitors and proudly announced the news - "the birds are back".  To our delight we watched them quickly going in and out of the box with tiny pieces of pine needles in their beaks.  Alas, they had indeed returned and were just beginning to rebuild their nest.

The following day I set up camp with my lawn chair, beach umbrella and some hot java.  I quickly became enchanted watching this pair work so diligently.  After an hour passed, I found it hard to pull away so I simply got my book and spent the day reading and looking up at this fascinating feathered couple hard at work.  I sure felt for them building nonstop from dawn till dusk. Surly they must get tired? I didn’t want the day to end, but it did. I could not believe I spent the entire day in the same spot doing only one task!  Not my nature.

Soon I realized I should have phoned my neighbor!  She said she would be over first thing in the morning and was looking forward to the treat. That night over dinner the entire conversation was centered on those two wild birds.  Not only did they spark an interest in me but I wondered what type of birds they were - where did they come from - what do they eat....etc. etc..??.  I must go press the "button".

In our household the "button" is the almighty internet. I didn’t have much luck in discovering their kind being the novice that I was so I would leave that up to my nature loving neighbor.  The next morning I eagerly got  to continue watching  these glorious creatures. When I opened the door to my surprise, my neighbor was already set up and had been observing the couple for 2 hours.  With her Peterson Field guide in hand, binoculars, camera, sun screen, video recorder, umbrella and notepad she was certainly dug in for some serious bird watching!

“They are Great Crested Flycatchers”, she exclaimed!  They definitely are nestbox users though normally they like a much different type of house configuration.  They are known for being heard more often than seen due to being tree top hugging birds and eat a variety of flying insects including butterflies and dragonflies.  As if watching a movie together, we both settled in and became glued to our entertainment just 10 feet away.  From that day forward my fascination and study of birds was born. 

We were so entranced by these love birds that before we knew it, we were sunburned and famished. After all we  watched for 5 SOLID HOURS!  I don’t think I’ve ever watched something for so long…except perhaps my all time favorite British movie, (The Forsyte Saga).  That day I named them both - Audrey and Arthur.

The years have since come and gone and their many tales are vast in our household.  Each year beginning in January the excitement begins to build with the anticipation of Audrey’s return.  Like clockwork she normally arrives the last week in March or the first week in April.  They have successfully contributed thus far as of 2010 a  total of 29 baby Flycatchers to the world.  Last year was the only one she lost 2 of her babies. One was killed by a hawk, while the other never hatched.

When they depart I never know if that will be the last time I will see them.  It's like receiving an unexpected gift from the heavens each year when they return.  This will be their 7th consecutive year.

Last year (2009) we were truly blessed to have three bird families at once.  A Cardinal couple I have since named Daisy and Mr. D, Mr. & Mrs. Brown (Brown Thrashers) and of course my Darling Sweet Audrey and Arthur. It was an amazing year! We were very busy watching over each nest and observing how quickly the babies grew! 

There was drama and tragedy though as nature sometimes shows us the cruel reality of life.  Something destroyed Daisy's nest and killed all three babies and Audrey had an egg that never hatched.

It was especially hard watching Audrey be such a devoted mother.  She sat on her egg long after the others had hatched and much too long for any life to be inside. We were able to observe this behavior because we had installed a  infrared camera  inside her box.  This feed went to a devoted large screen in our living room complete with sound so we comfortably could view Audrey 24/7.

Regarding the unhatched egg - with the expert guidance of an environmentalist friend, I removed the egg and thankfully soon after Audrey quickly turned her attention back to her surviving babies.  That kind friend has an amazing site called (Sialis.org).  On your next internet journey stop in and check out the stars of the very first pictures of the week.  Yep…it is Audrey and Arthur!  I am no longer amazed at the disappointment, sadness and emotions that I now feel when my winged friends depart.  

Each January……I wonder the same thing.  Could this be the dreaded year that Audrey doesn’t come back?  Whatever year it winds up being it will never change how grateful I am to have shared in her majestic beauty.  The love and passion I have for these two birds along with their yearly newborns is …difficult to describe in words.  Tears flow the first day she is spotted, tears flow when the babies hatch and a bucket full spills loose the day they all depart.  

Every year when she leaves it’s as if I've lost my dear friend and pet.  But then magically she appears after vanishing for a long year and I'm ecstatic and grateful.  I have such deep appreciation and love for them both that sometimes I’m truly a bit embarrassed to admit it.  I once wrote a poem in college creative writing class…the last sentence stated,  “It is that wondrous moment between two when nothing is said, yet everything is understood. You are loved".  I believe that easily wraps up my sentiment towards Audrey.

And now that the years have passed and we have gotten to know one another, I feel we have developed a friendship.  For though I know that a good nest host is suppose to keep their distance, I on the other hand look frequently in her home once the babies are born and I confidently know she trusts me and has no concern.

My friends know that come April I’m a bit house bound not wanting to miss any time with Audrey and Arthur.  I’m very fortunate to work from home so I'm able to watch her a good bit.  For the past two years I have been honored to participate with the prestigious organization from Cornell University  the  "Cornell Lab of Ornithology",  nestcam program.  They host a live stream nestcam program that shows a large variety of nesting birds across the U.S.  View some of last year's highlights. click here.

Some may ask…in what ways did this couple change your life?  Actually the list is so long I’ll just share a few.  Because of Audrey’s beauty, I owe my new passion of Photography to her.  I went on my first cruise which was a bird watching excursion.  I belong to various local bird clubs where I have met extraordinary people that share this same interest.  I donate yearly to non-profit bird organizations so they may continue with their invaluable work.  I no longer care that our yard has a lot of birdhouses.  And most of all, I never go outside without looking to the skies to see what feathered friend might be passing by. And thats just the short list.

Birds are like always having friends nearby no matter where you go in the world.  Had someone told me years ago my life would change due to some wild birds…..I would have gotten a good laugh and thought they had some loose brain nuts.  I often wonder how other people find their passion in a particular area of life.  I no longer wonder about mine and realize it can be as simple as a bird raising a family in tree.  This little being, this dear sweet gentle glorious work of nature is my joy.  

Yes, this sweet couple did posses the power to change my life….forever.  

I would like to take this moment to thank others that host  feathered friends in their yard.  Your contributions and efforts is simply an act of genuine kindness that is to be admired.  I have also discovered these people are one of the most genuine folks I have ever met.  They have no expectations and view life very differently then others.  The kindness and commitment  they show to nature is remarkable. Keep up your great works.
 
I would also like to Thank Cornell Lab of Ornithology for sharing Audrey & Arthur with people that may have never been reached had it not been for their gracious nestcam program.  

Since this story was written, Audrey has successfully added 6 more flycatchers to the world in 2010.  Check out last years 2010 archive on the Cornell Lab's site.  It was truly an exciting year, especially since it was her 6th year with me and for the first time she had 6 BABIES!! What a coincidence - each year she has consistently had only 5.

Note:  Audrey and Arthur arrived March 22, 2011 for their 7th year.  Stay tuned for live streaming currently on this site - also on UStreamTV.com  under show title (Audrey&Arthur) and beginning April 1, 2011 the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, site where you can learn much more about all types of other birds and view Audrey and Arthur.



The Bird Bench ©2010