If we look at nesting challenges from the perspective of the nestlings, the greatest challenge of all has to be taking that first leap of faith — out the door into mid-air.  The nestlings spend days exercising their wings before that first flight — flapping like crazy inside the birdhouse.  Still, from their perspective, they face the human-equivalent of a 25-floor jump.

As I said in my last post, I am totally immersed in the experience on fledging day.  Up-and-down they go to the doorway.  I cheer them on.  At times, I am ready to head outside and push them out the door myself!  At other times, it’s clear there is a hawk in the area and I pray they will heed their parents warning and hunker down inside the house.  My emotions follow each trip to the doorway — up-and-down.

I realize, of course, birds have been reproducing successfully without my support for eons.  Yet, when they choose to nest in a structure I provide, I feel responsible for their safety.  There is a special joy I feel in watching this post’s video.  Each maiden flight is like watching your child graduate.  Lots of factors went into their success, but you just can’t help feel like you, too, did something right.