WHO was their real estate / rental agent!?? (Burd Tail)

[Cinder & Smoke]

They moved into a ruff neighborhood!

It all started a week ago;
just after I'd rounded up the Lawn Maintenance Crew -
(Myself, Odd Job (Orange *noisy* Diesel Traktur of Japanese Origins),
and Woody (OJ's tag-along-behind, grass munchin, assistant)
- for our weekly assult on The Lawn
(OK - the neighbors call it the Weed Patch).

We blazed a path towards the road - and immediately came
under Kamikaze-like ATTACK :eek: by Maw & Paw Killdeer! >>>

http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/1633/7d/209.133.64.45/birds/birds_m/BD0188_1m.jpg

the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) (http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=1&shapeID=967&curPageNum=9&recnum=BD0188)... (*link* to more Burd Info)

"Nesting ~ 4 pale buff eggs, spotted with blackish brown, in a shallow depression lined with grass on bare ground.
Discussion ~ This noisy plover is probably our best-known shorebird. Few golf courses or extensive vacant lots are without their breeding pair of Killdeers. If a predator approaches, a nesting Killdeer performs a conspicuous distraction display, dragging itself as if mortally wounded, often on one foot, its wings seemingly broken and its rusty tail fanned toward the intruder. This feigning of injury is effective in luring the predator away from the eggs or young, at which point the bird then "recovers" and flies off, calling loudly."

The Lawn Crew has dealt with their Burdy kin-folk for years -
often leaving unsightly "wild patches" in hay fields and
corners of the Estate/Ranch in defference to a staked-out "nesting site". :rolleyes:

And These Guys wanted the WHOLE front yard and half the pond!
Progress ? was slowed to a 3rd gear *crawl* -
(OJ & Woody normally dodge trees in 5th!) -
with me frantically looking left, right, and :eek: under, for the darn NEST!
Never spotted it; but Maw & Paw Burd continued to patrol the
entire front half of the Estate long after OJ & Woody
had retired to the garage.

ALL week long, as the FurKids and I pulled out of the garage for work,
and upon our return at night - we've been *Attacked* with
increasing dive-bombing ferocity and more dramatic
broken-wing / broken-leg / crash-landing displays!

------------------------------
Be *patient* ...

there's a LOT more to this Tail...
just let me copy it into the next window...

;)

[Cinder & Smoke]

ALL week long, as the FurKids and I pulled out of the garage for work,
and upon our return at night - we've been *Attacked* with increasing dive-bombing ferocity and
more dramatic broken-wing / broken-leg / crash-landing displays!

Friday was Lawn Maintenance / Weed Abatement Day, again.

The Kar was "met" at the foot of the driveway by :eek: MAD :mad: Momma Burd!
Wings outstretched, *shrieking* KEE! - KEE! - KEE! -
with FIRE in her eyes, she CHARGED at the car!

We stopped...
the two furry Co-Pilots went berserk!
YIPP! YAPP! *WATCH* da Burd, Dad!
I *SEE* the darn Burd! She's blockin my Driveway!
We backed up... *HONK* *HONK*
Another attempt to drive on...
Another *CHARGE* KEE! - KEE! - KEE!
YIPP! YAPP! *YeeeOwwwwllll* ~ Ya *squisshed* her, Dad!!
I did NOT (I hope)! (We backed up, again.)

OMG! She was acting like we HAD hit her ...
spinning in circles,
*shrieking*, dragging a wing,
hopping on one leg... GUD GRIEF!

We drove on the grass...
Maw Burd "recovered" well enough to chase us into the garage.

Cinder & Smokey trotted down the drive to "check da Burdz out"...
All I heard was SmokeMutt *shriek*...
and they Both dashed back UP the drive, tails tucked,
and desperately wanted INto the Howze!

Tyme to *try* to mow grass/weeds...
Odd Job *barked* to life; Woody began Hummmmin his blades...
we ventured down the yard beside the drive...

:eek: Under aerial *ATTACK* by da MADD Burd Squadron of Two!

Then suddenly there was only WUN!
Paw Burd was doing crash-landings and frantic broken-wing
displays in the middle of the front yard...
WHERE was Momma Burd!???
No feathers behind Woody - THAT's a gud sign!...
We went down to 2nd gear...
Grass was growing faster than Woody was chewin it up!

Half way down the driveway, Paw Burd *Attacked* from the left - I ducked right...
and OMG! - THERE She IS!

Momma Burd was huddled - wings fully outstreached -
motionless - in the CENTER of the gravel driveway!

We inched down to the road and paused...
Momma Burd was frozen in place;
Paw Burd alternated his crash-landing displays on
both sides of the drive...

Is THAT where they built their Burd Howze!???
Smack-dab-Center on my gravel DRIVEway!???
GUD GRIEF! WHAT were they Thinking!???

We made another pass back up toward the Big Howze -
Momma frozen in place in the drive;
Daddy Burd *crashing* & *spinning* & *shrieking* KEE! - KEE! - KEE! in the yard.

By the 4th pass away from the drive, Both of em were airborn again -
*attacking* from both sides...
We finished mowing the front yard; and moved over to the pond side...

------------------

still more to come... :rolleyes:

[Cinder & Smoke]

Back down to 2nd gear for the First Pass on the east side of
the drive - me again *scanning* the drive...
But WHAT was I *looking* for?
There'd only been random *attacks* for a while by either s/he Burd -
where was the Other Wun?

:eek: **Zooom**! The Wing'd Warrior was on the *attack* again!
OMG! There SHE is again!
Center of the drive - wings outstreached - motionless!
I "memorized" a distinctive gravel cluster.

OK... that MUST be the Honeymoon Suite...
GUD GRIEF!
Center of an ACTIVE Driveway,
and in the front yard of a TWO-DAWG Howze!
Sure hope they didn't pay too much for the Lot!

Three passes away from the driveway later;
both Maw & Paw Burd are airborn again -
*Buzzing* the Lawn Maintenance Crew whenever
we get within 50 yards of their Suite...

I paused to try to "find" my *distinctive gravel* marker...

OMG! THERE it IS! 4 Lil Camouflage/Spotted EGGS!!
That's a *NEST*????
A small depression in the gravel, exact Center of the drive,
with tufts of grass/weeds about a foot away...
so out-in-the-open - yet so hidden...
WOW!

Relieved - at least I know WHERE it is - OJ, Woody & I finished
our Lawn Chores in 5th gear and just *ignored* the
aerial acrobats when we ventured too close to their Driveway Condo.

Everyone seemed to calm down a bit after OJ stopped *snorting* and
blowing black smoke; he and Woody will remain "resting" in
the garage for another week...
WHAT to do about the Furry *WATCH* Dawgs is another matter... ??

And what about Protecting the Burd Condo!???
The Power Company Meter Reader drives in at 50mph -
and NEVER :mad: keeps all four wheels ON the drive -
he'll *squish* em for sure either coming IN or flying back OUT!

*BOING* An *IDEA* is born!

<carries two cinder blocks to the Condo site>
<EEK> Where IS the Condo!??
Back for the flashlight...
*flutter* *FLAP* *KEE! - KEE! - KEE!*

Sorrie, Mrs. Burd... just a lil Urban Renewal Project...
Onlee be a minnit here...

<*places* Cinder Block Barriers 25 feet north & south of Condo,
directly in Center of Driveway>

DONE!

<relaxing in front of the Boob Tube...>

======================

HANG ON!

We're *windin down... :p

[Cinder & Smoke]

:eek:
WADE a Minnit!...
Iffin I get a Fiur Kall inna middle of the nite...
I hardly EVER *wake up* till I'm half-way to the Station...
HOW am *I* gonna remember/see those darn Cinder Blocks at
Oh : Dark:Thirty inna mornin!???

<shoes back on>
<grabs two Saw Horses from basement>
<*stumbles* over south Cinder Block in the Dark>
*flutter* *FLAP* *KEE! - KEE! - KEE!*
Oh, *HUSH* Mrs. Burd...

We now have the Onlee Driveway in Towne with a
Two Cinder Block & Two Saw Horse Barricade
'tween the road and the Howze!

THAT otta *tweek* the Neighbors' Curiosity!

Later that nite...
DAWGz on their final *Outie for da nite*...
Musta taken a *jaunt down the drive* to
<Check da Burdz>...

YUPP!
<SmokeMutt> Another *shriek*...
followed by both Dawgs quite happy to be let IN!

And as I opened the door...
KEE! - KEE! - KEE! from the vicinity of the Burd Condo... :D

Maybe Maw & Paw Burd CAN take care of themselves and
those 4 lil Eggs!

;) :D

[AmberLee]

Whew! Lots of luck with your new neighbors.

Sheesh, I agree that you should have a talk with their real estate agent. Wowie!

[Karen]

Seems like a bad place to build a nest to me - but at leat they're good defenders, if not wise real-estate choosers!

[catnapper]

I'm sitting here laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my cheecks! Hubby's just rolling his eyes and knows better than to ask "whats so funny" for fear that I'' share the humor with him! :rolleyes:

Good luck with the new family in your driveway. How long til the birdies hatch?

[Twisterdog]

Killdeer are so cute.

There is a pair of them that nest in the park here every summer, a pair that nest in the baseball field, and a pair that nest in the triangle of dirt where three busy roads intersect. I have no idea why they always seem to pick such horrible spots to nest, but it seems to never fail. There's plenty of quieter spots in town ... especially compared to the infield of the county baseball field!

They seem to spend a lot of energy dive-bombing intruding second basemen and cars, and faking injury for every kid that comes to swing ... but they nonetheless continue to come back each year, so I assume some of their babies make it.

[lynnestankard]

He he he he!!

Good ol' Phred - Dog and Cat Lover AND Bird Protector!! :D :D

Lynne

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

ROFL!!!!

What an exciting house you live in!!! Nothing like that ever happens here (except for the occasional cat-fight and terorist attack):rolleyes:

[Randi]

Oh Phred, you can tell a story! LOL! :D

I suppose it's not a good idea to put the eggs in a safer spot? Birds are known to not touch them, if others have. :(

The other evening we had 2 magpies yapping away right outside our window for over half an hour. I have never heard anything like it! A real serious argument it seemed. :eek: I have no idea what it was about, but I know they have a nest in one of the trees and I saw a smaller bird walking around on the pavement looking all bewildered. I hope the mom and dad came to some sort of an agreement! :)

I hope the eggs will hatch!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Dad took sum *snappies* of our Burd Sanctuary ~
inna CENTER of our Driveway... :rolleyes:
anna PROUD but *distressed* Parents >>>

BURD SANCTUARY at Phred's Ranch DRIVE??way >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p2cd66f3a4626f6250ee9dfbda59e3151/f8603e61.jpg

Where's a kupla Traffik Kones when ya NEED em!?
-------------------------

Whut allua *fuss* is about...

Da 4 Lil Cameo EGGS inna Nest >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p03477309c12ce4046fdad33f0c1befde/f8603e79.jpg

4 lil Killdeer - all *wrapped* for Delivery.
-----------------------------------------------

Maw & Paw Burd (PROUD Parents) >>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p31e3450aade60f82f638e739017e5a2f/f8603e4f.jpg
------------------------------------------------

"Checkin da Howze an Kidz"...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p0b037c30bff6f5740180fb41d7cc6578/f8602df7.jpg
------------------------------------------------

**LOOK**
Maw or Paw doing their Dead Bird / Broken Wing "act" -
to distract the Predator (Dad)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pd7d0bdc8992fe14d84190cb79c744e4c/f8602deb.jpg
---------------------------------------------

An *Aerial Attack* on Dad >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pe3af595a794a01ef5bea6855ebed1dd3/f8602db8.jpg

Maw & Paw Burd got *brave* as I walked toward the BigHouse -
this one Very SUDDENLY flew up and AT me :eek: from beside the pond!

Visit the Album here >>

Kildeer 2004 ~ the BURD Fambly Album :) (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286637501)

[Kfamr]

Oh DEER!

they sound like Feisty birds!! How silly of them to put their nests in such populated places. but then again, maybe it's smart, because then there's people like Phred that'll be there to protect them. ;)

[lynnestankard]

Oh Phred - wonderful pics - although the birds weren't at the front of the queue when God handed out the brains!!

......................Nest? What nest? Let's just lay the eggs here on Phred's drive and he can look after the babies for us!!

He he he!! :D :D

Lynne

[Cinder & Smoke]

Fur da Burdz! :rolleyes:

Mornin Outiez...

HEY! Where you guyz goin?
Check da Burdz, Dad.
NOOOO! You're NOT! - Stay away frumma Burdz!
And iffin I hear em *squwalkin*...

Sheeze!
Dey start *squwalkin* so az we hit da frunt porch!
Smoke> Yeah, anna Daddy Burd *CHAZES* me!

Den we drive onna grass goin ta werk...

*WATCH* it Dad! Yur gonna dribe Ober her!
Am NOT! :eek: Where IS she!??
Rite in frunta da car, Dad!
Didja HIT her? Her wing's all busted up!
NO, we dint HIT her! She's *fakin it*! *HONK*
She's givin ya a purdy *Durtie Look*, Dad.

Home at nite...

*WATCH* da Burdz, Dad!
Thank you - I AM watchin da Burdz!

Latur, fur Bed Tyme Outies...
WHERE ya goin?
Check da Burdz???
<Durtie Look frum Dad>
OK, guess we're NOT gonna *Check da Burdz*...
Awwww, Dad! De we HAFTA wear dat stuff?
<Dad affixes da Big Klanger Bell on SmokeMutt;
Cinder getz da Dreaded *FLASHIN* Blinkie Lite>
*KLANG* *KLANG* & *Blinkity-Blink-Blink*

:mad:
NUTZ!
We sound & look like a Gypsy Caravan!
DUCK, Smoke! Burd on yur 6 a-klok - commin in low!
:eek: I'z gonna go pee inna back yard, Cin!

Gud Grief!
Anudder 3 weekz of dis! :rolleyes:

:D

[zippy-kat]

Do you give tours of the sanctuary? :cool:

[gini]

Phred, ya gotta be careful here cause you have some professional squatters!

Next thingy you know - they will have the grant deed to that patch of your driveway.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Yup, never a dull moment at Phred's house. :D :D

So we got to see the eggs, do you think Maw & Paw will let you get close enough to get pics of the babies once they hatch? 'Course, you'd have to leave the gypsy caravan inside if you really wanted a chance at it. ;) :D :D

[lynnestankard]

If I could stop laughing Phred I'd commiserate (sp?) but honestly you gotta feel sorry for those poor pooches!! Talk about a dawgs life :D :D

By the way is Bootz being good having 'fly-past-meals' flying past!!:D Or is he locked inside the fallin' water klozet? Poor Bootz :confused: :confused:

Lynne

[Cinder & Smoke]

Tours??
Sure - c'mone ober Zipp; but bettur wear yur Hard Hat!
Dem Burdz get a bit feisty!

Squatterz??
Dad sez we'z gonna rent a Stuffed OWL next year -
let him "guard da driveway" affore nestin seezun!

Boots, da Kat, anna Burdz??
Dunno iffin Bootz payz much mynd to em...
Purdy Hard ta *Spot* em frumma kitchin window.

Pix of da Chicks??
Dunno bout dat... read on ...
Dad dun summore RE-search onna Killder Burdz...

After about 28 days of incubation, the eggs hatch into precocial youngsters. (Baby birds that hatch out covered with feathery fuzz, and able to run and peck at their food immediately, are called precocial birds. They are herded along by the mother and covered (brooded) until they are able to control their own body heat. These youngsters are taught survival and foraging skills by their parents.) As soon as the moisture has dried from their down, the young are on their feet and leave the nest. They are mere bits of pinkish-buff fluff with a downy tail and long "toothpick" legs that can swiftly carry them to cover. They are almost immediately able to secure their own food. Three or four weeks after hatching they are capable of taking to the air.

THIS mite be the only *pix* we'll see of da Killdeer Chicks...
Kildeer chick, one or two days old >>

http://www.friendsofsherwoodisland.org/Photos/Hand/Water/AJH-kildeer-chick.jpg

We're sure gonna "try" to get sum *snappiez* of OUR Chicks -
but being there atta *Rite Tyme* mite be tuff.

[Rachel]

As one who has an inherent fear of being attacted by birds, this reads like a Steven King novel to me. YIKES! Scares me!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Been a purdy *nasty* week - weather-wise!
Rainin Klawz & Pawz most ebery day or night;
wiff Tornado :eek: Warnings Monday and Thursday nites!

Dad alluz *Checks da Burdz* wiffa Bi-nokz affore us FurKidz are
allowed *out* inna mornin...
Toosday Maw Burd looked like she was "sittin" onna nest -
but not inna rite "spot"??
Tween da Rain, da Wind, anna Dark - took us till Wednesday ta figger
out da BURDZ MOVED der Howze!

Not far - onlee about a foot - an a lil bit "lower" than it wuz...
Duzint make much sense - unless da *wind* was botherin em up
on Top of the "mound" inna center of da driveway ??
"New" apartment is onlee an inch or two "lower";
an Dad sez it's :eek: closer to the wadder runnin down inna
tire groves - but whadda WE knowe bout pickin a Burd Kondo?
Mebbee Maw Burd dint like da wall papur?

But tuday we confirmed a bitta BAD Newz :( ~~
We onlee gotz THREE EGGz inna nest now... :(

Dad went out three tymes this mornin - fur a *klose inspekshun* an
sum new *snappies*...

An fur sure there's an EGGy Missin! :(
We *watched* frumma frunt porch wiffa Bi-nokz - to see iffin Maw or Paw
wuz *sneakin off* summwherez an tendin an Urlee Arrival -
but purdy sure they're NOT doin that...

Dad wuz onna hanz & kneez - searchin fur an Opened Egg -
but he sez there's nary a sign of even *pieces* of da Missin Egg!
He eben went Down da Drive - lookin to see iffin da Egg *warshed*
outta da nest inna storm - but NUFFIN found.

Now we're wunderin iffin a Nest Robber *grabbed* :mad: wunna da Kidz
an made off wiff it??

Guess all we kan do is *hope* Mum Nature an God will take
care of da Three Lil Wuns.

Here's a kuple *snappiez* frum tuday >>>

"NEW" apartment iz inna Upper Cirkel;
"Old" apartment in inna Lower Cirkel...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p44d1c810e25e8af02b9b3f50edb6ded6/f8378ac4.jpg

The "New Nest" - wiff onlee THREE lil EGGyz
and not as clearly "defined" or as "deep" as the first...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p68afcae61f49b18bcbc96c7f0649ef4b/f8378abc.jpg

Our "New Driveway" :p ...
Da more it Rainz - da more we *spin* drivin up to da BigHowze!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p9d0cc7658531a9c7acc1bf9a402d20a3/f8378ab7.jpg

Kupla other *snappiez* onna Album >>
Killdeer 2004 ~ da Burd Fambly Album (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286637501)

We'll keep y'all *posted*.

[lynnestankard]

*Gasp** **Shock** The nest has been attacked and egg-napped! No broken shell or baby burd - what's happened?

All this Phred after you've gone to the bother of 're-driving' the drive! :) :)

Hope the other three are safe and manage to hatch safely - but *sheesh* those Mummy and Daddy burdies are real thick aren't they - perhaps they never went to nest building school! :D

Thanks for the 'Uppiedate' Phred - sure is appreciated - you battling out there through wind and rain to play 'spot the nest'!

Lynne

[zippy-kat]

Does this make you a grandpaw? :eek: :p

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by zippy-kat

Does this make you a grandpaw? :eek: :p

Not YET...

*EGGz* dont kount...

:rolleyes:

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
Not YET...

*EGGz* dont kount...

:rolleyes:

They do once they hatch though, right? :p I like your new driveway. :D

[ChrisH]

Don't know how I could have missed this thread because I know every Cinder & Smoke one has to be good! :) :D

Thanks for looking after the birdy interests Phed, and making us laugh so much at the same time!

Chris

[gini]

Zip - don't you think that Phred will be a Grand PAW PAW PAW when all three hatch?

Phred, congratulations, there are not many guys that would go to that much trouble to save this little family.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Still have *3* EGGs in the "nest". :)

Not sure Whut's Up...

Today, as we *slid past* the Burd Kondo (on the "GrassWay")...
Only One Parent was on Nest Duty - and S/He didn't leave the "old"
driveway to escort the car down to the street...
S/He just hopped a few feet off the nest and did the Spread Wings
and Make Like the Nest Is over HERE routine...
#2 was nowhere in sight??

Earlier (noon) they BOTH "escorted the Dawgs" around the
garage area... (SmokeMutt does NOT appreciate their *helping* when
he's trying to Go Poddy!) :D

We "should" roll out the Lawn Maintenance Crew and chew up some
grass tomorrow... but I'm worried about the "Missing Egg" ...
*IF* the "Missing Wun" has in fact turned into a CHICK - :eek:
WHERE have they *stashed* it!?????

Maybe this is a Gud Excuse :p to Pass on the Grass
an just watch the NASCAR Race! ;)

It's ONE thing to avoid the nest...
Whole Different problem to avoid a Mobile Baby Burd!

The RACE is sounding better & Better! :D

[lynnestankard]

He he he he!!

**Betcha watched the racin' eh Phred??** :D :D

Lynne

[Cinder & Smoke]

:D
They're *HERE*!!
THREE (lil) ***BURDz***

BURDletz #1 an #2 pecked out summtyme Thurzday;
an #3 pooped outta da shell inna dark tuday (Friday)!

We thunk sumpin wuz *up* Wensday nite...
got home aftur dark an da Nest-Sitter dint wanna get *off* da nest -
we dint eben see him/her when we slid up da 'grassway'.
Dad sed "OMG" an got da lektrik flashylite an went down fur a *look*...

:eek: BURD eyes inna lite beam! UN-happie Burd sittin ONNA nest!
Dad sed "Skooze me!" an left inna hurrie.

Thurzday Mornin: sorta da same thing -
Momma Burd *sittin* an dint wanna leave when we slid down da grass.
Daddy Burd sat by da street *hollerin* at us!
Momma sorta stood up - an we kuld see da three lil eggyz inna nest.

Ree-peet Thurzday nite -
Nest Sitter hardly moved when we slid up da 'grassway'
headin fur da garage. "Guard Burd" only made a kuppla aerial passes
ober da kar. We left well enuff alone an went in ta cook dinner...

Rukkiss started purdy quick durrin dinner prep...
KEE! KEE! KEE! KEEEEEEEEEE!
Burdz flyin rite up to da kichin winnows!
Kee! KEE! KEEEEEEE!
We hollered at Dad ~ "DAD! Burdz are kallin fur HELP!"

Dad snapped on da floody lite up onna end of da Howse...
Six eyes lookin out... An den we *spotted* da PROBLEM! :eek:
BIG black KAT - *slinkin* across da drive -
headed fur da NEST!

OMG!
Dad hollerz "KAAAAT! Get OUTTA der! DangIt!
How'd Boots get *outside*!??"

Poor Bootsy - he wuz jest loungin onna kichin island - *watchin*
Dad's dinner burger an slice a cheeze...
He heard da "KAT" holler an made a Mad Dash fur da fallin wadder klozit!
We tell'd Dad dat wuzint OUR Kat inna drive!
"Ooooh..." sed Dad.

Den it wuz "Sun uvva ??___" an Dad flew out da door onna frunt porch...
He kalled dat Kat bout ebberthin BUT a Kat... :o
DAD! Da nayburz are gonna hear ya! Watch yur language!

Dad back in - slammed da door - dashed down inna basement -
(hiz hard feets were down dere...) -
garage door went up - Dad fliez out wiffa lekrtik flashylite -
STILL *SKREEMIN* atta BIG Kat!

Maw & Paw Burd are *frantik* - KEE! KEE! KEEEEEEE!
We're up inna dinin room - BARKIN* our fool hedz off!

Dad *sprintz* down da drive to da Nest...
KAN'T FIND da EGGz!
Where'z dat *freakin* KAT!????
More *BARKIN* an KEE! KEEE! KEEEEE!

Dunno WHERE da KAT went - prolly de-sided he bettur haul his
big butt outta towne!

Dad *searchez* fur da Nest - BURDz are *quietin down* a bit -
but still flyin a tite formation overhead...
Dad'z onna hanz & kneez - *searchin*...

OMG! THERE they are!
TWO tiny micro-Minniez of Mom & Dad Burd -
layin on toppa #3 EGGy - *SAFE* & *Sound* inna Nest! WHEEEEW!

Dad searched round da Burd Sankshuairy Area fur Da KAT...
then came up near da BigHowze ta stand *guard* fur a while.
Wunna da Burdz cirkled down near da Nest - den *hopped ober* to
check da Kidz inna Nursery.

Our Dad came back in - mutterin bout da Dang KAT!
We wuz still purdy uppyset - talked Dad into lettin US out ta
do a Kat Patrol. Hadda put on our Gypsy Gear -
da *blinkie lite* anna *klanger bell* - an we went out fur da
Big Kat Hunt... Found nuffin!

Wun Burd still hoppin round doin some warnin Kee! KEEE! kallin -
but they purdy much settled down.
We pulled two more Kat Patrolz - nebber spotted da Bad Guy Kat agin.
We 'Left da Litez On.'

This Mornin Dad wuz a *nerbus wreck*!
Spent an hour wiffa Bi-Nokz *lookin* out da kichin winnow atta Nest.
Momma Burd *sittin* onna Nest - but she'z *lookin* all around.
Daddy Burd *hoppin* round da drive, *preenin* hiz feathurz.

Dad gotz da kamera reddy an we *slide* down da 'grassway'.
Mom WON'T get offa nest - jest gave us da *LOOK*!
Daddy Burd duz da Kar Eskort down to da street.
Dad parks at da street an walks back up.
Momma sez Kee! KEE! an * s l o w l y * hoppz up inna yard...

Dad takes a *peek*...
W:DW!
They LOOK "OK" - an OMG! #3 *popped* out ober nite!
ALL THREE huddled together - but not movin a bit!

Dad sed #3 wuz a lil bit "smaller" -
an dint have az much fuzzy down az #1 an #2...
Dad started *snappin* pix...

Mom & Dad Burd are doin sum soft kee! Kee! KEE! kallz,
so Dad hurries up - when :eek: ~
Nummer 2 Chick LEAPZ UP an makes a Mad Dash!

Dad sez he SAW ezaktly were he went - onlee bout a foot away -
but Dad kuld NOT *find* da lil bugger!
"LOST" inna driveway gravel an grass...

OMG!
We Lost Wunna da BABIEZ!
We drove around fur a while... Dad *frettin* an *wurryin*...

We Snuk back home - parked onna street...
Wunna da Burds *sittin* onna nest; but s/he jumped up soon az we stopped.
Boff Mom & Dad Burd walkin around inna drive near da far barricade.
Dad talkin reel soft-like az he approachez...
"Kee! Kee!"

Hmmmmmmmm...
Nummer 1 an 2 musta been reddy ta "travel" -
kuz they're BOTH GONE outta da Nest now!
Only lil Nummer 3 was gettin Sat On by a Parent!

Dad tell'd Mom & Dad to "Take GUD Care of da lil Kidz"
an we left em alone...

Prolly by da tyme we get back home, Nummer 3 will have built up his
strength enuff to *hopp off* wiff #1 an #2 to wherever
Mom an Dad Burd are gonna start Flyin Lessinz an Food Gathurin Klassez.

Be nice iffin we had a few Pet Talk Prayes fur
da Whole Burd Fambly's *Safety* an *Well-Bein*.

WE're gonna be doin a LOTTA *wurryin* bout da Darn Big KAT!

<sniff>
Hope we getz ta *see* em agin...
Be reel nice iffin Mom an Dad Burd would Fly em past da
dinin room winnows -
Be kinda NEET to see all Five of em Flyin In Formation! ;)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Awww....I hope you get to see them again too. But I really hope wherever they're takin' the babies too is out of the driveway somewhere, and NOT in the new drive path! :eek:

What a story! :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

From Friday Morning ~ June 25, 2004 ~

The BURD Fambly *BABY PICTURES* >>>

ALL THREE Kidz in the "Nest" >
#1 on the Center-Left;
#2 on the Lower-Right;
lil #3 "On Top" - Upper-Right...
all three "facing" towards the lower-left

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p2746f8b45805714d371ae63264645b28/f81ea59d.jpg

And then IT happened...
#2 *BOLTED*...
Leaped Up and made a Mad Dash OUT of the Nest...
Took off towards the upper-left of the first pix -
and now he's *somewhere* off to the right in this pix...
#1 and lil #3 weren't sure WHAT to do - so they
both just *stayed put* in the Nest >>>

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p0c7119b5afce02b2a6f82f442d91fc8a/f81ea5b6.jpg

An Hour Later...
We came back to check on the Kids...
#1 and #2 had already been *marched off* to their
new *Safe Howze* by Mom or Dad...
Mom Burd was *sittin* on lil #3, but hopped off as
we approached.
Here's Lil #3 - ALL ALONE! :( >>>

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p50e125d46640339876440c7028ba76f5/f81ea5a2.jpg

Mom went right back to lil #3 as soon as we left...
She'll sit on him today till he's strong enough
to *hopp along* and join the others in their new *Safe Howze* -
probably somewhere down near the pond.

In a week or two (God Willin) they should be finished with
Flight School and all be Flyin round da Ranch!

:D

PS:
See the WHOLE Tail on the Burd Fambly Album >>>

Killdeer 2004 ~ da Burd Fambly Album (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286637501)

;)

[AmberLee]

{{{hugs to Cinder and Smokey and Boots and Dad}}} for keeping us updated... Interesting, even as I strain to see the feather-kids in photos. Good for you protecting the baby from visitors.

Hang in there, it sounds like your dad will be nervous till the flight school's over! ;) :rolleyes:

[ChrisH]

Phred, thanks for the update. You had me on 'the edge of my seat' for a while there!

Will be saying a prayer that they all stay safe, and that you will get to see all of them flying together.

Thank you for helping and worrying about them. :)
Chris

[Cinder & Smoke]

:p
Eben when ya KNOW where they are inna pix!

We made Dad go back an do sum *kroppin* an *en-hancin* -
THESE pix otta give ya at least a *chance* of pickin
da BURDz out frum da Rockz!

Here's ALL THREE huddled up inna pile -
And contrary to previous captions -
Nummer 3 is lookin off to da lower RIGHT!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/pf5975c3bbe4d9f93076e4f9e628a83c6/f81e5f5a.jpg

And then there were TWO -
(aftur #2 *skipped* :eek: outta da Nest!) >>

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p526032408d3c42ef3cee7c02763306a3/f81e5f58.jpg

"Southern Expozure" of just the TWO -
#1 Now on the Right; lil #3 Now on the Left;
both lookin away...
(Dad had switched sides onna driveway -
a bit *FRANTIK* - he wuz *searchin* for #2 that he scared off!) >>>

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p9b278297445b83eca16b95507e3362ab/f81e5f54.jpg

An here's Lil #3 - ALL ALONE aftr Mom an Dad *marched off*
the two "Older" Chicks to their new *Safe Howze*.
But Mom came Right Back as soon as we left! :) >>

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid124/p25cffe6695ecad995995faab99d1d07d/f81e5f57.jpg

Hope these "en-hanzed" Photos help the Folks who
were havin a Hard Tyme pickin out da BURDz frum da Rocks!

:D

[Freckles]

Thanks lots, Phred. These old eyes just couldn't see those well hidden birdies.:)

[lynnestankard]

WOW!!

Many, many thanks to Cinder, Smoke and Phred - this has been such a wonderful saga of 'the burdz'.
It got a little tense - but what a wonderful outcome - I do hope the burd fambly do a fly past - that would be so cool!

Good work Phred - prayers going up from here and to be on the safe side - I lit a candle.

Lynne

[zippy-kat]

NOW are you a grandpa? ;) :p


Cutie pics!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by zippy-kat

NOW are you a grandpa? ;) :p


Dad = GRAMPs!?? :eek:
:o :p :rolleyes:

Guess so, Zipp!
:D

[Freckles]

Phred, has the family vacated the premises so you're able to drive on the road again?:)

[gini]

The little ones are Phred's GrandBirds!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Freckles

Phred, has the family vacated the premises
so you're able to drive on the road again? :)

:D
Burd Fambly UppyDate

Since da Burdz moved out of the Driveway Nest on June 25th...
We've "heard" them a few times on the east end of the BigHowze -
(near the pond) - but have only seen the Parents on the ground
once or twice.
Last weekend there were some Killdeer *flying* around the
pond and howze - but they fly so fast it's impossible to tell if
they are "Adulds" or "Kidz"!

We took down the "Burd SankShoeAirie" blockades and started
driving on the DRIVEway again this week;
and also mowed the grass for the Furst Tyme in several weeks!
NO "Aerial Attacks" where flown against the Lawn Maintenance Crew -
so we're hoping & praying the Burd Kidz have "graduated" from
Flight Skewel and are able to fend for themselves.

Dad's lookin for info onna I-net on how to "scare em away" frumma
DRIVEway next year!
We're thinkin a Big Hawk plastik burd,
sittin onna edge of da Drive next Spring,
*mite* convince Maw & Paw Burd to set up howzekeepin
inna slightly LESS bizzie area on da Ranch!

Here's Wishin *HAPPIE SKIES* to da Killdeer Burd Fambly! :D
.

[Randi]

So did you got da BIG Hawk up? Did any birdies come to hatch again at your property? You know some of them tend to go back to where they were born! ;)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Yuppers, Maw & Paw Burd, the Killdeer parents, returned to their Driveway Condo
in the late spring of 2005 ... *before* I hired the Big Plastic Hawk. :rolleyes:

Maw & Paw began attacking the Bus and the Mutts (poor Bowz ... he really did NOT understand
being *chased* by the two little Winged Warriors! :eek: I patrolled the drivway so many times
looking for where they'd established that year's Condo that they almost quit trying to
frighten me away ... I wondered if they'd actually set up housekeeping OFF the drive in the grass?

I drug out the Burd Protective Barriers ... two cinder blocks and two sawhorses.
I enlarged their *safe zone* to over half the length of the driveway, and swore off the first
mowing of the year - the Lawn Maintenance Crew of Odd Job & Woody would get an extra week off.
And the grass GREW! (Except where we were DRIVING on it whilst NOT using the driveway!)

Maw & Paw Burd suddenly turned *nasty* and became quite defensive of THEIR driveway ...
The Dawgs were no longer welcome to *swing by to check* on their way to the side or back yards;
The Bus was NOT welcome to *pass in the grass* ... 3 Dawgs and 1 Hoomin drove
past every day with all eyes *peering* out and scanning the drive.

THERE IT IS, DAD!!
Clipp & Clopp went beserk on the way out on the Grassway in the Bus one morning ...
poor Bowz almost got *smushed* in the stampeed to his window ... I couldn't see a thing!
Did "we" have another crop of "Wrapped Baby Burds" somewhere?

That night I did another recon of the driveway --- WITH aerial sorties being flown by
both Maw & Paw - the Three Guard Dawgs huddled together for safety on the front porch.
I found it ... 4 lil Burds wrapped in their tiny protective, speckled shells, waiting for
a hot Burd-Butt to come back and keep 'em warm to hatch-out day arrived.
Same address as last year, they just picked a slightly different apartment.
I decided I'd wait to take snappies on a sunny day.
I moved in the *safety zone* barriers and reclaimed a hundred feet of driveway.

All was well for a week or so - Burd #1 frozen on the "nest" as we motored on by, with
#2 flying protective cover and doing the Killdeer *crash landings* and broken wing/leg *dancing*.

Then suddenly one evening the Burds weren't "home" when we slid by on the way up the Grassway.
Uhhhh-Ohhhhh :(
I dashed down on foot to check ... NUTZ! :( NO Kids, NO shells, NO Maw & Paw.)
WAY too early for the Kids to have hatched and hopped off. :(

I saw Maw & Paw circle silently overhead a couple days later ...
But they never landed anywhere near the Condo. :(
We left the driveway barriers up for another week in tribute to the Missing Kids;
but fear they were egg-napped by a hungry predator.
God's Will be done. :(

--------------------------------
2006 Burd Tail

Maw & Paw Burd did return to the Driveway Condo Complex in late Spring, 2006 ~
but their stay was very short. The did fly cover over the driveway - but never got
worked up over the Dawg visits ... I walked the drive, front yard, pond yard -
and never got much *fuss* from either one of them.
I hope they found a safer apartment that year.

-----------------------------------------------
2007 and 2008 - No Burds, No Tails ...

We haven't seen nor heard May & Paw Burd these last two years ...
"Our Pair" should be GrandParents by now - I sure hope The Kids learned from their
Driveway Childhood and have picked better locations to raise the GrandBurds!

It's warming up - the grass is growing - and the Burd Condo has been *trashed* by
the early thaw and Late-season snow plowing ... we need some major overhauling in
the slag & gravel department before we're ready to host more *squatters*!

Maybe I SHOULD go get us a Big Plastic Hawk!

/s/ Burd Granpaw Phred

;)