I did something terrible and stupid ~

[joayne]

I had a branch hanging down over a gate entrance and I decided to lop it off.
I didn't realize that a hummingbird was nesting on that very branch.

As I was cutting it up for the green wheelie bin... I saw the evidence and the baby hummingbird.
I felt truly ill and stupid. Everyone knows not to trim during spring. Here in the desert, spring often has two nesting seasons
and I'm the first to remind my neighbors and anyone who will listen... don't trim in the spring!

The little baby seemed to be in good shape. I looked for a second bird, but I believe there was only 1 in the nest.
I hooked the branch through my 8' ladder and made sure it was stable and then locked the gate. He's getting a rough start in life, but he's going to make it!!!

 

[Joeseph]

Nice work getting baby bird back with mama bird!

 

[RhodyPhotos]

All's well that ends well! And you got some great pics to boot

 

[KD_Reno]

Mom was probably confused a little, but seems to have figured things out. The chick looks pretty big, so you should have your ladder back in a few days. So no real harm done this time.

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

Oh wow, you must have felt terribly guilty! But thankful that the chick is alive!!! Now you have a fantastic birds eye view of the chicks early life. Do your best to document and share. Maybe update this thread?

Fantastic photos by the way!

 

[joayne]

Welp! The pool man comes very early on Wednesday mornings. I was going to move the hummingbird out of the way, so the pool man could get by with the equipment.
As I got ready to make the move, the fledgling hummer made a straight-up helicopter move and flew away!! The nest is still in place and Mom keeps coming by.
They usually hang around for a day or so practicing, so everything is working out! YaY!!

 

[Nick5]

Well done.

 

[Lester Wareham]

These are so tiny they must be easy to miss.
Good save, mum bird looks happy.