I cut off a limb from an oak tree and was about to cut it up into pieces when I saw a nest in the brush. The limb fortunately landed on a brush pile for a soft landing. A baby chick was in the nest with blue eggs. Another chick fell out of the nest and clinging onto the branch. I wish I had remembered to pay closer attention to always look in the trees and brush first.

I did not hesitate to push the baby’s rear and support it so it could go back into the nest. It is a myth that touching a bird will cause the parents to reject it.

With both chicks back in the nest, I ran into the house and posted on our local Facebook group because a few members volunteer with Native Animal Rescue. I wanted to know if I should just leave it there or what to do. They advised trying to get it up into a tree.

I devised a plan to bolt a 2×4 onto a bigger oak tree and then hang the branch from chains. When I climbed the ladder, I knew it was not going to work. Major danger. For many hours people were posting comments. An interesting solution I read was to tie a milk crate to a tree with a nest in it.

My friend Kevin who is a Native Animal Rescue volunteer and wildlife rehab specialist came over to help.

He took the nest off the branch and propped it up into the oak tree. He put a branch/brush over the nest for shade. Super simple solution.

In the morning, I was feeding the chickens and saw the mother bird fly to the nest at 7:45 a.m. so she is back. Let’s hope the birds do survive. Starlings are not native. The most fascinating to see is their nests made from lichen and moss.