Seven 9s and 10s

High-res This is what’s left of the House Finch nest that was safely perched under the awning above my back patio. I’ve spent all spring watching Mrs. Finch build that nest while Mr. Finch stood guard, and then sometime last week Mrs. Finch sat herself down and laid some eggs, and there she stayed, except she’d freak out and fly away anytime I walked past my kitchen window or went out back. But generally, she was there resting comfortably. On Saturday I noticed some unidentified birds (slightly larger than the Finches, brown/tan/white, black throat) flying under the awning and disturbing the peace while Mr. Finch sat on his post chirping at them and flying towards them to try to scare them away. They generally didn’t stick around for more than a few minutes. I can only assume those assholes attacked while I was at work today. They’re the prime suspects, though some research has shown that Crows are also predators of songbird eggs, and there are plenty of crows around. Three eggs were broken. One egg is in tact but with no nest there’s no chance of survival. This makes me sad.

This is what’s left of the House Finch nest that was safely perched under the awning above my back patio.

I’ve spent all spring watching Mrs. Finch build that nest while Mr. Finch stood guard, and then sometime last week Mrs. Finch sat herself down and laid some eggs, and there she stayed, except she’d freak out and fly away anytime I walked past my kitchen window or went out back. But generally, she was there resting comfortably.

On Saturday I noticed some unidentified birds (slightly larger than the Finches, brown/tan/white, black throat) flying under the awning and disturbing the peace while Mr. Finch sat on his post chirping at them and flying towards them to try to scare them away. They generally didn’t stick around for more than a few minutes.

I can only assume those assholes attacked while I was at work today. They’re the prime suspects, though some research has shown that Crows are also predators of songbird eggs, and there are plenty of crows around. Three eggs were broken. One egg is in tact but with no nest there’s no chance of survival. This makes me sad.