Good debate going on here! I'll add a story for public "mulling
over" of the consequences:

Eight days ago, I found a fallen nest full of pine siskin nestlings under
a pine tree (wow, imagine that) in the parking lot. This was during the
heat wave, and one of the chicks had popped out of the nest and died (from
the fall, heat, or the ants all over it). Three more remained in the nest.

I considered taking it in to a rehabilitation center, taking the little
ones home (gee, the things my wife *doesn't* know I contemplate ;-), and
finally decided the best action was to let nature take it's course with a
helping hand - I put the nest back into the tree.

Things looked good the next day. The chicks were peeping loudly and I
spied an adult nearby, also there was indication of feeding activity -
fresh poop (okay, "fecal material" is just too sanitized for me). That
evening they were on the ground again (the nest tipped over) because I
hadn't secured it well enough. I again put the weakening nest back into
the tree, and secured it with a small bungee cord (amazing how feisty
nestlings are, trying to get them all packed back into the nest).

They are doing well (the nest is not!). All three are feathered out and
alert. They have taken to perching on the bungee cord, and other solid
support, as the nest is about half fallen now. I expect fledging early
next week.

The problem with all this intervention (small though it is) could be that
I've now weakened the genetic pool of pine siskins by allowing poor nest
building genes to enter the breeding population. The birds may also have
some sort of distorted view of human beings too.

On the other hand I enjoyed this experience tremendously, and will not
hesitate to repeat it.

Finally, isn't it true that porpoises have saved humans? Now, from their
point of view (being killed by tuna fishermen, degraded waters) isn't that
a foolish thing to do?


Michael Patrick
mpatrick at eldec.com
(206)743-8204