Birdy Hitchhikers

[mr__ed]

A pair of sparrows built a nest in my pin box while encamped near Hickory, NC for the past 2 months. The nest was pretty close to the front of the pin box so I couldn't easily remove it. I had to move on yesterday towards Asheville and when I got to the RV park I could hear some raucous chirping coming from inside the box. Evidently the baby birds were hungry considering the parents were many miles away.

I let the matter rest since there wasn't much I could do. It saddened me that I couldn't do something for the youngsters. I figured they'd just starve to death and that would be it. That evening the sound was a little louder than usual. I looked into the bed of the truck and there were 3 cute little baby sparrows near the tailgate trying to figure how to get out. I accommodated them by lowering the tailgate and shooing them out. They landed on the ground and attempted to fly a little, but they weren't quite ready for sustained flight. I took off this morning without my little hitchhikers, hoping maybe they made it (but I doubt it).

I could have prevented the incident in the first place by stuffing old towels or something similar into the pin box. I'll do that in the future, especially in the spring. I don't like to harm any creature if it can be avoided.

[mr__ed]

Now, finding that in my awning would drive me batty! :E

[BubbaChris]

Bat Crazy Trip!

[MrWizard]

never had any bird hitch hikers

but i did get this critter, fortunately we only moved about 12 miles and he very likely found his way home
he was inside the rolled up awning , found him? when we open the awning


click picture for full size image

[mr__ed]

pjberny5 wrote:
Use a fishnet type dirty clothing laundry bag like the one college students use. Simply pull it over the King Pin box and tie it off.

Great idea! :C

[pjberny5]

Use a fishnet type dirty clothing laundry bag like the one college students use. Simply pull it over the King Pin box and tie it off.

[mr__ed]

I remember a few years ago in Yuma, AZ when a dove built her nest on the ladder. I had to move on but this time there were no babies, just eggs. When I began to remove he nest I was surprised that mama dove remained sitting on the nest while I proceeded with removal. She flew off moments later.

In this latest episode with the sparrows I was surprised that all that wind turbulence caused by towing didn't force the babies out of the pin box. Evidently the pin box provided good protection against such an eventuality.

[hotbyte]

Took a pair of baby birds to Topsail in Destin FL in pin box one year. Told staff about them and they called a ranger from animal rescue place. He got them out and hopefully was able to get them raised.

[lucy6194]

we had house wrens in our pin box one year. Had to get new tires so took babys for short ride. Mom was not to happy with us when we returned but all ended well. Hubby now puts hardware cloth in there so no birdies.

[down_home]

This happens more than you'd think. Grills, wheels, various places under RVs and under awnings etc. Some species are protected and you better change travel plans until they leave.
The year of the three or five locust swarms, including the 17 year, thee birds were building nests in anything that stood still.
We had one in our pin box, of our former fifth wheel. It was parked on our driveway pad. We weren't going anywhere, for a while, so it didn't matter.

[can-stacker]

I fight the Starlings every spring. Even with towels stuffed in there. They try building a nest. This year I had to wrap in with a large garbage bag. I love birds. But not in my space 🙂