4th of July disaster for my Orioles

My neighbors have been blowing off very large fireworks since yesterday. Loud enough to feel them when you are in my yard. Today I found my Oriole babies nearly fledged and dead beneath my oak tree. I think the fireworks scared them out of the nest and they fell to their deaths. Their nest was very high in my oak. It is a sad day....

I think fireworks in my neighborhood kept many birds away from the feeders today. The few that came to feed seemed to be nervous.

I have not seen the parents at all. I think they were scared completely away. Like you, none of the birds that usually feed and drink in my yard have been seen. Even the poor sparrows are jittery.

So sorry about your orioles lavender.

So sad. Thankfully? mine are used to it and my feeders were as busy as ever.

Lavender, I'm so sorry. What an awful thing to have happened. I was only just speaking to a friend about the impact fireworks have on native fauna and pets, particularly dogs.

Sorry to hear that Lavender!

That's very sad Lavender, I hope you have mentioned this to your neighbours, it might prevent another disaster next year.

That is so sad Lavendar...as if the little birds didn't have enough natural predators to contend with! I am not an advocate of scaring little creatures in the spirit of "celebrating"!! So sorry for your loss...I know how much it hurts...

Very daring suggestion . . . . ;-)

Get the government to change the date of the celebration, to avoid the breeding season?

(runs for cover . . . :o)

I agree completely! My neighbors are nice folks, but really do not care about the birds at all. They are not eco friendly people. I feel responsible since I lured the parents with the feeders, oranges and grape jelly. I fell really horrible about this!

What a sad story! I'm so sorry.

Tree trimmers were topping the trees, and I wondered how many nestlings were lost because of it.

I had an oriole disaster/near disaster today. I'll be posting it later on the daily pics thread.

Luckily, fireworks have been banned from private use here in Canada. One must be a licensed explosives expert to use them.

It is wonderful, nice and peaceful here on Canada day...if a person wants to see them, most communities have a display on that night.

So sorry Lavender. I know how sad you are. It's amazing any birds make it through the nesting period.

Oh I wish they would ban them here...my dog totally freaks! We were talking too how it must be stressful for the wooland animals and birds.

Fireworks illegal in MA. Story on TV of family from NH where they are legal, came to MA set them off in a bucket!!!! as a result 3 yr. old in hospital with burns. So careless with family, probably wouldn't worry about animals either.

Lavender indeed a sad story. I was thinking about the birds/animals and what they do during the 4th of July with all of the noise. I thought I was the only one who did. Your story made me realize there are other people out there like me.

i am glad my wren family had fledged by then, the box was close to their yard too. I still have not seen the parents.

They are illegal here too, so sorry for the baby birds.

I wish fireworks were illegal here. Farm animals go berserk! A few years ago a neighbor had a difficult time with his oxen, trying to prevent them from trampling/crushing the goats in their fear of the racket. Neighbors causing the disturbance were totally uncaring. Last year I had had enough, and stomped over and told them they were the most thoughtless inconsiderate neighnors I had ever had. Maybe they took it to heart, as there was total quite this year.

lol good for you! I did ask my neighbors not to shoot them close to the house as I mulch my entire veggie bed in straw and am strawbale gardening. I kept fearing a bonfire.

I'm bordering National Forest, and we're in fire country. A bonfire here could quickly become a disaster.

could here too since my veggie garden runs up to the side of my house! On the 4th the entire town lost water for all of that evening so I kept fearing the worst. My neighbors did have the good sense to stop the fireworks when the town lost water.

Oh my...I am so sorry for you and our worlds loss of those beautiful birds......Here in NC...fireworks are illegal except when done by officials....ea town usually has a celebration (there are still people that set them off, but the police do not hesitate at all to take it in hand when any evidence exists)
I would try not to feel guilty about attracting them to your yard...you were certainly well intentioned

This is a tiny rural town, so they blow off highly illegal fireworks (m80's and such). The county sheriffs just cannot keep up with all the small town complaints. Thanks for all the kind words. I miss my colorful feathered friends!