08/27/2026
I have a hummingbird story to share, but no pictures of the event. So, I am sharing photos of the applesauce I made yesterday! :-)
Keep reading for the story:
Tuesday evening I was shutting the door to the greenhouse when I heard the familiar sound of wings beating the air. I looked up to see a female hummingbird beating herself against the top of the greenhouse in an effort to escape. I don't know how long she had been trapped, unable to find the door, but she was tired. She would valiantly try to make a way through the ceiling and then rest her tired little self on a beam for a few seconds before resuming her efforts.
I knew I needed to find a way to help her, so I found a broom and used the bristled end to gently encourage her to move toward the door. She would flutter, then rest while panting with exhaustion, but slowly we made progress towards the doorway. After much effort, we were on the correct end of the building, but I couldn't get her to leave the rafters and come down low enough to find her escape. I could not physically reach her to try to gently catch and release her as she was too high up. So, I began putting the broom bristles close to where she would rest on a beam and encouraging her to sit on the bristles. I honestly didn't think this would work, but I didn't know what else to do.
The entire time, I was talking to her and telling her what I was trying to do.
"Please, little bird. Let me help you."
"I'm not going to hurt you; I want to help!"
"Just stay on the broom and let me carry you to the door."
Finally, she sat and stayed. She most likely remained because she was depleted of energy. I gently but quickly ran towards the door. Once outside, she still didn't fly, so I gently shook the end and demanded, "Go! Go, Little Bird! You are free!"
Suddenly, she flew into the air, up and away to a large oak tree. I couldn't help but wonder if she had babies in the tree and if they had been alone for part of the day. It was getting dark, and I was so worried that she might have been away too long and that she herself might have suffered too much. I did take heart in the energy she found to fly high and straight to that tree!
The day of the incident, the bird feeder had been exceptionally quiet. How happy I was when I saw a little female return to the feeder yesterday morning, chirping and whirring her wings! I, of course, cannot know for sure it is the little bird I rescued, but I certainly hope so!
