The Birds
Capistrano can have ‘em
The steps into my back entryway to my kitchen from my carport had suddenly begun to have bird poop all over them. This was the 2nd year I had noticed it happening — and it had never happened before.
My car is kept under the carport and is now being used as a personal porta-potty for the birds. Knowing how the high uric acid content of bird poop damages a car’s paint job, I was constantly in the car washing business.
These weren’t just ANY birds. They were Barn Swallows. And there was a reason that my carport, steps, and car had been chosen. Sitting high up on a ledge under the ceiling of the carport was a bird’s nest. They were staking out their territory!
Not that I would get rid of a nest with eggs or baby birds, but I soon learned that this nest might not be going anywhere soon!
Swallows, of any kind, are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. A Bird Treaty Act? We have homeless people sleeping on the street, but birds (swallows, to be exact) and their nests are protected!
I did stop them from pooping on my car. Apparently, they don’t care for white garbage bags that blow in the breeze, but it didn’t stop the pooping on the steps.
Those little birds left the nest but darned if they didn’t come back — every night…
