The birds got here first!

We would like to share a very heart-warming story with your readers. This weekend a family from Gauteng came down to spend the weekend at their holiday flat at Chaka’s Cove.
When the family opened the balcony door, they were dive bombed by two birds which were protecting a nest. Having given the nest a closer look, the family could see the nest contained chicks, which they knew were at risk of being abandoned should the nest be disturbed.
Not wanting to have to spend the whole weekend at the coast indoors, they rang the conservancy. However, we were unable to identify the birds from their description and immediately rang Bing and Heather Comrie. Bing being a well-known local ornithologist, kindly offered to help and came up with a practical solution right off the cuff!
The nest was wedged between the top of their balcony blind and the bricks, so Bing told them to try and gently lower the blind without disturbing the nest, and the birds would probably be happy, which they were. The alternative (which would probably not have worked with the wind which was blowing) was to hang a blanket between the exit door to the balcony and the nest, so the birds were not distressed by their coming and going.
The nice thing was, the family were only here for two days and their attitude was that the birds will be here for longer and got there first! Bing says the chicks will have left the nest by the next time they visit in mid-December, so it’s good news and was a positive exercise.
Hats off to both the parties for going the extra mile to care for and about the natural environment.
DI, MAUREEN & REBECCA
Committee-Dolphin Coast Conservancy