There are starlings in the eaves/ceiling space near where I sit and type by the big windows with the Bay view. Every morning I hear them scrabbling about (like right now) making their little birdhouse within my house more to their liking. Sometimes I hear them argue with each other, sometimes they bill and coo. They steal the herbs from my balcony planters, eat my tomatoes in the summertime, and crap on my back steps. They’re really not very melodious birds, either.

Very practical people who know about such things advise me to plug up the hole where they have gotten in. They wisely counsel me to evict them and rid myself of all that annoyance, citing the obvious nuisance and destruction and filth and such. Got a great estimate to fix it, too. Nuisance abatement, they called it. It’s very good advice indeed, and makes a great deal of sense. I feel absolutely no regret in refusing it. You see, here’s the thing about those damned dirty, thieving, destructive birds:
I love them.
Last year they had babies, which resulted in intermittent flurries of ravenous peeps emminating from my ceiling throughout the day. During that time of year I sit without music, listening intently as I type, eager to enjoy the sounds of new life flourishing above my head. It’s one of my favorite springtime delights at home. Can’t wait for this year’s clutch to hatch out. Should be soon.
Starlings are undoubtedly bad for my roof, but they’re very good for my soul.
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Molly Burke CPCC MSU
Queen of Confidence
www.lifepurposeworks.com
“Everyone can use an extra confidence boost every now and again.”


