The Bahama Nuthatch
When Hurricane Matthew struck the island of Grand Bahama in 2016, the nuthatch disappeared, and some feared it was extinct. In 2018, researchers rediscovered the bird.
Buffeted and bruised by a tropical cyclone
with rotating high-speed winds, I survived.
I lost all my friends and now I am alone.
Being a female bird I have been deprived
of the chance of laying eggs to incubate.
I danced on branches and softly sang
but I failed to attract one feathered mate.
I am inconsolable and feeling a pang.
I scan the horizon and scrutinise the skies
to see if I can spot another alive Nuthatch
I am lachrymose and have unseeing eyes
despairing I won’t find a suitable match.
The last hurricane that struck the Bahamas
decimated innumerable endangered birds;
it was an occurrence of significant drama
and an experience that was beyond words.
That kind of weather is rather worrying
because it happens over and over again;
it’s a condition called global warming
caused by gases such as co2 or methane
At one time our habitat was a paradise,
it has now been lost but can be regained;
let the sun shine and people be nice
with peace and harmony to be sustained.
© Luigi Pagano 2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown-headed_nuthatch#/media/File:Brown-he
Luigi,
a wonderful poem filled with sadness but also with a great hope.
bhi
Thanks for stopping by, Bhi.
It is indeed a sad situation but, unfortunately, alarm calls seem to fall on deaf ears.
Best. Luigi
Nice poem. From Eskimo curlews to elephant birds in Madagascar, I get a special outrage whenever I learn of another feathered species that was wiped out by man.
I am so glad to hear your views condemning the near extinction of many endangered species at the hand of man. it is an absolute disgrace.
There are many more names of rare birds like the Antioquia Brushfinch in Colombia, the Blue-eyed- Ground-dove in Brazil and the Stresemann’s Bristlefront also in Brazi that can be added to the list. I shall post a poem on the Brislefront next.
Thanks for reading this one.
Regards, Luigi
Yes, so sad. Pity she can’t fly to my garden as a nuthatcg is feeding on the nuts daily. Don’t know if it’s a she or a he but very pretty.
I saw yesterday somehere on the net or the news that the protective masks we are currently all supposwed to wear are now being discarded and small animals and birds metting theor doom in them. Oh it was countyfile but no one else seems to be mentioning it.
In order to fly to your garden, Daffni, she would have to undertake a hazardous journey because this female survivor is in the Grand Bahama.
Unfortunately, birds and small animals are threatened by the irresponsible behaviour of the so-called civilised society. In addition to Countryfile, David Attenborough has for years drawn everybody’s attention to the plight of the animal world.
I think my nuthatch may be plus a wife, I seem to see at least one several times a day.
I watch all Attenboroug’s films. He’s wonderful
You are lucky to be surrounded by birds and animals, Daffni.
David Attenborough is indeed an authority on nature.