Ah, summer time.  So many opportunities for fun; splashing in the pool, picnics and backyard barbeques.  There’s nothing better than kicking back with a cold drink and some burgers sizzling on the grill.  We love to grill just about anything, that is, except nature.  This became our battle last summer.

When spring had sprung and cookout weather was approaching, we unveiled the grill and got it all cleaned up for a season of fun.  That night a storm blew in and our grill cover was gone with the wind.  Instead of rushing out to purchase another one, we thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?”  Well, for starters, a bird could build a nest in your grill. 

We had marinated chicken breast, all ready to prepare when we opened the grill to find a mess of straw, leaves and twigs.  My husband cleared it all out and “burned off” the racks for a good long time, as I was concerned for what type of disease a filthy bird might leave behind.   We had dinner, closed it up and forgot about it.  It didn’t cross my mind again until the next day when a bird dive-bombed my head when I stepped out on the deck.  I opened up the grill to reveal another mass of materials that were beginning to take the shape of a nest.   So now, my cooking surface was being threatened, and I was too. My husband cleaned it up again and we bought a new cover.  We put it on the grill and brushed off our hands. “Done!” we said.

A few days later we removed the cover and opened the grill to see a perfectly formed little nest…with eggs in it.  “Oh well that’s just great!” my husband snorted.  The bird had clearly won.  I tried to conceal my excitement.  I mean, sure, it sucked that we couldn’t grill, but it was kind of fun to have baby birds hatching!  I thought it was a fantastic little science lesson for our daughters.   So we left off the cover and instructed the girls not to touch anything.  This didn’t pose a problem at all because we eventually avoided the deck almost entirely due the aggressive nature with which the mother bird guarded her nest.  She made no bones about the fact that she didn’t like us there.

Over the next several days we waited with great anticipation for the momentous hatching.   Alas one morning we heard high-pitched chirping sounds as we ate breakfast.   We carefully snuck outside and verified that they were coming from the grill.  The girls celebrated.  I very gingerly opened the lid so they could get a peek at the tiny little bald babies with their necks stretched long and mouths wide open.   It didn’t last long, as the mother quickly scolded us for encroaching on her post-partum suite.   My children however, were very proud that we had helped bring forth these little lives (even if they were kind of ugly).   To make a long story short we listened to their chirps grow louder daily and snuck quick glances when we could until one day they were gone.   Now every time a bird flies over, my daughters wonder if it’s one of the grill birds and we remember the fun we had waiting for them to hatch.  I would gladly give up the several weeks of grilling again for another fun and amazing display of nature.  My husband…not so much.  He purchased a new and improved grill cover this year that promises to keep all critters from invading.  Guess we’ll have to make do with fireflies and mosquitoes while we eat our burgers hot off the grill. 

Melanie Chezem is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to two little girls.  Whether it's life as a mom or life in general, she tells it like it is at www.mommyspills.com

See Also:

-The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer

-On a Budget? Try a Staycation!

-Family Cookout Warnings