When I was in Australia last time, Farm Stud told me that there was a nest with eggs in it sitting on branch of the crepe myrtle tree. I stood on the front verandah and noticed the 'couple' birds (Willy Wagtails) were taking turns to keep the eggs nice and warm.
Tractor-Chick: Babe, did you actually see any eggs in the nest?
Farm Stud: Actually yes. There are two eggs in the nest.
Tractor-Chick: With the pair of them so actively taking turns to sit on the nest and being constantly there, how did you manage to take a peek?
Farm Stud: Oh I was mowing the lawn and I pretended that I had to mow close to the tree, instead, I craned my neck and had a quick look.
Tractor-Chick: Cool! Now it'll give us something to watch while we sit on the verandah drinking our tea.
So this went on for at a least a week and the pair of them was protective, busy and noisy. The nest held fast and firm in spite of strong winds and heavy rains.
One morning, bright and early, eager to have our cup of tea and watch the birds with their eggs, I noticed that the birds weren't anywhere and guess what?!!! The nest wasn't on the tree!! I walked over to the tree and found the nest on the ground upside-down! I picked it up and found nothing! No eggs! I scanned the grass around me and no eggs, bits of egg shell, remnants were to be found!
Tractor-Chick: Babe! The nest is off the branch and the eggs are gone! Willy & Wilhemena are nowhere to be seen.
Farm Stud: I was wondering where it all went!
I picked up the nest and brought it to the verandah. The nest was so neatly and intricately put together it was so wonderful to see. Sadly, the eggs were destroyed and contents eaten by other birds or so Farm Stud thinks.
