So, while I was off visiting IKEA with some gal pals, DH was hacking thru the jungle known as our backyard. When I came home, he showed me the lovely job - leaving only the very weed overgrown patio & one bed to be done. Followed by, ummm, we have critters in the yard - before we went to look. His explanation - well, in that patch over there to the right of the pine, where it looks a little low, well, it's got kind of grey fuzz over it, and seemed to be moving as I mowed by. Me "PLEASE TELL ME YOU DIDN'T CHOP ANYTHING!!!" Him, "NO" but, I did likely mow over, but it seems okay 'cause whatever is underneath squirmed. So, out we go, convincing our bird dog - who is better behaved than us - to "Leave IT" . We go to look, DH gets a pole/grabber thing and moves the fuzz - well, to be truthful I made him do it without me first 'cause I have big issues with tiny baby birds, just in case. So, now we both look - and keep convincing Puckster to stay back - which he does - about a foot, maybe. And as we're looking they have really big ears, and are moving about - finally we see some rear legs, and no tail and decide it's a nest of bunny babies - some seem about 3-4" long. Hard to tell. They're crammed in there, but looked like some open eyes. Mom not in sight. So, we cover them back and have to figure out what to do. Cause I'm sure it's a nest from the bunnies that seem to spend a lot of time under Cousin It out front. Evidently they dug a nest in the yard, and I guess mom gave birth there. But, now of course, the poor dog we're not letting follow his instinct. We were out with him a little later, and he goes near, clearly wants to sniff, but will actually listen to stay back - and then he does what nature says - goes into a full point position. After much brainstorming 'cause we're worried that the nest has no protection now from the birds, etc -since we cleaned up the yard - what to do. DH now built a lovely contraption - one of our resin tables with legs that splay out - wrapped it with chicken wire, put it over the nest - with the bird bath top on it for weight. The table is about 18" across, same height. We then went out and adjusted the wire, hoping it would be up high enough for mom to get in, and Puckster to stay out. He then came out with us and snoofled, laid down looking, but that's it. Whew. We were worried. Then, about 90 min later, DH saw the likely mom go scampering from the front and up the drive, around the side. I'm cooking dinner, and wander to go look out the sunroom doors - sure enough, there's a big pair of rabbit ears sitting inside, under the table, and evidently licking/feeding the babies. At least I hope that's what she was doing, not eating them. Later she slid out under the wire, and came to sit at the stairs up to the sunroom, grooming herself. She's aptly kind of red-brown, with a little bit of stripe on either side of her face.
Point of this all being - does anyone have suggestions. DH figures I should bring some lettuce out and lay it by the makeshift hutch. At least this give the little things some protection from the birds (like the mean jays & mockingbirds - I don't think our resident nesting robins will do anything) and the weather. The dog has now been moving from the sunroom to the sliders in the breakfast room sitting with his nose to the glass and whining. But, we tried to explain to him that even though he'd like to play with his new buddies, they would likely die of fright. Truthfully, he's never brought us a trophy - only seen him whimper, try to protect a hurt bunny or once a young squirrel that fell out of his nest. Not touch them.
I'm going to call the county extension or wildlife service - this is a big horse and farming county - and see if there's anything we should know. And Puckster will be thrilled to get more leash walks - at least when the mommy bunny is there. When she's not, if one of us is in the yard, I think he'll be okay to ramble.
Again - any ideas? I guess this is an apt Mother's Day.
Ellice