Home, Sweet Home!

Or maybe I should say, “Nest, Sweet Nest”.  It’s the time of year to keep an eye out for birds nests.  

One day recently I decided to hunt for our Phoebe’s nest.  Phoebes like to nest on something like a small shelf... a windowsill, rafter, or similar projections.  So I searched the various open sheds, garages, and pole barns near our house.  One year they nested on one of our garage door ledges.  

But not this year.  After a bit of searching, though, I found their new location!  Under the remains of the old dairy barn.  On a nail!  

See it back there in the corner?!

Phoebe's use lots of mud and moss in their nest, and line them with fine grass and hair.

Doesn’t seem very secure!  In fact, it looks like there used to be a nest on the nail “next door”, by the signs of mud on the beam.

But, hopefully, this nest will last long enough for them to raise their family.

Now, another mother chose what appears to be a more secure location to raise her family.  Can you see the bird on the nest in this photo?

My husband went to get some fencing today and discovered this:

Yes, the mother Robin built her nest inside this fortress of wire!

Mother Robin's nest is in the roll on the upper right.

I find it fascinating how each species of bird builds just the right nest for their babies.

A Ruffed Grouse builds right on the forest floor.

The Baltimore Orioles make a secure but swinging nest.  This one is from last year.... still strong near the top of the tree this spring.

Last years heron’s nest is still secure-looking-- although maybe the dead tree is not really very strong, it's hard to tell.  A few days ago, all three herons were hanging out there, even though it's not actually being used as a nest this year.  Maybe they were thinking of the good old days when they were nestlings?

 Nesting season is a fascinating time.  Most kids and adults love to see nests,  eggs, and baby birds.  I have two very interesting books that I’ve used for many years to learn more about them.  

 One was written for kids... but I still love it!  It’s called “Birds at Home” by Marguerite Henry.  It’s a very readable book (whether you're a grown-up reading it yourself or you are reading it to a child!) It's full of interesting tidbits about birds.  The second book is “A Field Guide to Bird’s Nests” in the Peterson’s Field Guide Series.  It’s also filled with interesting information about birds and their nests.  Used copies of the first book are still available online and there are more recent field guides to nests available --- though I don’t think the birds have changed their nesting habits too much since my book was published back in 1975!  You never know though... it seems I see something new every year.  I certainly never saw a Robin’s nest in the middle of a roll of fence wire before!