Black and Red

Colors of the day are.... black and red!

Beginning with this red-winged blackbird who arrived at our bird table this morning.  It's the only one I've seen so far this year, but maybe he's a vanguard and more are on the way back from Central America?  Before long, we'll probably have dozens of them in the swamp. 

Next black and red of the day.... Mr. Mac!

He came for a visit today, so of course we went for a walk.

It was another good day for making shadows on the snow.  Mac's shadows are bit different than Ruby's.

"I'm glad you are wearing that nice bright red collar and leash, Mac!  You look very handsome!"

We walked to the top of the hill.  Mac could stay right on top of the snow.  Walking wasn't quite as easy for me.  Sometime I could stay on top and other times not!

Mac is pretty much the total opposite to Ruby in looks, but he likes to keep track of scents along the way almost as much as Ruby.

Heading back, we hear the lone red-winged blackbird singing "O-ka-leeee" near the thicket by the spring.  That's a good place for him, as the beaver swamp is still completely frozen over.

Next thing we hear are some robins chirping!  There is a small flock of them in a wild apple tree.

Have you seen a robin yet this year? There's one in the next photo... see if you can find it:

A closer look:

I know, it looks like a fat apple with a beak, but it's a robin!  There it goes....

There are more though...  this one looks like it has its eye on that apple.

 Here's another one-- with a 'prize' apple on the ground:

It was busy pecking at it, as Mac and I got closer and closer.

 "This is MY apple!"

"Mine!!!"

"You can have your apple.  Mac and I will go back inside.  It's still pretty cold here, after all.  WHY did you come back here from the warm south?"  

Oh, you say, "Spring is coming!"  Great, we're all ready!

And Mac and I will watch for birds from inside the window-- where it's warm!

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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!