Birds Nesting & Activities in Our Garden 2011 Vol. #2

As Spring is right around the corner for most of my friends all around the Globe, please join me and post our birds' nesting and share their antics. We came from here;
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1159018/

Here is a pix of a Male Yellowshaft Northern Flicker who's working feveruously for a new home on our backyard. The past few days, the Redheaded Woodpecker(s) tried to intimedate this one to leave the area. But Papa Flicker isn't easily persuaded. He politely leaves the area when being harrassed, then promptly returned at a later time and continues to work on his New Home.

I've yet seen his mate. But yesterday afternoon, I saw the 'couple' foraging on open ground in our front yard.



This message was edited Mar 3, 2011 2:10 PM

The Eastern Blues pair visited the nest early this morning, but hasn't returned. Nor have they attempted at building the nest as of yet. There has been time they compete with a pair of Carolina Chickadees for the nest box that really got me worried. Here is Papa Blue sitting pretty while his Misus checking out the nest.

There are a pair of Galas in there somewhere.
Quite unusual to be so low to the ground.
But good for me when the young finally emerge. ;o)

That will be neat! Keep us posted.

Lily and Ginger you are both way ahead of our area but your postings sure makes spring draw closer!

The female Bluebird has checked out the nestbox a few times. I don't know if they will nest here this year or not but I remain hopeful.

Hi Dellrose,
I’m going to divulge one of my best kept secrets.
You need to provide ‘central heating’ for those chilly Birds.
If you were offered a choice of two rooms and one was CH.
Which would you choose ??? Riiightttt.
My nests are kept at around 28 to 36 deg C, inside and out.

I found this nest after trimming one of my hedges.
Still not sure what built it but I will keep an eye on it and report in. :-)

Rose, Spring really has sprung down here. Bradford pears and Shadblows as well as many hybrid/ornamental cherries are putting on a show down here. Birds are showing their courtship activities. I can confirm that the Brown thrashers already built their first nest out of stick on my front porch under a rose arbor. Other common residents such as Eastern Phoebes, Carolina Wrens, the Dees and Blues and others finches are pairing up, shopping for houses, but none has made their commitment as of now--that I can see. But the saying is "If you can't see; it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." So I like Ginger will keep watch and share on any new activities that I'll see.

While the birds are busy celebrating spring, I ordered my first mealworms order via online. Also, while gardening yesterday. I happened on a "sparrow trap" so I maybe able to relocate them else where should they show up, although I haven't had HOSP problem in the garden. I purchased the trap just in case. I'm very excited about the prospect of Blue Birds nesting in my backyard, but also worry about their safety. I also put up several other nest boxes for other cavaties nesting little birds-- so far no taker yet.

Ah and I'm working on setting up contraption of "cage feeder" to keep larger birds away from my mealworms treat for the smaller birds. I'll post pix as I put that together.

p.s. Quince blossoms.

Ginger, interesting bird nest that you've found. Can't wait until you share more stories on those 'exotic' birds. And the trees! Please tell, what kind of tree? Looks as if it was blown over by storm, but refused to give up? And the soil condition, look to me it was some sort of rock, stone or some other hard clay and rock mixture? They're so interesting.

It's bit overcast today. We're expecting some rain later in the day. Blue Birds return to the nest box. Papa went in to check as if to see if it's safe for his Misus to return.

...."Knock knock anyone in there?" he entered the box.

Seconds later, his Misus arrived;

The twosome got into the 'house' together. ...

As she got inside, he exits the nest box and stood guard on the nearby tree. Here you can see, they're not shy birds. One of my neighbors just rolled down the launch ramp on a golfcart. That didn't seem to frighten the birds away-- in which I'm so glad.

Although looks as if Papa Blue was keeping an eye on the human with the Blue Jean and red jacket walking away. :) Neighbor was oblivious of the birds present ofcourse.

While the BBs are more and more active as coming and going with the nest box. I was hoping that if I'm successfull at setting up a 'cage feeder' that keep other larger birds out, my BBs will have at chance at the mealworms, especially when the babies arrive. That said, I went to work at the project:

1. Creativity; attempting to set up the mealworms feeder nearby in the area where the nest box is.
2. No Ideal cage feeder available? No problem; let try a turtle trap Yikes!!!

The result? Please stay tuned....

Let's me explain all the colorful objects, I read somewhere that Blue Birds are attracted to red color and maybe blue as well. So I used blue ceramic bowl as well as the empty blue plastic tube that the mealworms were packaged for in the cage. The red tag from the manufacturer of the cage with instruction imprinted. LOL

Well, well the above contraption look attractive right? So wanna know who/which bird will be the first to find the attractive caferteria?

At the mean time, Papa Flicker has returned to work on his nest, the Chickadee has once again returned to explore the Blue bird's house...

editted for typo.

This message was edited Mar 4, 2011 3:26 PM

how do they get in there?

Well, that you will need to ask this inventive Carolina Wren. She got in there in no time flat! And eats me out of house and home! Or nearly so. All jokes aside, Marna. There is a horizontal opening to roughly about 4" the width of the cage which provide easy access to birds. Smart birds. Where as there is a slight angle serves to prevent a turtle for instance to claw its way back out of the trap-- in theory. I haven't used that on turtles, just got it from a local Co-op day before yesteray...So there.

Gotta run, back later with more pictures...

Upon returning home I discovered there is new development in the garden. Remember the Whitebreasted Nuthatches that competed with the Blue Birds and the Dees? Some someone has mentioned that the BBs will win out.

Whatta ya know? He was right! The Nuthatches has opted out for another nesting box as evidence by spending hours at this box this afternoon.

Similar to the bahavior of the Blue Birds pair. I noticed that the Nuthatches pair work in tandem. One will take turn and goes into the nest box, while the other sitting guard out side. They work as a team. Sooo sweeeet!!!

That is wonderful Lily! I would love to have Nuthatch nesting in my yard.

Oh how adorable! I would love to have nuthatches too. I have a pair at the feeders, maybe I'll add a house for them this year. I have the hole reducer already.

That's a smartypants little wren.

Thank you Pelle and Mrs. Ed. They're some precious birds! For tree three years now, I've seen birds stopping by to check on the same nest box, but no one seemed to have any interest in them. Last year, hubby took it down and added that hole reducer Viola!! Now the Nuthatches took an interest in it. I'm pleased (more than anyone can imagine).

The same pair worked tirelessly this whole half of the day. By sun down, I noticed a black cap within the opening of the nest. I reckon they roost in the nest over night?

editted to correct typo.

p.s. LOL on your remark on the little Wren. LOL

This message was edited Mar 4, 2011 8:33 PM

At first I thought I was in charge, e.i. Traning the birds to the feeder. But like most of you already knew. The Wren already knew precisely what to do on this matter. LOL. Look at who is training whom?

Just to confirm your assessment Mrs. Ed. Only the wren(s) knew how to get in and out of the cage for the day. No other birds or critters was seen going through the maze.

Yah, i can see that opening now. Did you see how Dellrose does it? she just has an old empty milk crate turned upside down. I'm going to try worms for the first time this spring I think. I'll probably use the milk crate until I see how I do with feeding them.

Yes, but very little of it. Here is what I've seen from Roses' http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=8396982

Lily,

Wow! you have a lot of Spring nesting activity there already...I'm so green with envy!!! Love the nuthatches and the birdhouse you have for them :D

My MIL and I went to Cracker Barrel a few days ago (we love eating and shopping in the store there...er, ah...especially the store...tehehehe). Anyway, I could not resist a birdhouse they had there. It's not very practical, but it does have a hole in the back to be able to clean the house if it's ever occupied and if a Wren happens to become frustrated trying to get the long twigs through a small hole, it won't have problems with this one! Additionally, I believe it's safe from HOSP nesting due to it's narrow diameter at the bottom. I could be wrong, time will tell.

This makes the 4th birdhouse in our backyard. I'd like to think at least one will finally be occupied this Spring :)

Welcome Susan. That's cute. Yes, I like shopping at Crackle Barrel too. :)

These Nuthatches are really serious home builders! They worked all day long yesterday.

This message was edited Mar 5, 2011 3:14 PM

Uh oh, wrong house!!! The BBs spotted the mealworms set up below, but couldn't get in the modified cage feeder. So they 'took it out' on the Nuthatches!!! Mama Blue checked out the Nuthatches' nest box, while Papa Blue colided with one of them on mid-air a second earlier...

"How am I suppose to get below there, huh huh???"

The BB Mama gave up on solving the puzzle, I felt bad so I added another bowl of mealworms on top of the platform feeder. Guess who once again found the treat?

Well, the Wren does have the advantage of being smaller...and quicker. Additionally, now it has 2 sources for mealworms while the others have one...LOL

You have so much activity...what fun!
I'm about to sleep watching our backyard. Nothing exciting since seeing my 1st Chickadee this morning :)

I so love those Dees as well. For here, Dees are still homeless for they've not settled down on any other vacant nest boxes that I've hung. Neither have the C. Wrens.

I'll always put my money on Carolina Wren's being first at any feeder.

Welcome gg, I think they must have exceptional eye-sight! I need to get eye glasses for my Blues and others. lol

I'm confused Lily...eye glasses for your BB's?
How can they fit through your cage to get to the mealworms?