Bird Nestings & Activities in The Gardens 2011 Vol. #3

I've seen many Mourning Doves being amorous in the garden, so when I saw this birdhouse, I was wondering hmmm, maybe they may just like this one. What do you think?

My Blue Bird is back; checking out on the same nest box! I'm jumping up with joy!!!

Awww, I just remember that Doves build their nest on sticks and poorly constructed ones at that. So this house may just be for the gardener (myself) rather than for the feathered friends. Sigh*

On the possitive note, I witnessed one good thing. The WBNH defended its nest. I saw a small bird dive-bomb some other bird that was sitting on top of its birdhouse. I was digging in the garden and didn't have my specs on so didn't see the battle very clear at the time. But, I'm pretty sure it was the papa that was defending his family. For shortly after that I saw the female inside and he was sitting on top and didn't mind me one i-olda when I stood roughly 5 feet from the nest.

Thats a cute bird house Lily! Your property looks so beautiful!

Thank you Pelle. It's the most beautiful time of year in the garden. It's my favorite. I can't wait to see the babies! It has been weeks! Papa WBNH bringing home goodies.

The Blue Bird's hanging around also but no nesting activity yet.

Well the sun peeks through for a little while before the storm arrives. We're expecting one this evening. Have a good birding day everyone.

Well it looks like my Carolina Chickadee's will be nesting in the same box they did last year (if this is the same pair). They have been thoroughly inspecting the inside and outside of the nest box including the baffle etc. Each one has spent long periods inside the box and has made practice runs in all different directions to check things out.

I'm so glad I took down the large bird feeders so those numerous Grackles weren't constantly hanging around. The weather is beautiful today.

oooo!!! how cute. I'm jealous.

That's good news, thank Pelle for the news. Pix please.

While I was in the garden, I heard a shrilling call, looked up and I saw a pair of male and female Cowbirds. They're--together perhaps checking out surrogate parents for their future offsprings? Nature is fascinating!

Carolina Chickadees decidedly have chosen this nest box, for the past few days I've seen they come and go from the 'home' this morning I saw one brougt some suet food back to nest. Whoa!

A small flock of Browheaded Cowbirds-- both males and females are hanging around in the backyard. It's going to be interesting to see which species of birds nesting in the backyard are going to raise some of the Cowbirds' offsprings this season.

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I love love those of the Dees. lol

They are hilarious to watch. They sit on the fence behind the box (maybe about 6 feet away) and chase off any bird that comes by. Even if it has no interest in the box.

Okay I grabbed a few pics of my Chickadees too who are busy at work preparing the nest box.

Peeking out at me before barreling out of the box

Ha! I love how they sit there for a bit and look around.

Looked inside the nest box today and it looks like the nest is almost complete.

I'm happy for you Pelle, what type of material do the Dees use for theirs? I'm so afraid I would scare them off if I were to get too close to the nest. On the other hand, so far, the WBNHs seem to be quite tamed, and not afraid of my presence.

I didn't examine it real closely but there are a lot of tiny green pieces it. I do see them tearing little pieces off of tree buds so maybe that is some of it.

Ah, I've seen Eastern Phoebes use green moss to line their nest. I saw Northern Cardinal picked on my Clematis flowers one year. Currently the White-breasted Nuthatches are really busy with their task at hand--sitting on the eggs. The past week, I only saw a lone one exiting from the nest box, came to the feeder then repeated bringing food back and disappeared into the box. I thought to myself, oh no, what happened to the male? Thinking that maybe a female that have to fend for herself and the potential chicks inside? This morning I once again saw the 'couple' at the feed station. I'm breathing sign of relief.

The Northern Flickers apparently have moved on, I haven't seen them around our neighborhood even. The Cardinal's nest in the bamboo groove. The mama still patiently sitting on the eggs and patiently look the other way when I'm working in the area.

Picture shows the Nuthatches' nest box in the background.

Lately, Mitch (the male Redbellied Woodpecker) is often seen here with his Missus. It's difficult to catch a pix of the pair together. Occassionally I also have seen the Redheaded woodpecker (Boss Byron) comes by just to harrass the Redbellied ones. I'm not sure though, where these woodpeckers are making their nest. But, hopefully soon, they will be bringing their fledlings to the feeders and show them the 'rope'.

I don't think I've ever seen a red-bellied woodpecker fledgling. That will be fun!

Nest building continues. Yesterday I saw one of the Dees fly over to the fence line where I have grass clippings (from last year), grabbed a beak full and flew to the box! I wanted him to do it again for a camera.

Here's one leaving the box.

Oh Marna! That's a lovely shot at the lovely Dee! I don't think my camera is capable of that action shot.

you'd be surprised what point and shoots can do these days!

This was from the house at my full lens length though! I'll have to go outside and stalk them from closer later.

I just watched one of my Chickadee's pull a bit of fur out of a suet cage and take it into the nest box. It was filled with small pieces of my Persian cats fur.

nice!!! I have some hanging nesting materials, but so far haven't seen activity there.

That has to be a darling thing to watch! I've noticed my 'Dees' chirp loudly when I'm too close to their nest. So happened that's the spot where I work on seeing my humminbirds at close up. I do give them room to roam though. I afraid to scare them off.

Does anyone know how long it takes for a pair of cardinals to raise their chicks and move on? Mine are nesting in a large holly that I need to trim and shape up.. There's plenty of other yardwork to do in the meantime.. (isn't there always? LOL)

Hi RrrrGrrr, From a site. Laying 2-5 eggs that are buff-white with dark marks. The female incubates the eggs for 12- 13 days and the young leave the nest in 9-11 days after hatching.

Here is some more info- http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Cardinal.html

Notice 2 broods are attempted each season.

I just looked inside the Chickadee nest and saw the little fluff of Persian cat fur on the top of the nesting material. :-)

Awwww, RrrrGrrrr (Like your moniker by the way). My Cardinals have had several broods last year I know for certain. 'Cause I remember the female was "huffing and puffing" during the high humidity and heat of summer while sitting on her eggs. Besides, I'd refrain pruning Holly, especially if it's the kind that make berries. Mine (holly) are making berries now and the fruits are getting bigger. I'll wait and do some research as to when is the proper time to prune those lovely plants. :)

My Cardinal mama is sitting on eggs at current;

Awww, Pelle that's so nice. I'll be out of pocket for there is a storm heading toward our region. My Cardinal nest dodge a big old broken branch of water oak the last storm. Wish us all to sail out of this new storm. 'til we see our post again. Take care everyone.

Thanks pelletory, that is useful information.. Two broods? Oh my..

Lily, this holly makes berries every other year.. Last year it was full of berries. I like to trim it during the "lean years" because it is trained as a small tree.. This time I'll have to use hand clippers instead of my normal shrub trimmers due to the nest. I love cardinals..

I'm not sure, but I thought I read that Cardinals make a new nest every time they have a brood.

I'm currently watching the 1st nest on the local Cardinal pair Marna, I'll report if they will rebuild another on their next brood. My sweet White-breasted Nuthatch at the homefront;

The Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches continue to sit on their nests. This weekend I think I saw juvenile Housefinches were brought to the feeder for the first time. I wished if I can locate where these year-round residents called their home. Here is a male Housefinch waiting his turn at the feeding station.