Birds Nesting & Activities in the Garden, vol. 6

LL, last year I had a house wren defending the nest by chasing the squirrels. It looked like a Willy Wagtail incident!

Thanks Burn, I'm excited about the 'housing project' and will keep the project posted as we come along. Temp. is kinda cool yet out there and I'm one not to keen on enjoying our Northern wind. Mrs. Ed. It has to be fun watching those little teeny wrens trying to take on the "big guys" lol Yes, Willy Wagtails incident is one good way of describing their behavior. lol

#1. There isn't much more activity that I could capture on camera on the new bird house that I put up for the Wrens, except to report more straw was added onto the entrance opening, and more straw were neatly tucked inside the nest box. ^_^

#2. Last spring I had a couple of Ferrel ducks the Mallards nesting in my flower pot, this year. They perhaps, came back to survey the area. Pekin ducks will harrass the Mallard during nesting season, here they are getting along--still, perhaps because it isn't quite nesting time for them yet?

Papa Blue discovers new meallies feeder;

Moma Blue's checking out neighboring nest box;

Looks like things are starting to pop at your place Lily...it's fun to watch your place this time of the year and know that spring is coming soon!

Lily and Burn...regaring the placement of our Purple Martin gourds: I originally had them set too close to an old barn. I had read the houses should be the same distance away from a structure as it is tall. In this case the barn is about 60 ft tall but the houses were only 30 feet from the building. We are moving the set up to another field farther away from the structures. The friend also said they will like the single electric wire that is fairly close. Here is a link that may be helpful for you http://purplemartin.org/forumarchives/archive/FAQ.htm . The scouts are due in our area in less than a week so I had better get busy and get everything set up. Good luck to all of us!!

Rose, many thanks for the FAQ website on PMs. Wow, I've a lot to learn before I jump head first into the paramount- a project.

Here is the location we dry-run try out, DH and I, however, didn't proceed with the project yesterday for the wind was terrible. Everything happens for a purpose indeed. I need to do more study on the gourd bird houses placement.

Other nesting activity, when I was out in the garden putting out meallies for the Blues. Chickadees came by to explore the Blues' nest box. But the designated couple promptly returned and defended their home. As far as the meallies treat? Gues who found them first? LOL

Carolina Chickadee explores BB's nest box.

Hey Kim, I wonder if now that the blues have found the mealies, you might want to move them farther away. I would think that it might stress the blues out to have other diners that close to their nest… Just a thought.

Ah, that's a good thought. Mrs. Ed. How come I didn't think of that? Thank you. I'll see about gradually move the feeder away from the nesting site, so that they can still see where "dinners" is being served. :)

So I've moved the feeder a little further away from the BB's nest box. Things seem to work out just fine. Thanks Marna for the idea.

Spring is in the air! Although, I haven't yet seen the Blue Birds actively building their nest. But, the White-breasted Nuthatch pair are busy- bees building theirs.

Boys, I let's me tell you. Even though the Blue Birds aren't actively building their nest yet. They have been seen doing the 'Willie Wagtail' things to the squirrels. Their attack come fast and furious which left me no time for photo op. lol What I saw was the couple joined effort. They both came to confront the squirrel together as a team.

I so hope they will nest here this year;

Indeed they're courageous creatures. Margaret. Here is Moma Blue this morning awaiting for mealies. I also noticed White-breasted Nuthatch Papa bringing food and fed it to his mate? Or could that be the chicks inside? I didn't want to disturb the nest. So I'll be on the look out (from a distance) to find out what's actually taking place. If indeed it's Moma that was being fed. She must be sitting on eggs?

Other possible nesting in the garden. Carolina wrens continue to bring in more nesting material to the new nest box. Brown Thrashers are seen frequenting an evergreen shrub to the side yard. Eastern Towhees are often seen in the area. The garden is such a busy place this time of year.

I think it's looking good for the bluebirds .

Marna, things really look good for the couple bluebirds. Bright and shine this morning! They return and appear to be busy at the nest box site. It's time for me to get some mealies out there. :) Oh papa Blue already got some breakfast ready here. Look!

Leisurely enjoying their quality time at the homestead;

And finally I was able to catch the Carolina Chickadee at their 'Hot Peppers' house.

Everyone seems to be pretty "settled" on their very own home. As it's seen here.

The Brown Thrasher is seen near by, they're too busy with their own nest within the Japanese Cleyera shrub. Here is one seen foraging below the neighboring birdhouses.

Just an update note;
1. The Nuthatches apparently are feeding each other, as I've seen House Finches and Chickadees doing this mating ritual.
2. The BBs are seen at their nest box frequently all through the day.
3. And, last but not least. I saw one of the Brown Thrashers with straw in its beak. Yeah!
4. More Eastern Towhees and Northern Flickers are seen in the vicinity.
5. Eastern Phoebes songs can be heard all through the day.

Our weekend's project; A row bird houses set up. I'll keep watch and trouble shoot as we go.

The last two days, these lovely pair whose names are going to be Alabama Ricky and Lucie were very busy going in and out of their hot peppers house .

Wow Lily...so much activity at your place I would be in 7th heaven with excitement!! Can't wait to see all the little ones you are going to have.

Your gourds look great and the Purple Martins have hit the US so keep your eyes open!! They are wonderful singers especially first thing in the morning.

Rose, I'm glad you've enjoyed the set up. I've neighbors with various birdhouses for Martins in the area.... so I'm excited that they might just find us here the 1st try. I've this question. Will Tree Swallows nest in gourd houses like Purple Martins do? I think we've both Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows here. Though, I know the Barn Swallows make nesting out out of mud and such.

From what I've read any cavity nester could potentially nest in a gourd including Starlings and House Sparrows. Your nesters will certainly have a wonderful view!

House sparrows loved my big gourd. And it was so soft of material that they were able to peck a bigger entrance hole. grrrrr.

I hope your Lucy and Ricky do better than my sterile pair!

Rose, and Mrs. Ed. Thanks for sharing your experience. Thus far, I haven't had much problem with Starlings, perhaps partially due to foot traffic, and pets that patrol the area? I didn't see House Sparrows very often but an occassional visit. The Nuthatches seemed to be quite cable of defending their home against Hosp. occassional visit of their nest box last year. This year, I've seen Mockingbird pestering the Blues now and then, but they're (BBs) found near by the house more frequent all through the day.

I'm delighted to announce that I'm harvesting the first crop of mealies. Well, they're small yet. Hopefully with this success, encouraging my BBs nesting in the garden won't eat through our pocket book. lol. Oh, just a little while ago, a Myrtle Warbler visited the Blues. Just a friendly visit without incidence/accidence. lol

Oh, Mrs. Ed, last year Ricky and Lucy apparently nested in that house. I wasn't paying close attention. For I've seen residual nesting materials left behind afterward. I may have to pull out the bird cam. and put it into good use this year.

Evidently the Blues know that the warbler is no threat. It looks like they have claimed that box...lucky you and us!! Still no nesting activity around our nestbox but I am hopeful.

Good gracious! Rose apparently so. The lovely Warbler was no threat. But this is a menacing problem to come... Well at least the one directly on the Gourd, and not the other one on the Willows. Tisk tisk tisk!!!

Well, after more reading on the subject of hosting Martins. Both BBs and Starlings will surely ruins the chances of hosting for Martins. I was thinking to myself, perhaps. I'd be better a hostess, if I just plug those gourds' entrances and kept that as a display bird houses. I'm trying to do the right things here. By far, a Mockingbird has visited, then the lone Starling. No one has shown real interest in the vacant houses just yet.

This morning, I saw many a "swallows" flying around our area. I think those are swallows, but can't be sure.

Although, spring hasn't officially arrived. But by the look in the garden. I feel that it's. So I opened a new thread on the many activity of birds building their nest in the garden. I wished you will join in and share your photos from your homes to ours. We moved here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1246446/