Spring is almost here, I'm so looking forward to this year nesting season. All the bird houses in the garden are spruced up, and ready for our feathered friends. Currently we've 3 Eastern Blue birds frequenting our back yard, a pair of active nest-building White-breasted Nuthatches, among many other hopeful.
Have you seen birds in your garden warming up to Spring? Please share pics. here.
Last year's thread: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1294635/#post_9558396
The White-breasted Nuthatches couple promptly rediscovered the newly "renovated" home; Jim and I took the house down, cleaned it, rebuilt, painted the house. This year, I tried something different. I sprayed the interior of the house with vinegar, I was told that vinegar will repell ants. Hope that help keep the nesting place safer for our birds. Next to the WBRHs are my 3 Eastern Blues. 2 males, and a female. These Blues Birds have been here all winter, I'm eager to find out where they'll select their nesting site this year.
We have three cardinal couples setting up household in a huge Archduke
Charles rose bush/
Robins have been around, but they are just passing through.
The doves have been around all winter.
Birds are singing and thinking Spring in spite of the miserable weather. I put up one house for chickadee or wren size birds. I haven't seen the appropriate type bird around lately. Eurasian collared doves are staking out territory in the evergreens. I may have to go out and discourage them to make more room for the finches and Mourning doves. I still want to put up a shelf for the Phoebes before they return. I want to put up bluebird houses at the families mountain property, but the birds may already be nesting before the road is open. I have not tried Bluebird houses before, I understand they don't like to be close together. I think House sparrows are moving into the Brush pile I built for the Thrashers. Thrashers prefer a big cactus when they can find one, so I may just let the sparrows have it.
I'm glad to learn that you've cardinals setting up household on your Rose bush, BajaBlue. Pollengarden, sounds as if a busy nesting season is coming forth for you as well. I love those Phoebes, several years ago one decided to build their nest atop our garage's lighting. That was when I really fell for bird watching. We've Brown Thrashers that build their nest under a shrub to the sideyard. I'll try to watch out for them this year, and try to take some photos to share.
Here is a couple Mourning Doves waiting for the feeder to be refilled.
Bluebird and chickadee checking out possible nesting sites.
Awww, Frank, the Blue bird is looking mighty sweet. Chickadee too, it looks to be interested in the "house" that was excavated by woodpeckers previously. I'm hoping to see new activities with my Blues in the garden. By far, only the White-breasted Nuthatches are seen busily building their nest. Other (birds) are still pick-and-chose their futures home. Southgal, how fabulous that you've Purple Martin nesting nearby. I've yet been lucky enough to host those lovely birds in the garden.
Here are pics. of our hopefuls coming to the feeder this morning:
Kim, All of your birdhouses are so cute! The birdies certainly have a variety to choose from, so I hope they will start getting serious and move in. Love your bluebird photos!! Surprised that you don't have Purple Martins. I thought they liked those gourd type of houses.
About all we have at our current house are Martins, but we will be moving in a couple of months, so I am trying to put up some houses at the new place.
I did put up one in an area where I saw bluebirds last year. But, I don't know if they will be back or not. Hopefully something will use the house. I also put up a "bluebird" house on the cabin porch where I saw some wrens checking under the eaves. Maybe they'll use that house. So far, I haven't caught any birds checking either house.
Patti is this pic from your new place at Willis??? It looks great ..Don't know if we will make it To Texas this year but hope to my sis and her DH came up here last fall so I guess it is our turn..
Grits, if you get anywhere near Houston, let me know. Love to see you!
Oh, and yes, I forgot to say, it is the place in Willis. We should be moved in by end of April or in early May ... hopefully.
This message was edited Mar 4, 2014 6:37 PM
Hi Kim,yeah it is very neat to have the Martin's around every year.We get a lot of them to,and I always have to pass them to go feed the horses and I am just blessed that I have not got messed on when I pass them.They have been coming here for years.It is very neat to have them around because a lot of people don't get to enjoy them.It will not be long and they will be moving back home.
Cody
Hi all, yes indeed we're very blessed to be able to enjoy nature. Though, winter has been tough, knowing Spring is on the way, and birds are singing. Deciduous trees are sending out buds, cherry blossoms some are in full glory other in buds, signs of Spring. Winter soon will be over; time to begin anew!
Patti, thanks for the compliments. Congrats on your move, though there must be lots of works to come with the move. Well wishes sending your way.
Cody, glad to hear from you, please everyone share your pictures when you get the chance. Frank; look at my bird feeder, it shares something in common with your Blue-bird house. lol (squirrels grrrrrr!!!!).
The Eagle nest nearby is once again active. At home however, only the Nuthatches are the 1st to build their own nest. I can't wait for spring!
Not much going on here in terms of nesting, but definitely some spring activity with mate selection. Lots of calling and the male house sparrows are doing that silly dance they do. Still lots of snow and ice around, so tough to get out and clean houses.
Wishing you spring, and soon Marna. Yesterday was the first time I saw one of the Blue birds checked out a vacant nestbox. Though, they've been snooping on the WBNH's own house several times as they've in years past. The Nuthatches are quite capable of fending for themselves however. In fact, I think they maybe sitting on eggs at present; often time I'll see one foraging outside the nest, and even bringing food home.
I have this cavity in the tree out front. I've been hoping someone would claim it, though I suppose the opening is too big. But I got all excited when this male Downy was at it the other day. The female was nearby so I thought maybe they were house-hunting. But more likely, bug hunting.
Wishing you Downy Woodpeckers nesting! It would be so good to see them raise their youngs. I think I've spotted Cardinals checking out the bamboo grove to the side yard. As soon as I've captured any photos of these lovely birds in action, I'll post to share.
Oh BTW, I noticed via FB, that Eagles nest in Ga. appeared to have some chicks (?), I'll return to our local eagle nest to check on their progress out this coming weekend.
No pics, but seeing lots of bluebird activity and a whole lot of singing from cardinals.
Thanks JulieQ for the news. My back yard BBs. The 3 that I've been seeing all winter, has narrowed down to a pair. The 3rd, a male perhaps is off somewhere near in search of a mate? I've seen a Mallard drake and his mate frequenting our pier area, but these as shown here (two Mallard drakes and 2 Pekin ducks) haven't exhibited sign of nesting yet.
I didn't make it back to the local Eagle nest, but a pair of them came to hunt around our backyard yesterday.
At last, spring maybe upon us here. Magnolia saucer, and various type of cherry/pears are blooming down here.
Woohoo, yesterday the mentioned male Blue bird that has ventured out in order to look for a mate. Well, he has returned to the garden, without bringing his partner! I'm glad to see the bird regardless. :)
Also yesterday, I saw the Nuthatches pair discovered the mealworms feeder for the first time. As they're building their new nest this season. I hope the feeding station will aid to their family- building effort this year . Oh, I also saw the WBNHs team up and fought a Titmouse away from their territory this morning.
Sunday afternoon was a good time to see the Eagle nest. When DH and I arrived there were others who also come to watch the birds activities.
1. The Nest on the tree from a distance with the female sitting inside.
2. The male Eagle who arrives shortly after we got there.
3 & 4 Shift change-- the male will sit on the nest as his mate flew out and preening herself, soon afterward the female flew off; presumably goes off to fish. Other times, experienced nest observer told me that one of the two will bring fish back home to feed the other. But, this trip the bird returned to the nest without a fish.
5. At home the Eastern Blue Bird is showing his bright nesting plumage. The couple will often show up in pair at the meal worms feeder. Rain or shine, the 3rd BB shows up occasionally for the mealies treat.
RE Eagles - how far away is the nest from where they fish? And do you know if they built the nest on top of some other bird's nest?
Pollengarden, there is a creek running along the bank, it is roughly half a mile from where the Eagle nest is. The creek is branch off of Logan Martin lake, so the Eagles nests are abundant along the water edges. Over the weekend, DH has said some of his coworkers have told him about another Eagle nest in our area, as the weather allows, we'll venture out and look for this other nest. Whether or not, the nest was built on top of other bird's nest. I really don't know. I do know, from another seasoned-bird watcher who has been watching Eagles for the past 8 years. According to this lady, the female eagle is a younger one. The "old" pair; something happened to the female one year, soon thereafter he's found himself another partner, and the new partner probably is younger than he. She said there is some unique marking on his white feather. He has some yellowish mark on his head, where as she doesn't. That's how we can tell the two apart.
According to the lady, she witnessed the couple mating in the middle of Feb. Here it's middle March. We're watching, but there is no baby-sighting as of yet.
Here is an old picture of the creek ( near by the Eagle Nest) that I had from previous year.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=9399455
I went out on the front porch yesterday and a robin started scolding me soundly. I knew something was up and went out to look around for her nest. I didn't see it until I started back in the house. She put her nest on my good luck gargoyle's head. There are four hatchlings in the nest.
Oh how wonderful!!! Congratulations. Happy for you.
I am new to the forum and though everyone might like these picture. A Mallard has taken over our flower garden and decided to nest under our Azalea. She has been there about 10 days and has 9 or 10 eggs. We live about 2 miles form a major river so were a little surprised to see her here. I had spotted both Mom and Dad a couple times in the neighborhood but did not think she would take up residents.
Longlens, you never know what the birds find suitable habitat. :) That will be a neat experience.
The front porch is off limits for us now. Barn Swallows are trying to build a nest on top of the door. Something is up because there is mud all along the frame rather than the nice cup nest they usually build. Another Barn Swallow look to be nearby above the framing of the guest bedroom.
We've had Barn Swallows build a handful of times on the porch before, but only one successful brood. We learned of something called bird mites. Thankfully, they are easy to kill if they get in the house.
Our silly Tree Swallows are not laying eggs the last time we checked, but the Mrs. sits at the hole guarding. The Bluebird box had four eggs on Monday and the Mrs. has disappeared with the Mr. nearby, so she's probably sitting. We learned the Bluebirds like rehydrated cranberries.
Longlens - is there a pond or something closer than 2 miles? Ducklings are much safer from predators (& cars) on water than on land.
Pollengarden there is not much else around. There is a small creek but it is a runoff and is mostly dry this time of year. I have read they will nest up to three miles from their water source. I know when she leaves to eat she is gone for up to two hours.
While I'm at it here is a Robins nest. the kids are getting a bit big for this.
Egret's nesting in some tall pine trees this spring.
Fabulous happening there where you are! I' ve been out of town this month. On my way home. Will post new development in the nesting for the season.
I just had something interesting… I have a small pile of some items to burn, twigs, sticks, etc. I also put the old trimmed clematis vines there, thinking that the cardinals would like that for nesting material. I looked out and saw a robin at something. I was really worried that she had some monofilament or something. Turned out to be the "skin" fibers from dried swamp milkweed stalks. So I stripped the rest and left for the bird, who apparently came back for it. Here's what's left.
We have some hairy situations at the swing set.
Here is a Chipping Sparrow couple. Female is the one with my hair in its bill. This was just before... you know. :)
The female Baltimore Oriole usually finds my hair in the suet cage, but she's having problems this year. She found an old rope my children had tied on their swing set. Another suet cage full of hair was moved to this area. It now looks like some of it has been used.
I was actually at an Engagement Photo shoot when I spotted this Dove over one of the windows of the house where we were. Couldn't pass up the shot.
I'm so glad there were plenty activity with nesting all around. At home, I found my Tree Swallows finally chose the nest with the gourd in the back yard. Will post pics. to share soon.
Lily_love, I definitely want to see the nest with the gourd! Pictures please.
hahaha, helenchild, I meant to say the Gourd nest, the nest made out of gourd. lol sorry about the miscommunication.
I'm playing catch-up after a long vacation, just now trying to down load pics from the camera. I also was delightfully surprised by my Chickadees' nest. There are 6 tiny eggs in the nestbox that was abandoned by the Blue Birds this year.
Okay, the 2nd picture is the mentioned gourd nest with the Tree Swallow; there must be babies chicks inside for the adult birds are busy bringing food. Not pictured, are the Carolina chickadee's eggs. The pics. were taken with my phone, will be back to post that later this evening.
Success from some of the Egret nest building posted last month.
