By Mary Jo Baur
As you go about doing your gardening chores, look around for various bird's nests. Especially after the trees drop their leaves, nests become easier to spot. If you've been attracting birds by feeding them seeds or providing them with flowers they like, water and shelter, you will probably spot one or two in your yard. Birds' nests are not used at this time of year. They are really only for laying eggs and raising the young.
Every year I find at least one robin nest somewhere in my yard. They are cup-shaped, about 5-6" across, and made of grasses. Sometimes birds will use string, yarn, or hair in the building of their nests. Black-capped chickadees (state bird of MA) nest in tree cavities that they may hollow out themselves, or use abandoned woodpecker holes. Ruby-throated hummingbirds make tiny little cup nests covered in lichen which are hard to find since they blend in and look like a knob on a tree limb. Baltimore orioles weave very intricate hanging pouches as their nests. Eastern phoebes construct semi-circular nests on ledges such as beams or window frames.
So while you're out in your yard and maybe on a nature walk, be on the lookout for nests of different kinds. The variety is almost endless.
No comments:
Post a Comment