Nesting Birds
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We found this little nest (without the egg) in front of our garage. It was shapeless and abandoned so I pulled it back together. This past summer we had several new families of black-eyed juncos and one new family of robins…perhaps this was one of their nests.
I bought these earrings in San Francisco I think they are supposed to resemble the Russian nesting dolls. I couldn't leave them behind I had to buy them, HMM!
Great Blue Heron taking some moss for the nest...
Nesting
Breeds in colonies, often of this species alone, sometimes mixed with other wading birds; rarely in isolated pairs. Male chooses nest site and displays there to attract mate. Displays include stretching neck up with bill pointing skyward, flying in circles above colony with neck extended, stretching neck forward with head and neck feathers erected and then snapping bill shut. Nest: Site highly variable, usually in trees 20-60' above ground or water; sometimes in low shrubs, sometimes on ground (on predator-free islands), sometimes well above 100' in tree. Nest (built mostly by female, with material gathered mostly by male) is a platform of sticks, sometimes quite large.
Source : Audubon Field Guide
Roseate Spoonbill bringing in a twig for the nest.
From Audubon:
Breeds mainly during winter in Florida, during spring in Texas. Nests in colonies. At beginning of breeding season, entire flock may suddenly fly up, for no apparent reason, and circle the area. In courtship, male and female first interact aggressively, later perch close together, present sticks to each other, cross and clasp bills. Nest site is in mangroves, tree, shrub, usually 5-15' above ground or water, sometimes on ground. Nest (built mostly by female, with material brought by male) a bulky platform of sticks, with deep hollow in center lined with twigs, leaves.
Sand Martin - Riparia riparia
The sand martin (Riparia riparia) or European sand martin, bank swallow in the Americas, and collared sand martin in the Indian Subcontinent, is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and the Indian Subcontinent.
The sand martin is sociable in its nesting habits; from a dozen to many hundred pairs will nest close together, according to available space. The nests are at the end of tunnels of from a few inches to three or four feet in length, bored in sand or gravel. The actual nest is a litter of straw and feathers in a chamber at the end of the burrow; it soon becomes a hotbed of parasites. Four or five white eggs are laid about mid-late May, and a second brood is usual in all but the most northernly breeding sites.
Population:
UK breeding:
100,000 nests
I went back to check on the nesting eagles...no sign of the eaglets but saw tip of a white head so knew one or more parents were there. As I took photos of the head tip, the adult started to fly....camera in right place at right time, wind blowing the leaves aside so I could get some good shots, a thrill.
I'll have to go back when the young are starting to fledge...maybe I'll get lucky again.
...interesting observation; the neighbors are so accustomed to them they don't pay any attention.
Enjoy the weekend, flickr friends....thanks for your visit...Pat...xo...
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Some family health problems going on...
Bluebirds have been nesting in the same area for a number of years, I am not sure if it is the same pair keep returning back or they spread the word around about our province as a habitat of choice among bluebirds. This pair hung around for sometime and was very cooperative.
The tree, adjacent to a lake, is a Long Leaf pine, a pine species native to the Southeastern United States. Photo taken from approx. 20 meters away. Branch is approx. 15 meters above a lake near my home in North Carolina. The great egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, large egret, or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret, with four subspecies found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water.
Hello everyone. I literally have not been creating much of anything since I was last active here. Trying now to reignite the creative spark. Looking forward to catching up with you all soon.
Thanks to all for your comments, favorites and group invites! So very much appreciated!
Here's a Red-shouldered Hawk on its way to the nest with some additional nesting material. I believe that the Florida Red-shouldered breed earlier than the species in other parts of the country. Once site had them breeding from January to May when general reference books state the species breed from May to July. In any event, I'm hoping that they are not just faking us out and that we have some new chicks to celebrate. In the course of my reading I learned that the females are larger than the males (probably smarter too) and that the pair are monogamous. Having said that, I've never been able to see the size difference but will pay more attention in the future. Happy 2023 everyone. (Buteo lineatus)
Flying on and off to prepare the nest with leaves.
Thank you for your visits, kind comments and faves!
A heron settling down in the grasses on the dunes next to the beach at St. George Island State Park.
The Great Egret looking for a mate. February thru June is mating season here in Florida at the Wading Bird Rookery, at the Alligator Farm in Saint Augustine, Florida.
More new migrant birds arrived in the area today as these Canada geese returned to Cardinal Marsh. The marsh had been sitting silent and lonely since freeze-up last November. Cardinal Marsh is still covered with several inches of solid ice but that doesn't bother these eager Canada geese who are hurrying north to get the best nesting sites.