Nesting Neighbours
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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.
Cuteness Overload!
House Martins - the youngsters in the nest call on every adult, whether it's their parent or not. They really are quite comical.
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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!
A common resident Owlet found in the forest areas in the country. They can be often heard in the forests calling especially mornings and evenings, but they are active throughout the day. The birds are quite predatory in the night and hence the calls attract a variety of birds that gang up and chase the owlets away.
That morning, we heard constant calls of these Owlets - 3 - 4 of them at the same time and sighted 2 of them. That brought out Bulbuls, babblers, Drongoes, Rose Ringed Parakeets and few other birds all of which searched for the Owlets and chased them away from several trees. The Owlets moved several times and sat quietly in some trees - often close to us, but they did it with such stealth that 3 of us didn't see them coming or going.
This is nearing end of Spring here, but there were still several bare trees that the owlets could find some space on. The trees with canopy and fruit support several nesting birds and the summer breeding season is starting - no wonder the Owlets are so unwelcome.
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West 9th Street Rookery is one site that we keep returning to. The Egrets are nesting now, as this one was sitting on its nest. We can’t wait for the chicks to hatch ! We will continue to visit and hopefully post some chicks soon. The male starts working on a nest before finding a mate. Then the female takes over and ends up doing most of the nest building, with materials supplied by the male. The nest is a shallow oval of loosely woven twigs, small sticks, grasses, sedges, rushes, and Spanish moss, about 14–18 inches across and 8–13 inches high.
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 found a pair of Redstarts nesting in a hole in a dead tree today,close to where I am staying in Teesdale.It was in a very dark location but occasionally the male landed in this brighter spot near the nest and I managed to get this shot as he was taking food to his youngsters.
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.
The Long-eared Owl is associated with coniferous woodland and tall scrubby habitats during the breeding season, favouring sites where dense nesting cover is located close to open areas that are used for hunting. Although widely distributed across Britain and Ireland, the Long-eared Owl remains a scarce breeding species and one that is easy to overlook. The species appears to be more abundant in Ireland than it is within Britain, perhaps because of reduced competition Tawny Owl, which is absent from Ireland.
This is a medium-sized owl, slightly smaller and slimmer in appearance than a Tawny Owl. The main confusion species is Short-eared Owl and BTO has produced a useful video on how to identify the two species – this is available here.
When perched, or when the Long-eared Owl’s ear tufts are visible, the species can be readily separated from Short-eared Owl. At other times, eye colour is useful: those of Long-eared Owl are yellow-orange, while in Short-eared Owl they are yellow. The general appearance of the upperside of the wing in Short-eared Owl is of sharp contrast between the dark wing tip and the extensive pale panel that sits between this and the darker ‘carpel’ patch. In Long-eared this panel is more richly-coloured and less obvious.
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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...
We came across a pair of striated paradalotes nesting in a tree hollow and where able to photograph them as they flew in and out to feed the chicks.
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Uhu (Bubo bubo) - Eurasian eagle-owl
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Uhu (Bubo bubo) - Eurasian eagle-owl
Der Uhu (Bubo bubo) ist eine Vogelart aus der Gattung der Uhus (Bubo), die zur Ordnung der Eulen (Strigiformes) gehört. Der Uhu ist die größte Eulenart. Uhus haben einen massigen Körper und einen auffällig dicken Kopf mit Federohren. Die Augen sind orangegelb. Das Gefieder weist dunkle Längs- und Querzeichnungen auf. Brust und Bauch sind dabei heller als die Rückseite.
Der Uhu ist ein Standvogel, der bevorzugt in reich strukturierten Landschaften jagt. In Mitteleuropa brütet die Art vor allem in den Alpen sowie den Mittelgebirgen, daneben haben Uhus hier in den letzten Jahrzehnten aber auch das Flachland wieder besiedelt. Die Brutplätze finden sich vor allem in Felswänden und Steilhängen und in alten Greifvogelhorsten, seltener an Gebäuden oder auf dem Boden.
Beschreibung
Der Uhu ist die größte rezente Eulenart der Erde. Weibchen sind deutlich größer als Männchen (reverser Geschlechtsdimorphismus). Von Südwesten nach Nordosten zeigt die Art entsprechend der Bergmannschen Regel eine deutliche Größen- und Gewichtszunahme. Männchen aus Norwegen erreichen im Durchschnitt eine Körperlänge von 61 cm und wiegen zwischen 1800 und 2800 g, im Mittel 2450 g. Norwegische Weibchen haben im Durchschnitt eine Körperlänge von 67 cm und wiegen 2300 bis 4200 g, im Mittel 2990 g. Vögel aus Thüringen wiegen im Mittel 1890 g (Männchen), bzw. 2550 g (Weibchen). Die schwersten mitteleuropäischen Uhuweibchen wogen 3200 g. Der Größenunterschied zwischen Männchen und Weibchen zeigt sich auch bei der Flügelspannweite. Die Spannweite der Männchen beträgt durchschnittlich 157 cm, die der Weibchen 168 cm.
Der Kopf ist groß und hat auffallend lange Federohren. Diese stehen normalerweise schräg seitlich oder nach hinten ab. Der Uhu besitzt auch den für Eulen typischen Gesichtsschleier, der allerdings weniger stark ausgeprägt ist als beispielsweise bei der Waldohreule oder Schleiereule.
Das Körpergefieder ist in Mitteleuropa ein helles Braun mit dunkler Längs- und Querstreifung. Der Rücken ist dabei dunkler als der Bauch, auch die Flügelunterseiten sind heller befiedert. Die einzelnen Unterarten des Uhus unterscheiden sich in ihrer Körpergröße sowie in der Grundfärbung ihres Gefieders.
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Eurasian eagle-owl
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_eagle-owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of eagle-owl that resides in much of Eurasia. It is also called the European eagle-owl and in Europe, it is occasionally abbreviated to just eagle-owl.[3] It is one of the largest species of owl, and females can grow to a total length of 75 cm (30 in), with a wingspan of 188 cm (6 ft 2 in), males being slightly smaller.[4] This bird has distinctive ear tufts, with upper parts that are mottled with darker blackish colouring and tawny. The wings and tail are barred. The underparts are a variably hued buff, streaked with darker colour. The facial disc is not very visible and the orange eyes are distinctive.
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest living species of owl as well as one of the most widely distributed.[5] The Eurasian eagle-owl is found in many habitats but is mostly a bird of mountain regions, coniferous forests, steppes and other relatively remote places. It is a mostly nocturnal predator, hunting for a range of different prey species, predominantly small mammals but also birds of varying sizes, reptiles, amphibians, fish, large insects and other assorted invertebrates. It typically breeds on cliff ledges, in gullies, among rocks or in other concealed locations. The nest is a scrape in which averages of two eggs are laid at intervals. These hatch at different times. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young, and the male provides food for her and, when they hatch, for the nestlings as well. Continuing parental care for the young is provided by both adults for about five months.[6] There are at least a dozen subspecies of Eurasian eagle-owl.[7]
With a total range in Europe and Asia of about 32 million square kilometres (12 million square miles) and a total population estimated to be between 250 thousand and 2.5 million, the IUCN lists the bird's conservation status as being of "least concern".[8] The vast majority of eagle-owls live in mainland Europe, Russia and Central Asia, and an estimated number of between 12 and 40 pairs are thought to reside in the United Kingdom as of 2016, a number which may be on the rise.[9] Tame eagle-owls have occasionally been used in pest control because of their size to deter large birds such as gulls from nesting.
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.
Although they are not the only birds to engage in similar behaviour, gannets are famous for "billing" or “mutual fencing.” While it can happen any time both birds from a mated pair are at their nest site, it is quite routine when one bird returns to the nest after foraging for food or nesting material. The two gannets will face each other, often touching and calling. They then shake their heads side to side with their bills clacking together. They often bow, rub necks, and preen each other’s neck before taking up the more mundane activities of nesting in colonies, such as bickering and fighting with neighbors.
We will soon be going to Costa rica and I am looking forward to seeing the brown hooded parrots again !! They never disappoint us with their beauty and fun behavior. This is the time of year for nesting and for the young giving us many different photographic options.
Wishing you a wonderful and Blessed week !!