I’m sure for seasoned gardeners this is no big deal, but I was excited (and a bit dismayed) to find this little birds nest lying in my garden today whilst I was pulling out weeds. I was excited because it’s the first time I’ve found one (and it provided a great photo-op for the new macro lens) and because it tells me that the birds like living in my trees. On inspection, I then found a few more bird nests in my actual trees – but the others are all a lot bigger than this one.
This sweet little nest is about 12cm in diameter at it largest width. Any ideas about what type of bird this would belong to? Oh, and another question – what is the correct thing to do when finding a nest on the ground? Just leave it there? (that’s what I’ve done, for now).
I was a bit upset because I was worried about the “nest owner” missing her home, but perhaps they have built a new one? There were no eggs in it so I assume they no longer need it. On my shopping list – I’ve ordered a new bird bath from Peppino’s which will arrive next week tomorrow (Yay!). This will go out back where there is no water feature and I found the other bird nests. They need a bath and water so I need to supply … right?
[one_half]Birds Nest
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[one_half_last]Closer view
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Happy gardening
xxx
17 replies on “Look what I found whilst weeding!”
Oh Dear! Looks so fresh Christine! It is hard to think of a bird loosing their nest after all that hard work. Lovely photos!
We often Get crows or magpies raiding the birds nests in the trees. Humming birds or sun birds, how exotic is that. The nest looks pretty fresh, i would tear it apart and leave it on the ground, the birds will thank you for the material.
Oh Chris – what a wonderful find! I also get so excited when I see nests!! That is such a perfect little nest and it has already been used – as you can see by the well-rounded shape inside. Little baby birds fit snuggly in there and this makes the inside look almost perfect. There also seems to be fluff inside and this comes from the baby birds. This is good to know that the baby birds have grown up and left the nest. I watched a Wagtail couple in their nest and the baby birds develop very quicky once they have hatched – in a matter of weeks. So now the mystery is what kind of bird – very keen to find out.
It could just be a nest from last season, which would mean that the birds don’t need it anymore. Nests are always very cute, though; I love the way it looks sort of hap-hazard on the outside but perfectly cozy and comfy inside.
Personally I just compost old nests, but I like the idea of passing it on to kids as a bit of nature learning.
Hi Christine, i am new here just saw yours in blotanical. We have some abandoned nests too in our area, and sometimes i can’t really identify which among those birds are the owners.
What a wonderful discovery…I don’t think it matters how long you’ve been gardening, these treasures always fascinate! You know I’m a fan of macro photography. I’m looking forward to your images…it does take a bit getting used to. There are some good articles that I found helpful on the Clicknmoms site. There is a link to that blog on mine. Happy shooting!
Dear Christine, What to do with a bird’s nest you find on the ground… I don’t know the protocol, but I have young grandsons, and we make it a ‘teaching moment’. They would love to take it to school to share at ‘show and tell’. P x
Hi Pam – what a great idea! I will print out some info about sunbirds and give it to my nephew to give to his daughter for taking to school. (I’m waiting very patiently to be blessed with a Grandchild) xx thanks for the idea!
Hummingbird? We have tiny ones here. Cute little thing:)
Hi Masha – It could be. I think I will have to try to get them on camera. I’m getting a bird bath for them out back (to put where I found the nest), so hopefully I’ll manage to get a photo one of these days.
that nest is so perfect. i hope nothing too tragic happened. lets just all say the birds found and apartment on the upper east side that has a better view.
hehe, yes Lizzie, I’m hoping that is what happened! (or a better bird bath up the road 🙂
The birdy books don’t offer much on nests. If it is really tiny, maybe a sunbird? Do you have sunbirds?
Hi Diana – I think you are right – I looked up Sunbirds and found photos – I think I have seen female Orange Crested Sunbirds in the garden. (http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/nectariniidae/anthobaphes_violacea.htm). The nest they describe sounds like my find “a sturdy oval with a circular side entrance, built of dry twiglets, heather and soft plant material bound together with spider web”. And I have lots of what they feed on in the back garden. They wake me up at 5 am every morning – so many birds making a lot of noise. I think I will have to get up at 5am one day and see if I can catch them on camera 🙂
Sorry, and yes, the nest is really tiny.
Now that is a sweet find!
Could the bird eggs gone down the squirrel’s throat? Yikes! Guess not. We have lots of birds here but I have never had the opportunity to look at a bird nest this close yet. I have big pot with a lotus plant in it. Birds love to drink from there.