"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

House hunting already?

It seems a bit early to me, but maybe the birds know something we don't know.  Our weather has gotten chilly again, although the sun has been out most of the day, snow is still in the forecast.  That's why I was quite surprised to see the birds out house hunting in the middle of February.  I thought I had noticed a pair of Chickadees visiting a new birdhouse yesterday, but then thought maybe they were just being nosy - Chickadees are pretty curious birds.  But then they were out there again this morning.

 I hung this birdhouse last year purely as a decoration.  I never thought birds would actually try to use it.  As you can see it's right by the deck where a lot of activity happens.  I'm not sure this is the best place for them to choose.

 Normally the birdhouse behind the pond is the first to be taken by Chickadees.  Hopefully they'll decide to use that one instead.  It's much safer and less commotion to disturb the family.

 The Bewick's Wrens start numerous nests in different birdhouses and then decide which one they'll use to lay their eggs in.  One of the birds had a big beak full of dried grass while this one would rustle around and then poke it's head out every so often.

 I love when birds pop their heads out just to take a peek of their surroundings.

 Probably wondering where their partner went with all the nesting supplies.

 I think the Wrens picked the perfect spot in this quiet corner under the Cedar tree.  Lots of Hellebores blooming to give their front yard some color.

Just had to get another picture of Hellebore 'Mardi Gras Double'.  I keep hoping it'll reseed like the others have done in this area.

Anyone else seeing signs of house hunting by the birds near them?  Lets hope they aren't confused and know spring won't be far off.
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33 comments:

  1. Catherine,
    No signs of any house hunting here. If your wrens are anything like our Carolina Wrens they will nest about anywhere.

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  2. Thoroughly enjoyed the wren shots. No signs of nesting down here, but I'm sure we'll see some activity soon.
    Thanks for sharing these great pics!

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  3. Great shots of the cute little wren poking its head out to check out the neighborhood! I haven't seen any signs of bird activity in my two birdhouses. I am really hoping someone moves into one of them this year! We have lots of chickadees but I haven't seen any wrens.

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  4. I've noticed the Wrens looking inside the empty flower pots on my patio! The bird feeder is being emptied out almost daily, too!.

    Sunny and warm weather here, but it won't last more than a week, then winter will return.

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  5. It does seem a little early, but I assume the birds know best. We're getting some of that same cold blast as you at the moment. I don't know if you saw our 'hail' photo on FB ;) Completely unexpected, and sunny again 5 minutes later. Crazy weather. I was a bird, I think I'd hunker down for a few more weeks before thinking about nest building. As for commotion and busy parts of the garden, our flycatchers didn't mind last year. They nested on the light by the front door! Silly birds.

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  6. Guess it's time to get some bird houses out for the house hunters. Cute pictures of the Wren looking out of the house.
    by the way-- the frogs are some kind of Chorus Frogs. They are an inch long, so not sure if I can get a picture of one for your Little Gardener. I will try in any case.

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  7. Catherine, Your Wren will put sticks into any house or cavity nearby, as you say . . . most are just dummy nests to be sure no other bird will take them. Wrens will not allow other birds to nest in houses. At least that is the behavior of the House Wren who visit here. Bluebirds are deciding on their houses now but will not build nests until much later . . . in early spring. They will defend their houses now, however. I feel sad for your chickadees. I am curious to know how your community develops there. Have you had Wrens nesting in your garden before? I have a real issue with the ones here, for the crack eggs and even kill baby bluebirds.

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  8. The wren is SOOO cute. We have lots of family commotion going on around here with the birds. I think it is earlier than in the past and, like you, have thought they might know something we don't know.
    I'm glad I've found your blog. It will be interesting to see what happens with the house by pool.
    nellie

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  9. OMG! I have never seen a bird in a little bird house that you've provided before...that is so cute. I have bird houses too, but no one has taken up residence yet. :-( All we usually see here are English Sparrows, but I do love to see them. There is a nest in the tree across the street from me. I do hope they will come back soon! We are cold and very windy here in Vegas tonight! Hurry Spring hurry!

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  10. What sweet photos! That hellebore is gorgeous!
    Did you get the snow this morning? It was forecast for your part of the world, but we got quite a bit.

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  11. Carol - I didn't know much about the Bewick's wren and did a little research. Apparently they are on the decline especially in eastern US and it's believed the House wren may be the cause. I've never found the Bewick's staying in any of the houses they've started here, although I did find they start nest building in February so I guess they are right on time. They are usually singing alone in the shubbery and I've never noticed them being aggressive towards the other nests. It's just been the house sparrows that have tried to take over the houses, but that I've only seen once in my yard. The Chickadees usually have at least one nest going here, sometimes they stay and have a second brood. I'll have to pay closer attention to the wrens behaviour this year. I'd be sad if such a cute bird was so mean in my yard.

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  12. I've noticed a lot of bird activity too. Feels like spring here and we are close. I just read the GBBC is this weekend. Should be fun. You have a headstart already.

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  13. Hi Catherine, It's too early for birds to move into houses here... but I'm "jealous" that you have chickadees moving into your houses!!

    Your hellebore is GORGEOUS! :-)

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  14. Catherine, That sweet little wren poking his head out of his new house is so gosh darn cute. I hope spring comes early. I'm sure the birds are on to something. I'm just sure of it. :) Lovely hellebores.

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  15. I'm going to believe they know something we don't! I actually am feeling like we're going to have an early spring tho. Everything is ahead of this time last year. I haven't seen any birds nesting or house hunting yet (except for hawks, eagles and owls). Your photos sure are cute. I hope they move in.

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  16. I have little bird houses here and there in carefully selected spots, but so far, no birds have even take a peek inside...as far as I'm able to tell! I think you're SO lucky & spoilt to have them flock to yours! What is the secret, would you say?

    Your pond and deck areas look so lovely and neat and all ready for the approach of the warmer weather, Catherine.

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  17. I've had a pair of blue tits roosting in the nest box on our fence, which has prevented me from clearing it out ready for Spring! The confusing thing is they are behaving as if they are feeding young already, perching at the entrance poking their heads inside with a mouth full of stuff. I'm hoping it is just nest building, but even that seems rather early.

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  18. Bluebirds are starting to nest in the houses we have put up in our yard. I vote for an Early Spring!

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  19. There is some activity here with the birds, it won't be long!

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  20. Your hellebore's are so pretty. Sometimes the housing market gets tight so maybe your wrens are shopping early. LOL!

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  21. We spotted two male Eastern Bluebirds fighting over a female which was perched on a branch above them. Another male was looking on as well.

    This morning I saw two goldfinches in a rustle also. Spring is in the air with our birds for sure….

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  22. Oh, and the trees are filled with chattering birds as I type....

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  23. Dear Catherine, The birds are absolutely adorable...and what stylish homes you provide for them. They have certainly been busy in your garden so spring cannot be far away!

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  24. Great photos you captured and really enjoyed them. Makes one realize we indeed are close to spring.

    Cher
    Goldenray Yorkies

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  25. I love your little birdhouse by the deck. They might not mind a bit of commotion to have such prime real estate. I'm blown away each time I see that gorgeous hellebore of yours. Wow!

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  26. Stunning hellebore and cute birds. Double hellebores might be sterile like a lot of other double flowers.

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  27. Love that Hellebore (as well as all your GBBD photos)!

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  28. Adorable photos Catherine. Like Darla, we have bluebirds poking around in the nesting boxes! Hope you and the family have a nice weekend.

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  29. Catherine, that Mardi Gras Double is beautiful. I hope I can find it. I love seeing that little bird who has already found his house.

    Eileen

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  30. Oh, how fun. I can't wait to see if any birds nest in my garden this year. If I were a bird there, your garden would be the first choice! Especially with all those beautiful blooming hellebores!

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  31. I love the photos of the little bird poking its head out of the bird house -- too cute. The birds are pairing up here too. We don't have birdhouses, but we've got habitat on either side of our house where I'm sure they are finding suitable homes.

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  32. I forgot to mention, we had mockingbirds nest in the tree in our front garden last year, and Carolina wrens nesting in a plant on the back patio. They are very welcome to return this year.

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