NatureLog
Nature & Energy Insights
Lest you get out those garden tools and start trimming back, our visit to the local plant nursery this morning was a reminder to hold off. There is an Anna's Hummingbird nesting on the branch of a short tree right in the middle of all of the plants for sale! She doesn't seem to mind the comings and goings at all, according to the nursery staff, who have had to continue watering their merchandise as she settles onto her new nest. ;-) The staff said they had seen her gathering up the nesting materials - specifically cobwebs here and there - as she continued to build out her sturdy little nest. Remember how tiny these nests are - just a little wider than an adult hummingbird. Be on the lookout for them anywhere around the outside of your home - including the place you might least expect them. My friend and fellow seal rescue crewmate, Maria, has even had them nesting on her Christmas lights that she laughed about not having taken down in a timely fashion. Bet she has no regrets about that now! ;-) As always, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator if you find a bird or newborn chick in need. Be sure to enjoy the season!!
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I just love this time of year - baby birds frantically following their parents, wings aflutter, mouths agape, and those exhausted parents flitting around on the ground, in the trees, at the feeders - anywhere they can find a good food source for their young. This is a time we anxiously await in our home. Even one of our dogs participates as we help our backyard birds prepare for nest-making. Contributing his shedding hair to an empty hanging basket, the chickadees and other birds happily take from the basket full of his hair much like we might use our local "Lowes" or "Home Depot". And then we patiently await the newborn arrivals.... Finally, our patience pays off: the little ones arrive. We haven't had a chance to spy any actual nests and eggs. But our yard comes alive with the newly-fledged once they bravely leave their nests, eagerly following their parents around the yard. The young are often so awkward - I just love watching all of their "newborn" behaviors as they explore their new world. Right now, we have new Chickadees, new Lesser Goldfinches, and just this weekend we noticed a new Bewick's Wren chick with its parent. We also have numerous juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos amongst them, scavenging for food, often arguing with one another like typical siblings. They're likely from the same brood - all showing up at the same time in the season, and generally all using the yard for seed-searching. I always stop and watch in amazement the hard-working parents. It can't be easy being a bird parent - like any animal or human parent, for that matter. It's a lot of responsibility and a lot of hard work. I'm grateful for the opportunity to live in harmony with all of these beautiful birds and their young as they begin their new lives. With gratitude to all of these hard-working parents as they bring new life into the world - contributing to the chorus of nature I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy..... Remember that this is the season of nesting, so be sure to do all of your tree trimming at a later time. You never know what birds may be using your trees and shrubs for their nesting needs. And as always, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator if you find a bird or newborn chick in need. Enjoy the season!! One of the exciting things to experience at Clear Lake is the return of Western and Clarks Grebes to mate, nest and raise their young. The many symbolic gestures of the mating pairs proves to be a captivating scene. Between the beautiful 'dance' as the mating Grebes dance across the water, the passing of fish between the birds in the pair, and other mating rituals, it's always fascinating to observe these magnificent birds. To give you an estimate of the magnitude of the nesting area, in a 2015 study of the Clear Lake Grebe nests, Floyd E. Hayes, Dylan Turner, and Aimee Wyrick estimated 4,993 (!) nests on Clear Lake that one season alone. This year, I missed the ritual dance across the water but was delighted to experience the passing of the fish between prospective mates. As the male surfaced with a fish, I'd watch as the female lowered her head and swam straight across at the male until taking the fish in her beak. They did this repeatedly, giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy observing such a special, but short-lived ritual. From what I observed, the males were quite adept at catching fish for their prospective mates. ;-) Later in the evening, we were delighted to watch as the Grebes repeatedly hunted for their fish just at the edge of the water where we could see them clearly as they swiftly chased their prey. But Grebes aren't the only attraction this time of year. There were plenty of nesting Great Blue Herons, Tree Swallows, and even a nesting Western Bluebird pair to enjoy all around us. It was difficult to do anything but sit and watch this wonderful bird sanctuary come to life with spring nesting activity. I enjoy Clear Lake any time of year, but I know we'll be back again for this special season in years to come. Godspeed to all of the hard-working parents and their new offspring ..... Remember that this is the season of nesting, so be sure to do all of your tree trimming at a later time. You never know what birds may be using your trees and shrubs for their nesting needs. And as always, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator if you find a bird or newborn chick in need. Enjoy the season!! |
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January 2023
AuthorPamela, Eyes4Nature's proprietor, enjoying life out in the field among the animals and the peacefulness of nature. Categories
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