Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Nest

This is a new one to me. I've never seen a bird's nest like this one before. I once found a robin that was guarding her nest. I recently showed you a blue jay that was building a nest. I've seen squirrel's nests. But this one is different.

It was out there hanging by just the two sides. And it wasn't very high off the ground. There were not many other branches or thick brush to hide it at all. It seemed so vulnerable there all by itself. For one moment I wanted to pluck it from its place and examine it, and the next moment I wanted to protect it from that very act.

I wonder if this is a new nest or an old one. It isn't very big. I could hold it comfortably in one hand. I almost thought it was a hornets nest at first because of its small size. And the craftsmanship is just amazing. Could a human make something like this so easily?

It was hard not to feel bad and good at the same time while looking at it. It seemed like it couldn't stand even the smallest breeze, but yet there it is. And then the thought of the new life that could be resting in that little bowl made me feel so very happy.

The nest is in this last picture too. Right in the center. Click the picture if you'd like a better look. Backspace will bring you right back here. This nest is such a small thing, but it brought me a large new adventure. I'm glad I found it.


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18 comments:

  1. I am too excited to find a bird nest too.

    It is even more fun to find baby birds inside.

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  2. Sweet photos, I love taking walks and coming across sentimental bits of nature. My children do as well. This is something they would talk about all year!

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  3. It will be interesting to see what kind it is. A fun find while outin the woods.

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  4. That's an amazing nest, and very well constructed! What an awesome find, Ratty!

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  5. @Rainfield
    Baby birds would be so great to find. I have come close, but I'm still hoping for that prize.
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    @Christy
    I'm glad you are teaching your children about nature. They will always cherish this when they get older.
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    @Out on the prairie
    I hope I eventually find out. I've seen the nests of robins and they are a little sloppier looking.
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    @Icy BC
    Yeah, it was built so well. I hope I find the owner one of these times.

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  6. I would love to know what kind of nest that is. It looks so perfect.

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  7. It looks so vulnerable sitting up there all alone. It's amazing how tough they really are though. I hope you find out what kind of bird built it. It's really nice.

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  8. Do you think it is a hummingbird nest? I would think those are really, really tiny.

    I love winter because all of those little nests are visible to the eye. Nice find, Ratty!

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  9. Dang- I really need that nests and eggs field guide! It's on my wish list.

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  10. @Ann
    I'd love to know too. I hope Ifind out some time.
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    @Ginnymo
    Yeah, it's hard to believe it stays up there. Maybe I'll get lucky and see the birds.
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    @Lin
    I really wish I knew, but nests are new things for me. I'll watch it very close though.
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    @Sharkbytes
    I'd love to have that one too, or any good field guide for that matter. I only have a few beginner field guides.

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  11. That will be a good one to follow up on! It appears to be very well crafted and carefully woven.

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  12. I love to see nests like this one, they are always interesting. It is definitely too big to be a hummingbird's nest, those are really tiny and usually well hidden. It reminds me on one I saw once that belonged to a Red-eyed vireo, they are woven and cup shaped and hung on branches like that. Whoever built it was a master craftsman, that is really neatly done.

    Good mystery Ratty!

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  13. I would like to know what type of nest that is too! My human saw a hummingbird nest once, and it is definitely far smaller!

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  14. @Montucky
    I hope I find out something more about it.
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    @SquirrelQueen
    I'll keep looking to see if I can find the builder, maybe a vireo is a step in the right direction.
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    @Sparkle
    Everyone seems to agree that it's not a hummingbird, so that narrows it down a bit. We're getting closer.

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  15. I would hate to think that a storm might bring that little nest down, especially if it is holding newborns or eggs about to hatch. Seems like an odd place to set up housekeeping but I suppose that mother knows best.

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  16. We just found a nest just like this in Manning, South Carolina. Found your posts on google...any update on what kind of bird could have made this?
    Marie Powell
    mariemahoney@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Marie. I wish I could tell you what kind of bird made the nest, but I never found out. I haven't been back to that place in quite some time now.

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  17. Hi there. Nice find. :) That is most definitely the nest of either a red-eyed vireo or a white-eyed vireo. The two nests are both identical in construction. The only way to crack the case would be to see the bird. I actually collect old nests in the winter, and I have one of both in my collection. They really are amazing builders.

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