Some birds are building a nest in my garage

[Longhorn]

so now I have to leave the door open! They usually build it in my hanging baskets but I haven't put them back outside yet because we had a late freeze. I can put them out today -- I wonder if they would change their plans? They hatch about four babies every year.

Here's one of their flock who liked to sleep in the straw hat I had hanging on my glass front door last year:

[suninvited]

1. Barn Swallows build a nest in our garage every year

and we closed the door every night as soon as we were sure the mother was in for the night, which was usually around dusk. First thing in the morning we open the door, and out she goes.

What kind of baby is that?

[Longhorn]

2. It's actually a full-grown bird.

I used to know my birds when I was in elementary school but I'm not very good at it now. They're small -- maybe four inches from beak to tail. The next they build is only about six inches in diameter.

It's warm here now and we live in the country so I can leave the door open without too much risk. I'm afraid if I move the nest, they won't build another.

[applegrove]

3. I have a mystery bird family that hatched under my stoop last year.

I'm hoping they come back. Was fun to be in the middle of nature. But the wasps have to go.

[Longhorn]

5. Yes, you find yourself really caring about them

(the birds, not the wasps!) :) We even got to see a couple of the babies take their first flight and not return to the nest. The baskets hang at chest level so the nest is easy to spy on. I just have to be careful when I water the basket. They prefer the Boston fern. :)

[applegrove]

8. I don't get a look see of my nest. I just hear the little churps every time I walk

past. And mom will fly away if I go by. I think to get me off the trail of her babies. Poor mom.

[zanne]

12. Has a mockingbird ever swept down at you?

Whenever there's a mockingbird nest in the area, the humans and cats have to watch out. They don't actually touch you, but they sweep down to about an inch from your head if you're anywhere near the nest area. I've seen them chase our cats across the street!

[applegrove]

17. I've never seen a mockingbird. Must be an American bird. I'm up here in Canada.

[zanne]

20. During the past 20 or so years, they've come up to NH.

It used to be a southern bird, but now some of them even winter up here! I love them, even if they are a little aggressive sometimes.

[DarkTirade]

4. Every year birds would nest in our chimney in my parents' old house.

Of course, it wasn't a problem because this was in spring... in Florida. No need for us to build a fire then. :) I think we used the fireplace once in the 15 or so years we lived in that house, just to see if it worked. Never needed it.

We did, however, have to make sure the flu was shut tight. Otherwise the birds might accidentally find their way into the house.

[Longhorn]

7. That can get noisy!

:)

[DarkTirade]

23. Which was the other reason to make sure the flu was closed tightly.

:)

[xchrom]

6. ok -- that officially makes you the best!

i love taking care of the backyard animal life.

[Longhorn]

9. Aw, thanks!

:hug:

You'll really love me when I tell you I "rescued" a pygmy goat the other day. He had managed to get out of his yard so I stopped and figured out how to get him back in. His owners have an electric gate that has a little too much play in it and I think that's how he got out. He weighed too much to lift over the fence but he cooperated when I pushed on the gate and gave him a little push, all while a big gorgeous yellow lab puppy was greeting us on the other side! :D

[xchrom]

19. lol -- then that makes you the best-est!

:applause:

[jpak]

10. Looks like a Carolina Wren

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/carolina-wren.html

[Longhorn]

14. I was thinking a wren

but I thought wrens were smaller. However, from your link, it looks like that's exactly what they are! And I live in Central Texas, which is on the western edge of their habitat. Thanks! :hi:

[jpak]

24. If it's central Texas it's probably a Bewick's Wren...

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bewicks_Wren.htmlhttp://content.ornith.cornell.edu/UEWebApp/images/

:hi:

[Longhorn]

25. I'm sold

because of the tail! Plus the affinity for living near buildings. We have LOTS of trees in which they could build their nests but we have found so many nests near the house or in the garage. Thanks again! :hi:

[zanne]

11. I would be honored if birds built a nest in my garage....

We usually have a nest in our Spruce tree, but it's almost impossible to see.

[Longhorn]

15. I do feel honored

and that's why I don't want to disturb them.

I saw a nest in our crepe myrtle one year that we could see fairly well from our second floor window. I love pets (we have five dogs) but there's something special about observing wildlife try to carry on with their lives. :hi:

[BarenakedLady]

13. Cool

I can't wait for Spring.

[Longhorn]

16. It's supposed to get in the 90s here today.

I have a hard time looking forward to spring because that means it will get hot and stay hot until October! I grew up in Indiana and Michigan and really miss the first frost and autumn color -- to me, it means the same as seeing irises push through the snow probably means to you. :) However, I was only 16 when we moved to Texas so I never really had to deal with the down side of cold and snow so I know I have a rather romantic view of it.

[BarenakedLady]

18. It is actually mild today

I walked down to the bus stop to get the kids (1/2 day today). It is about 60. The snow is melting. :woohoo:

[Shine]

21. If I were you, I'd consider that an incredibly good omen

new beginnings...fresh starts...vitality and growth....here comes Spring!! :bounce:

:hi: :hug:

[Longhorn]

22. Good idea!

I'm looking for those omens (good ones, only) everywhere! :hug:

[Darth_Kitten]

26. Be neighbourly and invite them inside for cake and coffee.

They can eat the crumbs and you can drink the coffee. :D

[Longhorn]

28. They (and you, Darth_Kitten) would be safer outside

since we have five dogs. But they rarely have access to the front yard so the birds (and you!) still have plenty of room. :) I miss having cats but I'm allergic to them. :(

[wildeyed]

27. We had a robin who nested in a shrub that had grown up over a window.

I had a great close up view of her and the babies every spring. I was having and nursing my babies during the same period, so I felt a certain kinship.

[Longhorn]

29. I totally understand that!

We moms have got to stick together! :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. When I clean hair out of my comb,

I sometimes leave it in a bush near our wren's nest. I once saw him grab a bunch, so I guess he occasionally finds it useful...

[Longhorn]

31. They're pretty resourceful, aren't they?

They've definitely got the "Reuse" part of the three R's down! :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. I love wrens!

They're great bug-eaters. And they're so fearless! I love the way they'll come onto the porch and give me hell if the feeders are empty!

[Kat45]

32. Awwww! That bird looks so cute sleeping there.

That's great that you have a bird nest at your place. I'd love to be able to watch baby birds hatchin and growing up. :-)

[Longhorn]

33. It does make me feel good!

Not that I'm doing anything much but I do try to watch out for them.

That bird slept in the hat regularly for several nights -- he was still there sometimes first thing in the morning. They also slept in my hanging baskets when it started to get cold in the fall so that I hated bringing the baskets in! :)

[littlebit]

34. That is so cool

We have one that has been sleeping in our carport for a few years. I don't know what kind it is though.

[Longhorn]

37. There was a time when I knew all of the main birds and leaves.

It was a long time ago. ;)

[Flaxbee]

36. I love birds, but hate the fledgling season, simply because

there are so many cats around here -- I try to care for the ferals, get them spayed or neutered, but still - I worry so much about the little ones learning to fly. I usually spend most of my day staring out the window, screaming at the cats that come into our yard. Sweet birds.

[Longhorn]

38. That's a tough position!

Rescuing feral cats and protecting birds at the same time. Thanks! :hug: