Heron nest

 

We counted 8 herons around the lake, and then looked up.  This one was guarding the nest.

The Eagles are back

Their old nest collapsed, but they found a new tree and rebuilt.  We saw them both flying and then one by one they settled into the nest.  The last one in had a fish in its talons.  Feeding babies maybe?

 

Nest

No action yet in the Osprey nest.

 

Heronry

The herons are back in their nests at Shelly Lake.  Some trees held as many as 4 nests high in their branches.

 

Back to the nest

The eagles are back at Shelly Lake.  

 

Abandoned

Momma cardinal started her family in a vine arbor.  She must have decided that it wasn't the right place and left her nest and eggs.  We haven't seen her for a while.

 

Eagle's nest

The bald eagle parents were still on lookout near the nest.  But this time there were two young eagles sitting just out of the nest.

 

Babies everywhere

The heron chicks were making quite a racket.  We saw at least 3 nests in one big pine tree.  These two chicks had the top bunk.

 

Eagle's nest

The eagle was sitting outside the nest, watching very closely.

 

Guardian

The owl statue must have been placed on the top part of the Falls Lake Dam to scare away birds.  It didn't work for whoever made the nest.  Osprey maybe?

 

Ready for next spring

This bald eagle's nest has raised many seasons of young.  It's empty now, waiting for the next brood in the spring.

 

Drama in the birdhouse

The Carolina wrens have been flying in and out of their birdhouse with bugs.  Today, one of the babies took a stroll outside.

Mom and Dad kept watch.

They continued to feed the babies inside and out.

The others checked on the outside baby.

Finally he fell out and got caught in the netting covering our strawberry patch.  Jim rescued him.

He climbed up a ladder and tried to put the baby back.  ALL the babies fluttered out of the nest to the ground.

They fluttered away with Mom and Dad watching out for them.  

I think they'll be OK.

 

Eagle's nest

The Bald Eagle's nest is ready for business.  At the end of nesting season last year it looked pretty rundown.  Mom and Dad eagle must have been busy renovating.

 

Mama Robin

Now I see why Daddy Robin was so distressed when I was in the garden.  Mama's sitting on her nest right above the tomatoes.

Mama

First there was one egg in the nest, then three.  Now Mama cardinal will not leave her nest.  The nest is right next to the driveway, and she watches us cautiously whenever we're near.

Last year's nest

This nest blew out of a tree this spring.  The birds will have to make a new one this year.

Hawk's nest revisited

We went out on the greenway to check on our family of Red Shouldered Hawks.  Dad was in a nearby tree watching.  Suddenly Mom swooped in and sat in the nest.   (you can barely see her in the picture below.)

We haven't seen any baby heads sticking out, but I'm sure they wouldn't be taking such good care of an empty nest.

Owlets

The Great Horned Owl's nest at Wilkerson Nature Preserve has two very large owlets.  Mom doesn't sit on the nest, but she'll be close by.  

One of them was on the edge of the nest ready to jump.

The nature center has roped off the area under the nest, and put up warning signs.  The Naturalist is worried that the owlets will fall from the nest, and Mom will attack anyone that gets close to them.  The nest is right over the children's play area and picnic area, so it could be pretty ugly.

Hawk nest revisited

We checked back with our Red Shouldered Hawk nest to see what was going on.  Mom was sitting on the nest.  Dad was flying around.  We could hear him, but he was hard to see.

Heron Rookery

Along the Abbot's Creek Greenway is a Great Blue Heron Rookery.  The nests are off of the trail where they aren't visible but the Herons are very busy coming in and out building their nests.  This guy was overseeing the activity,