With our very mild winter and early spring, the bird life is taking advantage of the situation by singing, staking out territories, and even building nests. Yesterday at Luther Burbank Park, Sue Stewart and I observed a pair of Bushtits in the early stages of building their nest. We were in the wetlands doing our monthly bird survey. The Bushtits were constructing their nest in a bare leafed Red-twig Dogwood bush. Sphagnum moss was the first layer of “Brick” to their developing sock-like house. Ron Reeder was with us, and provides the photo below. Notice the yellow eyes on the female Bushtit. We also were fortunate to see an Anna’s Hummingbird gathering the soft material in the Cattail sausage-like casing. The Anna’s flew off with a huge wad that will provide the soft interior of its lichen nest. The entire park was alive with birds singing, bathing, gathering seeds and insects. A large flock of Pine Siskins were gleaning the cones of Alder trees. There are still signs of winter birds that have not yet moved on. Fox Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Purple Finches, and Ring-necked Ducks were still basking in our mild weather. These species do not nest in our area, but will move either east or north to their nesting grounds.
It is time to put out, or clean up your bird boxes. And if you can, treat yourself to a bird cam that fits easily inside a bird box. No one can resist watching baby birds hatch and being fed.
Judith Roan
It is time to put out, or clean up your bird boxes. And if you can, treat yourself to a bird cam that fits easily inside a bird box. No one can resist watching baby birds hatch and being fed.
Judith Roan
