A Chipping Sparrow has decided to make a nest in a spot in the garden where you cannot avoid walking right by. On a arch covered with New Dawn roses that separates two parts of the garden, it has built a little cup, a bit more than a meter off the ground. I read that they are not particularly afraid of humans, and it seems so. Even when you walk right by, she stays on the nest and does not seem overly nervous.
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| The arch with the nest |
In an old bird book (Taverner's Birds of Eastern Canada, 1919) the author says that they are sometimes called the hair bird because they use a lot of horse hair in their nests. Well, there is no horse around, but the nest still has a fair bit of hair in it. Dog hair we think. We had a dog visiting last week and, without knowing it, Sunny seems to have contributed to this nest building effort. You can just see two of the pale blue eggs below.
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| Pale Blue Eggs of the Chipping Sparrow |
In actual fact the spot they chose to build is perhaps not as bad as it would seem. Humans won't interfere with them, and except for raccoons, no other animal can get into the garden. Squirrels and chipmunks could interfere, but we do not have any this year (too many predators last winter). Last time I was able to look, there were four eggs. If you click on the following picture to enlarge it, you can just see her sitting on the nest right by the post, in the middle of the picture.
We will wish them good luck!
I fear for the poor little things being so close to the ground. But as you say, there aren't too many predators which can affect them. Keep an eye out for those raccoons!
ReplyDeleteBold as brass little birds. We've had them withing arm's reach on downspouts and the like. I believe they believe they are invisible.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed very bold little things. I don't think they are in great danger. We have had a wren nest destroyed by raccoons last year but it was in a box on top of the fence right where raccoons like to walk. This nest is not not near the raccoons pathway and is very discreetly tucked-in the foliage.
DeleteWhat a luxurious nest lined with hair and surrounded by New Dawn roses! From a human perspective, it seems perfect.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right. She is surrounded by rose buds that will open any day now. There still are 4 eggs. I don't suppose she will lay anymore. I have not seen the male yet. I hope he turns up to help feed the chicks when the time comes!
DeleteA perfect garden accessory! According to Harrison's Peterson Eastern Birds' Nests, 4 eggs is the usual, rarely 5. Incubation by the female lasts 11-14 days, beginning the day before the last egg is laid. The male feeds his incubating mate, so you should see him coming and going if you watch for a while.
ReplyDeleteHaving horses, we occasionally find nests lined with horsehair in the 'old' style. Sheri
You are right Sheri. I finally saw the male bring her a little snack this morning. They are easy to observe as the nest is about 2 m from the patio where we sit and often have our meals in summer. It looks like every hour or so she goes away for a few minutes to stretch her wings. There 4 eggs.
DeleteA lovely nest, cozy, soon surrounded by roses ...
ReplyDeleteHopefully small grow well! ;)
Lovely - is the rose thorny too for added protection?
ReplyDeleteThe roses are just starting to open all around her. She looks very snug! An yes, there are a few thorns.
ReplyDelete