Fortunately, there is no reason to decide which is my favorite bird - bluebirds or Carolina wrens. Both are nesting within feet of the front of the house. The wrens began home-building one day last week when the impatiens in the hanging basket grew tall enough to conceal a nest.
Wrens love to hop. One lands on the deck railing and looks up to the flower basket before taking a leap upward.
The nest is fairly obvious (note messy-looking leaf pile) from inside the house, but is well-concealed from the other three sides. The wrens first excavated a hole in the dirt, then brought old, soft leaves to line the nest. It has a side entrance, from which the wren below is exiting.
I presume the mother is sitting on her eggs as I speak. I've been working too much to monitor the nest closely.
The wrens built their home as we prepare to leave ours. We're moving at the end of the month. I think I envy the birds their lack of possessions. No need for complicated logistics and expensive movers. Select a pot of flowers, move some leaves, and in one day - new home.
9 comments :
I hope the eggs will hatch before you leave! If moving were only so simple. I have moved many times and it never gets easier. I hope it will be a seamless transition for you. I was in Chapel Hill last weekend visiting my sister and her family who just moved there from NYC. Loved it! I am preparing a post on my visit to Fearrington Village. I am looking forward to exploring all the town has to offer (so many great gardens!) on future visits.
I had a wren's nest under the deck stairs last year. It is so fun to watch. Good luck on your move!
The wrens have not nested this year which was disappointing...what great photos of yours...our robins have hatched and we will have yet another bunch of young ones in the garden...good luck on the move....I have been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing.
Karin, I am hoping the eggs will hatch and the little wrens fledge before we move. They have 3 weeks. Otherwise the hanging basket will have to convey. :)
The buying and selling of house has been so stressful that I've been wondering why anyone ever buys or sells a house...
NYC to Chapel Hill - hope your sister doesn't suffer too much from culture shock! Fearrington Village has such beautiful gardens. Look forward to your post. I love the cows there, too ...
Sage, I remember your wrens posts from last year. I hope to get a chance to see the babies before we move. Last year wrens managed to raise their young in a hanging fern and have them fledge without me catching a glimpse. They were so well hidden in their dugout nest.
Donna, I will have to catch up on your blog and see the robins. I have missed blogging more regularly and visiting my blogging friends. Too much to do with both new job and the move! The new house has an amazing garden...
Sheila, I'm so glad to read that your new home has a great garden! At least that's something you can look forward to, when all the uproar subsides. Or at least, when some of it does--I'm not sure that ALL uproar-iness ever does... The wrens are so tiny and perfect. I love the shot of the one looking straight up. They must get a little soggy when you have to water the plant, though!
They are cute little guys, aren't they?! I hope your move goes well, and we'll look forward to your posts in your new location!
Stacy, I can't believe how fortunate we were to find a house with an established and lovely garden... I watered the impatiens today and no startled birds flew out. I wonder where they are?
Hi Beth, thanks for the good wishes for the move!
Aw, how cute that you can see the wrens and their nest! Wrens are such inquisitive birds and fun to watch.
Good luck on the move! I know how much work and stress a move can be.
Indie, yes, they are such curious birds, so loud and fearless. Sadly, they seem to have abandoned the nest. I guess it must have been a dummy nest... But I still see them all the time in the garden.
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