Two new nests discovered in last two days

While the spring migration continues to heat up, some birds have already arrived in New England and have started the process of nesting. In the last two days I discovered two new active nests. (The robin’s photo is at left. More photos are at the end of this post. Click on “continue reading” below.)

Barn swallows have returned and immediately started seeking out nests. The building where I work is home to a few barn swallow nests and yesterday I noticed the birds were back on those nests. (Of course with barn swallows, it’s not hard to discover the nests as they swoop at your head every time you get near.)

I also noticed a new American robin’s nest. Robins are very prolific in New England and there will be tons of nests to be discovered, but I noticed this one the day before the barn swallows returned.

The two nests are a good study in the variation of birds’ nest designs. The robin’s nest is predominately straw held together by mud, while the swallow’s nest is largely mud with some vegetation mixed in for support. Of course these are just two examples. Variation in nests run the gamut from a scratch in the ground (think shorebirds) to massive piles of sticks (such as eagles and osprey.) Some birds build nests, some use cavities (homemade or in trees), some merely use an impression in the ground.

Now is the time to be checking for nests. What birds are nesting where you live? Drop me a line and let me know by clicking here.