August 8, 2013 by Born To Organize

Theories on Thursday

What’s your theory?

I never sit still for long in the garden, as there is always something to do. When I do, however, I’m often rewarded. Such was the case with this bird.

‘Chillin on a branch

I heard ‘her’ singing from a tree nearby, before she flew into our yard where she sat preening on the low branch of a tree.

Preening

A second bird sat on the telephone wires, and chirped what seemed like a response. Chirp-chirp. Sing-song.

Secret code?

I took several pics of the bird resting in the Pittosporum, before she flew away. She soon returned, this time perched in the branches of a fruit tree.

Trying out the fruit tree

My husband was making repairs to the irrigation system (he doesn’t sit still for long either) so we gave up our perch on the garden swing and got to work.

The bird tracked my movements, then hopped along the fence toward the orange tree, and finally on to the neighboring fence. She continued the chatter with an ever-watchful eye.

bird on the fence

It seems late in the year for nesting, so I’m not sure what the charade was about. She definitely wanted to keep her eye on us, and with all the cats in the garden, I wanted to keep my eye safely on her as well.

Mighty Mouse lounging under the orange tree

What do you think? Was she protecting a nest nearby? Was she warning the cats to keep their distance? Was there some diabolical ruse going on with the bird on the wire and our friend on the fence? You know…’you distract them while I raid the worm bin.’ or ‘I dropped a seed and now I want to retrieve it.’

What’s your theory? I would love to hear what you think.

March 29, 2013 by Born To Organize

D.J. and the Speckles

I love my community!

Yesterday I wrote about a bird’s nest and her speckled eggs, sheltering on a client’s patio. I didn’t have a photo of Mama Bird, but knew she was ‘brown.’ Not much to go on, was it? After a futile Google search, I asked for help identifying the eggs.

My friend Sheila forwarded the photos to Larry Jordan of The Birders Report to see if he could help. Larry quickly identified the probable bird as a Dark-eyed Junco.

Mama Bird, aka D.J.

“You’re still here with that camera, I see. Don’t you have better things to do?”

Dark-eyed Junco nest

When I passed by the Pittosporum this afternoon, once again Mama Bird flew the nest. She kept her eye on me while I loaded the car, then posed for several photos. (Actually, I’m pretty sure she was just humoring me till I cleared out of there.) My photos aren’t as sharp as the one on Larry’s site, but all the signs are there: dark eyes, light brown feathers, orange beak.

I’m filled with joy knowing D.J. is still there and that she hasn’t been scared off from her nest. Mamas of all stripes are pretty fierce when it comes to protecting their young. I’m happy to report she’s no exception.

One last detail that makes me smile whenever I look at this photo: a sweet, aging Black Labrador Retriever lives in the home. It looks as though she’s made her own contribution to the lining of this nest.

Resources:

If you’re as fascinated with nests as I am, this site is for you. Larry has an extensive photo library of bird eggs and nests with guidelines for identifying (without ever disturbing) the mama-bird and her clutch.

March 28, 2013 by Born To Organize

Speckled Eggs

Pittosporum with Nest

When I climbed the brick patio steps of a potential client last week I startled a little brown bird. She hopped along my path, then the low wall and finally flew away toward the garden.

I started a project at the same home this week, and again spotted the bird. This time she flew from the low branches of a potted Pittosporum. The jangling of keys in the door must have startled her. She flew out like a shot, surprising us both. When it happened a third time, I knew their had to be a nest.

With my camera in hand, and mama bird elsewhere, I peered into the dense leaves. Nothing.

Assuming I’d imagined the whole thing, I took one last look and there it was: a tiny, hair-lined nest and five speckled eggs. Goosebumps!

Bird's Nest Closeup Bird's Nest with eggs

Much like Sarah The Gardener, and her ‘stolen’ chic, I’ve found myself feeling responsible for the tiny eggs. Will mama bird continue to visit the nest with these frequent interruptions? Is this the first time she made her home there, or does she come back every year? I want to be sure to notify the movers so they don’t accidentally jostle the nest. It’s a mere arm’s length from the front door, protected from the elements but not from the sudden jolt of a box of dishes or the end of a couch.

I’ve searched the web for ways to identify the eggs, and possible gestation, but it’s been tricky. I think I’ve narrowed it down, but hope to get one more look at mama bird tomorrow to help me decide.

Any guesses?

Update: My friend Sheila forwarded the photos to Larry Jordan of The Birders Report to see if he could help. Larry quickly identified the probable bird as a Dark-eyed Junco.

House Finch (native to the Bay Area)

Los Gatos Birdwatcher Partners

Bird’s Nest Webcams:

Bolsa Chica Nest Cam

Phoebe Allans Nest Cam

February 12, 2013 by Born To Organize

Waiting for the Birds

Tick-tock…the waiting game

I’m tracking my various nesting materials in the garden, but no discernible visitors just yet. At first I was hoping to spot a bird swooping by. Now I’d be happy with any sign that they’ve found the super-soft bits of wool, laundry lint and yarn. I hung the wreath in the Magnolia tree outside my home office window. The bag of laundry lint is hanging from the Pittosporum out back. I even added a third, large plastic bag, weighted down with a garden table for the squirrels. It’s directly in their path. No takers.

Nesting Wreath

After our last big storm I found remnants of what may have been a nest from last year under the pine tree. The bits of blue lint were unmistakably the color of our flannel sheets. So…I remain hopeful.

On the subject of birds, I signed up for tweets (I crack myself up) about Phoebe the Allen Hummingbird. I learned today that she’s already laid the first egg of her next brood. These hummers generally lay a pair at a time, the size of tiny breath mints.

Phoebe’s nest. First egg, February 10th

Here is the link to the live webcam in case you missed it. Warning: watching the nest all day is habit-forming. That said, it’s a habit worth forming. Enjoy!

January 28, 2013 by Born To Organize

When a Rose, Isn’t Just a Rose

Should I or shouldn’t I?

I’ve had my eyes glued to the inner branches of a rosebush all weekend. I’m right back at it today. This isn’t just ‘any’ rosebush. In fact, it’s not even my rosebush.

Tucked into the branches of this very special rosebush are a pair of nesting Allen Hummingbirds. They’re expected to fledge at any time. It’s mesmerizing watching the activity at the nest, something you wouldn’t normally see. Thanks to an astute gardener and the wonders of streaming video, you can see Phoebe’s nest 24/7 courtesy of a webcam just inches from the nest.

I’ve been snapping screen shots for the past few days, whenever ‘Faith’ or ‘Sandy’ start hovering above the golf-ball sized nest. Most of my screen shots are false alarms. Then, while I was seeing one of my boys off to school, one of the girls fledged the nest.

Then…she came back! She left again (when I turned my back), and again returned. It’s been quite the morning. I have two windows open on my computer as I write this, wishing you were all sitting here with me watching the show.

Sandy fledged, then returned

Once hatched, the hummingbirds leave the nest within twenty days or so. Sadly, many don’t survive the first year, but those that do can live upwards of 12 years. After watching the nest for so long, I’ve started to think of them as ‘my baby birds.’ I’ll bet everyone else feels the same way. In fact, Phoebe has quite the following. As of this writing, she’s had close to 15 million views in over sixty countries.

I encourage you to click on the webcam link below. If you miss the fledge, chances are she’ll be nesting again soon. Phoebe returns to this rosebush every year, laying five clutches a season.

Here’s what you might see:

Mama Phoebe feeding her offspring.
Faith and Sandy fledging (leaving) the nest
Grooming (known as preening)
Dozing…so darn cute when they close those eyes

Be sure to tell a friend!

Phoebe Allen webcam streaming live from California (PST)

Phoebe, Sandy and Faith

Phoebe feeds her brood every 15-30 minutes

Trying out her wings

Dedicated to Erica and Joe. Thank you for making this all possible.

January 10, 2013 by Born To Organize

Falling in Love with Phoebe the Hummer

Visiting our Yard Today

Phoebe is an Allen Hummingbird living in a rose-bush in Southern California. Through the magic of modern technology, you can watch Phoebe and her young on a live webcam, courtesy of Phoebe Allens WebCam. It is a sight to behold.

According to the site owner, Phoebe built several nests in their garden rose-bush over several years. Sometimes she spruces up a nest for reuse or she builds a new one. She’s been coming back to the same rose-bush since 2007! In addition to the live stream, they’ve kept a nest log, detailing the number of eggs laid, hatched and fledged.

Nature being what it is, not all of the eggs or fledglings survive. I would be an emotional wreck if I saw one of the crows swoop in while I was watching. That said, peering into a nest up close like that is incredible. Over 12 million visitors have come to the site. Once you take a look (day time hours, Pacific Standard Time) you’ll see why.

So far I’ve seen Phoebe feed her babies (twice). I’ve seen infant birds wiggling alone in the nest and I’ve seen mama fly in and out several times. I’ve already trained my ears to the sound of her wings, so I click over when I hear them.

Here are a few more details about Phoebe from the site:

Phoebe is a non-migratory Channel Islands Allen’s Hummingbird She builds her nests in a rose-bush, and the nest is about the size of a golf ball, with eggs being about the size of a tic-tac candy. The season for nesting is October through May/early June, and Phoebe will lay four to five clutches per season. Two eggs are laid per clutch, they hatch after 17 days, and the chicks typically fly three to four weeks later. Phoebe will sometimes build a new nest, but frequently repairs old nests.

Special thanks to Boomdeeada for sharing this site. I keep it open on my computer when I’m working at home and pop over whenever I can. If you take a peak, please let me know what you think. I’m in love. ♥