Birds are creative, resourceful when it comes to nesting
Published 12:13 pm Friday, April 11, 2008
The law of unintended consequences kicked in a few days ago when a hanging basket (normally used for soil, a natural fiber liner and fuchsias) took on new importance to the avian community.
A steady stream of pine siskins landed, shopped, selected and took off with fiber strands to build nests in nearby trees.
Some nest-building takes a lot of energy: the orioles’ complicated hanging pouch of plant fibers, mosses and hair; or a belted kingfisher’s long tunnel dug into a bank. For simpler forms, it’s less energy-consuming.
Here are some of the materials that Northwest birds use to build nests:
Great blue heron: In Eastern Washington’s North Potholes Reserve, a long line of heron nests are going up or being remodeled. Each season they add to former large platforms of sticks, lining them with grass, leaves and fine twigs, brought by the males and arranged by females.
Black oystercatcher: Taking advantage of a shallow depression in the ground or in rocks, the oystercatcher brings pebbles, shell fragments and small pieces of driftwood. The male usually builds the nest.
Burrowing owl: These owls take advantage of an existing hole often dug by ground squirrels or badgers, modifying it into a downward sloping tunnel before branching off into a nest chamber, where they pile feathers, grasses, bones, cow dung and other plant-related matter.
Rufous hummingbird: Their nests are often found in lower- to mid-height branches away from the trunk, usually in conifers. Sometimes nests are built near each other. The cuplike nest is usually of soft plant material with moss bound by spider webs.
Swainson’s thrush: They usually nest in a small tree near the trunk, from about 2 feet to 7 feet from the ground. The female builds, in about four days, a sturdy cup using mosses, lichens, plant stems, mud, and shredded bark lined with grasses, decayed leaves and other material.
Black-capped chickadee: A cavity-nester, both sexes look for, expand or dig out an 8- to 9-inch hole 2 to 3 inches wide in rotting wood. After laying down a moss base, it makes a cup of fibers, mosses, hair, feathers and spider cocoons in the bottom of the cavity.
Our pine siskins usually nest about half way up an evergreen tree on a limb but away from the trunk. The site is chosen by the female. Pine siskins are big on bringing in softer, finer-textured materials such as feathers and fur; and several nests may be in the vicinity with more than one nest in one tree.
While there’s plenty of natural material for birds to draw from, it never hurts to put out nesting material to make the process a little easier. Not that they actually need our help.
Leave some little untidy piles around the yard that provide nest materials. Perhaps add yarn or string (cut in 4- to 6-inch lengths), human or animal hair, fur or stuffing material.
If you’re in a windy area, a suet cage works to keep everything in place. With your offerings, you may be able to attract a few more nests in your area than usual.
Or just let the fuchsia basket sit out over winter and birds might just help themselves.
Ignore at your own peril: The state boater-education card requirement is now in effect. Boat operators ages 12 to 20 using boats of 15 horsepower or more must have passed a boater-education course and carry the card. The card requirement for other age groups will be phased in through 2014. Boaters born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from this law. Information: www.parks.wa.gov/boating or call 360-586-6590.
A day for whales: Langley will host the fifth Whales Day Festival celebrating the return of resident gray whales to feeding grounds off Langley’s shore. Presented by Orca Network, this free, family event will take place on April 19, featuring music, presentations, hands-on educational displays and a parade of species featuring the handsome 20-foot gray whale, Gary. Information: 360-678-3451 or www.visitlangley.com.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
