Saturday, April 19, 2008

Unusual Nesting Spot

While walking just a couple hours ago, I saw something unusual. At least, I know I've never seen anything quite like it before. A robin's nest built right in the grass on the ground. At least, it surely looks like a robin's nest to me. Red-wings usually build more flimsy nests in the small trees and brush in the ditches and fencerows.
Yes, its a brand-new nest........on the shoulder of our gravel road.......you can see the road in the upper part of the above photo. The nest is very well-anchored into the thatch surrounding it.
This location would seem to be completely unsafe for a bird's nest. Why, look, there's Buster sitting just a couple feet away! If there were eggs in the nest.......they would quickly become Buster's afternoon snack.
I read once that when birds build their nests LOW IN TREES, its because they know that stormy weather with alot of wind is coming. It would seem to possibly be an ominous "portent" (Dr. Dictionary Word for today.......can you believe that??!!) that this bird built its nest all the way DOWN on the ground!! I honestly have never seen anything like this before in all my years of gawking around at things in nature. Maybe some of the rest of you have.

4 comments:

Mary Connealy said...

I think this is one of those 'survival of the fittest' moments in bird evolution.

This couple will not be having a big family.

Jeannelle said...

I think you're probably right, Mary, unless the birds know something we don't.

Country Girl said...

And you're sure it's a robins nest? Even so, I've never seen the like either!

Jeannelle said...

Country girl,

No, I'm not sure about it being a robin's nest. My son thinks maybe its a meadowlark's nest. However, yesterday while walking, I noticed a robin sitting on the fence not far from the nest, so who knows. I'll keep an eye on it.