When we arrived at my in-laws house in Norridgewock, Maine on Friday this sweet little phoebe flew out from its nest beneath the eaves of the garage and into this nearby tree.
My father-in-law built this ledge just for the phoebes when he and mom first moved into this house and the birds have returned here to nest ever since.
The nest is constructed of grass, moss and mud usually in a sheltered location and often under roofs or bridges and sometimes inside of old barns. The parents raise the chicks together and feed them insects and caterpillars. However, I only saw one parent the whole time I was here. Below are just a few pretty things I saw around the yard as I wandered looking for more birds.
While I saw a couple of cedar waxwings flying through the treetops the only other birds I recorded were birds that I heard: a black-capped chickadee, some robins, and a white-throated sparrow. The waxwings were a nice find and my first record of them at this location and for all of Somerset County, Maine. But I was not done birding yet. I really hit the jackpot when I took a drive down to Oosoola Park! Yeah, that post is coming next! See you then!
And there’s Poetry happening over at Kathie’s Poet Tree!
This sweet post brought a big smile to my face. We have a Eastern Phoebe couple who has built a nest in our garage (in a house that is currently being built). What joy it has been to watch phoebes build a nest, sit on the eggs (female) and feed the babies. The 5 youngsters fledged a few weeks ago and are now busy feeding in the nearby forest. The adult female phoebe is back sitting on a new grouping of eggs.
ReplyDeleteAll the photographs in this wonderful post are lovely! I'm looking forward to reading about your birding experience in Oosoola Park!
Julie, I think the first phoebes I ever saw were the ones that nested in their yard! Now it is a reliable place for me to see them. They are such home bodies and make one feel equally at home! How nice that you have a pair gracing your home as well! BYW, don't you just love that name, "Oosoola?"
DeleteA lovely post Kathie. What joy it must be for your in-laws to see these Phoebe's return every year to nest and bring up their young.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely looking forward to the next installment.
Frank, it is a real joy for them and thankfully it is a repeating joy! The next installment is coming tomorrow so you won't have long to wait!
DeleteWow! That Phoebe has spectacular colors! The ones I saw in PA last month were just the black and white. The variation in these birds in incredible.
ReplyDeleteLaurence, I thibnk you are seeing the reflection of the leaves. These birds are mostly black and white but some can appear olive or even a bit yellow-green on the belly. They are so cute!
DeleteI knew you'd find birds. Love that your folks made a nice habitat for the Phoebe nest.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaelyn!
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