Monday, August 4, 2008

A Chipping Sparrow Nest

I wish I could have gotten closer so I could have a picture of the little baby in this nest who was barely out of the egg. There are 2 more eggs to hatch. Chipping Sparrow eggs are a light blue with light brown spots. This sparrow knew how to put her nest in a very safe place. It is in a variegated yew which is somewhat overhanging one of our ponds and is wrapped with chicken wire in an attempt to keep the deer from eating it since it seems to be one of their farovite foods in the winter. Even though I can't get close enough to really see into the nest without risking falling into the pond because of the steep slope, with a telephoto lens or binoculars I can keep an eye on the babies. The nest is only about 2 feet off the ground. I have found other sparrow nests in the center of a clump of ornamental grass and right on the ground under a shrub. They seem vulnerable usually, but since the parents seem to always have new babies at the feeders, so they must have some idea what will be safe. Hank only noticed this nest because he was weeding right next to the bush. Chipping sparrows are primarily seed eaters and live here year round. In the summer they do eat bugs which is always a welcomed habit here. If you don't know them, they are 'sparrow sized' small birds with a rusty colored top on their heads. Very cute. One of these days I'm going to sit near the feeder and try and get pictures of all of the birds who visit there. Too much to do this time of year, though.
Jane

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