April Nest Building

My birding excursion a few days ago started at the site of the Bald Eagle nest a few kilometres from our home. A friend led us to this aerie in 2014 and for the past eight years, I have returned a few times each season to check on the birds. I needed binoculars to see the Bald Eagle sitting on the eggs in the nest. The nest is very large now as new sticks are added each year but the skinny pine tree that it tops continues to support the growing weight. Another eagle soared high above but I did not see the parents exchange nesting duties. I checked a few Osprey nest sites but did not see any activity yet. Bald Eagles over-winter here but Osprey are migratory and are just returning. 

Other birds, such as Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Black-capped Chickadees, House Wrens, and various woodpeckers are cavity nesters. Bluebirds and Tree Swallows sometimes compete for the same nesting boxes, but Bluebirds arrive earlier and they claimed this box at the edge of a meadow.

I parked at the side of the gravel road and used my car as a blind to take these pictures. This female Eastern Bluebird has been banded at some point in time. 

This large meadow is also home to other birds who lay their eggs on the ground. I took this picture of a Killdeer nest a few years ago and Meadowlarks and Bobolinks also lay eggs on the ground in this area. Killdeers and Meadowlarks are engaged in nesting activities now and Bobolinks should return in May. 

Across the road is a large bog where other birds are nesting or preparing to nest at this time. This Canada Goose was camouflaged on its mound. Male Red-winged Blackbirds were establishing their territories before the females return later this month. Sandhill Cranes also are actively nesting now and they were calling noisily in the distance.

Birds observed in this area: 

Eastern Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, Eastern Meadowlark, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-tailed Hawk, House Wren, Common Merganser, Black Duck

(bird count for the day was 29 species)