Sad news today. The wind from the storms that have been sweeping through the country yesterday and today have knocked down the bird’s nest that was perched on the downspout by our back door. I found it on the ground with two broken eggs next to it :(. I think it was a finch nest, judging by what’s left of the eggs.
Aw, poor things.
Yes - their cousins nesting in the roosting pockets on the front porch are in much better shape, as those are anchored in place. I do hope they’ll try again - I think finches nest at least twice per summer.
I hoped to get a picture of an osprey fishing but by the time I got to the ponds by the Rio Grande at 6:55 am it had already caught the fish.
What a terrific shot though!
Ehhh - you just reminded me to check the log at Weir Wood reservoir (about 30 miles south of central London, a stopping off point for ospreys in transit, and fairly local to me). First sighting of this spring was on 30 March - they’re here! So I’ll be scooting off over there during the week. Wish me luck.
j
I’ve been watching this dead tree in our woods, as the pileated woodpeckers have been absolutely destroying it. Sadly, the high winds this weekend knocked it down.
I’m finally back online after moving out of my condo and am being hosted at a friend’s home. Sad news. The big storm that crossed the U.S. gave us a nasty blizzard, yes it caught the end of my move out, but worse. It caught the eagle nest. The nest was huge, weighed a lot and had been seated on a dead tree for 20 years. The nest fell and the nestling did not survive the fall.
We can only hope our eagle couple stay together and start building another nest nearby for next year, but that’s just a hope.
Oh no! 
We still have massive snow banks everywhere you look. Another snow storm is coming tomorrow. The daily low temps are still in the teens and 20s with daily highs anywhere from high 20s to a VERY few low 40s. So we are far from spring conditions.
Yesterday, my husband called for me to look out the window. There were about 5 robins in the ornamental crab tree eating the last of the shriveled up fruit. I hope they survive. 
I disagree, we are in early spring conditions for our location. The snow has been melting like crazy and the next snow will melt quickly too. I agree this used to happen in early March, not early April but welcome to climate change!
When I was driving my eldest to school this morning, I saw a brilliant red cardinal. I wished I’d had a chance to take a pic but as I was driving, that wasn’t happening. But it did fill me with a tiny bit of hope that we may get spring after all.
I’ve been hearing that familiar, incessant “Cheep. Cheep! CHEEP! CHEEP!” lately a lot, and have also been tossing out birdseed (and refilling the feeder) in addition to keeping the local suet cake manufacturers in business.
Predictably, in addition to the 
starlings (f’ing invasive PITAs) I’ve been seeing woodpeckers, and lately, the Cheep Family: Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal, usually no more than two or three feet apart.
I haven’t seen him court her (bringing over the biggest seed he can find, and setting it in front of her for her inspection) yet, but it’s likely I missed it while having my nose in the 'Dope or my cross-stitch.
Lord knows I hear enough from that pair!
The turkeys walked up to the window to investigate this new person in their neighborhood. I think I quite disappointed them, having no seeds to feed them. Sorry turkeys, I’m hoping I won’t be here long.
Re: spring conditions - here in SE England today, I saw my first lambs and first ducklings of the year. In fact, those are very nearly the first ducklings in two years - bird flu devastated breeding last year.
Not so much about spring - out on the bike, I checked in on my cattle egret colony and saw a few birds; and out looking for ospreys in the afternoon I had fun watching (European) goldfinches at a feeder by the hide. But no ospreys.
That’s just so sad and frustrating.
j
Yes. They reckon the nest weight over 2000 lbs. That weight, plus water and snow sitting on dead branches is really something. I’m amazed the nest lasted most of this wet winter. But still, even expected, it is heartbreaking.
The Easter bunnies are early this year.
You are right, I did notice the snow banks along the roads have really receded in the last couple of days. I guess it’s like this every year. I’m just so over it and need to be outside in the warmth and it’s not coming fast enough for me.
Down on the allotments/community garden there have been quite a few daytime sightings of foxes - and indeed I saw one myself today at 3:45 PM. It wasn’t the least bit concerned that there were several people (and a dog) within 20 meters or so.
j
In my garden this afternoon ! A first for us :-
