Horsehair bird nest

I decided to prune my white Weeping Cherry tree this weekend. I'm probably a little late, however the ground is still frozen solid and it's still snowing here. *sigh* What a conundrum! Do I prune the tree and the grapes now, or do I let them go for the year? They seem to be starting to 'wake up' but everything is still frozen solid. Decisions, decisions.....

So, I went ahead and did the pruning. Now that the tree is bare of leaves and trimmed a bit I could get to all the debris near the trunk. I found several nests. The larger ones were mostly made with long, curly Sebastopol goose feathers. There was one tiny little nest that could only be a small birds nest. 

I pulled it out in one piece and looked at it close. there were lots of hairs in there. Mostly fine and blond....probably mine. There were also some really thick black hairs and some thick blond hairs. I can only assume they came from Jack and Moose. Jack has a beautiful black mane and lives next door....his pen is probably about 2 acre lengths away from  the tree. (I judge distance by football field lengths, sorry! lol) 

I had almost forgot about Moose who had come to stay with Jack for a few months last spring. He was a beautiful tan color with a blonde mane and tail and white blaze. He was only there for a short while, but apparently it was during nest building season!

small bird nest made with horse hair

I can't get over how tiny and perfect the nest is! I love seeing the birds and put out feeders every spring through early fall. We have so many varieties of flowers in the yard that they can always find one to drink from.  

We get a few different varieties of Hummingbirds, but not really knowing the difference I can't tell you what types....just that they look different. They move too darn fast to tell more then that! I can't wait to see them again this year!

~L


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13 comments:

  1. It's amazing how animals are so creative. I've always wanted to feed hummingbirds, but never managed.

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    1. I agree! I can't believe they take the time to find and weave each tiny hair in with the twigs like that!

      ~L

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  2. Oh how adorable! I have hummingbirds all the time in the summer at my feeder but I have never seen a nest. :-)

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    1. They are easiest to find this time of year. I never see them in summer.

      ~L

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  3. WHat a beautiful nest . . and how clever the mother who made her babies a soft home.

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    1. I know! It must have taken her such a long time. What a labor of love!

      ~L

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  4. How wonderful. I have looked for hummingbird nests to no avail.

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    1. Look now! The trees are bare, so they're easier to find. I usually find them around eye level.

      Happy Hunting!

      ~L

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  5. Good morning Lisa! Your post just made me smile and sit back. What a beautiful picture, such perfection and blessing just in that little nest. A reminder that Spring is coming soon, and we have something to look forward to.
    I wanted you to know that I am featuring you alongside another blog this week (Amy's Budget) in the Welcoming Wednesday Linky Party #10. Congratulations! I enjoy reading your submissions each week and look forward to seeing more of them!
    Thank you for a glimpse of Spring!
    Blessings to you and yours,
    ~Heather @ The Welcoming House Blog

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    1. Thank you so very much Heather! I'm honored to be chosen! I really enjoy your blog and hop.

      Thanks again!
      ~L

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  6. Hummingbird nests are made from spider webs and lichens. I suspect the nest in the photo is from Chipping Sparrows that typically use plant fibers and animal hair.

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  7. I agree with Bill. This is not a hummingbird nest. They are very small, the size of a hollowed out golf ball with lots of lichen and spider webs. I have found several during the years. I found one just like the one in your photo and I think it must be a type of sparrow indeed. Love the name of the horses!!

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    1. I think you're both correct! I had never seen a nest this tiny before though, so I misidentified. Learn something new every day, right?

      Lisa

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