Finding bird nests in the New England winter

During the winters in New England, there are still many birds present that do not head down to Ecuador or other tropical locations for the duration of the cold weather, but the diversity of species is much more limited than it is during the summer breeding months. While our backyard feeders will still provide opportunities for birdwatching, there is another way to enjoy the sport while the branches are bare.

During the summer, birds build their nests in a variety of locations. Some build under the eaves of houses, barns or sheds. These are relatively easy to spot during the summer and often survive until the next year when their owners return and repair them to house another clutch of eggs. Other birds make their nests directly on the ground relying on their selection of a secluded and hidden location for the safety of their nests. A large number of birds, however, build nests in the trees and shrubs around our yards, relying upon the lush covering of green leaves to conceal them.

In the winter when the leaves and the birds are gone, the nests become much more easily visible. It is during the winter season that we can look for the nests our summer companions have left behind. By noting the materials and construction methods as well as the locations, we can make relatively good identifications of the bird species that built them.

It is best to hunt for bird nests relatively early in the season before heavy snows and ice have done their best to tear down any shoddy construction. Even late in the season, however, many nests will remain in place to be found by the careful searcher. The nests that are overhead are fairly easy to spot against the bright backdrop of the sky. Nests that are lower can be much more difficult to spot since the backdrop is often a thick confusing tangle of branches that seem to grow together into a mat of blackness.

Different bird species carve up the available space very efficiently. From the ground up to the treetops, different species prefer to build their nests within specific strata of the forest. That is to say, nests of different species tend to be found at specific heights, so be sure to check all levels of the brush and tree branches. Even if we cannot get a close look at the nest’s construction, the type of branch upon which it is anchored and the height at which it is built can offer strong clues about the species that made them. Once you find one nest, look for similar habitats in the nearby area to see if there are more nests from the same species there.

Your favorite bird identification book, if it’s a good one, should contain descriptions of the nesting practices of each bird species. You can start by familiarizing yourself with the nesting habits of birds that you see in your yard during the summer. Although some birds range a goodly distance in search of food, many stay within a relatively short distance of their nests as they forage and return to the nest frequently to feed their young.

If you recall the direction that each bird usually took when it left your feeder, you may be able to approximate the direction in which its nest lies. Likewise, by spotting the empty nests in the winter time, you’ll more easily be able to deduce the types of vegetation and locations that may appeal to a particular species when it returns in the spring to raise a new family. Nests should, of course, never be disturbed during breeding seasons. While you may be able to get close enough for photography with a zoom lens without disturbing the breeding birds, frequent or distressing close visits to the nest may result in the adult birds abandoning the nest even if it already has eggs or young chicks. That’s another reason why the winter makes a much better time for nest spotting.

Once you’ve become familiar with the specific preferences of the bird species that inhabit your yard and surrounding areas, you can start adding nesting habitat that appeals to the birds you want as neighbors. If you find a particular bird nesting in the thick tangle of a forsythia bush, you can add more forsythias in suitable locations to increase the chances of getting more of the same species tof bird to nest in your yard. Most birds are territorial and will prevent other birds of the same or a competing species from entering their nesting territory, so make sure you plan adequate distance between each nesting space.

Living in New England, of course, you already know that winter footing can be treacherous. As you trudge through the snow hunting for nests in the canopy, make sure that you pay proper attention to where you’re planting your feet and think about safety first.

---

Become a fan of the Manchester Bird Watching Examiner on Facebook.

The Manchester Bird Watching Examiner is also the Maritime Headlines Examiner.

Follow this author on Twitter at Back2n8ure.