Birds are opportunistic nest builders
Looking closely at this abandoned nest reveals dog hair as one of the parent bird's building materials. Photo by Denise Vaillancourt.
Leaving work on my bike recently, I noticed a bird’s nest on the ground at the edge of the driveway. It was still perfectly formed, probably blown off its perch by the wind. I’m always intrigued by bird nests. I can’t get over how an animal armed with only a beak can weave such intricate, sturdy, beautiful structures. I stopped to take a closer look.
The little nest was a microcosm of life at the Conservation Center. The bulk of the nest was pine needles and small branches – very plentiful here since the Conservation Center is surrounded by white pines. The top edge of the nest was finished with lichens and spider webs. Spider webs are also quite plentiful here, to the chagrin of a few of my colleagues. And lining the inside of the nest were soft yellow hairs, probably from Opal, the service dog who comes to work with a colleague. Opal was keeping birds' eggs, then little chicks snug and warm, and she didn’t even know it.
Life at the Conservation Center summarized in a little home, made by one of our wild neighbors.