Bird Nests

Bird nests were the focus of attention today at the Audubon Center at the Francis Beidler Forest. During the past weekend, a Carolina Wren built a nest in the cigarette disposal container outside the nature center's door (see image). Last year, a nest was built in the same location with three chicks hatching. The adults did not seem overly concerned about the high traffic, visitors and kids at summer camp, but the chicks did not make it out of the nest. Several conspiracy theories have been tossed about, but the most money is on a hungry Greenish Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta x quadrivittata).

Above the driveway at the end of the ramp leading to the center's front door, it appears an Acadian Flycatcher has built a nest (see image). The bird has remained tucked deeply into the nest, so a positive identification has not been made.