In April, I posted a photo (below) of the female house finch on her nest - a nest that was totally atypical for the species. The location was typical; but, the construction was not.
In a previous posting I had noted:
"Last fall, I removed the swing and because the nests from two years' broods were crowding it, cleaned all of the nesting from it. Sunday, Apr 9, I hung the clean swing. Within 24 hours a different pair of house finches had set up house-keeping in the swing. Notice, however, that their nest has scant resemblance to the nests that had previously occupied the swing. This nest is messy, messy looking. It is constructed using shredded pine-bark mulch that I had just applied around some of the plantings at the front of the house.
"This year's nest, built in less than 24 hours."
After the first brood was raised, the house finch pair built a second nest beside the first - this one more typical. Mama House Finch filled the new nest with a few eggs, brooded, and raised four or five more babies. During that process I kept intending to take another photo for posting. But...I didn't feel up to doing the ladder thing and sitting at the computer to post; so, it didn't get done.
This morning, for the first time in at least a couple of weeks, the thermometer was kind enough to dip below 70 degrees (69 is below 70, isn't it?) Since the birds should be through raising young for the season, I got out the ladder and retrieved the miniature swing from the porch. Below is a photo of the house finches' bi-level home. The nest to the right is about 1.5-2 inches shorter than the nest on the left.
Wonder why that first nest was thrown together in such fashion? A first nest building effort ... a rush job? Probably a good thing you stayed off the ladder. Hope you're feeling better.
Posted by: joared | July 28, 2017 at 10:54 PM
Joared--I've no idea about the weird-looking construction. I failed to mention that the second brood, of course, took advantage of both nests when they grew strong enough.
It's still uncomfortable for me to sit but not really painful, thanks for hoping.
Posted by: Cop Car | July 29, 2017 at 09:50 AM
Joared must be correct in thinking it was probably a first time build for this pair (or a rush job as she was ready to drop eggs).
Glad to hear that you are doing better!
Posted by: bogie | July 30, 2017 at 06:02 AM