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Garden Decor

March 28th, 2009

While cleaning up earlier this week I found an empty bird nest that had blown into one of the flower beds. Bird’s nest are so amazing, they’re so intricately made; I’m always in awe of them. I could never build something like this and I have finger and thumbs, I don’t know how they do it with their beaks.
empty-bird-nest
I thought it was to pretty too throw into the compost pile so I put it at the base of my oakleaf hydrangea and put a few smooth stones in it; free garden art.
bird-nest-with-smooth-stones
We do have a few other bird nests around the property, there’s the one in the spruce tree that the robin’s used last year. The finches build one up in a sappling as well. Usually I leave them in place for natural decor. We also have a pileated woodpecker that has a nest in an empty tree in the woods beside our house, now that’s an interesting bird!
robins-nest
I’m always eager to have birds in my gardens, they’re very beneficial to have around. We put up bird feeders and bird houses to encourage them to take up residence here at Chiot’s Run.

Do you have all kinds of birds nesting in your gardens? What do you do to encourage them to come to your gardens?

19 Comments to “Garden Decor”
  1. Blossom on March 28, 2009 at 7:35 am

    There are not many of them around although I wish there’ll be more. I like your idea of garden deco using old bird’s nest and stones. Thanks.

    Blossom’s last blog post.. My Beautiful Orchids Collage

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  2. Dave on March 28, 2009 at 8:39 am

    I don’t really have to work to get them there but a pair of Mockingbirds continually nest in our juniper tree. Unfortunately they keep all the other birds away!

    Dave’s last blog post.. Lovin’ My Lawn!

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  3. Kelly Butler on March 28, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Beautiful! You are right, they are amazing, how they do that is amazing to me!

    Kelly Butler’s last blog post..

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  4. Hanna on March 28, 2009 at 8:44 am

    I have a couple blue jays that always return to nest. I think they started a nest in the backyard this year but then opted for their normal tree in the front yard. I’m not sure of other birds nesting on my property. I can pick out the blue jays because they’re bright and VERY protective. I’ve seen them swooping at cats and dogs, and they get very upset when I walk under their tree. I give them a helping hand every once in a while when it comes to scaring away cats.

    I have a bird bath and a bird feeder in the backyard. I always keep a water bucket out for the dogs, and the larger birds drink from that. I’ve noticed birds pecking at my compost pile as well, scavenging for bugs, vegetation, and nest building material.

    There are many different birds that I see around here, but the blue jays are by far the most interesting. If a cat is coming close to the nest, one will send out a call and then start swooping. Soon the mate arrives, and they swoop together until the cat runs away. It’s very cool.

    Hanna’s last blog post.. Organizing the Gardening Cabinet

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    • Susy on March 28, 2009 at 9:17 am

      Bluejays are so pretty. They come to our bird feeder, although I’ve never seen a nest around here.

      We just spotted a Pileated Woodpecker nest in an empty tree in the woods behind our house. Now that’s one big bird! They’re kind of loud too, but so interesting.

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  5. Sande on March 28, 2009 at 9:50 am

    You tricked me! I was just looking at the pictures and not reading the text. Those stone eggs really confused me for a minute! Never saw eggs that dark. That will teach me to read too.
    What a neat idea though!

    Sande’s last blog post.. Gardening Lessons, Nature Walk

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    • Susy on March 28, 2009 at 10:09 pm

      That’s too funny. I figured it would be a good idea to use the old nest as garden art.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  6. Allie on March 28, 2009 at 11:28 am

    We have an evergreen in the front yard that we never seem to get trimmed, b/c as soon as the weather improves, there’s a nest in it.

    I have to admit though that for some reason birds kind of creep me out. I wish they didn’t.

    Allie’s last blog post.. An Interview with Fiona Robyn

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    • Susy on March 28, 2009 at 10:10 pm

      Certain birds creep me out, Robins kind of do with those little white rings around their eyes. I love wrens though, they’re super cute. I also love woodpeckers (we have 3 different kinds here).

      Reply to Susy's comment

  7. Di on March 28, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Love what you did with the nest! Yep we have finches come nest in the patio cover every year. You reminded me I need to get some pics of that on my blog!

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  8. Sikantis on March 28, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    You’re so right, bird nests are amazing. Last summer we had two times young birds of Blujays, it was an incredibly great experience to see these birds in the garden. We couldn’t though reach the nest.

    Sikantis’s last blog post.. “Ice that burns” as sustainable energy

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  9. Jan (ThanksFor2Day) on March 28, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    It is a nice idea to keep the nests with little stones, if you can find spots for them. Yes, I have all kinds of birds feeding, and nesting, in my gardens. I have 2 bluebird boxes that tufted titmice and chickadees have used other years. Usually robins will nest in my crepe myrtles; catbirds nest in my lower-lying bushes, sparrows like to nest in a plant pot or even a door wreath (!) , etc…I only provide food and water, they do the rest…but if you have the right environment many will come for various places to nest, be it bushes, trees, wreaths, etc!!

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  10. Dan on March 28, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    We have had Cardinal’s nest in the hedge beside the veggie patch a few times and Baltimore Orioles nest in the trees out back. Always fun to watch. That is pretty cool that you had a Pileated Woodpecker nest near by. I have yet to see one in person but have heard them many times. Do you make your own suet? I have a few recipes that I put in the log suet feeders I made.

    Dan’s last blog post.. Mister Early Tomato Post

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    • Susy on March 28, 2009 at 11:37 pm

      I do make my own suet sometimes, but I like the all-weather stuff. I’d love your recipe.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Dan on March 29, 2009 at 10:24 am

        I have two recipes that I use, one using real suet from the butcher for winter use. The other one uses peanut butter, lard & some flours for the all weather sort. I will find the recipes and e-mail them to you.

        Dan’s last blog post.. Recent Veggie Patch Happenings

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  11. Karen on March 29, 2009 at 2:15 am

    I let them find their homes in the trees, no bird houses as we have waaaay too many neighborhood cats patrolling the garden and I hate seeing them waiting for the babies to emerge. Wonder why the nest got unstuck? Hope it was empty when it fell!

    Karen’s last blog post.. Greening Up a School With Bamboo

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  12. Summer at Cool Garden Things on April 16, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    I love the stones in the nest. I am always looking for fun ideas inspired by nature. Did you ever look for rocks with the letters of the alphabet hidden in the natural cracks…

    Reply to Summer at Cool Garden Things's comment

  13. kate mckinnon on November 25, 2009 at 12:13 am

    hi there!
    I came across your beautiful photograph of the river stones you placed in the found bird nest, and I was so enthralled with it that I printed it out at a very small size (less than an inch) and set it into resin into a little metal treasure box that I made. I’ve since been asked to add that piece to the collection of photo boxes that I made, for inclusion in a mixed media jewelry book. Do you mind? If you allowed me to use the piece in the book, of course you would be listed as the photographer. Let me know!
    Kate McKinnon

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  14. diane madewell on June 13, 2010 at 12:17 am

    I love it! Nests are more beautiful than anything you could buy to decorate your garden.

    Reply to diane madewell's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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