kayte
05-21-2009, 10:33 AM
In one day someone has built a nest outside DD's window (in her sunflower and moonflower garden). It is made of grass straw and small branches and nestled behind the base of the bamboo sticks that support the moonflowers. It literally was not there yesterday.
I don't see any of the surrounding flowers or foliage (including our garden plots some 20 feet away) nibbled on. My first instinct was bunny--- but I would have thought she would had a snack or two while she was building it plus the nest seems really small. (it does appear to only be above ground, especially since I know there are bricks right below it as the support for the bamboo stacks)
I can't imagine snakes gather sticks from across the yard.
Is it a mouse? Don't they choose to live inside? (especially since there are some open weep holes on my house inches away)
I know some types of birds make nests on the ground but I thought they still make open top nests.
Any ideas? Any similar experiences? We (Dd especially) are pretty excited (as long as it isn't a snake...lol)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3550905047_48c741c6a6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3551714162_70e5c600a1_b.jpg
ETA- I checked out the website of our county's extension office... and I think it is a bunny (we have eastern cottontails). Here is the description from their website which seems to fit.
"They breed from February through September, with the peak occurring between March and May. Gestation is 28 to 30 days, with four to six young born per litter. The female digs a small, shallow depression about the size of a woman's hand. The nest is lined with grass and the female's fur. The top of the nest is camouflaged with dried grass, small sticks and leaves."
From that description they are smaller than I would have imagined. I guess at dusk tonight, bunny watch begins.
I don't see any of the surrounding flowers or foliage (including our garden plots some 20 feet away) nibbled on. My first instinct was bunny--- but I would have thought she would had a snack or two while she was building it plus the nest seems really small. (it does appear to only be above ground, especially since I know there are bricks right below it as the support for the bamboo stacks)
I can't imagine snakes gather sticks from across the yard.
Is it a mouse? Don't they choose to live inside? (especially since there are some open weep holes on my house inches away)
I know some types of birds make nests on the ground but I thought they still make open top nests.
Any ideas? Any similar experiences? We (Dd especially) are pretty excited (as long as it isn't a snake...lol)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3550905047_48c741c6a6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3551714162_70e5c600a1_b.jpg
ETA- I checked out the website of our county's extension office... and I think it is a bunny (we have eastern cottontails). Here is the description from their website which seems to fit.
"They breed from February through September, with the peak occurring between March and May. Gestation is 28 to 30 days, with four to six young born per litter. The female digs a small, shallow depression about the size of a woman's hand. The nest is lined with grass and the female's fur. The top of the nest is camouflaged with dried grass, small sticks and leaves."
From that description they are smaller than I would have imagined. I guess at dusk tonight, bunny watch begins.