I found a tiny nest of a house wren in my Clematis vine. The bird is very small, at first I thought it was a hummingbird because of the small size but I it was brown and the flight was quick but not like the hummingbirds I have seen. The bird is not afraid of me as it has sat on the vine branches in clear view, what a treat! I would love to photograph the little blue eggs but I do not want to cause harm to them, so I would like any suggestions on the best way to proceed. I have generally left the nest alone. I only discovered the nest because the bird flew into it when I was taking pictures of the flowers.

 

Kathryn,

Have you seen the little bird still in the nest?

 

Maybe it is the baby.....

I have a nest on my front porch. I call it Robin Hotel...as they mate each year and use it.over and over...

The eggs are blue...

And after they are born the little ones stay very close to nest for sometime...:)

If it is the Mom or Dad who is in the bushes...maybe it is a Sparrow? You live in NYC yes?

You won't hurt it....They will just hide from you or fly away...

They have now become accustomed to my husband who sits out on the porch frequently. Me? They run when they see me coming with my camera...

Do you have a long fast lens? I can get close to the Robins but only via the window which is across the way from the nest. :)

Good luck...

Watching the process from the mating...on to the end is magnificent.

I went out to the doctor a couple of weeks ago...and one ambitious Dad built a brand new nest while we were out!!!

We have Robins..:) Cute.

Hi Phyllys, its' the momma not the baby, the eggs are still in the little nest. I may try to take some more flower photos with a long faster lens, and maybe a little step stool, just do not wanta draw attention to the eggs as the cats around here run all over the place, :)

Hi Kathryn,

 

a birds nest is a very intriguing subject, I know. However I would be very careful in this situation. In my country sparrows have been on the red list of endangered birds for some years. Right now the population is doing quiet well, but maybe you would want to do some research on the sparrow population in your area and (especially if you live in a bigger city where they have not too many good breeding grounds) also make sure it really is a sparrow. There are plenty of websites dealing with the topic where you can get very useful information especially about their breeding habits. I grew up in a small town where we had lots of sparrows so I can understand your excitement about them breeding. Later when they have their offspring and when they will be feeding (around the clock) them will also be a very fascinating subject. However I guess you should know that the fact that the bird stays with the nest as soon as you approach does not necessarily mean that the bird feels comfortable with your presence. It rather means that it is willing to defend the nest at any cost. Anyway this is a stressful situation for the bird. So you should make sure that you taking pictures does in now way interfere with the normal breeding procedures of the bird. E.g. when the bird flies away while you are taking your picture it will most likely stay in close proximity and it will watch you (some even shout at you ;-) ). Still in that situation you then are the reason for the bird interrupting the breeding cycle. Depending on how long this takes I guess this is not a very nice experience for the bird. So with respect to the discussion about moral and ethics in photography here on 1x.com it would be a no-go for me if the picture taking process would in any way disturb the bird... So I guess a long focal width is required here to definitely stay out of the birds way. Just my five cents, but there are many "bird experts" here on 1x. Maybe one of them can come forward and give you additional information.

 

Greetings

 

Sebastian

Thanks Sebastian, Agreed that it's important not to interfere with a bird breeding or any potential harm to bird eggs, that is why I was posing this question, because I cannot see anyway to photograph a little nest hidden behind flowers and vines without disturbing the bird. I guess I was hoping for a magic potion, :)

When I said that the bird was not afraid, I think I should have been more clear, the bird doesn't mind me watching from a distance, while I sit on my front steps for example. I would move away if I felt the bird felt the nest was threatened in anyway. I love birds, and especially love their intelligence and beauty.

 

Thanks again for your very thoughtful and wonderful response, I appreciate your feelings about ethical behavior and wildlife, I so agree!

 

I wanted to ask you can actually see the blue eggs in the nest? Inside I mean.and they are still whole?

 

I think my situation is different then yours. The nest here is out in the open...Two years ago when the first pair of Robins made this nest my husband and I thought they were doomed. It is not uncommon here at least for many nests to fail. We see the outcome on the ground here many times in Spring.

 

The Cat is an issue. We have two cats here from neighbors who are outdoor cats in the day, and whenever I saw them on our porch I encourage them to leave.

 

It turns out the Robins were incredibly intelligent in their location.....as each year at least one or two are successful.

 

I need to hunt up the photos I did take. I gave up when I realized I did not have a long enough fast lens.

 

To watch the process is amazing for me. It all happens in the same order, place and way each time...,,the building of the nest, the sitting, feeding, waiting, watching out for her...hatching time, more sitting...more feeding...babies come, so so tiny but in a week they are birds. :) Then they start to try to fly ..I love that part, and eventually they do...and hang about the nest in a close by bush...and then they are gone.................

 

The window in my living room is directly across from the nest and it is open.nothing in front of the nest..but...the nest is higher up...so I cannot see inside...If I had had a long lens...it would have been perfect..I did get some good shots, but I think I got more involved in the process than the photography after a while. :)

 

Good luck with your new family.

Best,

Phyllis

Hi Phyllis, yes I can see the tiny blue eggs as the nest is almost eye level, that's how I happened to see it there when I was trying out my new lensbaby on the flowers. I have to stand on my tiptoes to see the eggs, which I looked at once to see if there were any. I watch from my breezeway as the bird comes and goes and have not even gone out to take a picture of the flowers. Yes, it's exciting to watch the process, I agree!

I had a robin's nest at my parent's house year ago, it was a lot bigger and it was in the open, just like yours, right on the front porch. I loved watching them too but I never even though about taking their pictures. It was a lot easier to see the baby Robins. I even named one, (Charlotte) a fitting name for a Robin, LOL.

This bird is very small and because I had also seen hummingbirds at the same vine, I thought at first that was what it was. Also, Hummingbirds love the Clematis Vine, they use the puffy balls from the flowers for nests. But I did see it on the branches of the vine, and it's definitely a small house wren. My mother taught me how to identify birds as a child, and I also use bird books to identity them. Of course, the internet has a lot of good resources for identification too.

It's a house wren, not house sparrow. I looked it up again to be sure. :)

Thanks Kathryn...I hope the chicks are well and arrive on time. :)

:)Phyllis

Hy Phyllis, they just arrived yesterday, soooo cute.

Well how many? Happy Birthday to them !!

 

I think you could take photos now from the distance you can see them. I would not use a flash......If you can get Mom or Dad feeding that is wonderful. Next week I am going to dig out mine. :))

 

Phyllis

Looks like three of them, one side of the nest is lower. I would love to get one of the Mom feeding them, but I have been trying to keep away as much as possible.

Oooh dig out yours!!