The Little Wren's Nest and a 'Snow Day' Surprise

Spring is here says the little wren! She decided to build a nest in a little cubby that houses my electric fence and garden equipment. Using that electric fence is now a bit tricky for me because this little lady has been busy. When I first discovered the nest there were only five eggs and now there are seven! I actually thought she had abandoned the nest because I had never seen her in here. I actually thought the nest was a mouse's nest and was ready to throw it out when I spotted the eggs. Wrens are funny birds who are rather secretive in their ways but who have no problems with nesting in and among us humans.

Here is a long picture of the nest in the cubby. You can see how it can easily be mistaken for a bunch of leaves for a mouse nest. I am trying to leave her be. As long as the deer stay out of the orchard I don't really need to get in this box. It will be great fun to watch the babies grow.

Right next to the little wren's nesting cubby is a 'Snow Day Surprise' pearlbush. This shrub is one of the most stunning in the garden right now. While it is not as full as some I've seen online it is pretty and sparkly and makes a big enough impact that Mr. Fix-it actually noticed it. That is a pretty big statement considering he doesn't too often notice anything growing in the garden unless he can eat it. I don't think pearlbushes are edible so don't try to eat it!

The blooms are brilliant. This plant is a stunner.

I used to have it in the woodland area but it simply languished so I decided to move it to a full sun area where it is coming into its own. This is one of the transplants from my old garden. Do give it full sun or it will not do well in Tennessee. Perhaps it can stand some shade in the deep south but for our area it really needs the sun. Acid soil with organic matter is ideal. I have this one sited alone so it can shine. As a bonus it gives the little wren a place to rest as she comes and goes from her cubby.

Right behind the cubby is the orchard and these late daffodils are coming into their own. I wish I could bottle and send you all the fragrance. I adore these white flowered daffodils for their fragrance that perfumes the entire house when a bouquet is cut for display.

As much as I love the white daffodils (cultivars unknown at this time) for their fragrance I adore the little 'Hawera' daffodil for its natural beauty and its ability to make a big impact with such tiny flowers. These are diminutive flowers but it only takes a few stems to make a big impact because each stem has five to six flowers atop it. I received these bulbs from a dear gardening friend and I can't thank her enough as I so love daffodils in my gardens. Any of the old heirloom daffodils are on my list to collect and plant.....

in the garden....enjoying bird eggs and flowers.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Hatching Wrens

Here are some pictures of birds in the garden Skeeter shared and I thought you all might like to peek in at the newly hatched wrens all the way through the fledgling stage. It is a common tale that if you handle newborn baby birds then the mother will abandon her nest and babies. This is simply not true. I have researched my birding book and found only certain types of waterfowl will possibly abandon their nests if they are disturbed. The types of birds we will find in our backyards (titmouse, sparrows, cardinals, finches, wrens, bluebirds, blue jays, mockingbirds, chickadees and robins to name a few) will NOT abandon their nests and babies. I have found some parents to be very tolerant of observers and handlers of their baby birds. Other parents-notably robins, mockingbirds and blue jays will let you know in a not so nice way they are not happy with the interruption but they will not abandon their young. Seeing and holding a baby bird is a gift from Mother Nature that children will never forget and is a great way to share in gardening.



What kinds of birds have you all found nesting in your garden and which is your favorite bird? Let me know which is your favorite bird and why and we will conduct an informal straw poll. My vote is for chickadees because they have such big personalities, always on the move and are always scolding you! My next would be hummingbirds because they are also always chattering to themselves when they feed-does anyone know why?

in the garden....