Gardening with Sam: Birds begin nesting as spring nears

My new “Birds & Blooms” arrived, and the first article was about birds’ nest homes. There are apparently four main types.

I never really thought much about the types – just the sizes they were.

First is the cup-shaped nest, which are the most common type found in backyards. Birds like American robins and blue jays build their cup-shape nests on branches or ledges with twigs and grasses and sometimes man-made materials, such as string, cloth and paper.

Second is the platform. Bald eagles and osprey are among several species that construct their high, somewhat-flat nests on platforms and in trees. Birds interweave large sticks, moss and grass to create this nest. One pair of eagles will reuse the same nest, which can eventually weight up to hundreds of pounds over the years.

Third is the hanging nest. Orioles like Bullock’s, Baltimore and Altamira gather fibers, including twine and string, to create gourd-shaped pouches hanging from branches. The female oriole works on the nest from the inside and forms the bottom to the shape of her body.

Fourth is the cavity. This is one I did not even think about. Instead of a traditional nest, a woodpecker species – like downy and hairy woodpeckers – will carve out a nest cavity within a tree. Males and females take turns using their bills to dig and then line the bottom of the 6-15-inch deep cavity with soft woodchips.

For a few years now I have had birds to attack the mirrors of my car, and customers have talked to me about birds flying into the sunroom windows. They are seeing the reflection of another bird. At certain times of the year, they are very territorial, so they are protecting their area. You can use small garbage bags with rubber bands for your mirrors and rub soap on sunroom windows so they will slide down. If you have blinds, close them so the birds cannot see themselves.

I did not know what was going on with the birds. The mockingbird will dive-bomb you in the yard for no reason – and if they have a nest around in your yard, look out. There is nothing you can do but run. I run and hope I do not fall down because I will roll into the street, and our neighbor dog Buddy Red will lick me to death – or beat me to death with his horse tail.