Tag Archives: nest

verdin fledgeling

Verdins are so precious….with their little gold heads and red spot on each shoulder.
I had no idea how many we had nesting here until I planted the Little Leaf Cordia!
They’ve been entertaining the cats every morning while feeding on microscopic insects.

Verdin fledgeling begging to be fed. Note beginning of yellow on head.
Verdin fledgeling begging to be fed. Note beginning of yellow on head.
Verdins prefer to nest in Palo Verde. The nest is size of small fist.
Verdins prefer to nest in Palo Verde. The nest is size of small fist.

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Their nests are reminiscent of Cactus Wren’s nests in that they use a small hole to enter.

taking care of solitary bees

The first time I saw a Leafcutter Bee working, I was so mesmerized, I watched it for almost an hour. I’ve tried to get a photo of one carrying its prize piece of leaf but haven’t been successful yet.

I had learned about the importance of our native bees (called Solitary Bees) during a class at Desert Landscaping School so I was very happy to see them in the yard and have come to love them. So last month when I uncovered a nest while reworking a block wall, I felt so guilty! Below are photos of the cigar-like nest. I tried my best to relocate it.

The bee dug in through an opening between the blocks.
The bee dug in through an opening between the blocks.

Can you believe the construction?!
Can you believe the construction?!

The nest is a series of chambers that are sealed off from each other. So cool!
The nest is a series of chambers that are sealed off from each other. So cool!

Yesterday morning, I uncovered two more nests! According to the article in the above link, it could be that the larva have already matured and left. I really hope they have but just in case, I relocated them too.

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Two more nests!
Two more nests!

I want the bees to come back so I thought about making a wood nesting block but then I had an epiphany! Since the bees have been using the block wall, why not make the whole thing a nesting site. So I got my trusty drill, a masonry bit and drilled between the blocks to make sure the opening would accommodate a little bee body 🙂

I love power tools!
I love power tools!
Solitary Bee housing
Solitary Bee housing

I know what you’re thinking….is she NUTS?! Encouraging bees so close to the house!
Yes…I’m nuts but that’s beside the point 🙂
Solitary bees have a much different behavior than honey bees. Read this: Solitary Bees

lucky shot

Red Tailed Hawk returning to nest
Red Tailed Hawk returning to nest
While showing my favorite desert area to my visiting friend Dayton, he spots a huge nest in a Saguaro. We decide to continue on and then stop on the way back. At that time, we see both a male and female Red Tailed Hawk sitting in a Palo Verde by the Saguaro so I grabbed my little Canon with the 24x zoom and pointed it at the nest. It didn’t take long for one to return to the nest. Lucky shot!

gambel’s quail nest

gamble’s quail nest
I noticed this quail nest in my little gardening enclosure more than a month ago and had hoped to photograph the eggs hatching but missed it. There were 11 eggs but only 10 hatched. So far we haven’t seen the chicks but Quail moms are very protective so we usually don’t see them for awhile.
gamble’s quail eggs
As you can see, Gambel’s Quail don’t make elaborate nests. There is usually just a depression in the ground making them very vulnerable to snakes and Roadrunners who both love to eat the eggs and baby chicks. Click here for more information on Gambel’s Quail.