Hi Tweeters,
On the 4th of March I was walking through Wallace Swamp Creek Park when I heard a chirping noise overhead. After a few seconds I saw the source of the sound; An Anna's Hummingbird on her nest. Its about 15 feet above the ground in a small alder tree.
On the 17th I saw the mama bird fly to the nest and poke her bill into the nest before sitting down. I thought she was rotating the eggs.
Saturday (22nd) Two other birders were in the park and I show them where the nest was. we watched Mama Hummer fly in, poked her bill in the nest, then she sat down, but she squirmed around quite a bit before finally sitting still. It occurred to me that rather than rotating eggs she was feeding chicks then settling down on them, the squirming was because the chicks had to be situated just right for her to brood them.
Sunday (23rd) I was taking advantage of the sun break around 4:30, and visited the park again. As I walked towards the nest I saw the same two birders, they were near the Hummer's nest. They motioned for me to come see.
The heavy rain and blustery winds had loosened the foundation of the nest. It now is hanging sideways. Inside are two tiny naked babies. While we watched the mother made several trips to deliver food to her youngsters. I don't think that she can enter the nest with it in the position it is in. Without the protection of their mother's body I'm sure the chicks can not survive. The nest is too high to reach, (unless I had a cherry picker) the only way I can think of that this family can be saved is if the mother can build up the edge of the nest enough for her to sit in it again, even then I wonder if it will stay attached to the branch.
Monday I went to the park to take a picture of the side ways nest and much to my surprise the Hummer family seem to be copping quite well. The picture didn't turn out very well but it will give you an idea.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24984572 at N02/?saved=1<http://www.flickr.com/photos/24984572 at N02/?saved=1>
Linda Phillips
linda_phillips1252 at msn.com<mailto:linda_phillips1252 at msn.com>
Kenmore 98028-2616