Photo © Stephen Gates

Your Gear = Their Cozy Nest

The weather is getting warmer, and we’re all getting ready to spend more time outside; but don’t forget to check your equipment for nests! Bicycle helmets, watering cans, patio umbrellas, hanging baskets, grills, or anything that provides a hiding space could contain a nest. Stephen Gates learned this last year, when a pair of Western Bluebirds nested in a kayak helmet in his shed in New Mexico (ignoring the nest box nearby). Birds nest around human buildings frequently. Be aware, and you just might find one! If you do, we encourage you to report your observations to us here at NestWatch so scientists can learn from them. Be patient while the birds finish their nest, and remember that it’s not safe to move a bird’s nest while it is in progress.