Birds

Wood Thrush Nest

May 21, 2018 by Corey 1 Comment

On a visit home to my folks’ house in Saugerties, New York, on Mother’s Day weekend (12-13 May, 2018) I was pleased to once again hear Wood Thrush singing from the periphery of the yard, as they have done every year for as long as I can remember. Somehow, though, I had never found a nest. That changed this year when I spotted a nest in a hemlock branch over the driveway. While I was wondering if it was left over from last year or if it was new construction a Wood Thrush removed all doubt by landing on the nest with some nesting material to add to the construction.

Wood Thrush manage to camouflage themselves rather well on their nest.

I was prepared for the bird’s next visit, with my camera on my scope. As soon as I saw the bird approach the tree I hit record.

Wood Thrush are a common bird with an uncommonly beautiful song. I just hope that they continue to nest by my parents’ house so I can come and visit every year and hear that amazing music!

Sadly, this past week my father found the nest on the driveway. He blames the squirrels but he has essentially declared jihad on the fuzzy critters after how they raid his bird feeders so he’s probably not the most reliable nest-destruction-detective.

I just hope that the birds build another nest! They should as they have plenty of time to get it done and get their young fledged.

Written by Corey

Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.