She? is building a nest in a bush just outside my window under the overhang of the verandah. It is rather exposed but I didn't see it at first, perhaps because it is "hidden in plain view". It seems to me that the pace of building has been slow and half-hearted, not feverish like one would expect. Could it be that the bird is not yet fully mature and is just practising? Or perhaps the manifestation of a phantom eggnancy?
First of all, I love the word "eggnancy"
I have Lewin's Honeyeaters where I live, but haven't seen nests other than in bushes. But, let's not judge the bird, there has to be a reason, birds do not make those kind of mistakes, or do they???
Patrik
Activity has increased, so perhaps the pace of construction was just slow during the foundation stage. I cut up some jute string in short lengths and scattered it over the nest. One bird returned and used it all immediately. I will try to take a photo with my iphone if I think it won't disturb them. The Lewins are accustomed to me filling up their birdbath so maybe they won't mind.
Still under construction but progress seems slow and intermittent........
Now Mme Lewin is sitting on the nest. I will see what develops.
Eggcellent. Keep us informed!
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
Two eggs so far. Not sure if there'll be any more.....
That looks like a very fine nest lining!
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
Meet Louis and Louisa Lewin. Not a good photo but........
Alas, a bit of a storm last night and a chill down (comparatively for SE Qld) and both Louis and Loisa Lewin are dead, one on the ground and one still in the nest. They were both covered in ants but I am guessing that the ants only arrived opportunistically after the birds died. No sign of attack from predators and no cats around. Was it a dereliction of duty of the mother, or perhaps she was frightened by the thunder? A sudden gust of wind might have ejected one of them from the nest but that doesn't explain the one still in the nest. I will never know. In just another week or so they would have been ready to fly off and look after themselves.