BBG, how long before i can finish weeding the flowerbed

As I was sitting on my stool, weediing my flower bed preparing to put in some perennials, being oblivious to just about everything except how hot the sun was; I notice a bird in my yard acting weird. Pretty bird with orangie feathers under the wings and flopping around the yard like injured. I watched a bit and the bird move off toward the ditch by the road area, flopping and showing off the underside of the tail.



I turned back to my weeding and guess what was staring me down. I ran to the house for the camera, the bird was still there and I got these pics.


There are at least 2 eggs in the nest. Nest and eggs are 2 weeks old or less because I was weeding in that area before I went to visit my son.



So my questions. What kind of bird is it, will the lawn service which is coming later today totally disturb and permanetly scare off the parents, and how long before I can have my flowerbed back?


Kay

Wow! What a gift imo that a bird would feel safe enough to nest in your garden. I have no idea the type of bird but love the markings. My guess for when is when mama is good and ready. LOL

I see you are in NC. I Googled this websit: http://www.carolinabirdclub.org

You might want to send them a pic for positive ID and ask them the same question. Good luck.

Looks like a killdeer

What a beautiful bird! That is amazing that it layed it's eggs right om the ground, I hope a critter doesn't get them! You should PM wolfheart, I bet he would know what it is.

http://www.birdwatching.com/stories/killdeer_basics.html

That bird should be a Killdeer. The parents will fake injury to draw potential threats away from the nest/babies. That's what she was doing.

Here is a link for you from my favorite briding site...

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/id


As for disturbing the bird, I don't know that you will. I used to deal with Killdeer on the golf course I grew up around all the time.....as did other golfers. The birds tolerate the traffic pretty well. The certainly won't abandon a nest with eggs or chicks in it. You can even weed around it and shouldn't disturb anyone.

A common myth is that if you touch baby birds, or the nest, the mamma won't return. It's pretty much bunk. Birds typically have a terrible sense of smell. They don't find seeds with their noses, nor earthworms, nor fish in the sea, nor insects in the air. That was just something momma told us as kids to keep us away from the babies. Well, that and some birds are quite territorial...like Mockingbirds. But, killdeer try and draw you away. Once you are distracted from the nest, they just fly away from you....almost laughing as they go.

As for the lawn service, I can't provide much info. I suppose it's completely dependant upon the diligence of the guy. If he sees the bird, he will likely avoid things. If not, who knows. You may even call them and warn them....or put a sign near the nest. That would catch some attention.

In short, don't worry about it too much. But, read up on it. I am not for sure myself.

Thanks everybody. I'll warn the lawn service to just run the mower around the flowerbed and not use the edger for the next 2 months on that end of the flower bed. According to what BBG and the links have to say, I will be able to hand weed around the edges for that period without disturbing the birds. The links say to expect 4 eggs, so I think they just started the nest.

Kay

There are 4 eggs in the nest now. ETA May 24 according to the bird guide.

Aww how cute. Do keep the pictures coming especially when the chicks hatch! You are so lucky!

I ran across a Killdeer this morning while on my grass cutting route. She never faked me out as if she had a nest nearby. I assume ours are just scouting things out at the moment.

And, if she's smart, she'll build in the "high voltage" cage of gravel anchoring a nearby radio tower. No one will mess with her in there.

Didn't check Wed or Thurs, but this morning I've got chicks.





Mama was a little agitated

That's awesome!

I mentioned I have one on my cutting route? I saw the nest a couple weeks ago....still nothing hatched. But, she's guarding them every time my mower comes by....lol.

How darling !! I understand about not getting done because of the babies. We have a camp stove I use in the summer so I dont heat up the house. (trailer) Well the darling fly catcher ( I think thats what she is) laid her eggs there last year. We waited till all 4 left home. We are so lucky to see these darlings. She has shared with us each year her precious babies. Last year it was in our shed and we actually got to see the last babies leave, that in itself I think was a miracle. They are there one day and gone the next they go so fast.
Kind of like our precious babies that grow up way too fast.
Ha-v-v

You guys want to see an AMAZING chronicle of life? Here is an acquaintance of mine from another forum. He wouldn't know my name, but we've chatted a little. He chronicles a pair of Eastern Bluebirds and their babies.

Kenn has been taking pictures of them for years. Last year, he finally lost his male. He mentioned that the pair had raised over 50 babies successfully. Momma has already "remarried" after looking sad for a week or so constantly looking around for the male that never came. His stories can be really neat because he follows these birds so closely...

http://kenn3d.smugmug.com/Nature/BirdsBlossomsButterfliesVol5/15372928_bvGzV#1298821926_XSksNKw

Seriously, it's worth the look. If you look at his stuff, you will see why I will tell you I have a LOOOOOONG way to go with my pictures.

BackyardBirdGardner wrote:You guys want to see an AMAZING chronicle of life? Here is an acquaintance of mine from another forum. He wouldn't know my name, but we've chatted a little. He chronicles a pair of Eastern Bluebirds and their babies.

Kenn has been taking pictures of them for years. Last year, he finally lost his male. He mentioned that the pair had raised over 50 babies successfully. Momma has already "remarried" after looking sad for a week or so constantly looking around for the male that never came. His stories can be really neat because he follows these birds so closely...

http://kenn3d.smugmug.com/Nature/BirdsBlossomsButterfliesVol5/15372928_bvGzV#1298821926_XSksNKw

Seriously, it's worth the look. If you look at his stuff, you will see why I will tell you I have a LOOOOOONG way to go with my pictures.

OMgosh !! click on that link and the most amazing picture is there. I too would like a better camera some day. When I have a deck I can sit on near a shade tree. We have so many types of birds here I dont get to see them all. I will have to ask my Mom in law for her bird pics, they live on our property, with no pets. They get to see different types of birds than we do. I will finish going through those pics BBG thanks for sharing.
Ha-v-v