Sunday, October 23, 2011

Nest of Leaves

What made this nest, birds or wind?  Can you tell?
By: Nadine

2 comments:

Phillips + Whittier 365 said...

Maybe a squirrel? What's the answer

Neat.

Jo Ann

Phillips + Whittier 365 said...

I was just talking to a friend about these nests, and went home and googled "squirrel nests"; that is indeed what they are!

I found this interesting info:

"Construction begins with a platform of twigs roughly woven together, upon which damp leaves and moss are compacted to form a solid base. A spherical skeleton of interwoven twigs and vines is erected around the base. The outer shell is then completed with the addition of leaves, moss, twigs, and even paper.

"The inner nest cavity is 6 to 8 inches in diameter and is lined with shredded bark, grass, and leaves. This soft lining is especially important to cradle the delicate infants which weigh about half an ounce at birth and whose skin is almost transparent."

Maybe you knew all that? I didn't:
Thanks for the nudge to investigate further!
--Francesca