NOT the right place to start a family!

For several days I have noticed a Stellar Jay flit past the kitchen window carrying bits of stick and straw.  I knew he or she was building a nest somewhere, but wasn't sure where. Last year they had one over the front door, and I saw the fat babies take their first flight.

picture from web

Some people don't like these birds, but I have enjoyed their antics.  When I had a small hanging bird feeder, they would try to get the seeds by hovering.  It was almost funny.

They are also notorious for raiding pet food bowls that go unfinished. When our dear old lab was off her feed, at the end, I would often toss some of the uneaten food out for the jays.




Today Craig saw the bird with a stick, and I told him I though they were building in the tandem garage. (A place you will her more about once I get in there to clean and fix it up.)  

It has  a half dutch door, open on the top, and also a hole in the wall that I think might have been built that way so the cats could get in and out. I know ours always used it and now I keep a mouse trap near the entrance to discourage any new occupants.

We went out to look for the nest and saw a lot of twigs on the floor inside the pass thru.  I thought that was odd, because I didn't think a bird would nest on the ground like that.

A look inside  told the story.

There was a coil of rope hanging on a nail just inside. Apparently the nest on the floor had fallen down from the rope and the bird had then continued to try to build another.

The mass of sticks was huge and very disorganized.  It contained paper, twine, string, grass, and twigs.

We took it and the rope down.  I will check other nesting spots in there from time to time over the next week.



 There are plenty of trees around.  This is not the place to start a new family!