Now that the trees are bare I’m sure you’ve noticed large ball-shaped nests in the bigger trees.
Do you know whose nests these are?
Here’s some information that may help you answer the question:
- The nests are round and about the size of a beachball.
- They’re as much as 70 feet above the ground. Click on the nest photo to see what they look like from a distance.
- The outer layer is often covered in leaves.
- The inside is lined with moss, grasses, shredded bark, etc.
- The opening of this nest is not on top. Instead it faces the tree trunk. Can you guess where the opening is on a nest that has no trunk near it?
- Believe it or not, this nest is water resistant.
So, whose nest is this? Leave a comment with your answer.
(photos by Marcy Cunkelman)
Squirrel?
Squirrel?
Squirrel Nest …
A squirrel?
Squirrels I would surmise. I have always assumed that, but then I could be wrong….. have been wrong a few times in my life = ha ha!!!
Looks like a squirrel nest to me…we have lots of these in our trees. Perhaps the opening is in the bottom if there is no trunk nearby. I’m not too upset with the squirrels now that we have a bird feeder that keeps them out for the most part…but they still eat the seed I put out for the ground feeding birds.
Waterproof? How ingenious! There are several nests like these high up in the trees in my yard. I once watched a squirrel carry huge mouthsful of leaves up a tall holly tree in the backyard until she (he?) had created an enormous mound up near the top, so I assumed that the others were also squirrel nests. It will be interesting to hear the answer.
squirrel
I’m not sure at all this time, but my guess is that it’s a red-tail hawk nest?
A squirrels nest?
Wow! Most of you know the answer. Yes, it’s a squirrel’s nest. They will also curl up inside hollow trees.
squirrel?
A squirrel for sure.
I could’ve said it was the home of one of nature’s most irritatingly destructive balls of cuteness but I don’t think anyone would’ve gotten it … LOL
I agree with your description Sharon.
Oh, I think some of us would have gotten it. Have been at the end of their destructive cuteness, in the house! Not to mention the frustration with them getting into suet feeders but ignoring the squirrel feeder full of peanuts that is in another part of the yard. Urgh!
We have a hollow tree in our backyard that has been host to a number of squirrel families over the last several years. I watched one evening late in the summer as “mom” poked her head out of the tree knothole, looked around and scrambled over to the fence post where she sat with a direct view of the tree. She chattered some and then 2 small babies came out of the tree. They chased each other up and down the tree a number of times, but never left the tree. After a few rounds of this “you’re it” game, mom came back to the tree and shoved both babies back inside the tree following them. Never saw her do it again. Very entertaining.
We have a number of these in our backyard trees. Haven’t seen them eating bird seed on our deck much lately, though. We kind of squirrel-proofed everything so they can’t get to the feeders. I still break down and put food for them in a squirrel box feeder, though. The little guys have to eat, too! 🙂
Squirrels of course.