5/2/21, there are 2 eggs in the nest.

5/6/21, still 2 eggs. The other night there were 2 adults sitting in the nest, usually it's just one. I see where they're doing some repairs, seems like everyday there is something new, that's been recently added to the nest.

5/7/21, the nest is empty.

Last evening I checked the nest, didn't see any birds and the eggs were gone. The nest touches my window glass and it seems that the grass and stuff they were adding made the nest shallow.

The other night when there were 2 adults in and on the nest, the one was perched on the outside rim, and had it squished down. Maybe a puff of wind hit them?, but the eggs rolled out. I found one egg under the bush, it didn't survive the fall. The egg was a little bigger than I thought, it would have been about 3/4's of an inch long. I showed it to my daughter and then took it back outside and gave it a fling. Another couple of days and we'd have had peeps.

So much for that experiment and I was just getting ready to make up a "Bird nest here" sign!

Well, since this thread is for the birds, (pun intended), here's an update from camp on Mama Phoebe. She's back. Same place as last year, above the storage door on the back side of the privy. Was gonna sweep away the empty nest, but the humanitarian in me stopped me. Before I left camp, I scrutinized the nest again, and now there's a reason for the nest.

Using the mirror was a clever idea.

Yes, good idea.

Kind of hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the nest is hanging on by a thread too. I'm sure the Momma bird would appreciate a piece of 2x2 up under the nest.

I forget where I heard this, but they say there is a popular trend these days for people to put their own hair outside for building material. You know, get your hair cut, take the trimmings and dump it where the birds will find it.

Here's an update on the update. Just came back from camp. Mama Phoebe is sitting on a clutch of five eggs. Out hunting during the day and sitting at night. Been hot so maybe not worried about keeping them eggs warm. Also, was up with one of my daughters. She has a lot better hearing than me, so she's always telling me she is hearing some sort of engine noise. Turns out to be a grouse drumming for love. I know of a drumming log just behind one of our stacks of firewood. At the sound, we snuck up and peered over the stack. Was about 15 feet from the dude when he started beating them wings. Most folks only see this on film. She was really excited watching, although we were in a fog of skitters!

It's usually tough to find the drumming grouse because they see you coming and leave. You should get some photos.

Yeah, I got a video of him with my camera (not a smart phone) but am unable to download it like a photo so can't share it.

Engine noise. Yes, that was a very cool experience for both of you.

Ruffed grouse are a pretty bird, with about the best camoflage in the world. They are just about a thing of the past in this area. This past season I did see 3, one single and 2 together. One on one mountain and the other 2 ten miles away, we still have a few.

Did hear a whip-poor-will the other morning, first one I've heard for a while.