AboutJulia Booth Expertise I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena.
Experience I have ten years birding experience in Southern California. I am well versed in all the species living in the Western US. Many hours spent birding. I have been frequently told I should lend my knowledge to good use, and have encountered few bird related questions that I cannot answer.
Organizations Audubon Society
Education/Credentials My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
Question I live in Castle Hayne, NC and enjoy photographing wildlife. A bird, I suppose has made a nest in our flower garden in the front of the house. It has a hole about 5 to 6 inches wide and very shallow and is covered with dried grass. We have been here for 5 years and never saw a nest like this. We have numerous bird species because there are wetlands right behind the house, two acres of land.
Answer Well it's on the ground. My immediate thought is it's some kind of small water fowl, sandpiper or plover. It's something that leads its young directly to the water, when they hatch. It's something that lives in both fresh and ocean water.
Could you maybe take a photo of it? Even a poor quality one would be helpful. I'd like to get you a definitive ID, if I can.
And consider watching the nest to see who comes and goes. First thing in the morning and right before sunset, you should be guaranteed to see your culprit.
If you can't load it here, email me directly at Juliabohemian@aol.com and paste the image into the body of the message.
