Funky Nests 2019
Have you noticed any nests in your neighborhood?
No? Are you sure?
Go outside this spring and check out store signs, streetlights, balconies, traffic lights, gutters, downspouts, rooftops, stadium lights, light fixtures, grills, utility poles, potted plants and more! You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find, and be sure to share your discoveries with us!
We are not looking for professional photographers. We’re just looking for interesting stories. We hope that people of all ages will participate, and we accept diverse types of entries like poems or videos, too. Youth are encouraged to submit entries (please let us know that it is a youth entry in the description).
Entry deadline is June 30, 2019!
Prizes
Prizes include Celestron binoculars, window view bird feeders, folding pocket bird guides, Cornell Lab stickers, Bird Academy online courses, Project FeederWatch posters, and much more.
Learn more about nests
Attention: Before going out to find nests take a few minutes to learn a little about how to observe nests without harming the birds, where to find nests, and common myths about nesting birds.
Enter photos, artwork, video, poetry, stories, or audio in one of these categories:
First Prize Winner
Get Well Note to Gramma
Deb KNUDSEN
Brooklyn, WI, USA
Mommy, Devin (21 months), Vivi (5) and Gramma checked the bluebird boxes at Gramma’s land and discovered a mother bluebird feeding 4 nestlings inside one of the boxes. The next day Gramma wasn’t feeling well so Vivi made a Get Well Note to cheer Gramma up! It really helped. Gramma and Vivi are on the left, the baby birds are in the box (square) and the mommy bird is feeding the babies. The sun is in the top right corner and trees and grass on on the bottom.
First Prize Winner
Industrial Robins
Sean Clinning
Elizabethtown, KY, USA
American Robin nest built within a cable coil on an welding rig. This nest was extremely visible and offered little or no protection from the elements. At least one of the original three young fledged successfully moments before this image was captured.
First Place Prize
Nest in a bicycle basket
Laney Grace Wilson
Perry, GA, USA
I was at my neighborhood friend’s pool and noticed that their bike had a little cute bird’s nest in the attached basket. I guess my friends have not been doing a lot of bike riding recently!
First Prize Winner
Turkey Lurkey
Jessica M fisher
Marietta, NY, USA
The neighbor’s turkey walked over for 2 weeks and laid a clutch of eggs. About 3 weeks ago, she started nesting and they are due to hatch in about a week. We have not had the opportunity to use our front yet, but since the weather hasn’t been very nice, we don’t mind. Our kids and the neighbors frequently check on her and make sure she is comfortable and is protected from predators.
Second Prize Winner
What’s that noise?
That outside chatter,
Such elegant poise,
So what’s the matter?
Nimble and quick,
Hardly a glance,
Outstanding whit,
Agile dance.
I caught a glimpse,
Of twigs in tow,
Almost missed,
A nesting sparrow!
Every morning,
Bright and early,
A sound reminder,
Of a parenting fellow!
Morning Call
Stacie Grannum
Kingman, AZ, USA
A poem to thank the House Sparrows for choosing a nesting site right outside my bedroom window for a natural morning wake-up call!