Here s a recent example from the home front. We ve been looking for someone to reshingle the garage, which is only thirty years overdue for it, and it seems about time. I was pretty impatient, wanting it finished yesterday, and was glad when a friend in town recommended someone local with a good reputation. The week before the carpenter was coming to give an estimate, I noticed a small bird flying out of the garage every time I went in. Looking it up in the field guide, I learned it was an Eastern Phoebe, which is common here, but I had seen my first one just a few days before while visiting a school s outdoor laboratory.
Phoebes build mud nests covered with moss, on ledges sheltered by an overhang.
Each morning, I d scan the eaves, looking for a nest. I got serious, and looked up information on their nesting. They have two clutches of eggs, and their nesting dates are late April to early August. So there it was. Either close up the garage and force them elsewhere, or put off the reshingling until the phoebes are done with the nest.