I've been seeing what I assume is my returning pair of cardinals around my yard for the last month. Last year they attempted, unsuccessfully, to build a nest in one of my evergreen bushes. I've been hoping they would try again this year, and just today I saw the female hauling pieces of straw into the bush. The bush is denser this year so they should have a better chance to get the nest built.

Dan
Zone 5
East-central Iowa

How neat would that be, I hope they finish it this year then you will have more to tell. I dont see them that often here even though it is our state bird.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Unfortunately, during strong wind a few days ago, the clump of nest material in my evergreen bush all fell out and onto the ground. I have not seen the cardinals go back into the bush since. Major bummer.

Dan
Zone 5
East-central Iowa

Sorry to hear about the cardinal but you may be in luck Dan, I think cardinals typically make 2 attempts to nest during the season; I also think robins make 2-3 attempts. Best of luck!

Ruth
Everett, WA
Zone 8

Dan

Sorry to hear about the nest, bummer for sure. Just thought I would mention just saw a cardinal land in my yard all red, perched on a sheperds hook for a few seconds then off he went. I mention this since I could easily count on one hand the amount of times I will see one in a season.

OOPS- Dan just saw something landed on my yardlight. It looked for all the world like a male cardinal with the mohawk crown except for one thing , it was a light brown.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

The last few days I've noticed the cardinals flying back into the bush and today I looked in and saw another pile of twigs/straw being built up in the same spot as the first one. Hopefully it won't get extremely windy again before they can finish building.

Dan
Zone 5
East-central Iowa