Everett
The month of January is not one of my favorites. As far as rankings go it is at the very bottom of my list. I am told, hey you live in Ohio, what do you expect? Good question, I guess I will just grin and bear it.
On one of my ‘grin and bear it’ episodes outside, I noticed a nest up in a Maple tree. It was small and held by two small twigs. I thought, oh it was probably a small hornet’s nest.
Back inside I thought it could not have been a hornets nest, it was attached wrong to the tree. This started a research inquiry. At first, I thought it might be an old Prothonotary Warblers nest. These warblers are known to nest in Maple trees in Ohio. Though they nest in Maples and other deciduous trees, they are cavity nesters and do not build nests.
Back to square one. After doing more research I found out what had built the old nest and had left it behind. Have you guessed the nest? If you answered Baltimore Oriole, then you would be spot on correct.
Baltimore Orioles build hanging pouch nests in taller deciduous trees placed near the end of slender drooping branches. Nests are constructed of tightly woven plant fibers, strips of bark, grapevines, grass, yarn, string, and hair. Did you know this bird is not named after the baseball team? In fact, this migratory bird received its name from the resemblance of the male’s colors to those on the coat-of-arms of 17-th century Lord Baltimore.
On another ‘grin and bear it’ day I was fascinated by the antics of the fox squirrels. They were scampering around, going up and down trees, and walking as if on a tight rope across utility lines while twitching their tails the whole time. Of course, this caused every dog in the neighborhood to start barking at these frolicking animals.
Besides tree cavities, fox squirrels make nests of clumped leaves and twigs up in trees. The interior is hollow and measures eight inches across on average. A nest is typically lined with leaves, grass, moss, and shreds of bark. The exterior shell of the nest is woven together with sticks and leaves providing insulation. Squirrels may build more than one nest depending on their foraging activity. Nests are not only used for shelter, but they are also used for storing food such as acorns and other nuts.
Winter Folklore states nests built higher in trees suggest a colder, snowier winter; while nests located lower in trees suggest a milder winter. I like my yard the nests are lower in the tree canopy; however, five miles to the North the nests are high up in the trees. I will let my northern neighbor keep all the snow!
I did find a Bald-faced hornets’ nest on this cold dreary January day too. When winter descends, the hapless baldfaced hornets gather in tight clusters in the comb tiers with the outer paper envelop surrounding the combs acting as insulation. Although the hornets eventually run out of gas and freeze to death, it’s amazing how long they can last into the winter.
Nests are normally found attached to a single branch up in a tree, and sometimes in the corner of eaves of homes and other structures.
Of course, the true amazement may occur when a nest is brought into a warm structure before all the Bald-faced hornets have expired. Bald-faced hornets do not expire gently as we enter winter. We may not have experienced a sufficient accumulation of freezing temperatures to kill all the baldfaced hornets still standing guard inside their nests-particularly this year with our rather mild winter weather.
Waiting until spring to collect a Bald-faced hornet’s nest would eliminate any risk; however, nests commonly become tattered or even destroyed through the winter. It’s rare to find a pristine Bald-faced hornet’s nest in the spring.
On the other hand, collecting a Baldfaced hornets’ nest too early can lead to disastrous consequences if the nest is warmed. Nests collected now should be held in an unheated outbuilding, garage, or even on a covered porch, until at least late January. This will ensure that the hornets are dead and will protect the nest from water which will degrade the paper. Moisture is the enemy of a nice baldfaced hornet nest. On a side note, holding the nest outdoors will also allow the adults as well as any remaining larvae to dehydrate so they don’t stink when the nest is brought indoors for display.
Finally, it’s a common misconception that Bald-faced hornet’s nests need to be treated with some type of preservative such as varnish, or hairspray. This is not true. Some products, particularly varnish, may affect the natural colors of the nest either immediately, or over time. As long as the nest is kept dry and solidly suspended in a location that prohibits handling or shaking, it can be appreciated almost indefinitely.
Even though I may ‘grin and bear it’ outdoors during January, I am often amazed with our Natural Resources like birds, squirrels, or hornets with what they may have to offer. Oh, did I mention my distaste for January weather in Ohio?
