I was trying to clear a log out of the stream and spotted a nest in the rhododendron bush. I’ve been hoping to find a cardinal nest because a pair have been hanging around the back garden for a few weeks now (the male is bright red and the female is more muted but has the same red beak). A Google search confirmed that the females use thin twigs and grasses for their nest and they look a lot like ours… in other words, like this:
When I went back for a closer look, the female flew off the nest so it’s confirmed: our first cardinal nest! It is a little too high to look for eggs (which are speckled) but in a week or so I’ll start looking for the chicks. And probably borrow Matt’s go-pro on a stick for some close-up footage.
witches whiskers 
Great find, Kara.
At last it’s raining here – we are desperate to fill our new waterbutts!
Never saw the female on this nest again — and no sign of chicks. 😦