Posted by Candice Tucker on January 28, 2007

Q: A large nest was built in the top of the red pine, 50/60 feet up. The nest was at least 3 feet in diameter. The bark of the pine tree was slowly stripped. There were droppings all around the base of the tree. The tree has of course since died. Any thoughts?

Habitat: forest/open woods

State: Michigan

Habitat: forest/open woods

A: Candice,

I'm trying to get a "picture in my mind" of your scene and need a bit more information. Are we talking about a nest as in a "bird's nest" (open at the top) or a nest like a "squirrel's nest" that has a top or is domed? I'm wondering if the "nest" and tree stripping are not even related.

Also, knowing the consistency of the droppings would be helpful. I'm inclined to think you have a Porcupine feeding on your Red Pine but I'm unaware that they will build a nest in a tree so this has me puzzled. Around feeding trees and especially outside their winter dens, Porcupine scats, or droppings, are often visible. In the winter, these scats are rough and irregular in shape If this is a bird of prey however (eagle, Osprey, owl or hawk) that is frequenting your tree there should be lots of "whitewash" rather than just distinct fecal droppings. At this point I think there are probably two animals involved - a bird of prey with the nest (Great Horned Owls will begin nesting soon) and a Porcupine feeding on the bark. If this doesn't sound right, get back to me with more details and we'll go from there. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( January 29, 2007)