Suspected Wild Rabbit Nests

I have recently discovered what I believe to be 2 wild rabbit nests in my yard. One is by the pond in between a fern and the pine tree. The other is under a small lavender bush located near the pond area. The nest under the lavender I had suspected was a breather hole for a mole or a vole run way. A couple of days ago I discovered the hole was covered with dead grass and a little bit of what looks like rabbit fir. Last year when we put in this pond I was working in the area and saw this little tiny bunny. When I moved I startled it and it ran towards the pond and fell in. I hurried over thinking I would have to "fish" it out but the water level was high enough and it had enough adrenaline going that it was able to get out all on it's own. I wonder if it could be one of the rabbits that built one of the nests. Do rabbits go back to the area that they were born if they can to have their kits?

I will try to get some pics of the nest to post.

Ok, The two pics below is of the nest under the lavender bush.





These two are of the one behind the puny looking fern.

Three summers ago I saw a little bunny in our backyard. We have a privacy fence around our yard and I felt to sorry for the bunny because he had to grow up all alone and no one to snuggle with and he would prpbably never find his way out again. But at least he was safe. So I went to the feed store and bought rabbit pellets and put them in a bowl in the way back and a bowl of water (which it never ate or drank). The next summer, I was looking out the kitchen window and oh my gosh.....the rabbit was a she and she wasn't loney....there were 2 baby bunnies!!!! Last summer I was doing some raking and I raked over a nest that I didn't see...it was hidden really good and out came 2 little bunnies and I saw where they ran under a small space that they had dug under the fence. I was feeling so bad, so I fixed the little nest the best I could. They did come back...I saw them again in the nest and they get way down in the nest so they can hardly be seen. The nest looked just like your pictures. I am hoping there will be more babies this summer. I will let you know. Hope you see your bunnies!
Ellen

I always check if there are rabbits in the nest, somtimes the rabbits build what looks like a perfect nest then theres nothing in it, and real nest is somewhere else X.X

Unlike birds, if you touch the nest and move the fur to check she will come back to the nest at night to feed the babies

I don't know if a rabbit will return where it was born to make a nest but she would certainly be familiar with the area. I can't tell from the photos if that's a rabbit nest for sure but it certainly sounds plausible.

Cottontail rabbit does come to the nest at night to nurse the kits. I think Painteds has it backwards. It's birds that can't smell well. Rabbits have a good sense of smell so don't touch the babies or the nest.

My folks always taught me to leave wildlife babies alone and not to bother them. I paid attention to them and try to do what I was told.
I did move some of the bark dust to see what the mound was. I was concerned it might be a rat. After I saw the fir I figured it might be a rabbit and have left it alone. I hope I didn't scare the mom off.

Some birds do leave from touching most dont though, also keep bothering the mother makes them leave too

Touching baby bunnies will NOT make the mother abandon them. This is a common misconception people mistakenly have.

Be very careful Tia, you can never trust a rabbit! Didn't you learn anything from Monty Python's "Search For The Holy Grail"?



Derrick

thanks, I needed that today ...I haven't thought of Monty Python in YEARS. I was the quiet rebel. I used to listen to George Carlin albums and watch the Python show on vacation in Kentucky. ( while the whole time my Grandmother wanted to whack me across the head with the Bible. ) Never knew she could screamed until she saw the naked lady going across the screen in the openning Credits. lol

Here we go...
I must confess that I never saw Monte Python.
Looks like I missed out on something else, again.
That George Carlin is one rough dude!
Tia

You never saw it =O

I lead a sheltered life.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=fact-o...-at-human-touch

http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/question...27132325AA6F1lD

Update on the bunny report...
No baby bunnies yet!

EllenR, did you see any baby bunnies last year?
How long did it take for you to see them?

Yes those links just said there is a chance like all animals if you disturb them. Real quick fixing the nest if you disturbed it is okay like they said in about 20 wildife rescue websites, some state natural resources websites which im sure you saw as you looked around.

tlc,
I saw 2 bunnies last summer but have not seen any so far this year. It seems like it was around June....they were real little and stayed close to the nest. After they got a little bigger they started going farther away from the nest. I would see them either early in the morning or late evening, before dark. I have a pair of binoculars and I watch them through my kitchen window. Good luck!!!!!! Let us know if you see bunnies.
Ellen