What laid these?

[SARtech]

Stumbled upon this nest. Mama flew away so fast all I saw was a medium sized bird...flash of brown with maybe some flecks and a flash of orange or red up near head or on longish beak.
These eggs were a fairly good size. Now that I know where it is, I'll slowly approach next time and see if I can catch mama.

[gotrocks]

Kristine, I really like this picture. One of my favorite subjects, nests with eggs.
Hope some critter does not find it and have a 4 egg omelet.

I'm looking forward to seeing if you catch momma (or poppa ) on the nest.

[SARtech]

Thanks! Do you think it might help if I put some kind of chicken wire around it or something to keep critters out?
I'll try to get mom or pop this sunday.

[CaraRose]

Do you think it might be wild turkey? The description almost matches-- 4-11 eggs, creamy or buff with red spots evenly distributed. The only thing that doesn't work is the evenly distributed park.

[SARtech]

I don't think so Cara. The bird that flew off was way smaller than a wild turkey. Thanks for playing though!

[CaraRose]

Were you by the water?

[gotrocks]

Maybe a grouse??
I'll keep looking.

[gotrocks]

Any chance it was a herring gull?
Look at this nest
http://birding.about.com/od/birdprof...ld-Bird-Nests/

[SARtech]

I thing the beek on the adult that flew away was longer and narrower than a grouse and it definitely was not a gull.
Can't wait till Sunday to try to find out! Thanks for investigating!

[CaraRose]

The two range maps I looked don't include IL in Herring Gulls in the breeding range

[gotrocks]

OOPS you beat me to eliminate gull
Look here on page 5.
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/birdfg/EGGS.html#top
I looks like it could be a gull.

[SARtech]

Think it might be a red winged black bird nest?? It could have been the female I saw flying away in a flash. We have a ton of RWBB's there.

[CaraRose]

RWBB aren't ground nesters, so not likely. They typically build nests into reeds or cattails.

[gotrocks]

Does "fairly good size" mean larger than grade A?

[SARtech]

No, a little smaller.

[billy320]

American woodcock

[SARtech]

FINALLY! Went to the nest site today. I crept up inch by inch when I got close so I could catch mom on the nest before she flew away. Can't post my photos until I get home tonight, but after seeing her and spending about an hour and a half on the internet searching, I can now tell you it is an AMERICAN WOODCOCK. A first for me!
Stay tuned for photos...
:thumbsup:

[SARtech]

LOL! Didn't see Mahopac's post above before I posted............ I SWEAR! That will teach me to check the thread first, right? hahahaha

[billy320]

LOL ...................... I looked it up on line

[paulnj]

beat me too it. Indeed those are woodcock eggs.