I have lots of birds nest. As my yard matures I see more and more. We already had a robins nest in our magnolia, now I see a nest in my arbor (on top) with Reve d'Or on it. Unfortunately I sprayed it 2 weeks ago...oh well. And we've been going through seed like crazy. No hummers yet, that's surprising. Probably because it's been so cool.

For some weeks now we've been parents to an orphaned baby ground squirrel. Sammie was a 2 ounce baby when my husband found her and is now a strapping 9 ounces. We plan to release her when she's old enough to fend for herself, which will involve digging a burrow for her and feeding her until she can fend for herself. We're trying not to get too attached but it's not easy.

Funny you should mention the Cardinal.
I had never seen one before because we don't have them out here.
We were vacationing in the South two weeks ago and saw one in Mobile, Alabama and another two days later in West Monroe, La.
Everything was blooming everywhere we went and the Cardinal sightings were icing on the cake.
Went to Chamblee's on the way to the airport for the flight home.

The local cardinals favor the Knock Outs here too. Maybe because they come through winter with 6' of thorny growth to provide protection from all the local feral cats.

A robin tried to build a nest in one of my tree roses. Lost quite a few basal breaks before they gave up and went someplace else.

Cardinals are one thing we really miss since moving out here. We didn't have goldfinches when we had cardinals, tho, and the males are really starting to color up and chase each other around. I love seeing a bright yellow bird sitting on top of a "christmas tree" singing his heart out--it's a hoot.

We have what I believe is the same pair of cardinals return to our gardens every year. Their song is so distinctive. These were a couple of pictures I got of the male enjoying our fountain.
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We have seen many more species of birds this year than any other. Today I saw a Blue Grosbeak, a first for me and yesterday a Great Crested Flycatcher couple.

The eggs have hatched in the cardinal nest, here is momma sitting on her baby. I think one already fledged.
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And here is baby!
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My Knockputs never get big enough for any type of birds to nest in. You must be doing something right.

I have French Lace growing under a tree... This year has been the first time the leaves are the same color as the blooms... yuck!