Honestly it could have been robins. I have a pretty good relationship with a nesting pair of crows. I leave them treats on the fence railing and they keep the hawks away. My neighbor even saw them chase a coyote back into the woods. They really adore a little larceny though so I always leave my compost bucket outside the chicken compound for them to steal from. They make a bit of a mess but it’s worth it!
Holy cow! What is it??? It’s very cool..
Praying mantis egg case.
I wouldn't have known, either.
I buy egg cases every year. They are the "insecticide" that I use. The ones I buy are usually the type laid by Chinese Praying mantises. They have a different shape than this one does. This is the second one I found this winter. I have no idea how many I have missed.
