My Penta and the Mystery Bird

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Wendi10 Brent, FL Jul 02, 2013

I have a beautiful Penta hanging pot that I've had for almost 2 weeks. It's been doing beautifully. We had to leave for 3 days for my husband's father's funeral several hundred miles away. It is 11:00 PM and I just went out to water my plants. All are doing well, except for this one. Soooo....get this: I go to water this plant and all of a sudden a bird comes flying out at me! I screamed so loud! What is the world could this be? It was dark, so I have nothing to go by except a fluttering and flying object coming out scaring the living daylights out of me! This had to have only happened within the last 3 days, and by the way....the plant looks horrible! It's like I've neglected it for a week! Please help!

Post #9584243
Quote
steadycam3 Houston Heights, TX(Zone 9a) Jul 02, 2013

Inspect it in the morning. In my area it would likely be a dove who has laid eggs while you were gone or a bird who was using the edge of your pot for a roost. I have successfully watered around a nest before but it's not easy. If it's a nest, you might try hanging another basket nearby filled with hay or dried grass, use gloves and tranfer the eggs there. dont leave your scent on the basket, the grass or the eggs and place it very close to the penta basket. If the mother accepts the basket you make, then move your penta basket to another area where you can tend to it properly.

Post #9584248
Quote
Wendi10 Brent, FL Jul 03, 2013

Thank you so much! I looked this morning and there are no eggs. I will keep a close eye on it. I appreciate your reply!

Post #9584719
Quote
nutsaboutnature Algonquin, IL(Zone 5a) Jul 03, 2013

Wendi, is it possible it wasn't a bird, but rather a Bat that had settled in? Or maybe even an Owl. As far as why it isn't doing well, that's a tough one, unless maybe something has dug up the roots or used it as a bathroom?


Post #9584735
Quote
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jul 03, 2013

IF it was a bird, the soil in the basket would dry out faster due to heat transfer from the birds BUT, I would think the soil would have to be fairly dry for the bird to want to roost, take to building a nest or just sheltering for the night.

I'm not sure about your area but, here we are not allowed to remove or disturb any birds nests until until the fledglings have flown away, Bats are an even greater problem, IF we find bats in an out house or old ruined barn say, we have to have the experts help either remove the bat's at the right time of year or stop building/repair work till the bats move home.
I would be careful and take proper advice about taking down the hanging pot untill you know for sure your not breaking some law.
Best Regards. WeeNel.

Post #9585267
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP