I need some advice on what to do! I have a heartleaf ice plant and a bird couple have built a nest in my plant. It's on my front porch and I watched them build it through the window. I'm afraid when it comes time to lay eggs and all it won't be a good place for privacy.
Should I leave it like it is or move it in the back? Will they find it?
Anybody have this happen to them?
Thanks, Elizabeth
Yes. I have nests built all around my yard and one dove nest is at the top of a less than five foot pillar that has an arch with vine on it. The pillar is one to a side gate that is loud and often used and as long as we don't linger or appear to acknowledge the nest the dove stays put until babies are ready to leave. My philosophy is they chose the spot and I just ask visitors and family to ignore the birds. They will likely return next year. I had an old philodendrum in a dried out pot on a balcony once and the doves came back to nest every year so I left it. I just kept my distance. Sometimes we frighten the dove to fly to a spot where she watches us but she returns to her eggs soon after we move away from the area. If you move it the birds will likely leave. Good luck.
Birds build in strange places. I would just leave it and try to stay out of sight of mama bird.
When my daughter lived in Hawaii a bird built a nest in her next-door neighbor's Christmas wreath on the front door. Everybody had to use the back door for a couple of months until the mama had hatched the eggs and the babies were able to leave the nest.
Last Spring my daughter opened her portable barbecue to find that a small bird had built a nest in there. Five babies in the nest. She just closed the lid down carefully and backed away. A couple of weeks later she peeked in and the babies were all gone. We were concerned that something had happened to the babies in that short period of time. Through the helpful folks on the DG Bird Watching Forum we ID'd the birds as Carolina Wrens. Carolina wrens I discovered not only build in very strange places but from egg laying to fledgling size is only about 30 days. So, apparently nothing happened to the babies. They just got big enough to fly away. They had gotten my sphagnum moss out of the carport for nest material, which I reclaimed afterwards.
Karen
I had a bird (unsure what kind) build a nest in my wandering hairy jew hanging basket last year. I didn't know it was there until I stuck my hand in to see if it needed water....I broke the eggs. I can't tell you how bad I felt. Just leave them be. They will be fine.
I agree with everyone above. Very seldom do you get the same answer from all who respond. Bird nests are a bonus to gardening, in my opinion - even if it means you lose the plant. I never water plants with nests in them, but if the foliage is keeping them hidden, I'm sure there's a way to do it with minimal disturbance to the birds.
Chris
Another agreement, just leave it, and water the plant carefully. We have robins that nest on our downspout, we unscrew the light bulb on the garage light so they don't get too hot. They are fun to watch as the babies grow up.
I agree with growgirl...birdnests are a bonus! They're fun to watch and if they're in a potted plant, I say let the plant die, if necessary, for the sake of the little birds...you can always replace the plant.
Cute story about the nest in the Christmas Wreath !!!
My husband thinks they might be little fenches. The male is reddish and female is grey and tan. I can sit on my couch with the blinds open and watch them. Pretty cool.
I read once that the dryer sheets and lint can be saved and come Spring, put it out where the birds can find it and they will use it to build their nests. I've got a grocery bag full and forgot to put it out for them.
I'm gonna try and take a picture of them. This is exciting
If you take a hanging pot (empty) and hang it from a tree limb or some other place and fill it with the lint from your dryer, the birds will find it and use it for their nests.
I have an extra hanging pot. Thanks I never thought of that. It will be waiting come morning.
I have hanging baskets of asparagus fern on the front porch each year. There is a house finch pair that builds a nest in one of the pots each year. I water and fertilize just the same, doesn't seem to hurt anything. We even bring the pot down for our grandchildren to see if they are here. It really builds their fascination with the birds, and the miracle of life. Otherwise we don't touch them. They come back each year, in fact if I haven't gotten the pots out when they are ready to nest they fly all around my porch looking for them. After one nest full I put garlic or onions in the pots so they don't build another nest, for one is my limit. It always seems that the nest with the babies grows the best, maybe from all the bird poop fertilizer, lol.
Yeah- the bird poo in this one is purple!! But the plant has doubled in size in one month:)
You get free fertilizer with your bird watching. LOL. Can't beat that.
Karen
can't beat the price on that one.
Do you have a bird bath, too?
When we finally bought one, the number of birds in our yard really multiplied. They had been using the large dog water bowl for several years, but now have a much larger and higher source of water.
Also, better looking! LOL
Thanks, kwanjin.
I saw a bird yesterday sitting on the top of one of our small trees taking a bath in the rain as it came down. I didn't know they would do that.
Karen
Watched a red-tailed hawk do that on top of a tollway light a couple of weeks ago. As the rain came in waves, it would open its wings and seemed to enjoy the shower.
Neat you got to see the hawk close up. We have them here, but I only see them flying. They love to ride the air currents.
Karen
