Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Dilemma... And Impressive Engineering

What's wrong with this picture? (Other than my wreath is hanging crooked.)

IMG_8726

Let's zoom in a little closer....

IMG_8722

And even closer...

IMG_8709

Because we have a covered front porch, birds are always trying to make a nest in my seasonal wreaths. Typically, I catch them early and toss their sticks and straw away before they get a chance to really start working on it. This time, however, I didn't catch it until the bird was done. That's a bummer, because I think this is a pretty cool little masterpiece, yet I don't really want it sitting on top of my wreath. But just look at that perfect circle - all done by a little bird's beak! And that mud splattered on my door - all brought by a little bird to glue his creation together. Pretty impressive, eh? So, what to do... what to do...? I haven't seen the bird come back since he saw me standing on a ladder looking into his pretty little nest the other day. (I've had my whole family up on the ladder to admire his/her hard work.) So what do you think? Leave it? Toss it? Anyone know much about birds to know if it's going to come back? How cool would it be to have little eggs up there waiting to hatch?

The poor little bird worked so hard. What should I do?

14 comments:

Rebecca Lily said...

I am cracking up over here, because I have this dilemma EVERY SPRING. Birds love to build nests in the eaves of our house (under the roofline) and I can never bring myself to knock them down (although Andy will do it without blinking an eye). It's the same reason I can't step on an anthill. The poor creatures worked so hard to make a nice home for themselves... and what does it hurt?

I say leave the nest. But that's a big ol' softie giving you advice. :)

Great pics!

xo
R

Ohilda said...

That's the funniest thing I've ever seen!!

I have to agree with Rebecca, the poor thing worked SO hard....I'd leave it. You can even turn it into a Science lesson for the girls when the eggs hatch! :)

a Tonggu Momma said...

Do you want to be able to come in and out of that door? If so, knock down the nest. If you have a side door, then maybe they could stay awhile. But remember... birds tend to return to the roost every year. LOL.

Dana said...

Lol... I also have this SAME problem! I have moved the nests to other spots on the porch, away from the door. Some birds will still use it, and if they dont, other birds will reuse the nest. I think kestrels will reuse nests.
I know for me, I dont leave them at the door anymore becuase one year a baby bird learning to fly ended up in my house when I opened the door to leave!!! And that was NOOOOO fun!

Gail said...

I'm laughing about this a little bit because we also have the same thing happen every year. I usually take the nest down if I haven't seen the mamma bird in a while. And one year the mamma bird flew in our house, that was a sight seeing my husband Dan trying to get the poor scared thing out. We finally opened some windows and it flew away.

Hey...4 more days until the workshop. I'm so excited Michelle, I actually get some time by myself(well with all the workshop people but you know what I mean!) ;)

Jboo said...

Funny and sweet! But you might want to use that door! Maybe you can relocate that sweet little nest.

Janet

Sarah said...

I'd leave it up only if we could realistically not use that door and leave it LOCKED for several weeks to allow any hatchlings to grow up. If you can't realistically do that... gotta go.

Sarah said...

If you do leave it up... might want to leave a note on the outside of the door to use a side door and why... and then leave a note for yourself on the lock inside so you remember not to open the door.

ellieshine said...

love your photos :) Once my children saw the nest I'm pretty sure the choice would be made :)

Anonymous said...

Love it - brought a grin to my face! I can just imagine you all peering in and Mr/Mrs Bird looking from afar wondering what you are doing looking at his/her nest!

I think that even if the bird came back, once he realized that the door opened and closed she would probably abandon it. But I would say leave it for now or relocate it to somewhere close, but more practical and see what happens!

;)

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am in agreement with Tonggu Momma....we had a nest that was underneath our deck and I tried to get rid of it, but no sooner did I clean it all up and they came right back and built it again....they are smart little things!!

Lisa

Rydley said...

We have the same problem with our house! I say remove it. Only because if the bird comes back and lays eggs the last thing you'd want is for someone to accidentally open the door and harm them. Especially if the girls know about it - then there could be some broken hearts along with the shells. Just my two cents!

Cammie said...

Leave it.

Terry said...

I would leave it. This happens at Mom's house every year and she is always feeding the birds, just like she is the mama bird, hotel manager. They did such a good job and I wouldn't have the heart to take it down. Hopefully you have another door to use ? :-)