Help me to save these baby birds!

[Queenie60]

I have a large planter pot on my front porch. It has a lot of ivy with a few flowers that bloom at different seasons. Last spring mama bird made a nest in the ivy and layed 3 eggs - some predator destroyed the eggs before they could be hatched. I disposed of the nest, hoping that mama bird would not return. Well,,,, last weekend I noticed that she came back, built her nest and we now have 3 babies in the pot of ivy. Any suggestions as to how I can keep predators out? The pot sits on my opened front porch and I'm assuming that it was a raccoon or maybe a crow that got to it last year. When I know that mama is away forging for food, I have begun to put some chicken wire around the pot, hoping that it can be a deterrent at the very least. I'm at a loss and don't want the babies to be eaten by another creature. Thank you.

 

[kenny]

I wouldn't interfere with nature.
IMO the eater is as important and the eaten ... this, from a bird lover.
For pets I feel vequotery differently.

Perhaps remove your planter so you no longer feel involved and responsible.

... just my 2 cents, but carry on with other perspectives.
I'm sure mine is in the minority.

 

[PintoBean]

Plant stand to elevate?

 

[soxfan]

Mama will guard that. You don't have to do anything.

 

[sonnyjane]

I cringed when reading this. PLEASE don't interfere! Your chicken wire is only making it harder for the mom to come back and feed her chicks!!! Nature works this way. If a mother is not intelligent enough to nest in a more secure location, natural selection will remove her genes from the pool. If you artificially continue such a line, her chicks will build crappy nests, etc.

Hope for the best, but please don't meddle! I'm the biggest bleeding heart animal lover out there, but you can't do momma bird's work!

 

[CJ2008]

Oh Queenie I feel for you.

I'd feel so distraught if I had to see the baby birds possibly get hurt.

But I'm afraid the advice you got is spot on.

Maybe like what kenny said - remove the planter or put it far away so you don't have to see it.

Sorry Queenie.

I hope they survive and that you get to see them grow and be healthy.

 

[Calliecake]

Queenie, We have a similar problem with birds laying nests in our yard. They seemed to always chose a tree that Raccoons like to climb in the middle of the night. I called a wildlife center about 10 years ago asking what I could do to try to save the babies. I was told what everyone is telling you here. I hope the babies in your yard make it.

 

[missy]

Oh I am sorry Queenie! I have no useful advice to offer because it would be hard for me not to interfere and save the baby birds. I hope they survive and thrive despite the predators all around. (((Hugs))).

 

[Queenie60]

Okay - going against my heart I know that all of the "do not interfere" advise it right. I was hoping to hear that I was doing the right thing. I've removed the wire and they're still thriving! The only meddling I have done now is informed my gardener that he must not do anything on my porch until further notice. As mama becomes quite upset when anyone goes near that planter. I picked up my UPS packages a few minutes ago and she went crazy! I'll pray that they survive!

 

[kenny]

Do you mind if I pray that the chicks' equally-important predators survive, since the chicks surviving or becoming a meal are both equally okay?
... not that Kenny's (or anyone's) idea of what's okay matters at all to nature.

 

[Queenie60]

Okkkkkk Kenny! I'll leave that one up to you - it's your heart! Absolutely not, as we're all entitled to our own feelings and opinions. FLAME ON!!!

 

[OreoRosies86]

Poor little birds, I hope they make it okay. Keep us updated?

 

[kenny]

Okkkkkk Kenny! I'll leave that one up to you - it's your heart!

Caring equally about all creatures in nature has something to do with one's heart?

 

[azstonie]

Queenie, you are a dear heart, I hope these babies make it!!!

 

[missy]

Queenie, I am sending lots of good luck dust to the sweet babies and hoping they make it! And (((hugs))) to you. I know how tough this is. Cmon baby birds! Grow strong and healthy and have a nice long happy life.

 

[Queenie60]

I'll keep you posted on their progress. My gut tells me that they'll make it. And Kenny - I know you're a good person and I meant nothing negative towards your thoughts. And I think that beneath all of your facetious remarks, there's a pretty good person in there! Rock on Baby birds!!!!!

 

[Queenie60]

UPDATE: Glad to say that babies survived and are now out of the nest and hopping around the planter box. Soon to fly!!

 

[kenny]

Awww, to me nothing's cuter than baby birds.

Got pics?

 

[azstonie]

UPDATE: Glad to say that babies survived and are now out of the nest and hopping around the planter box. Soon to fly!!

So glad to hear this!!!

 

[Queenie60]

Will try for pics tomorrow. Many thank's to all of you for caring!!! So cute. The mama is in the planter box and the father is in my fern keeping watch. Nature at its best!!!

 

[missy]

UPDATE: Glad to say that babies survived and are now out of the nest and hopping around the planter box. Soon to fly!!

YAY!!!! Best news all week!!! Thank you Queenie for taking the time to update us. So happy for the birds!!!