I love birdies, but...

[Elmorton]

one is building a nest on a pillar of my porch and I''d like her family to have a better home! I''ve had birds build nests in similar areas before in other places I''ve lived, and I know from experience that it''s going to get really messy once the birds are settled in. Once the little hatchlings come, there will be bird droppings everywhere, and this particular area is one where DH and I need to do some work anyway ASAP - so I''d much rather have the bird choose a new area now than have to disturb her later. While I LOVE watching the new chicks hatch etc (nature is VERY cool), this is just not a good spot for all parties involved.

Has anyone ever encouraged a birdie to move its nest before? I tried moving everything (so far she''s just collecting random grasses) to a nearby tree, but it didn''t work. There are no eggs yet.

ALSO - I read a similar post on a message board when I was searching for solutions, and the OP got flamed for being inhumane. Please don''t do that to me! Like I said, I love birds (there is a REASON my cats are indoor kitties!) but the area is not good, and I''d like to figure out a solution where the birdie can start her family in a happier, safer area.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

I don''t know any good solutions for you, but I just wanted to chime in that I support you! Glad you''re trying to help so you don''t have to uproot them later. I don''t think it''s inhumane as long as you''re not hurting them, and you''re not!

 

[tlh]

Date: 5/8/2009 12:33:51 PM
Author: luvthemstrawberries
I don''t know any good solutions for you, but I just wanted to chime in that I support you! Glad you''re trying to help so you don''t have to uproot them later. I don''t think it''s inhumane as long as you''re not hurting them, and you''re not!

Ditto! though even being loud doing yard work w/ a tree trimmer don''t seem to deter birdies. I see them building nests in all sorts of loud and unsafe places!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Short of blocking off the spot she''s chosen somehow (even just enclosing it in wire mesh for awhile until she moves away), I''m not sure what else you can do. Birds tend to build in the most obnoxious places possible!

 

[geckodani]

This works for windows: Make a cardboard cutout of a hawk or an owl, or anything large bird of prey shaped and put it near the nesting site. That should scare her off without hurting her!

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Date: 5/8/2009 2:36:00 PM
Author: MonkeyPie
Short of blocking off the spot she''s chosen somehow (even just enclosing it in wire mesh for awhile until she moves away), I''m not sure what else you can do. Birds tend to build in the most obnoxious places possible!

That''s the only solution I can think of - unless you can stand there and coax her away every time she brings some materials, try to block the area. You said there''s really nothing there yet right? Except for a few pieces of grass? So it''s not like you''d be blocking her from her home.

 

[geckodani]

How''s the bird nest situation?