Bird's Nest

**JerryG** · 03-09-2011, 08:10 PM

I have a bougainvillea plant that grows up the side of my patio. We had freezing temps this winter ( even in the winter - in the desert ) and had started trimming the frozen branches off.

What did I find?? Lo and behold - there's a bird's nest in the upper branches under the ceiling that didn't get frostbit. So what can I do to encourage their nest?? I was thinking of leaving out my dryer lint as I can see that they're getting a lot of what appears to be fabric bits.

I'm so happy for them and want to encourage them to stay. Does anyone have any experience in this? I know there will be bird poop to deal with and I'm very okay w/ that. It's been several month of deaths in our families and the mere thot that spring is on the way ( summer is practically knocking on the door now ) and the chirping birds cheer my soul.

**krbshappy71** · 03-10-2011, 03:36 PM

Bird bath, bird food, and be quiet.

**ncarr** · 03-16-2011, 01:19 PM

definitely add a bird feeder

**gottadance** · 03-16-2011, 02:47 PM

Are you sure it's an active nest? If not, just move the nest to another place and someone might re-use it. I also found a nest in my nannyberry bush. Looks like a cardinal nest but it's from last year, not currently in use. Since I don't trim the nannyberries it's not an issue for me. Just left it there. But was really surprised to find it. It was there all summer and I had no idea! Those sneaky cardinals.

**krbshappy71** · 03-16-2011, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by gottadance

Are you sure it's an active nest? If not, just move the nest to another place and someone might re-use it. I also found a nest in my nannyberry bush. Looks like a cardinal nest but it's from last year, not currently in use. Since I don't trim the nannyberries it's not an issue for me. Just left it there. But was really surprised to find it. It was there all summer and I had no idea! Those sneaky cardinals.

Why would they move it, they said they want to encourage the birds to stay?

**MsMarieH** · 03-16-2011, 05:43 PM

(In talking about moving it, she asked first if it was an active nest - I think she meant to move it if it appeared to be an old abandoned nest in the hope that another bird would find it.)

Watch the nest (from an out of sight place) to see if you can identify what kinds of birds are going in and out. That will make a difference on what you can do to attract them.

The dryer lint is a good idea. You might also try putting out a little bundle of dried daylilly type leaves (if you haven't yet done a spring cleanup) or spare bits of yarn and twine (about 6" length).

A bird bath is a great option (significantly away from the nest area).

A bird feeder might be a draw, given that the parents will need to keep their strength up, but they generally don't feed seed to the babies until they are fledged. They are more inclined to feed insects - so don't spray any insecticides in the yard!