Don’t worry about the birds. They wouldn’t have been happy there; plus it might have been a second “decoy” nest (depending on the bird species) rather than one they wanted to use for their eggs.
TB
We had birds trying to build a nest in our wisteria plant by the sidewalk, and they freaked every time we walked by. At some point, they just abandoned it and I assume they built one someplace else. Not my problem, really.
@Laura, Yeah, I know, I did it because it seemed the best thing in the end, but it still made me sad. And @TB, I hear you. But for me, when us humans disrupt the lives of animals for our own convenience — from repeatedly disrupting nests to roadkill — it troubles me.
Peter Rogan
In re: Bird’s nests.
From your drawing I surmise that this was the nest of swifts, extremely nimble flyers who prefer high inaccessible places no crow, raven, or even jay could trouble without actually banging their heads on the beams. That’s their primary concern, not the passage of slower mammals, which still upset them but aren’t an immediate threat to their eggs. For the price of constant screaming and the occasional airborne assault they could have been left there for the season, but it would be a rough life for the kids. You did the right thing; there are other beams and inaccessible dark places they can find that no other bird can reach that won’t turn them into mean-spirited neighbors.
Could have been worse. A cousin of mine in California has had as many as three hummingbird nests on her patio at one time. She simply stopped using it for the six weeks the tiny little things nursed their tiny little eggs until their tiny little progeny were large enough to slip inside a bluebell and hide. The dog didn’t like it, though.
If my surmise is correct as to their being swifts, by the way, their nests may be edible. Depends on what plants they glue together to make this little cup way up against the roof. Not that I’m suggesting you treat them as a food source, mind, but I find it worth investigating. Pity I’m nowhere near New Mexico. C’est la vie.
Randall R. Besch
I understand your feelings about the bird’s nest. But it will work out better for everyone is the only succor I can imagine to counter that feeling. I feel the same as you in this matter.
Insects seem to be disappearing in Houston, Texas. I hardly see any all year round. The clover is blooming yet no insects buzzing over them as I remember just 40 years ago.
Don’t worry about the birds. They wouldn’t have been happy there; plus it might have been a second “decoy” nest (depending on the bird species) rather than one they wanted to use for their eggs.
We had birds trying to build a nest in our wisteria plant by the sidewalk, and they freaked every time we walked by. At some point, they just abandoned it and I assume they built one someplace else. Not my problem, really.
@Laura, Yeah, I know, I did it because it seemed the best thing in the end, but it still made me sad. And @TB, I hear you. But for me, when us humans disrupt the lives of animals for our own convenience — from repeatedly disrupting nests to roadkill — it troubles me.
In re: Bird’s nests.
From your drawing I surmise that this was the nest of swifts, extremely nimble flyers who prefer high inaccessible places no crow, raven, or even jay could trouble without actually banging their heads on the beams. That’s their primary concern, not the passage of slower mammals, which still upset them but aren’t an immediate threat to their eggs. For the price of constant screaming and the occasional airborne assault they could have been left there for the season, but it would be a rough life for the kids. You did the right thing; there are other beams and inaccessible dark places they can find that no other bird can reach that won’t turn them into mean-spirited neighbors.
Could have been worse. A cousin of mine in California has had as many as three hummingbird nests on her patio at one time. She simply stopped using it for the six weeks the tiny little things nursed their tiny little eggs until their tiny little progeny were large enough to slip inside a bluebell and hide. The dog didn’t like it, though.
If my surmise is correct as to their being swifts, by the way, their nests may be edible. Depends on what plants they glue together to make this little cup way up against the roof. Not that I’m suggesting you treat them as a food source, mind, but I find it worth investigating. Pity I’m nowhere near New Mexico. C’est la vie.
I understand your feelings about the bird’s nest. But it will work out better for everyone is the only succor I can imagine to counter that feeling. I feel the same as you in this matter.
Insects seem to be disappearing in Houston, Texas. I hardly see any all year round. The clover is blooming yet no insects buzzing over them as I remember just 40 years ago.