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Date: | Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:34:15 EDT |
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Yesterday, while doing yard work I saw a Carolina Wren shot out from a hole
in the cover of my propane tank. I carefully lifted the cover (that rounded
knob on the top of the tank that covers the valves) and sure enough, she had
a nest with five eggs. The nest was a bulky tangle of dry vegetation with a
nicely formed deep cup holding the eggs. Although it was secure for the time
being, we never know when the propane delivery truck might come by to top off
the tank, which would destroy the nest.
I felt the best thing to do was to relocate the nest, and thought of just
the thing to use. Two years ago, Carolina Wrens started to build a nest in an
old watering can that was on its side. Unfortunately, a heavy rain caused
water to puddle around the can. The partially built nest was flooded and the
wrens abandoned it. This watering can offered a good solution.
I carefully removed the nest from the propane tank and gently set the eggs
on a warm spot on the ground. I was able to squeeze the nest into to the
watering can and replace the eggs. I then set the can atop the propane tank and
used a wad of newspaper to block the hole in the cover that she had been
using as an entrance to the nest.
I left the area for about ten minutes. When I returned, mom flushed from
the relocated nest! Later in the day, I moved the can away from the valve and
used string to tie it securely to the tank. As an added bonus, now I can
look out a window and see mom on the nest.
I share this story because it demonstrates the fallacy that touching a
bird's nest or eggs will cause the mother to abandon it. When necessary, people
can intervene to move a nest, or return an egg or nestling to a nest. The
mother's instinct is too strong to abandon her young.
Sheryl Young
Sandusky
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