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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