Bird nest in my boston fern.

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bsavage Joined: 5/12/2009 Location: flatwoods ky Posts: 3	Posted: May/12/2009 1:25 PM PST I just recently bought three boston ferns and hung them on my porch. I discovered yesterday that some small brown birds has decided to build a nest in one of them. Not wanting to be mean to the birds because it's kinda intresting to watch,but at the same time,I don't want to lose my fern either. I have inserted a small funnel in the pot so I can water the fern without drowning the baby birds should it go that far. Does anyone have any ideas on what else I can do???? Quote \| Reply \| Report

Fernfan Joined: 5/02/2009 Location: Kennett Square, PA Posts: 15	Posted: May/12/2009 5:14 PM PST That's an interesting problem to have! If the birds haven't laid any eggs yet, I would think that you could remove the nest, and they'd find another place to set up home. Otherwise, I think you're kind of stuck until the babies leave the nest ... and your fern might be dead by then. Quote \| Reply \| Report

bsavage Joined: 5/12/2009 Location: flatwoods ky Posts: 3	Posted: May/12/2009 5:46 PM PST Thanks for the reply!!! I think you are right,but I would also have a hard time throwing out the nest they have worked so hard on. I will give it a little more time and if no eggs are laid,I will toss it. Quote \| Reply \| Report

poeticpeony Joined: 4/04/2006 Location: NE Ohio, deck chuckin' fool Posts: 9222 Moderator	Posted: May/13/2009 4:44 PM PST I wonder if you could poke some chopsticks or dowels in the dirt to discourage them from nesting in the plants. Make it less hospitable so they don't continue to build there. Quote \| Reply \| Report

carolyncat353 Joined: 4/29/2008 Location: Westlake, La Posts: 4216	Posted: May/13/2009 7:25 PM PST I find bird nests in lots of my potted plants, and they have never died. The funnel sounds like a good idea. Or, make sure when you water, that you get the nose below the nest, and just do it carefully. When they babies hatch, I'd remove the nest then. I do it all the time. Quote \| Reply \| Report

bsavage Joined: 5/12/2009 Location: flatwoods ky Posts: 3	Posted: May/14/2009 7:40 AM PST Thanks!! You have given me hope. The funnel has a long tube on it and I put it on the other side of the plant all the way to the bottom of the pot. I love my ferns,but I am so facinated by these birds. They don't seem a bit bothered if I'm out there or not and I have never been this close to watch the whole process. I hope we end up with babies!! Thanks again!! Quote \| Reply \| Report

Jessica Joined: 6/30/2009 Location: decatur Posts: 1	Posted: Jun/30/2009 5:44 PM PST How did it work? I had a bird build a nest in the last couple of weeks. Quote \| Reply \| Report

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bsavage
Joined: 5/12/2009
Location: flatwoods ky
Posts: 3

Posted: May/12/2009 1:25 PM PST

I just recently bought three boston ferns and hung them on my porch. I discovered yesterday that some small brown birds has decided to build a nest in one of them. Not wanting to be mean to the birds because it's kinda intresting to watch,but at the same time,I don't want to lose my fern either. I have inserted a small funnel in the pot so I can water the fern without drowning the baby birds should it go that far. Does anyone have any ideas on what else I can do????

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Fernfan
Joined: 5/02/2009
Location: Kennett Square, PA
Posts: 15

Posted: May/12/2009 5:14 PM PST

That's an interesting problem to have! If the birds haven't laid any eggs yet, I would think that you could remove the nest, and they'd find another place to set up home. Otherwise, I think you're kind of stuck until the babies leave the nest ... and your fern might be dead by then.

Quote | Reply | Report

bsavage
Joined: 5/12/2009
Location: flatwoods ky
Posts: 3

Posted: May/12/2009 5:46 PM PST

Thanks for the reply!!! I think you are right,but I would also have a hard time throwing out the nest they have worked so hard on. I will give it a little more time and if no eggs are laid,I will toss it.

Quote | Reply | Report

poeticpeony

Joined: 4/04/2006
Location: NE Ohio, deck chuckin' fool
Posts: 9222
Moderator

Posted: May/13/2009 4:44 PM PST

I wonder if you could poke some chopsticks or dowels in the dirt to discourage them from nesting in the plants. Make it less hospitable so they don't continue to build there.

Quote | Reply | Report

carolyncat353

Joined: 4/29/2008
Location: Westlake, La
Posts: 4216

Posted: May/13/2009 7:25 PM PST

I find bird nests in lots of my potted plants, and they have never died. The funnel sounds like a good idea. Or, make sure when you water, that you get the nose below the nest, and just do it carefully. When they babies hatch, I'd remove the nest then. I do it all the time.

Quote | Reply | Report

bsavage
Joined: 5/12/2009
Location: flatwoods ky
Posts: 3

Posted: May/14/2009 7:40 AM PST

Thanks!! You have given me hope. The funnel has a long tube on it and I put it on the other side of the plant all the way to the bottom of the pot. I love my ferns,but I am so facinated by these birds. They don't seem a bit bothered if I'm out there or not and I have never been this close to watch the whole process. I hope we end up with babies!!
Thanks again!!

Quote | Reply | Report

Jessica
Joined: 6/30/2009
Location: decatur
Posts: 1

Posted: Jun/30/2009 5:44 PM PST

How did it work? I had a bird build a nest in the last couple of weeks.

Quote | Reply | Report

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