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Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:26 PM May 2018

Quick update on the nest in my hanging basket

No photos, sorry. I had to get a praying mantis off the basket so I took it down to remove the bug and place him on a shrub.

But while I had it down I saw 5 eggs. So from 1 to 5, and that's a full clutch for house sparrows.

She, the mother, is getting better about not running off when we open the door.

I rearranged my front chairs so that a cushioned bench is directly below her nest. I know it's silly but the thought of them one day - after hatching - landing on the cement worries me.

Edit to add original thread with photos

https://www.democraticunderground.com/103663910

I'll try to get updated egg photos.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CaliforniaPeggy

(149,308 posts)
1. That's great news, my dear Solly Mack!
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:28 PM
May 2018

I don't think it's silly at all, about the bench. I think you're being very thoughtful.

Pictures, eventually, if you can!





Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
3. I'll try. I don't like bothering her. I change the watering bulb out when needed
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:35 PM
May 2018

but I don't have to take the basket down for that - I climb up instead.

She leaves in the AM for food and a few times again during the day. Maybe then I can get some photos.

I also move my toads to keep them from eating my anoles. Well, the big toads. The smaller ones can't. I scoop them up in a funnel I made from a milk jug for that purpose.

I have a frog/toad area for them anyway and they need to stay there. lol They have a dirt floor house, a water source, and plenty of bugs.

It's out back and away from the anole houses.

I'm getting weirder and weirder in my old age.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
4. It is! I think so anyway. It makes me happy to see her up in the basket.
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:40 PM
May 2018

She has been trimming some of the flower stalks away. I come out to see more stalks on the ground. The flower is still full but she gets rid of the stalks directly by her nest as the plant gets larger. It's kind of funny.

applegrove

(118,022 posts)
8. I had a cute robin's nest under my back steps. I was thrilled till I realized how much robin
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:55 PM
May 2018

poop stacked up right underneath it. You may want to rethink where you put your chairs. And the little ones are so lite that they will not hit the ground hard. Maybe put an old towel down on the ground.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
10. Yeah, I considered that and decided to use an old cushion and toss it later.
Sat May 26, 2018, 11:59 PM
May 2018

But I will do the towel thing anyway - on the cushion. In case anyone wants to sit under the nest.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
12. Ok, ok. I'll think of something else I can live with. :)
Sun May 27, 2018, 12:04 AM
May 2018

You win!

I do get tired of cleaning bird poop out back where all the feeders are located. They can cover the back fence in no time. It's a weekly job that can take some time. I get lots of birds. Lots.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
14. Some of the birds sound wonderful. Some, not so much.
Sun May 27, 2018, 12:09 AM
May 2018

I love the sound cowbirds make.

The doves can drive you crazy with their cooing.

I love the mockingbirds.

The woodpeckers attack my house when their feeder is empty. Once it is full again they go back to eating and ignoring me.

The hummers run into people when they're fighting. They've even hit my dogs while going at it over territory. The hummers will often end up rolling on the ground while locked into battle.

It's a little wild out back.

applegrove

(118,022 posts)
15. Hummers are my favourite. Or robins. I like the sound of owls at night
Sun May 27, 2018, 12:12 AM
May 2018

but have not heard one in a long time. I think I might just have to get one of those nighttime forest sound amplifiers with crickets and frogs too.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
16. I go to sleep to the sounds of owls now. It's nice.
Sun May 27, 2018, 12:21 AM
May 2018

But when I let my dogs out during the night, I'm ever watchful. I have small dogs. A barn owl was sitting on my back fence one night. A huge one.

The tree frogs start around sundown and go for several hours too.

dem in texas

(2,672 posts)
18. Had Carolina Wrens nest in one of my hanging Baskets
Sun May 27, 2018, 02:24 AM
May 2018

About ten years ago, I had some large hanging baskets on my front porch I put water crystals in the soil so I wouldn't have to water the baskets so much when the weather got hot. It was June and hadn't turned hot, so I hadn't watered in over a week. I climbed on a stool to check the soil and saw tiny birds heads peeking out of the moss. Thank goodness, I didn't water without looking first. I left the basket alone for several weeks and when I checked again, the birds were gone.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
19. How cool! Tiny bird heads peeking out - I love the mental image I got.
Sun May 27, 2018, 02:32 AM
May 2018

I use a watering bulb on the other side of a rather large basket. Huge plant of impatiens - or was huge. She keeps pruning away what she doesn't want. Still big though. lol




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