What Should I Do If I Found A Bird Nest Low To The Ground?
When you hear the term “bird’s nest,” the first thing that comes to mind for most people is a cup-shaped nest high in a tree. This is understandable because most birds build their nests high up in trees to protect their hatchlings from predators.
But what if you find a bird nest low to the ground or even on the ground? What should you do in either of these situations? Do the nests need your help? Let’s figure it out!
What you should do if you find a nest low to the ground
Finding a bird’s nest, especially in your backyard, can be an exciting experience. However, the best thing you can do is leave the nest alone and stay away from it even if it’s low to the ground or on the ground. You can cause damage to the nest unintentionally.
Some birds are very fragile; even a little disturbance and loud noises can make parents abandon their nests. You’ll also leave a strong scent trail that may attract predators such as foxes, opossums, and raccoons to find an easy meal.
These predators have a strong sense of smell and can easily follow your scent to discover the nest. Therefore, do not visit the nest repeatably because it will blow the baby birds’ cover.
Why are there Low to the Ground Nests?
Some birds, such as greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, and dunnock, naturally build their nests close to the ground. Additionally, bird species like killdeer and Virginia Rail lay their eggs on the ground.
Some Precautionary Measures You Can Take
If you find a nest close to the ground and feel that it can be in danger, you can take some preventative measures for the birds’ protection.
Keep Pets Indoors
Hunting is in the nature of cats, and they can become cold-blooded killers if they find an accessible bird’s nest with little hatchlings. Some dog breeds will also eat chicks and eggs.
Your pets can have devastating effects on nests near the ground which is why it’s critical to keep them indoors. It can cause a little inconvenience, but you only need to do this until the nesting season is over. You may want to check out some simple tips on how to protect nests from cats.
Build A Catio
If you can afford it, you can build a temporary catio (without a roof) around a low to the ground nest. It’ll keep all types of ground predators at bay.
You can also make metal cages or fences for bird species such as killdeer and Virginia Rail that lay their eggs on the ground to cover their nests.
Contact Local Wildlife Authority
Many bird species are protected by law in some countries, and you can get help from local wildlife authorities to get a protected area built around the nest. It’s also important to note that it’s illegal to relocate or remove a nest of some bird species from your property, even if it’s at an inconvenient spot.
Professionals from wildlife authorities will provide you with important information like the bird species and their incubation period. Additionally, they will remove the temporary fence from your backyard once the nesting season is over.