“Another Sign”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Another sign that spring is just about here or is already here showed up today. As I was checking the rex begonias in the little portable green house in the back garden, I noticed what I thought at first was a mass of dead leaves. Just as I was wondering what a ball of dead leaves would be doing in the corner, I realized it was a bird’s nest.
It is positioned on top of a container for Red Robin, a Rex Begonia I posted about a few days ago. I don’t know if I should move the nest or what. I sure don’t want Red Robin to be covered up and die since it is just starting to put out new leaves for the spring. But, on the other hand, I can’t stand the thought of disturbing a mother bird in her new home. I was unable to see into the nest this afternoon, but tomorrow I will try to see if anything is in there. I think I could gently lift it up and remove the container of Red Robin and then very gingerly place the nest back in the corner.
I am used to the birds building nests in my hanging baskets of ferns, but this is a first time they have built in an area such as this. I seem to remember another blogger had a similar nest built in their garage or shed last year, but now I can’t remember who that was or how things turned out. I’ll be sure to post the outcome of the house moving.
I think you would have to agree that this nest building certainly seems to be a good sign that spring is here in South Louisiana.
Always Growing 
kerri said,
February 17, 2009 at 7:35 pm
How neat to have a bird’s nest in an easy-to-monitor spot! Yes, I’d be moving Red Robin too. She’s too lovely to lose, that’s for sure.
I hope you’re able to find out what kind of bird built the nest.
That was Frances last year who had the nest in her utility shed.
Janet said,
February 17, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Just my opinion, but I think if you gently put the nest on the shelf that the pot is sitting on, without too much of it disturbed, maybe the bird will continue to build the nest. I think disturbing a nest with eggs or babies falls into a different catagory. A new nest is a work in progress.
Janet
Jen said,
February 17, 2009 at 9:51 pm
We are hearing the birds singing for the first time in months. It is so beautiful, funny how you don’t miss this until you realize that you have not heard it all winter.
Jen
Patty said,
February 17, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Last year we had a wren build a nest in our garage. I left it undisturbed and had to leave the garage door open until the babies left. We even went out of town and had to leave the door open. I couldn’t stand the thought of the birds dying due to lack of mother. We had robins build a nest in our door wreath too, but at least that was outside. We could watch the birds grow through the glass window in the door. Good luck with the nest. I think you would be able to move it a little in order to get rexy out.
Jan said,
February 18, 2009 at 4:24 am
Kerri, thanks for the reminder that it was Frances who had the bird’s nest. I could only remember reading about it, but not who wrote about it.
Janet, I am thinking of putting an empty container under the nest, that way it will still be the same height, but I will rescue the Red Robin begonia. I’ll probably get dear hubby to help.
Jen, it is funny that you should mention the singing birds. I just noticed yesterday, when I left for work and when I returned, that there were birds singing their little hearts out. I remember thinking that it has been some time since I had heard them. You are so right about about not realizing that you don’t really hear them singing in winter.
Patty, how sweet of you to ensure those little babies made it through the summer. I only plan on lifting my little nest and replacing it in the same spot, so I think it will be okay. It is amazing the places birds find to build their nests.
Randy said,
February 18, 2009 at 7:06 am
Wow! It seems everything is happening a little early in your neck of the woods, Jan.
Gail said,
February 18, 2009 at 8:33 am
Hey Jan…I will second Kerri’s comment…it was Frances. I don’t really know anything about moving nests. What did you decide to do? gail
Mary Beth said,
February 18, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Can’t wait to hear when you discover the identity of your lodger . . . every few years we’ll discover a mockingbird nest – watching the quick transition is such fun. Keep us posted! Mary Beth
Phillip said,
February 18, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Do they build nests this early?
Jan said,
February 18, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Randy, it certainly looks like spring is here to stay around here. I am a little tired of the cold.
Gail, I’m going to move it very gently and place it back on a similar container that is plant free. I think it should be okay.
MaryBeth, I am going to try and find out what’s inside, but I don’t want to bother any bird too much in the begining, so I guess it may take a while to discover what has built a nest here.
Phillip, I guess they do start early when it warms up. At work, I have been watching some birds building a nest in an exhaust vent. They worked all last week on it.