Suddenly, in the space of two days, a sweet bird has built a nest, and laid her eggs ... right in the outdoor cooking area, on a hanging rack, under the awning on the side of the house.

 

A few minutes ago I went out to make hot soy-milk for my evening meal: there she sits, on her eggs, appearing to be sound asleep, even though a light's on. Although I tried to be very quiet, I did make some sounds while doing the  cookery thing. I did not observe her move at all.

 

There are cats that come round in the night to check out this kitchen area; I'm afraid one of them could get up on the gas stove, and leap to reach the bird ... or, in the future, her cheeping chicks ? Also, if I cook anything, the fumes are liable to reach the nest

 

What to do ?  Should I relocate the nest ... in the day when she's not there ?  At night with her in the nest.? No idea what the gestation period for a small bird like this. How soundly does a bird like this sleep while nesting with eggs ?

 

Appreciate your advice.

 

thanks, ~o:37;

 

what happens if you move a bird's nest with eggs

 

Google is your friend ...........

Just leave well alone,if you move the nest she will abandon it,

regards worgeordie

Off-topic posts and replies removed.

 

I'll move to this to the Pets forum.   The posters there may be more knowledgeable.  

OP.  You can not move the nest.  The birds will abandon the nest for sure it you do.

 

Best just let nature take it's course.  If the cats get the baby birds, perhaps the parents will learn to make a nest in a better place in future.

 

Or, is there a way to close off the door so cats don't come into your kitchen at night?   I mean, its not exactly hygienic to have stray cats climbing about over your kitchen.

 

As for the cooking fumes... just use a small fan on low speed to blow the fumes away from the nest if it is indeed a problem.  

 

Oh, and the eggs will hatch in about 12 - 16 days time for small birds like finches and sparrows.  

3 hours ago, Scott said:

Off-topic posts and replies removed.

 

I'll move to this to the Pets forum.   The posters there may be more knowledgeable.  

Thanks Scott !  Are slugs pets ?    55  just joking    

7 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Oh, and the eggs will hatch in about 12 - 16 days time for small birds like finches and sparrows.

thanks, Khun Jak#,

 

Unfortunately, no door to isolate the nest. no outlet for electric near the cooking area.

 

Since I seldom cook, except to heat soy-milk, and my current soy-milk activities at night do not wake the sleeping mother ... I'm pretty sure I'm going to just let the mother and the two tiny eggs follow nature's way :)

 

cheers, ~o:37'

On 5/12/2018 at 7:43 AM, worgeordie said:

Just leave well alone,if you move the nest she will abandon it,

regards worgeordie

Not necessarily.  As a tree worker for many years I've relocated many bird nests that otherwise would have had to go when a tree or part of a tree had to be removed. I'm not exactly a "bird whisperer", but I've moved many nests with eggs or chicks and seen the mother resume care in the new nearby location. And of course sometimes not.  On one occassion I talked calmly to mother bluejay while I moved the nest with the mother staying in place on the nest during the relocation. A memorable moment in the life of a tree doctor. 

 

But then again, I recently moved a nest with eggs up to where I thought our cats wouldn't go, but as soon as the eggs hatched and the baby birds started squeeking, one of them found it.