In My Garden: Bird Nests!

Above: Finch nest that had fallen to the ground

It's spring in Southern California and since our yard is very animal friendly, we have many critters year after year, coming back or just staying to raise their new families.  

Every spring a pair of birds nest in our climbing rose bush in front of the house. The rose bush got cut back in winter, so I put up a little platform in the same area. A pair of wild finches moved in and built a nest but the wind blew the nest out onto the ground below. It's a beautiful little nest, with an orange string she must have found on the ground wound carefully around the top rim. It looks like a handmade Indian basket!  

I made a scalloped piece of wood for the edge of the platform to secure the nest, and put it back up. 

Before the nest blew out I had seen the female fly in and out, constructing her nest, while the male sat on the the porch and sang his little heart out.

We are hoping they, or another pair, move back in. 

If you see a nest on the ground, carefully put it back where you think it may have fallen from. You will most likely be rewarded with lovely serenades from a chirpy little bird family.

Above: Scalloped piece added to secure the nest. It's safe and sound now and ready for the family to move in!