Quick, Help - Bird's Nest

[rockyracoon]

Hubby just chopped down a Ceanothus Bush and found a bird's nest in there with 3 baby chicks in it, well one poor thing had fallen out so I gently put it back. We've sort of put the bush back together again so that mum can find them but they look a bit vulnerable, is there anything we can do to make them safer?

Daughter is having a meltdown worrying if the dog will find them, happy days :(

[boxtops]

No other hedges nearby that you can stuff them in? what a shame.... are the parent birds about?

[rockyracoon]

I think mum's just come back, hopefully she'll sort them out.

No, we've no other hedges and I don't want to move them too far incase that bird isn't mum and then she can't find them.

[237SJ]

I would just try to reconstruct the bush as best as you can and try to arrange the leaves/branches so that the nest isn`t too visable or exposed to the sun. If you try and move the nest or you are around it too much, the parents will abandon it.

[rockyracoon]

Well, we've covered it as best we can, just hope it's not to visible to predators. Whilst putting the branches over it, three little mouths popped up and opened hoping for food :(

[boxtops]

You've done all you can, rocky - let's hope the parents haven't been scared off by human intervention :-(

[bookbinder]

If the bush has been chopped down, the leaves will turn brown and drop off, yes? So you'll have the same problem again in a short while. If you could find somewhere - now - that's sheltered from the rain, that's about all that you can do.

[rockyracoon]

It's certainly a problem bookbinder. I hope mum finds them later to keep them warm, we had frost last night and I doubt the poor things would survive.

OH feels terrible for hacking the bush without looking, but to be honest I would never have thought there'd be a nest in it.

[wildwood]

It is one of those situation that can't be helped. Is there a bird rescue organisation near where you live?

[ladybirder]

If I were you I would contact the nearest wildlife rescue place asap and ask their advice.

[rockyracoon]

Bugger, I didn't think about ringing them :( will do it this morning if mum hasn't been back.

Thanks all

[rockyracoon]

Just sneaked a quick peek and mums in the nest looking after the babies, thank god. Relieved!

[Tilly2]

What sort of bird is it Rocky?

[ladybirder]

That's a relief. I just worry it is not now as well concealed, as it obviously was as hubby never noticed it. And as has already been pointed out, the branches you've put back will die off. Can you move something, like another plant in a pot, in front of it?
And what sort of bird is it?

[boxtops]

can you make a temporary shelter over the top, say with canvas or an old umbrella?

[rockyracoon]

I'm not sure what bird it is, maybe a sparrow, OH thinks robin.

I've put some huge Fatsia leaves over the top so they are in a fair amount of shade. I did think about some canvas or the such like but I'm so worried about scaring mum off. What do you all think?

[rockyracoon]

Hmmm, having looked at the RSPB identifier, I think it might be a wren.

[ladybirder]

I think it might, just might, frighten mum off and could be a risk too far, umbrella or canvas I mean.
How lovely if it is a wrens' nest. You can't mistake them, tiny with a stuck up in the air tail. You're so lucky, mine got killed off in the cold winter before last and I haven't seen one here since. So precious!

[ladybirder]

Does it look like this nest?
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/902/p/17822/125066.aspx

[rockyracoon]

Hi Ladybirder, it's a bit bigger than that I'd say, maybe 7-8 inches in diameter. I joined the RSPB forum and the advice recieved there was pretty much the same as what I had done, fingers crossed all will be well over the next 2-3 weeks.

Thanks all to the advice, it was much appreciated.