skip to main content

A Bird Nest In My Hanging Basket With My Fuchsias!

19 years ago

Hey all,

I wanted to share a couple photos I took this morning with all of you.

A few weeks ago I purchased a couple hanging baskets that have a variety of flowers in them, but my favorites are some small compact fuchsias in the very center.

Well, a few days back I started noticing this little bird flying out of one of the baskets every time I came outside.

So I investigated and noticed two little eggs in a small nest. then yesterday I noticed three eggs and this morning there were FOUR little blue eggs in the nest!

I am so excited, yet also scared. What if I need to set the basket on the ground if a storm is coming? And also, with me coming and going all the time and her flying out from her nest each time, what are the chances of her abandoning her eggs?

The hanging basket is only a few feet from my door (I live on the second floor of an apartment building and that is the only entrance to my place).

If there is a good possibility she will wind up abandoning the nest, I'd rather that happen now than after the eggs hatch.

Sorry this is not a specific Fuchsia post, but I hoped it might be of interest to all.

Please be kind as I'm new here and if there is a forum where I can ask about such things more properly, a kind direction would be greatly appreciated!

Oh yeah, I do not know what Fuchsia is in the basket, so if anyone has an idea, please advise.

Many thanks!

{{gwi:789421}}

{{gwi:789422}}

{{gwi:789424}}

Comments (7)

fuchsiabonsailady
19 years ago
Great photos Lenfocenter. I have known people who have also had this happen in their hanging baskets. In the UK it's usually sparrows or wrens that do this.

There are many of these red and purple fuchsias so quite difficult to say which one it is for certain, might be 'Son of Thumb' but I'm not 100% sure.

Maybe someone in the Bird Forum can give you better advise re the nest, link below, Kath:)

Here is a link that might be useful: http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/bird/
mkjones
19 years ago
Oh, what darling little eggs! And, a nice experience with nature....that is, if nothing bad happens to your plants, and the little bird eggs don't get abandoned! =)

Kathleen in TX
Related Discussions
Getting birds not to build in my hanging baskets
Q
Comments (31)
This is the first time I found a nest in my hanging basket. I wasn't sure how to manage watering it, I don't want to disturb the mother and her eggs but I don't want to dry the basket out and have the flowers die. And I am sure Mama Bird doesn't want that either, right now the flowers and leaves conceal the nest well. I've been using a small watering can and carefully placing the spout in the rim of the pot and watering. It seems to work out well, the flowers are fine. I don't know what will happen to it as the babies hatch and grow, probably then it will take a beating. But, after all, this is just a mother trying to raise a family, I guess losing one basket is not that big a deal. But next year I may use the skewers or plastic knives to prevent it.
...See More
Help! Robin's Nest/Hanging Basket/Frost Advisory oh my!
Q
Comments (11)
But the birds are IN amongst the geranium, are they not? Will she be able to wrap the geranium without wrapping the birds? And if she manages to wrap it, how will the mother react? Hmm... Mehearty, does the basket hang under the porch roof, or is it farther out and exposed? Can it be moved further under the roof, like next to the house wall? Would that be enough to protect the geraniums? Is it possible to hang something over the basket from the roof (as opposed to laying it directly on the basket), possibly leaving a bit of access for the mother to get in and out? I hope you figure this one out - for the sake of the geraniums and the birds! :) Dee
...See More
Overwintering hanging basket fuchsias
Q
Comments (9)
I usually cut mine back around mid November.I take the fuschia out of the pot and remove as much soil as possible, cut the plant back to at most 6 inches. Then I put the roots into a small pot with soil and tuck it in a corner of my green house, I think the shed could be okay cause you can put them into very small pots., they then wouldn't take up much space.If you put them under the deck, maybe you should cover them with some mulch of some sort . I've heard of the burying idea also.I've been saving my fuschias for several years, every year they just look better, Cindy
...See More
Eastern King Bird nest in my yard
Q
Comments (2)
Oh, I am sure it will be fun. Yesterday evening one dived down into the yard, flew under the shade sail over the pond and snatched a bee of of a flower. I am sure once they have babies to feed, that will be a common occurrence. They fly so fast, darting and diving in what looks like a very wreckless manner. They are in pursuit of insects so they don't follow a straight line when they fly. The next couple of months should be quite interesting!
...See More
lenfocenter
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks Kath and Kathleen. I'd thought about setting up a live webcam to watch the fun as the babies hatch out, but for the moment I'm not sure if the attempt is worth the effort. I would have to run a cable about 25 feet from the nest to my computer (it runs 24/7 with a 24/7 highspeed connection). The thought is tempting however and since tomorrow is payday I may find myself looking for some quality cable and giving it a go.
lenfocenter
Original Author
19 years ago
I just posted in the Bird Forum. Just for reference, here is a link to it so you can follow along if you like...

Here is a link that might be useful: A Bird Nest In My Hanging Basket Post
Victoria2002
19 years ago
Just FYI about 2 years ago some house finches built a nest in one of my hanging baskets. The eggs look much like the ones in your picture. Anyhow, I just left them alone. Of course, I had to water the plant, but I did so when the mother bird was away. Nonetheless, about 14 or 20 days after laying the eggs, the babies hatched. Within 2 weeks after that, the babies will all be gone.

Just enjoy the entire spectacle.
Bitterroot
19 years ago
I have some asparagus fern baskets in front of my house and I've had three nests this year so far. All were doves. I have to keep my arms down when I walk by them so they don't scare away.
raegirl
10 years ago
Recently, I purchased 2 hanging baskets filled with fuchias. Today, I noticed a small bird's nest with 5 small white eggs. Prior to today, I saw a small bird fly out of the basket when I approached to water the plant. This is amazing!
Thanks,
Raegirl

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Invite Entertaining Hummingbirds Into Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Hummingbirds — unique to the Americas — zip through open landscapes seasonally or year-round. Here’s how to attract them

GARDENING GUIDES Superstar Annuals for Containers and Baskets

High performing, low maintenance and all-around gorgeous, these container plants go the distance while you sit back and relax

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Those Nutty Nuthatches

By Habitat Network

The North American songbirds, which often perch upside down, make themselves known in the winter landscape

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Ways to Play Garden Host to Birds and Bees

By Dear Designer's Blog

Perch some of these houses and feeders around your garden, and watch pollinators and feathered friends flock in

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Mid-Atlantic Gardener's March Checklist

Hunt for new growth in the garden but play the protector for baby plants and birds flying home to nest

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Flowers That Hummingbirds Adore

To draw those mesmerizing little birds to your garden or doorstep, plant these flowers that are attractive in more ways than one

EARTH DAY Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let limited space prevent you from welcoming wildlife into your garden

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES