Whether or not you should destroy a hornet nest depends on a variety of factors, including the location of the nest, the size of the nest, and the potential risks to people and pets. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to destroy a hornet nest: Location of the nest: If the hornet nest is located in a high-traffic area, such as a tree near a sidewalk or a hedge near a playground, it may pose a risk to people and pets passing by. In this case, it may be necessary to remove the nest to prevent stinging incidents. Size of the nest: The larger the hornet nest, the more aggressive and territorial the hornets may become. If the nest is small and relatively inactive, it may be safer to leave it alone. However, if the nest is large and active, it may be necessary to remove it to prevent stinging incidents. Potential risks: Consider the potential risks to people and pets when deciding whether to remove a hornet nest. If there is a risk of stinging incidents, or if the hornets are causing damage to property, it may be necessary to remove the nest to protect public safety and property.

Digger, that's so sweet that you let them continue to build their nests in your garage. I so enjoy watching baby birds grow up. (Speaking of which, have you guys been watching the Decorah eagles?? WOW!) I have a pair of beautiful little birds, maybe a species of sparrow, that have built a nest under my porch, over a window. They're gorgeous - dark navy feathers on their heads and back and an orangish yellow breast. They're making a horrible mess with all the bird poop, but watching them is worth a cleanup day when they're done. GG, I'm with you. Every year, in late winter, my mom and I have a little competition - who sees the first robin, which is our indicator that spring is here. I won this year! Denise in Omaha

There is a lot of this going on. My TRES are doing the same thing, however there are no new eggs yet. I am going to mark the eggs and leave them in there. I would leave the eggs just "in case" and look for new ones in a few days. I am happy the adults made it through the rough weather and that my 5 baby Blues are ok too! I am concenred the Dees, TUTIs and Nuthatches that had babies in natrual cavities may not have fared as well . I went through 900 wax worms and 5000 meal worms (with help of the RBWP that also has babies). So I know there is hope. Leave the eggs for a bit, it cant hurt!

Thanks birdguy. Since time was of the essence, I looked further online and was able to find a NY State Wildlife Rehabilitator and got her on the phone. I was only seeing one Robin adult on the ground, sitting in the corner of the garden below the pear tree. It had been sitting there for several minutes, which seemed odd. I had seen either this one or another hopping around, but for over an hour there was no adult getting INTO the tree and taking care of the one hungry chick I could see. She recommended that I go outside and walk near the adult that was sitting in the garden to see if it would fly to the nest or away. When I went out to test the situation, it hopped away and hid under another bush as I approached, and I could see that one of the wings had feathers askew. The rehabber thought that I should get a towel and try to bring both the wounded adult and the remaining chick(s) to her house where she rehabbed many birds, since nobody was getting into the tree to feed the chicks and the adult may also be in danger. I went into the house to get some boxes and towels (she recommended separate boxes for the chick and adult to reduce stress on the adult), came out and the adult was no longer in the area. Perhaps he/she was just mildly injured and could not make it into the tree, but could fly or hop away to a more secluded spot to recuperate and rest. At any rate, no adult Robin was in the picture, the chick had not eaten in some time, so I got up on a stool and took the nest down. As I suspected, there was only one chick in the nest. It was only partially covered in a soft downy fuzz and was mostly pink and grey. So, my suspicions that there had been some sort of battle for the nest and chicks the night before were correct. Two chicks were taken, and either the parents had decided to abandon ship or were injured beyond ability to care for the remaining chick. Perhaps that injured adult that was hanging around was hoping to get the strength to care for the chick, but was unable to do so. I feel that somehow I was meant to see the situation. I took the nest in a towel, covered the top (left space for air) and put it in the box gently, and hit the highway to get to the rehabber. I could hear the chick chirping occasionally, and from time to time it would lift its head with open mouth waiting to be fed. It was heartbreaking. At every red light I looked down to confirm that the chick was still breathing, which I could easily see through the gap in the towel. I got to the rehabbers house and she couldn't be nicer. She had many small chicks of all varieties in paper towel-lined baskets in bins, with heating pads underneath to keep them warm. She immediately gave the chick some fluids with minerals subcutaneously, and said that you have to wait a while for that to take effect before giving other foods or the chick would not digest the foods properly. I had to leave shortly due to some business, but I'm waiting to hear if the chick made it through the day. The rehabber said that some chicks will make it for a few days, but then will fail to thrive and not make it, so I think she was preparing me for a 50/50 chance. The rehabber told me that every spring and summer she gets many Robin chicks with deformed feet, and that she suspected lawn and garden chemicals since Robins eat mostly worms and other insects that may have consumed these chemicals as well. She said that veterinarians always dismiss her theory about the chemicals, but I don't! I resolve to stop using any lawn chemicals from this day forward (my garden areas are already chemical-free). I have learned a lot from this episode, I hope the chick makes it, and next time I hear such a screetching sound and a nest is reachable, I will not hesitate to help if I can help. I feel so bad for the little family that I photographed so happily the day before. I know it's nature's way and that not all chicks will make it, and that there are eternal rivalries for food and territory among and between species, but it's still sad this evening when I look out the kitchen window and don't see the nest, the attending adults, and the chicks. Perhaps I'll prune the branches of that pear tree to discourage other robins from using it, as this is clearly not a good territory for them to nest in with so many bluejays and starlings around. Thanks again birdguy.