I had the same thing happen to me involving a rabbit's foot fern. Although I enjoyed watching the parents raise the 3 little chicks, my fern suffered for it. What I did this year was to suspend sea shells above the hanging basket from the bracket with fishing line. They move and clatter in the breeze. My returning parents have had a look, but so far no nests. I do keep a few birdhouses along my fence as alternatives. It may be worth a try.

wow, Tony...what a MESS !!! ewwww. But, hey...did ya see that artwork down by the river...!!!?????? By the way, if you're driving, Tony, and want to see some very neat bit of nature..get to US 641 and then go South on 453. An area there that is called The Land Between the Lakes offers a beautiful drive...complete with a bison and elk preserve. It was the best 'wrong turn' we have ever taken in our travels! ...worth the extra time. There's supposed to be some excellent restaurant in that area, but we never did find it...we did love that drive down through Golden Pond, tho...... Hope you're having a grand time! I'm sure Mary Beth is just beside herself there in Paduca!

I realized it might help if I include that I live in east TN on the edge of a farm. Most of the area is open, but there are woods and a pond a few hundred yards away, and scattered trees around the whole area.

I agree with the squirrel nest - I have a lot of them and I've seen a squirrel running between them: A squirrel bustled up and down the trees at sunrise - it looked like it was checking the various nests to see who was awake and up. The trees are on top of the coastal bank overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Claire