Found a bird nest destroyed

We had a black bear take down our bird house last night, and nest is ruined - chickies had already flown the coop, but now worried about parents. Will they be able to build a nest in time for another clutch of eggs? I have two more houses up that are empty still.

Most birds build a nest each time before breeding. The first time a bird builds a nest it takes longer than subsequent ones - they learn by practice. If a bird nests twice in a season the second nest may be just a reconstruction or repair job of the previous nest.

If the house of your bird pair has been destroyed completely, they will look immediately for a new residence. When choosing where to build, birds usually look at several locations. If disaster strikes they already have a backup plan in place.

I’m sorry your birds’ lost a house. They were lucky their chickies made it out OK.

If you ever find a nest on the ground after a storm or from predator damage here are a few tips that might help.

Bird Nest Destroyed:

• If the nest has been destroyed, you can construct a makeshift nest using a small basket or plastic container. Put holes in the bottom of container for drainage. Line the container with material from old nest or dry grass or leaves.
• Wire your nest to a branch or place in a new/repaired bird house in the same location as the old nest. If you are not sure where the bird was nesting, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
• Place birds into new nest. It’s alright to handle the babies but do not attempt to feed.
• Don’t touch any eggs with your bare hands. Some eggs, especially chickadee eggs, are very fragile. Also oil from hands could inhibit hatching. Use a glove or spoon.
• If you have any questions call a local rehabilitator.

Emergency Numbers:

The following is a small list of the local rehabilitators:

• East Lansing, MI ♦ 517.351.7304 ♦ Cheryl Connell-Marsh ♦ birds and small animals
• Lansing, MI ♦ 517-646-9374 ♦ Tiffany Rich ♦ white tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons; Vet. Tech. on center.
• DeWitt, MI ♦ 517.930-0087 ♦ Wildside Rehab and Education Center ♦ birds and small animals
• Eaton Rapids, MI ♦ 517-663-6153 ♦ Wildside Rehab and Education Center ♦ birds and small animals
• Holt, MI ♦ 517-694-9618 ♦ Carolyn Tropp cctropp@aol.com ♦ Waterfowl, small birds and mammals
• Howell, MI ♦ 517-548-5530 ♦ Howell Conference and Nature Center ♦ All wild animals except bats, skunks, starlings, raccoons, pigeons, or house sparrows.
• Bath, MI ♦ 517-819-0170 (day) 517-641-6314 (evening) ♦ Denise Slocum ♦ Small mammals

For a complete list of Michigan Licensed Rehabilitators visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at: http://www.michigandnr.com/dlr/

Or to search for a local wildlife rehabilitation group by zip code at: http://www.wildliferehabber.org/