Hi I'm new to Birds in Backyards and this is my first Post. We have a Willie nest next door on a downpipe, with all this windy weather it has gradually slipped to the side. The 2 remaining babies (there was a third) have now had to sit on the side of the nest and part of the downpipe. They have their feathers and are a good size. My Question is, would it be best to leave the nest alone or do you think just a little nugde to get it back in position would be fine. This is the 2nd clutch, I'm hoping there aren't anymore as anything in the nest would just rol out. Thanks in advance for any help.
Welcome tics angel. My vote would be for the "little nudge" (while the parents are away). It always a risk but Willie Eagtails are fairly people-tolerant.
We had a Willie Wagtail nest on one of our downpipes last year. It wasn't very well attached, and the nest ultimately slipped off one day, and fell to the ground. We rounded up the runaways, popped everyone and everything back in the nest, and put it in a half of an egg carton (slightly modified), then duct taped the whole contraption back in place on the downpipe. This was all much to the consternation of the the anxious parent birds. They must have thought it was weird, but they didn't seem to mind, and about a week later they all left the nest.
Nice bit of work there windshear. Willie wagtails are not great engineers! Thankfully they do tend to permit our help.
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
Heh... It is amazing what they do manage to accomplish with beak and claw. Give a duck some duct tape and they may just conquer the world. :D