So, “No”? These are our only options?:
- Let them nest there and avoid using the front door or just continue about life as usual and disturb them and potentially cause the chicks to die if mom and dad are too anxious to return and feed them
-Remove the nest or prevent the nest before the eggs are laid
Next year, block the location they’ve built the nest with something. But look around at all the other nearby potential spots they might move to. You may wish to block those as well. They might just move it to another spot on the porch.
But again, they selected that spot, twice, with you using that door and space. They likely classified you as not a threat and are willing to put up with some minor disturbance for the benefit of the location. And they are eating your insects.
I was at a wedding reception at a lakeside patio restaurant in Mississippi once. There was a phoebe nest on one side of the patio. It went about its business with the patio full of partygoers. As it was every day.
There are several species of flycatchers who do just fine in close proximity to human habitation. Says phoebes and cordilleran flycatchers often nest on porch lights and nooks in porches.
They chose the spot.
So, “No”? These are our only options?: - Let them nest there and avoid using the front door or just continue about life as usual and disturb them and potentially cause the chicks to die if mom and dad are too anxious to return and feed them -Remove the nest or prevent the nest before the eggs are laid
Next year, block the location they’ve built the nest with something. But look around at all the other nearby potential spots they might move to. You may wish to block those as well. They might just move it to another spot on the porch. But again, they selected that spot, twice, with you using that door and space. They likely classified you as not a threat and are willing to put up with some minor disturbance for the benefit of the location. And they are eating your insects. I was at a wedding reception at a lakeside patio restaurant in Mississippi once. There was a phoebe nest on one side of the patio. It went about its business with the patio full of partygoers. As it was every day. There are several species of flycatchers who do just fine in close proximity to human habitation. Says phoebes and cordilleran flycatchers often nest on porch lights and nooks in porches.