For the past several years, a pair of mockingbirds has nested outside of my backdoor, then front door and now have a nest completed in front of my front window - I let the bushes grow house high there. I have tried to protect them, picking up stray chicks out of the nest and returning them, etc, and I'm guessing they now trust me enough to put the nest in plain view of me (so I'm not alarming the chicks by snooping so closely!). But I don't see the father anymore, just the mom, and she is clearly settling into the nest to lay eggs soon, if not already.
I have seen how they both spend so much time to watch the nest and feed the chicks - without a father to help with these duties, how can I help mom out with close-by feeding 'stations'?
What can I put out for mom to feed the chicks? Should I put it on the window sill, or tie it into a nearby branch of the bushes? Should I put out some water in a similar fashion? I can crank out a window to put this out, then crank the window back closed, without creating noise to startle the chicks or mom.
I'm in Texas, if that makes any difference.
Your answers and help are greatly appreciated.
I have seen how they both spend so much time to watch the nest and feed the chicks - without a father to help with these duties, how can I help mom out with close-by feeding 'stations'?
What can I put out for mom to feed the chicks? Should I put it on the window sill, or tie it into a nearby branch of the bushes? Should I put out some water in a similar fashion? I can crank out a window to put this out, then crank the window back closed, without creating noise to startle the chicks or mom.
I'm in Texas, if that makes any difference.
Your answers and help are greatly appreciated.