Need another opinion: camping related, but not Disney

[Disneefun]

We have a reservation at a campground for this weekend. Well, a couple of weeks ago we put the cover back on our camper to protect it when the remains of TS Alberto came through. Since it basically hasn't stopped raining since then, we've kept it covered. Well, went to take the cover off last night and lo and behold, a bird has made a nest in one of the folds of the cover. Three eggs, not hatched yet.

I don't want to go camping now, b/c I don't want to destroy the nest. If we move it, the parents will abandon the nest. I'm too softhearted towards animals and I don't want to destroy anything I don't have to. I called the campground to explain and ask for options. They stuck to their policy about not refunding deposits for holiday weekends, which I understand. It doesn't bother me as it's only one night's worth and not much money. What bothered me was they were like "birds lay a lot of eggs in a year and most nests get destroyed anyway by weather, predators, etc. so just destroy the nest and come on camping." While it may be true, how do I know how many eggs this bird has laid this year? Have any hatched? What if this is their "best chance" for the year and I destroy it? The attitude bothers me. I know they want their money for the weekend, but still.

Complicating this situation, my inlaws were supposed to join us at the CG for the weekend. If we don't go, they won't go, so they'll also be out their deposit. We've talked about it with them and they're OK either way (they're nature lovers too).

I just don't know what to do. I don't want to destroy the nest, but I don't want to wreck everybody's weekend. And now I'm not so certain that I like the CG hosts (which is the least of the problems, but the attitude bugged me). Help? What would you do?

 

[tiggger1]

I would put on some rubber gloves and move the nest, to a nearby tree or bush. If you dont handle the nest directly then they shouldnt abandon it. just make sure its some place safe...

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Most people aren't nearly so soft-hearted as you, and although they wouldn't change their life plans over a misplaced bird's nest, it doesn't make them bad people. Unlike you, for sure, but not malicious or mean...just practical. I've rescued many a turtle crossing the road, and many a bird with injured wing, but I've also displaced many birds who had the misfortune of picking my home as a nesting place.

I'd try what the previous poster suggested, and move the nest to a nearby sheltered location. Like it or not, what the campground owners said is true...if a nest is destroyed, they will simply build another, and lay another clutch of eggs (time and weather allowing). We have a large population of piping plovers in our area (which is a protected species). Folks are always complaining about how the nesting of said plovers interferes with their "right" to use the beach (since the road is shut down if there's nests within a certain distance). Many times the nests are either destroyed by storms or attacked by foxes, and the birds simply rebuild and lay more eggs, adding length to their nesting season (much to the chagrin of the displaced beachgoers).

 

[jennifer293]

I would put on some rubber gloves and move the nest, to a nearby tree or bush. If you dont handle the nest directly then they shouldnt abandon it. just make sure its some place safe...

Was just talking to Dh's stepmom and she works at a place where they care for sick and injured birds and she too says the same thing...Just make sure you do not get your scent on it and you should be fine. So go to the store and buy some new latex gloves (so they have nobody's scent on them) and pick it up and place it somewhere close by and GO CAMPING!!!

It is so nice of you to put the birds ahead of yourself. We had birds nest in the bottom of our gas grill on the tank last year and I wouldn't let DH grill anything until they left the nest..LOL It was really nice getting to watch them grow!!