In article , Judith Lea
writes
I have a clematis over my front door and obviously it's not in leaf now.
However we have 2 nests there and usually the birds vacate the nests for
the winter. One nest is still fully occupied and dropping its "droppings"
over my pansies in a pot. Why have the birds chosen not to go away this
year? If I take the nest away, would the birds be able to make another
elsewhere ? or would they suffer? if so they can lodge on a little longer.

One or more birds are using the nests to roost in - nice, warm, secure
places to spend the cold nights. If you take it away they will have to
find somewhere else and you will have to live with your conscience! Once
the weather warms up, it is likely that they will choose somewhere else
anyway, though perhaps not for some weeks.

Can you not put up a ledge under the nest so that the droppings fall on
that and not on your pansies? It doesn't have to be very big. Or, I
suppose, you could move your pansies......?

--
Malcolm