Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/23/2010

Question
Hi, there's a bird's nest in middle of our yard and I don't know what to do. It's literally in middle of our yard on the ground with no shades or shelter and I'm worried about mother bird's health as it's been hot and raining these days.
There are rabbits and all sorts of wild birds in our neighborhood(I could only tell bluebird) but I don't think they're bothering them. What I'm worrying is the crows that come after it's been raining and I'm afraid they might bother the eggs.
One thing I've noticed is that two birds are nesting. While the mother bird was nesting, a bird that looks like her came close, then the mother bird flew away and that bird sat down to nest.
I put some water and bread under the tree that's about 6-7 ft away from the nesting area but I don't think they've noticed.
We seeded our bare yard last year so it still has some hays left and there are spots that didn't get seeded and she picked one of there to nest. I've noticed 4 eggs.
From googling, it looks like House Sparrow but I'm not 100% sure and I live in Harrisburg, PA.

Answer
I'm not sure what your question is.
The best thing to do is leave it alone. The birds know best where to build a nest. Often nests or eggs or young are destroyed or eaten or whatever, but that's nature. If you move the nest, the birds might abandon it. Just leave it be and let nature take its course. Don't feed them bread - it has no protein. They need to eat and feed their young insects and worms and things like that. You don't need to feed them anything.
What you see are the male and female taking turns incubating the eggs.
Thanks for your concern, but just enjoy the birds and just let nature do its thing.