Bird nest in air conditioner

[Wayfinder]

Well, it's been a while since I posted anything. Today I had to kick out some wrens building a nest in the air conditioner, on the driver's side, where there is open space under the cover. I temporarily added some screen material on the inside, but it will not stay without a better solution. I better add it to my pack-up check list to take down. 

Has anyone had this issue?  Right now the trailer is in my driveway. Not where I want it, but for now, it must be. 

 

[Ray Kimsey]

Yep, I had the same problem last year in the same location. Carolina wren's love a good protected spot. I got a cover for the A/C, and I haven't had a problem since, but they could still get in if they tried hard. I will see how it goes this spring. Hmm, maybe I should go check now!   😃

[ScubaRx]

Great shots.

[Guest]

Those are fantastic photos! I love wrens, I wish we had more around us. We have some great Canyon Wrens, however, they tend to stay around the basalt rock and cliffs. 

I guess I would get a cover like Ray said. Then you just have to remember  to take it off. 

[topgun2]

Certainly a small air conditioner is a bunch cheaper and a bunch easier to buy and put on/take off as compared to a CalMark cover for the entire Oliver! 😁

Bill

[Frank C]

Same problem in the same AC vent when we were in Moab last year.  The little birds were persistent.  I’d clear out the twigs every day and they would start again right away.  The only thing that kept them away was running the air conditioner.   I’m planning to add some screening over the vents before we venture out for this year’s trips. 

[Wayfinder]

I just tested the lower frame of the A/C unit.  It's magnetic.  I have a few old magnets from hard drives I can place on the screen inside.  It would stay in place even in a hurricane.

[johnwen]

OMGoodness.  After reading this thread I decided to get up on the roof, remove the A/C cover, and gaze at the many ways a bird, or mud-dauber, or frog, or whatever, could end up under the cover.  I'll be busy screening today!

John

[Spike]

I had the same issue with birds--in my case, cactus wrens--building nests in my Dometic AC.

I posted my upgrade to the Houghton low-profile 9.5k AC elsewhere on this forum, but I forgot to mention that among the benefits--much quieter, no need for shore power or generator, lower power usage--is that its smaller exterior openings should prevent nest building.  

[Faust]

we traveled an hour away and while we were at the camp site I kept hearing baby birds.  sure enough a day later I figured out they were in the AC unit!  we felt sorry for them and packed up and went home.  when we got back sure enough the parents picked up right where they left off feeding the hungry babies.  I can't believe they survived the trip....

what an ordeal!

[topgun2]

Good for you guys on being caring "foster parents".

However - once they are out of the nest I'd be making sure that the nursery is closed.  A cover like Patriot has will do that job nicely.

Bill

[Patriot]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Good for you guys on being caring "foster parents".

However - once they are out of the nest I'd be making sure that the nursery is closed.  A cover like Patriot has will do that job nicely.

Bill

Here - for those who have the Dometic Penguin. So far mine has lasted two years and is still holding up well.

-David

 

[dewdev]

23 minutes ago, Patriot said:

Here - for those who have the Dometic Penguin. So far mine has lasted two years and is still holding up well.

-David

 

David:

I am guessing that you use the cover only when not camping and remove the cover when traveling. Is that correct?

[Patriot]

4 hours ago, dewdev said:

David:

I am guessing that you use the cover only when not camping and remove the cover when traveling. Is that correct?

dewdev:

I use the cover when we park our Ollie here at home never when camping or traveling. 

[ScottyGS]

I have been following this thread closely...     We have the Dometic Penguin.    I am a bit disappointed....   I have been checking the A/C regularly.....     So far not a single Penguin.  

[dewdev]

1 hour ago, ScottyGS said:

I have been following this thread closely...     We have the Dometic Penguin.    I am a bit disappointed....   I have been checking the A/C regularly.....     So far not a single Penguin.  

they are good at hiding. 

[Patriot]

1 hour ago, ScottyGS said:

I have been following this thread closely...     We have the Dometic Penguin.    I am a bit disappointed....   I have been checking the A/C regularly.....     So far not a single Penguin.  

That was good!! You, and we live to far south in Western NC.😅

[topgun2]

2 hours ago, ScottyGS said:

 So far not a single Penguin.  

Certainly you will know when they do move in!☠️🐧

 

[Wayfinder]

The screen I placed in the side of the AC and held in with magnets held up well when traveling. And, no more birds.