Can I move a bird's nest to a safer place before the eggs are laid?

Cardinals are building a nest in my backyard & there is a stray cat back there that will undoubtedly catch the babies before or after they fledge.

Answers:
yes,but be carefull not to damage nest,,be sure to wear rubber gloves or other as long as they dont have any kind of smell,,also make sure mother bird is watching to see exactly where its been relocated,,,have done it a few times with no problems...good luck...P.S. if the female doesnt like your choice of location,,she will instinctavely build another,,no problem !!

Other answers:
You should leave the nest where it is until the babies are fledge.
You should leave the nest where it is until the babies are fledge.
I'm pretty sure that if you mess with the nest in any way, the cardinals will abandon it permanently.
If you touch the nest, your scent will be on it and the birds wont come back. Unless it is in a really dangerous place, I would not try to move it. If you have to, wear gloves or use something to try and keep your scent off of the nest.
You may have a hard time getting to the nest with a protective mother. She will defend the eggs by flying at you. If you move the nest you the mother may reject the eggs.
If you move the nest, you will leave your scent on the nest.

But if the cat has access to it, I don't see other choice
Of course you can move it and should move it specially if they are going to be in harms way. On the other hand you have to be ready for the cardinals not to hatch there, once touched and moved by humans, they will sense it and probably leave and built a brand new one someplace else.
no
once you touch the nest, your smell will be on it & the birds won't use it
Tear the nest down before they lay eggs in it. They will rebuild somewhere else. (Don't worry about leaving a scent. That's an old wives tale. Birds can't smell any scent we leave behind. If they can then why do they chow down at the feeders?)
Or you can call animal control so they'll come catch the cat. Or both. Or neither and let nature take its course.
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