DISCOVERED A ROBIN'S NEST

I borrowed mom’s yard clippers so that I could trim down a bush outside my back door that was starting to grow over the patio. Almost immediately after I began clipping, a robin flew out of the bush and onto the fence, squawking up a storm. I thought for a second I’d accidentally clipped her. She chirped and squawked and jumped up and down on the fence. She seemed fine except for her obvious agitation as I continued to clip away. A few small branches later I could see why she was going nuts. There was a bird’s nest in the middle of the bush, just a little bit above my eye level. I stopped my trimming and got the stepladder. There were 4 little pretty blue eggs.

It’s hard to see the nest. It’s in the middle just almost even with the fence line.

I noticed, though, that if you click on the photo, it will enlarge it. The detail of some of the following photos is outstanding, so please enlarge them to get a better look...the closed eyes of the babies, the expression on the parents' faces, etc. (Use the Back button afterward to come back).



I stood inside the doorway to the garage and watched and waited for the momma bird to come back to the nest, and she did.

Over the next week and a half I watched each day. After a couple days I noticed the daddy bird. He came and went. While there he kept watch over her and the nest. He chased off the black birds who seemed to purposely come around to cause trouble. Here you can barely see the momma sitting in the nest. Daddy is to the right of the photo in the tree.

After a week and a half the babies hatched, but only three. I couldn’t believe how big they were and how wide they could open their mouths. They were so cute!

Here’s the momma with a worm.

I was surprised to see that both momma and daddy take turns feeding them.

I noticed how long they’d have to be gone, flying out of the yard before returning with food, so I turned on the sprinkler hoping it would help give them a better chance to find worms in my yard. The daddy bird immediately swooped down into the yard and sat under the sprinkles that were gently raining down over him and he hopped around the wet grass for several minutes. I couldn’t tell if he was looking for worms or just enjoying the water! By now both momma and daddy seemed to trust us.

Here’s proud momma watching her babies.

During the next couple weeks the baby robins grew fast. In no time they were opening their eyes, and then soon covered with feathers. The nest was becoming crowded.

One night a huge downpour came, with lightning and thunder, for a good hour or so. I went out to check on the nest, not sure what I’d find. I was sorry I’d clipped away branches, but realized I hadn’t actually clipped from the top, just the sides. It seems they did have at least a pretty good covering from the branches above.

The momma bird was obviously doing what she could to protect her little ones. Here she is, seemingly fanning her wings and puffing herself out, to cover the nest as much as possible. She stood motionless throughout the storm, never leaving her babies.

As soon as it passed, she made a dash for the far fence, and I found her shaking her feathers out and cleaning herself up.

The babies in the nest were a little wet but curiously peeking out.

Each day I still kept an eye on the nest, hoping I’d get to see the day those three little birds flew away. But I missed it. It happened on a Sunday while I was at work. I phoned home and suggested to Abby that she go check on the nest. She stepped out the back door and said, “Oh my gosh! Two of the babies just flew out of the nest!” I was so happy that at least my daughter got to see this event. It was amazing that I'd phoned her at just that moment. She said the two baby birds fluttered down to the ground and hopped around, with momma bird watching nearby. Soon they were able to take off. My daughter thinks they went to the huge tree in the far corner of the yard.

When I got home, the last little bird was left alone in the nest. I hoped to God someone would come back for him, and they did. I missed his leaving as well because by the next morning he too was gone.