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The trials of a fist year Robin
The trials of first year Robin parents.



A while back. I was sitting at the computer and noticed a pair of robins building their nest in the tree outside my window. I watched in interest every day as the pair carried all the things to the tree to make the perfect nest. Finally it was done. In the v shaped place between two large branches. It looked perfect!!
But why they gave up that first nest is still a puzzle. After a few days I saw them at it again. This time making a nest out in the open on our deck railing. I was wondering what sane robin would build a nest out in the open like that?? That is when I realized they must be first year parents.
They finally gave up on the nest on the deck and decided on a nest in my Mock Orange bush in the backyard. Finally 4 perfect blue eggs were laid. I checked on them daily to see how things were going and finally all four hatched.
I could see the nest was not big enough for all four. Eventually the smallest was knocked out of the nest and left to die. Sad, but that is nature.
One morning after bad wind and thunderstorms the night before, I checked on my babies. The nest was destroyed. I found one baby on the ground alive and the rest were dead. I usually let nature take it's course, but the parents were so distressed and had spent so much time building nests and taking care of their babies. The boy's were quite distressed as we had another storm coming and they knew the little guy wouldn't make it.
So I cut off the bottom of a small milk carton and punched holes in the bottom of it for drainage. Dodging lightening, I secured it tightly with yarn to the branches and put in a little of the old nesting material. Then I gently placed the baby in the nest. Pretty sure that nature would still take it's course. I reassured the boy's that I did all I could and we would just have to see.
After the storm the baby was still healthy. The parents continued to feed it and today it ventured out of the nest for the first time.
I sure hope the little guy makes it in this big world.

The second nest on the deck railing
 Our baby snuggled in.
 Front view of our little one in his milk carton.



A close up of our little friend.
 Our final goodbye.
 His journey into the yard.
Goodbye our little friend.



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