Hope y’all had a great weekend! I was finally able to get some yard work done on Sunday when I found this under our deck. Actually it was my daughter who discovered it. A robin’s nest!
We had seen the mommy robin around for days but hadn’t thought much of it till them. After a frenzy of inquisitive peeking through the crack between the deck boards (from above) we spotted eggs. We should have just let it be but you all know we are a very curious bunch and of course I had to show it to you too. 🙂 Off I went to Google to research more about touching/ moving the nest. It seems it is ok as long as you don’t bother it too much. So we took it down to examine and take pics. (I know a few of you were concerned about the mommy bird abandoning her nest upon human touch. It seems that whole saying is a myth. The author in this post has described the origins of this saying in detail here).
Now I know what Robin’s egg blue means! The base of the nest was slightly attached to the beam with I think mud. When we put it back B was worried that it might not stay still especially once the eggs hatch. So he wrapped some duck tape around it to secure it to the beam.
We saw the mommy robin watching over/ sitting by the nest quite a few times later in the day. Hopefully she won’t mind our meddling.
I’m totally in love with that blue color. Aren’t you?
This is the first experience of this kind for us. Have you seen nests around your home/yard?
If you think the mother bird will return to that nest after you handled it and DUCT TAPED it, you’re nuts. Sorry, but that was really NOT a good idea. All for a picture???
Laura,
Agreed, that was not the most thoughtful thing to do. We were out in the yard till late evening and luckily could see the mother robin by the nest the whole of the afternoon and evening (the discovery and pic taking happened early afternoon). The duct tape is just loosely hung around the nest, not taped taped tightly around. It seems the whole “mommy bird will abandon its babies once humans touch the nest or eggs” saying is a myth. The author in this post has described the origins of this saying in detail;
http://www.backyardchirper.com/blog/bird-myths-a-mother-will-reject-its-baby-if-a-human-touches-it/
Vidya
This is a sweet surprise…love the color.
How cool! And you’re right, that blue is beautiful!
Robins egg blue is the most wonderful color.
I hope you’re right about the mother. We were working near a nest, never touched it, and we found all the eggs abandoned a few days later.
Next time, we’ll stay away — let us know how yours works out.
My fondest memory of childhood is when we had sparrow nest on our balcony. I would check on the eggs everyday. And the day I saw those little birds I was a changed person err kid. My mom said I no longer cared if I had the best toys , my approximate words were : there is so much more in life to love n like n enjoy.
All the thoughts of a 9 year old!!
Hope your kids enjoy these moments of precious life as much as I did.