Friday the 13th- Nightmare at My House

Yesterday was a very unlucky day for several young robins and their parents. It turns out I had 2 nests of robins. There's the one that I have blogged here since late April, but there was another one discovered yesterday in the bushes near my electric meter.

My dog, Molly, discovered this second nest. Yeah, you can predict where this is going. The nest in the bushes was like 3 feet off the ground, and had 4 kids. I had noticed some rustling in these bushes recently, but wouldn't have guessed there was a nest. Well, Molly did... and she literally ate them out of house and home. She treated those helpless little birds as though they were squeaky toys. I managed to stop her from killing the 4th baby bird, but I had the ugly task of picking up the other 3.

In all the mayhem, the 3 kids in Nest 1 flopped out of their nest. Two of them ran off, the other I was able to put back. The 3rd bird in Nest 1 was gone this morning, so Nest 1 is officially empty.

The 4th baby, the one I "rescued", I put back into Nest 2 and relocated it to a higher spot. This picture is that bird. It did survive the night, something I didn't expect to see. I'm not optimistic that the baby will be able to survive and fly off in time because the parents seem to have left. All the parents were very aggressive during the mayhem yesterday, chirping up a storm and generally being intimidating in an attempt to protect their turf. They are around today, but I can tell there are still some very unhappy birds.

Robin's Nest - May 14

The babies have left the nest. Only 12 days since hatching and all 3 kids are out, hopping and flapping around somewhere. They aren't very good at flying, and they would probably still be in the nest if there hadn't been an incident yesterday.

Robin's Nest - May 10

The kids are looking good. Funny thing is that when I try to take their picture, they hear the 'click' and respond by stretching their necks up looking for food and making the softest little chirps you ever heard.

Birds Nest May 7

The birds are only 5 days old (arrived May 2), but now they actually look like birds.

Birds Nest May 3

All three babies were spotted a couple days ago. I'll take another photo this weekend. Hopefully their eyes will be opened by then.

Robin's Nest - May 2

The babies have arrived! Two of the 3 babies have emerged, with a crack in the third egg.

Robin's Nest, April 23

Managed to get a picture of mom on the nest. She flew away for a bit, and I saw 3 eggs again.

Robin's Nest, April 22

Checked the nest again this evening. Just 3 eggs in the nest. Today was nasty cool and rainy, so the mama might only lay 3 eggs. I estimate seeing babies in the first week of May.

Robin's Nest, April 21

I had suspected we might have a nesting going on, but now I know we do. Look, 3 eggs.