Another mama bird in the nest
By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
For the past two years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching a mother robin and her eggs from the convenience of a bedroom window. The first year, the robin built her nest on a window’s outside ledge and promptly laid three bright blue eggs. Before long, the eggs hatched and we were able to get a bird’s eye view, no pun intended, of her young, hungry brood.
Before long, the babies and their mother left the nest. Everyone advised me to take the nest down saying another bird wouldn’t come to the same spot. But the next summer, another robin – or maybe the same one who just liked the accommodations – came back to the existing nest.
The scene was repeated again. We enjoyed seeing the eggs and watching her young learn how to eat and fly.
Inevitably, however, they, too, grew up and flew away. I was looking forward this year to having another robin and another view of the cycle of life.
But our nest remained empty. I had resigned myself that our trusty window ledge nest had become rather worn out and we probably wouldn’t have another bird family this year.
So, I was thrilled when Greg called me out to the back porch this week and pointed towards our small gardenia bush. Nestled deep inside the three-foot bush was a small nest with four bright blue eggs.
The location of the nest surprised me. The bush isn’t that full and is located next to a large set of windchimes. There’s a busy birdfeeder right next to the tree, so I doubt the mother robin has had a moment’s peace since moving in.
Since I’ve learned of her location, I worked hard to make sure her nest stays safe. I keep our dog away from the tree and try to limit our usage of the back porch. When you do walk out to the back porch, the mother robin flies away and then sits on the fence and chirps loudly until you leave.
She’s a mother protecting her brood.
I understand how she feels. With a baby on the way in July, it seems I spend a lot of time getting ready for my own new arrival. I’m sure mama bird is nervous and excited and full of a million different emotions, too.
This weekend, the mother robin woke us up with her loud chirping. She chirped for a good 30 minutes. Greg later called me out and pointed out instead of three eggs, we now had four.
Hang in there, momma. We’ll get through it together.
