Backyard Gutter Robins

by Helene
(Centereach, Long Island, New York)

This is a first for me. Not sure of exact dates, but it had to be about 2-3 months ago when, as I walked out my back door, I noticed a birds nest sitting on the gutter, nestled against the house.

The upstairs back of the house overhangs the downstairs and the gutter angles in toward the bottom of the house, so the overhang actually covers the nest. I was truly amazed, although I had not see a bird yet.

It wasn't till a couple weeks later that I had seen her, the Red Breasted Robin. I ran into my kids and told them 'There's a bird in the nest,there's a bird in the nest."

She would come and go. I wasn't able to see inside the nest. It just high enough that you couldn't see in, but low enough to see.

I would go out into the yard everyday to take a peak. The bird stayed at the nest for awhile, and then one day I had found half of a blue shell on the ground underneath the nest.

I had hoped the baby bird was okay. Everyday I went outside and watched as the mother sat in her nest and then I saw it.

The beak of her baby nestled against her breast. It was amazing. I kept watch, even tried to leave some bread near the nest. She didn't want it.

Then a few days later, I saw another beak popping out of the nest. Now there were two babies.

Still keeping watch, I would go out every morning before work and every night when I came home.

Told everyone the wonderful happenings going on in my yard. Nature! Then a week and a half ago I saw the third one. I was so excited. I was truly amazed. It was beautiful. Now there were three.

I had seen another Robin flying around the yard. Sometimes carrying food in its mouth. It looked different from the one that was always at the nest so I figured it must be the male. He was darker then the female.

The female was grayish and the male had a blackish head and the breast was brighter. So I watched as both cared for their young.

They are very protective of their young. The mother has charged at me a few times. guess feeling threatened, although I know not to touch the nest or babies, or get too close. Although it is hard being my door is near the nest.

So I would say they must be about two weeks old. The eyes are open and one is even flapping its wings. Getting ready to leave the nest. I'm going to be sad to see them go.

It has been a wonderful experience watching nature first hand. Anyone who comes to my house I take them out back to see the babies. It's a wonderful thing.

I share my story with everyone and give them updates regularly. I've taken pictures but haven't developed them yet. I hope they come out.