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Hanging Basket Nest

by Jennifer Strano
(Lake Grove, New York USA)

No sooner had I brought home and hung the fuschia basket did Mrs Robin begin construction.

I went to water the plant 36 hours after I placed on the porch while talking on the phone, and was surprised by her startled chirp.

She had already begun the first layer and worked fast over the next few days. The porch faces WSW, and is near the weeping cherry tree planted in the corner bed(I live in Suffolk County Long Island).

She has often perched on the top branches to broadcast her irritation with me or other interloper.

In my ignorance I thought she'd abandoned the nest after she finished because she didn't return for nearly 3 days.

The plant was suffering so I removed the nest, put it in a plastic bag and even let my 7 yr old bring it in for show and tell!!

Next morning, I went to water and pinch the dead flowers, and was shocked to see one blue egg sitting in the naked dirt. I felt like crap!

I quickly returned the nest to the basket, laying the egg carefully back in it. I hoped for the best.

Over Mother's Day weekend she laid 3 more eggs! The whole family celebrated.

I cancelled playdates for fear of further disturbing her, forbade my children from running up and down on the porch, and have checked on her through the window every hour, waiting until the moment arrives.

She hardly ever leaves the nest except to eat or defend her territory, which includes the neighbor's front yard across the street.

My children all scrunched down on the sofa (7, 4, & 2 1/2) with me and watched her tend to her nest, lifting up "skirt" to check her eggs, and settling back down over them all fluffed up, ever watchful.

I figure they should hatch by the end of this week(5/22)or the beginning of next. I will post pictures!

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Hanging Basket Nest

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May 20, 2008
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Shes back!
by: Anonymous

I peeked into the basket this am and she is sitting! The basket is right at the bottom of the stairs to our front door, I hope she is successful! How long before they hatch, and leave the nest? I'll try and keep my children quiet by the basket.
Thanks for your help!

May 20, 2008
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Do Not Move
by: Administator

Although not a good idea to touch bird eggs, it is a myth that the adults will abandon them if you do touch them.

Most of our songbirds have a very weak sense of smell.

Never ever, move a birds nest, this almost always results in nest abandonment, plus it's illegal to do so.

Try to keep traffic to minimum and hope for the best. She'll return when she feels safe.

May 20, 2008
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I found and touched them by accident...will she come back?
by: Anonymous

I went to pinch off my flowers on my hanging baskets, and a little finch flew out! I put my hand in to see if there was a nest as she wasn't leaving the area. I accidently touched the eggs. Will she return? Shes been gone for a couple hours now. She I move the basket? It's in a high traffic area... 4 children and a dog walk by it throughout the day!
Thanks.

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