Robins in a garden hose

by Lisa
(Lancaster, MA, USA )

Robins Nest in Unusual Places

On a Sunday afternoon in May, I was puttering about the backyard when I saw a baby rabbit hop behind our garden shed.


I followed it and was completely surprised to find a robin's nest was built in the coil of two wound garden hoses hanging from a ladder. The ladder was balanced on the top of an old dog kennel we used to use.

I walked over to see the nest and it was empty. The very next day I went back and there was one beautiful blue egg.

On Tuesday there were two eggs. Wednesday, no change but on Thursday, there were four!

I checked the nest daily and it remained at four.

It seemed like no time at all when I popped over to find that all four eggs had hatched and the mother was not happy with my visit!

Scroll For Even More Robin Stories

I continued to check on the nest every other day or so for two weeks, watching the robins grow.

The mother would dive-bomb me and squawk her head off so I would take a quick photo and get away.

To this day, we've never had such an unusual spot chosen in our yard, and we've had several nests in the past. All of them were in my lilac bush.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Robin Nest On Garden Hoe

by Kathy Iredale
(Port Angeles, WA)

My husband first found the nest. He would walk out through our gate to his pick-up and wonder why Robins were diving him.

Then one day he noticed straw hanging down from his tools that were hung on the side of his garage. He looked up and to his surprise there was a nest.

Once we knew the nest was there we tried hard not to go in the back yard. We didn't want to scare them away. That was impossible of course.

We did wait until the nest was empty whenever possible. It did seem like they got use to us coming and going as they didn't fly away as much.

Eventually my curiosity got the best of me and I had to see how many eggs were in the nest. First I just laid a ladder against the garage. Then I waited a couple days and climbed up to have a look.

My husband told me I shouldn't but if I had to to make sure I didn't touch the nest or eggs. I told him I was smart enough not to do that. There were 3 blue eggs inside.

Then we waited and waited. So afraid mom hadn't sat on the eggs enough because of us. One day I looked out our bathroom window and either mom or dad was in the nest and there was this little creature with the biggest mouth wide open.

It was the best thing ever. Once again I had to climb the ladder. This time to make sure there were 3 babies. There were.

It was so cool watching these little babies. Then we went camping for a week. Got back today and the nest is empty.

We know very little about birds. I have a bird feeder outside our living room window and I also put feed on the window ledge. It's like having an ever changing bird cage.

We also have a hummingbird feeder but that's the extent of it. Will our birds come back to use this nest again? I need to know if I have to start saving to buy my husband new tools.

Robins In My Heart

by Grammie
(Middletown VA)

Every year in the spring I get wrens that nest in a mail basket on my back porch and if that's not enough they have taken to nesting in my hanging baskets.

The grandchildren and I love to watch them and at this time I have 1 nest with 2 eggs in it.

The word must have spread because now I have a pair of robins nesting in a double heart grapevine wreath as well, the eggs have hatched, 3 out of 4 and they are such much fun to watch.

The female will nest and feed while we are on the porch but the male will always wait until we go in.

They make a mess but I place plastic behind the nest to protect the wall.

Robin Nest Under Deck Again!

by Len Cole
(Uxbridge, ON Canada)

I was cooking Hamburgers for my wife and I on our back deck.

I knew there was a Robins nest built on the under hang of the deck at our door entrance above my head.

I was coming in with both hands full, when she took off above my head.....well, the food went flying, and I broke a plate and ruined the food. ... We had a sandwich!

The Robin had three young ones, and we enjoyed watching them grow until their first flight.

After they left for a few days, I removed the nest. This was late May of 2009.

It is now July 13th and I have watched as a new nest has been built in the same spot. There are 2 new eggs!

Do they mate all summer?

If you have any info, let me know.

Thank you
Len Cole
Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada

Nest In Fake Tree!

by Matt Bushong
(Brisbane, California, USA)

This spring we had robins build a nest in an 8 ft. tree that is in the atrium area of the front door to our house.

At first I did not even see the nest. I saw a big mess of straw below the tree, on the patio entry way. I wondered who'd made the mess.

Then I looked up and a bird suddenly flew out of the tree... just missing my head! It was a Robin. That started our entire "Robin Family Adventure."

Everyday we would see the "mom" Robin sitting in the nest as we would leave for work or taking our son to school.

We would see the male Robin sitting in a tree farther away... chattering at us if we got too close to Momma and her nest. Momma Robin was spooked the first few times we would walk by, but then got used to us.

A few weeks later there were four blue eggs in the nest. Sometime after that the four chicks hatched!

Sadly one of the tiny chicks fell out of the nest and died. The three other chicks began to grow as mom and dad brought them worms.

We left out a small plate below the tree with meal worms, red worms and small pieces of chopped fresh strawberries. They ate well! The chicks began to grow.

Sometimes the mom and dad Robin would stay away from the nest for a while. We got worried and actually hand fed the chicks several times.

Then... when we would walk by... all three chicks would open their mouths in anticipation of food. They began to outgrow the nest and began perching on its outer ledge.

Twice one of the chicks fell out and we had to put them back in the nest. One time the entire nest fell out and we had to put it back. Still... the chicks grew and endured. Mom and Dad Robin hung in there.

All three of the chicks matured enough to fly away! We still see the young Robins in the outer trees near our house from time to time.

The interesting part of this whole Robin story is... that the tree they built their nest in was a fake tree!!!

It had wood and plastic branches and silk leaves! We bought it at Target for $39.95!

Dartboard Robin Nest

by Vcki Hough
(Bend Oregon)

We have had doves nest in the same place for the last two years we have robins on our deck!

Watching the mother make the nest was fascinating as she brought all the materials and then would wiggle and pack everything down.

Since they were right by our back door, we had to be careful.

Our BBQ is about 10 feet from the next. So we started talking to the birds when they were nesting to make them feel comfortable.

The "momma" seemed to be fine after she saw us many times every day!

Then one morning I found a blue egg on the chair beneath the next and almost panicked thinking that an egg had been pushed out.

But to my surprise, it was just the shells so we had babies!

We could hardly wait to see how many there were!

It was fun to watch the "pappa" guard on our railing while momma went back and forth for food.

Of course when they were a little bigger both of the parents were back and forth.

And today three of the four left the nest.

We have one left and are just watching to see when he will fly!

Vicki Hough

Light Fixture Robins Nest

by by Linda
(Connecticut, USA)

I had two robins' nests on my house this year. One was in the front (facing south) on top of my drainpipe, and the other was on top of a light fixture on the back of the house, facing north.

I discovered the nest in the back one day when I opened my double sliding doors to go out on the deck.

I enjoy sitting out there to soak up the sunshine and read, especially in the spring before it gets too hot.

When I opened the sliding doors for the first time, I was startled by something flying from the house with a very indignant squawk.

I saw it was a robin, perched in the big maple tree in my back yard watching me, all the while continuing her very indignant screeching. Then I saw her nest.

It was perched on top of the light fixture on the back of the house, right next to the sliding back doors.

Over time, mama robin and I developed an uneasy truce. When I came out on the deck, she would fly away squawking, but once I settled down in my chaise to read, she would return to sit and incubate her eggs.

Eventually, if I moved slowly, she would stay on the nest even as I entered and exited through the sliding back doors.

Still, I often felt that mama robin didn't pick a very good place for her nest. Not only did she have to contend with my comings and goings, but because she nested on the north side, the nest was not very well protected.

There was no direct sunlight, and I was very worried about mama robin and her unhatched eggs when we had a cold spell for a couple of days and the temperature dropped into the 30's at night with a cold north wind.

The nest was not artfully built, because that wind did some damage. When I came out on the deck the next day, I saw pieces of what looked like straw or twigs hanging down from it. It was quite a mess.

Meanwhile, the nest in the front of the house was protected and had warm sunshine most of the day. It was a perfect round nest perched neatly on the drainpipe.

Nevertheless, mama robin and her chicks prevailed. Eventually I saw three hungry mouths poking up out of the nest and had a front row seat watching mama and dad taking turns guarding the nest and feeding their offspring.

Then one day, as I came out on the deck, I heard a thud. I turned to see one of the chicks out of the nest, and I was horrified to think that I had startled it and it had fallen out of the nest when I opened the sliding door.

But I soon realized that the chick had not fallen - it was ready to fly. It hopped across the deck to the back railing and flew off under the railing across the back yard to land under the arborvitae hedge.

That same day, the other two chicks also left the nest. Chick number 2 followed his sibling exactly, hopping across the deck and then flying under the railing to land under the hedge. The last chick, however, took his time.

He stood perched on top of the light fixture for a very long time. I could hear his mother in the maple tree, calling to her offspring to leave the nest.

Finally, the chick landed on the deck, but very uncertainly. He hopped, not across the deck, but sideways, and his first attempt to fly was against the cedar siding of the house which runs along one side of the deck.

He flapped his wings fruitlessly against the house, and I was afraid he'd hurt himself. But eventually he figured it out and he too followed his siblings under the railing and across the yard.

No one returned to the nest after that. But my guests sure left a mess behind, with bird poop running down the drainpipe and the side of my house under the light fixture. Even so, it was worth it to see this new life up close and personal.

Unfortunately I didn't think to take any pictures. But I've since noticed many robins in the two maple trees in my back yard, singing away, so I don't think my guests strayed very far from home.

4wheelin Robin

by Jennifer
(Orange, Vt)

I was outside this afternoon and I noticed something different about my nephews four Wheeler. There was hay curled up on the back wheel.

I went closer to see what it was and to my surprise it was a robin's nest.

Apparently this robin is into ATV cause she made it her home. Luckily he really does not use it that much.

My six year old daughter thinks this is quite cool.

I told we can not touch the nest and now she wants to learn more about our new neighbors.

Horse Collar Home

by Terrell Wilson
(Gaffney, SC, USA)

I would never have thought that the Red Breasted Robin would make a nest on the side of my storage barn.

However, to my surprise, this spring, while walking past the building, I saw an unusual site.

Scroll For More Images and Stories

I have an old horse collar hanging on the side of my storage barn, along with some other old farm tools.

I had to take a second look when I saw a robin's nest square on top of it.

I watched the nest as days passed, and took many photos of the robin and the nest itself.

I could hardly wait until I could see little heads popping up from the nest, and could watch the nesting parents presenting the young with delicious worms and bugs.

Oh, what a site to see. God has done such wonderful things!

We watched as the young grew, put on feathers, and began to stretch their wings. Then they began to fly.

The young are now gone, but the nest is not empty, for the female robin has again filled the nest with those beautiful blue eggs.

We anxiously await the birthing of our next young Robins.

Stange Robin Nest Location

by Suzanne
(Hopkinsville, KY)

For the second year in a row, a robin has made a nest on my balcony which is totally safe and sheltered. Her eggs have always survived.

Although she picked an odd place this year, it is also safe and we leave it untouched.

Both years, though, she has brought in a second female to take care of her nest, eggs and baby birds when they do hatch.

Is this a normal habit for these birds.

I have never seen this before but I have very limited knowledge of the habits of birds.

This year she built her nest in a frog candle holder before I could put a candle in it.

Robins Nest on the Ground

by Pam Nagel
(Wyndmere, North Dakota)

We have many robins build nests in our yard every year, but this is the first time I have seen one on the ground.

It is on the rock landscaping against a corner of our house. She built it really close to our walk-in garage door (where everyone enters and exits).

At first she flew away as soon as the door was opened. Now, she is a little braver and lets me walk right by her on my way to get the mail.

Also, it is directly under the outlet from our basement bathroom fan. I worry that the noise scares her away!

There are (obviously) four eggs in the nest in the picture I took about ten days ago. Unfortunately, there are only three now.

Last year, a robin built her nest in our satellite dish.

It was handy for viewing because it was right outside our son's bedroom window.

We kept a close eye on the eggs and then the babies--until a terrible thunderstorm drowned all of them in the nest. It was quite sad.

Porch light robin

by S. Bryant
(Iowa)

What was all that mess on my front porch? Oh, no, some birds were building a nest right on top of my front porch light, next to my front door and just above my mail box.

This didn't seem like a good idea to me, so I cleaned up the stuff that had fallen on the porch floor.

There seemed to be more nesting material on the floor than on the light, so I optimistically -- and unrealistically -- thought this wouldn't last long. Wrong!

This nest was built by a pair of very determined robins.

Luckily, I didn't use my front door much, but USPS came up on the porch for daily mail delivery.

Being disturbed daily seemed like a bad idea for nesting robins, so I went out and bought a mailbox, attached it to a stand with a bungee cord, and posted a sign requesting that no one go up on my porch.

The postal carriers have been very obliging, perhaps because having the mail box out on the sidewalk saves them several steps to and from my porch. (Imagine -- we have home mail delivery!)

The robins and I have accommodated each other.

There are now at least three fledglings who look like they are about ready to leave the nest.

I was looking forward to having my porch and front door back again.

But then I found this website and learned that robins may have up to three broods.

I'm looking forward to having my porch back, but I know I'll miss these lovely birds (and I'm hoping they have short memories and pick another spot next summer!).

What happened?

Last weekend, we noticed a Robin had nested in a nest on top of the downspout of my gutters.

The nest was there from last year and I had meant to knock it down.

My neighbor said that birds would not return to the same nest.

We were thrilled to share our home with this future mother Robin. We noticed the male close by, keeping watch.

I didn't climb up to see if there were eggs. I did not want the bird to feel threatened.

I felt a little uneasy just peeking around the corner to check on her.

This afternoon, I checked. The nest was on the ground and the birds nowhere to be found.

I did not see any eggs around the nest. Could this have been something that the birds did?

The nest was at least 10' above the ground. What predator could have knocked it down?

A very sad end to our story.

Awkward Nest Location For Robins

by Suzette Ehrlich
(Happy Valley, Oregon USA)

I want birds in my yard! I moved in my home 7 years ago.

Although my home is on a big suburban lot, it had lifeless landscaping with hard clay dirt and no wildlife except for a few scampering squirrels using my fence as a short cut.

Every year I spread yards of dirt and compost and acquire new plants.

I now have a very edible backyard full of fruit trees, berries, veggies, and native plants.

With all this new flora, I am finally getting birds!

A friend of mine who is a master gardener scolded me for over tidying my yard in the winter because all the dying debris make good homes for critters.

To my amazement, I got to witness that all my dry plant debris became building fodder for nest building.

Through my kitchen window, I have been watching a pair of Robins tugging on my dry grasses, going through my planters, flying around with building materials in his beak. It has been so fun to watch. 

In Oregon, we have so much rain, that I am behind in my gardening. So today I finally got out in my backyard to garden.

I spent about four hours out there while these Robins flew from tree to fence watching me.

This delighted me as I have a special place in my heart for Robins because as a teenager, I successfully saved a baby and raised it to adulthood to let her fly away to find a mate the following spring.

Now my story becomes worrisome.

As I went up on the deck, I saw that the Robins have been making their nest in my light fixture which is right by a sliding glass door and only 8 feet high.

I am worried that they chose a place that will have too much traffic or commotion.

My plan is to no longer use that door nor turn on the light. I will be calm and quiet when outside.

The nest may be abandoned. Time will tell. I am hoping for babies...wish us luck! I will update the results...

Baby Robins in our Light!

by Kim
(Cookeville, Tennessee)

Baby Robins!
The baby robins are being raised right outside our back door, in our light fixture!

The babies hatched on mother's day after about 16 days of incubation. There were 4 blue robin eggs and now four little robins.

We love to watch them and mom and dad Robin are even comfortable feeding their young while we are observing!

The parents always stay close by, and we've gotten some really great photos of them. In the pictures above, the babies are now 5 days old.

Such a wonderful and neat experience to be able to share with my children.

We are hoping for a successful fledging period for all of them!

They Won't Find Me Here

by Josee
(North Bay Ont. Canada)

Robin Nest on My Ladder

Three years ago this mama Robin built her nest just over my back door, perched on my motion sensor flood light.

Last year the light finally gave and it pulled it right out of its socket.

That not being an option this year, she found a new strange spot to build.

Not the sturdiest of perches as one good wind gust could topple the ladder, but she is still there.

Brooding like a pro and protecting her young from the multitude of squirrels and blackbirds that live and play in and around my backyard.

I love watching them in action and will prepare an official and safe Robin's perch for years to come.

Hungry Robin Redbreasts Hatch

by Iris Miller
(Greenwich,NY 12834)

Robin Nesting on Light Fixture

Of all places, and many large old trees, this Mama Robin redbreast was very smart to chose a light fixture with an overhang out of the rain, next to the garage door.

The 4 lucky babies have very attentive parents, what a thrill to watch this family of Robins thrive.

Yesterday I saw them clambering over each other all feathered and ready to go.

I missed the exodus mid morning, and would love to see a video of fledglings first flight out of the nest.

There was lots of singing in the trees this morning and afternoon.

I hope they all made it safely out, and away from the neighbor's sneaky cat.

I am sorry the door pictures of the nest flipped sideways when posted.

I don't know how to correct it.