My Robin Eggs Hatched!

by Barbara Rodgers
(Greenville, MS)

This the second installment about the nest that was built in my rose moss hanging basket this spring.

I discovered the nest while watering my plants and I watched every day to see them hatch. The red breasted robin mother faithfully sat on her three eggs every day for at least 11 days after I found them.

Sometimes she would get off to go forage for bugs, worms or seed in my lawn. But she was back on the nest within 5 minutes.

I was so excited when I discovered they had hatched. She barely would let me close enough to get a picture. I watched until I caught her off the nest foraging and grabbed my camera. Oh, they were the tiniest, naked little cute, ugly things I have ever seen!

I did observe that one egg didn't hatch and the mother moved it out of the nest.

She was very protective of her babies at this stage. There seemed to be several adults helping her watch.

She perched on the edge of the nest to watch and keep them warm. As they started growing hairy feathers she would leave for longer lengths of time but never far away. I tried to make a video of the baby birds for my grandchildren but the mother and two more robins came from the bushes and started flying at my head so I turned and ran quickly back into the house!

Another day I was working in the yard nearby but giving the nest plenty of space when I saw a snake heading toward them. I grabbed a shovel and chopped his head off before he could get further. I hope the birds appreciated my help in protecting them.

They have learned to fly and have vacated the nest. I missed seeing them fly away but discovered they were gone when I came one afternoon.

My patio and flower basket seems a lonely place to me now.