Hello Pelle,
Thanks :)
IrisMA,
Declining? Really? Well, we can't let that continue! I'd be more than happy to send our local ones back...we'll gladly pay the S&H too :D (need a devil emoticon here)...LOL
Rebloomnut,
Here's 3 pics of the little buggers...
The 1st one is a female in our garden...
This message was edited Jun 15, 2010 12:22 AM
Here's a "cute" fledgling at our feeder...
And here's a pic of a mean ole' male...
Both females and males are mean when it comes to other birds though...
They bully our House Finches and Goldfinches on the feeders daily :(
I wish they would all get along...
Susan, once again I'm so sorry. You're experiencing some heartbreaking events.
Oh No! I have those little devils here all over the place. Have seen no finches this year and usually do by now so maybe that is the reason. Lots of big fat Robins and Woodpeckers and Doves this year too. Miss the finches though.
Susie, one question. Have you considered removing the feeders when the other birds nest there that way the HOSP and other birds will stay away because there's no food source?
I've had a few Robbin families in my trees and bushes. One year while pruning a bush, without knowing there was a nest, I startled the young'ns and they startled me (jumped off the ladder). They fledged too early so I place them back in the nest but they wouldn't stay put. The parents continued feeding them and I watched them until the night fell - don't know what happened after that though. So now before spraying or pruning my trees or bushes, I inspect them first. Mockingbirds and Song Sparrows have nested in my next door neighbors bushes too. Last year the poor sparrow was feeding a big ole' Cowbird.
Hello Methodical,
You are probably right about the feeders being a part of the problem, but they all still go to the birdbath too. I take down the finch feeders during the Hummingbird migration period from mid-late August til about the 2nd week of October. By that time, there is plenty of finch food in the garden with oodles of Salvia and Sunflower seeds.
I think I'll keep the feeders up in hopes of success next year for nesting birds. The finches bring me joy and they wouldn't be around the yard much til the seeds in the garden ripened. We do have 3 birdhouses...2 are for Wrens that HOSP can't get into and the other birdhouse has a big enough hole for most birds...yet it never became occupied...go figure.
Thanks for your suggestion though :)
Susan I may one year try and encourage nesting in my back yard but I have plans to build it up first. You are fortunate to have birds nest in your box. From talking to Dave (2ndCousinDave) if I take up my plan I have to be ready to take on the HOSP. So that's something for me to think about before I take that on.
Take care
I missed this thread the first time around -
I have seen a Robin in a nest ride out a horrible storm with hail and strong winds. She pointed her beak straight up & made herself "cone" shaped and shed off the worst of the weather. My mom said she saw a hen chicken do the same beak-up cone shape in a hail storm. She said before the storm the nest was hidden, but all the vegetation was flattened and the only thing sticking up out of the hail after the storm was the hen on her nest.
I found something literally outside my window yesterday..I live in a 2nd floor apartment..and by leaning halfway out the window, got a picture LOL
I immediately thought of you, SusanLouise..I hope this brings a little joy to you :)
I believe I see 3 beaks..these baby robins are hungry! Both parents were waiting near by with food in their beaks..they didn't appreciate my intruding!
Hello Pollengarden,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been away from the pute for awhile and have just been taking pics here and there...mainly of butterflies now, not much going on with birds here lately...sad and ho-hum.
I'm thrilled to know she made it through the storm...fasinating info, thanks! :)
Hello Chris,
Bless your heart! What a wonderful pic...thanks for sharing it! For the past couple of days, Mama had been hopping around the planters on the porch again and even sat in one for about a 1/2 an hour...don't know why...a little strange since she didn't seem to try and build a nest in that particular pot. I went to water the petunias in all the planters and it looked like she had attempted to start building a nest in one, but had made no progress on it since. She checked out her old nest, but she probably remembers bad memories...don't know. Today she had not even come close to the porch. Big Sigh...I miss her and the little ones so much and was hoping for her to try again. My husband was thinking of how to prevent the ferel cars from sabatoging the next brood...no easy solution.
I am still feeding the Robin on our patio everyday which has been cheering me up :)
Sorry to hear that they didn't come back to your planters, but maybe that will give you time to figure out how to deal with the cats in the area. When the time is right, she'll find another spot and hopefully it'll be one that you can watch :)
Here's today's photo..I went outside and took it from the sidewalk..I was right about 3 babies..
Hi Susan and everyone. My heart was just about in my throat when I found a Cardinal juvie lying dead on my back yard this afternoon. Just before lunch I may have seen it near the feeder being fed by its Papa. I'm so crushed. There is no obvious trauma wound so it may as well be pure accidental prone.
Chris, those little birds they seem to have a keen instinct to protect their youngs. Look at the nook and crannies that they find to build their nest to keep their broods out of the "wheather" so to speak. But like most living beings, there is no full proof or guarantee is there?
Currently I've some Carolina Wrens who insist to go into my garage to build nest. Little do they know that could be a trap door when we're not around. They can be trapped indoor. Sigh!!!
Susan, I still think it would be so nice if we were neighbors. Take care, have a safe July 4th to all my birding friends.
Hi everyone... I'm new to this forum but just have to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading and learning from this thread.
Susan, my heart is so with you my friend. I too, love birds, and those Robins are just so special.
Thanks for sharing.
I lost this thread for awhile! The babies fledged on the 6th..I had taken this pic that morning and when I went to take another pic the next morning, the nest was completely empty. The parents were around for just another day and then they, too, went off somewhere. I'm glad I was able to get one last shot, but you'll notice that there's only 2 babies..I think the 3rd had already fledged the day before and I didn't realize it, cause I just thought he was behind these two where I couldn't see him :)
Welcome to the forum Downy!
Sweet picture CC!
Hi, is anyone still following this post? I was new last year when I got online and found this site... Please respond if you can share with me a way to "stay connected." I had a Robin build in my front porch wreath this summer and would love to share the details.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/birdwatching/all/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1204693/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1194803/
Hi Downy,
There sure are ways to remain connected with the bird watching community here on Dave's. I've included a few links, above, including one that Lily_love started on nesting activities in the suburban garden. That would probably be the best one to post your experience with the Robins you which built in the wreath.
Within the threads are multiple posts and comments. You can actually add the entire bird-watching forum and you'll see any new activity, including new threads, any time something new is posted.
At the bottom of each thread, you'll see options as to what you want to do with a particular thread, eg "Watch thread". Playing around with it is the best way to become familiar with what, at first, can be quite daunting.
There is quite a bit you can do within your own preferences, which you access my clicking on "My info", which can be found on the strip below the DG Home tag. Within your own preferences you can opt to be notified any time a post is made on any thread you have posted on.
Sorry about being so wordy. Someone else will come along and guide you in two or three words what I've taken dozens to do and have probably confused you in the bargain.
Hi Downy, I couldn't have said things better than Margaret. Come join us.
