A sad day today...

Our Mama Robin we fed on our patio last year had returned, which we were thrilled about until this morning. Another mated pair of Robins took over the area and got into a fight with Mama and she lost out. DH and I are quite upset. I miss her peeping me when I came out to add more worms. She was also much friendlier/tamer too...truely brightened my days.
Now the new female is building her nest in our honeysuckle/trelis in our patio garden. Big sigh...wish it was Mama :(
DH wants to shoo this new female out of the honeysuckle in hopes Mama will come back. I'm torn as to what to do...thinking Mama might be building a nest elsewhere now...Waaaaaaah.

What would you do ya'll? Sobbing :(

This message was edited Apr 8, 2011 7:43 PM

What a dilema! I feel for you.

It's up to you what to do. If it were me I would be too worried about Mama coming back and getting terribly injured the next time they get in a fight. Robins can get quite vicious with one another when trying to get a territory.

I think it's best to let nature take it's course. Of course, I've been known to violate that rule when it comes to my bluebirds. :-)

These may be come accustomed to you as well since they are nesting so close. Try feeding the new one some worms.

Okay, I need to ask. How did you know it was the original robin that returned. Does she have distinguishing marks?

Mrs_Ed,

Yes, the eye marks are different than either of the other 2 females we fed last year. The behavior is very different too, not nearly as friendly. I took a few hundred pics of both of our females last year and neither match the eye markings of the one that is hanging around now, and the one who fought with "Mama 2"...the one we fed on our patio. Mama 1 is the female who nested in one of our porch railing planters.

Best to leave it to nature I think.

Awww, Susan I almost feel it for Mama #1. I got so attatched to my very first Eastern Pheobe's family one year, then subsequent year they didn't return to the same nesting site. I missed them 'til today. So I can relate with your longing for the original Robin Mama bird.