No Vacancy!

Honestly, I've lost track but believe for the last 5 years or so I've had American Robins make a nest under my back deck and raise a brood.  It's fun to have them there and watch them come and go and raise the young but it's also in a place where I come and go all the time, which scares off the adults and has in the past caused the young to leave the nest too early, as they get spooked too.

Last year they built their nest atop the ladder that is stored under there.  This is where that darn "Murphy" comes in. You see, like last year, once they build their nest, lay eggs and get settled I'm gonna need my ladder, UGH!  Last year I had to wait until the young left the nest before being able to use the ladder, which isn't cool.

So, this spring I've been removing their nest constructions every day or two.  I'm doing this so they'll get the point and move on to a different location, however, they are persistent, OMG!  They're working their feathered butts off and actually make quite a lot of progress with each attempt.  I feel bad but I want to break the cycle...

They can visit but NO lodging!

My Littles - Update

An update to June 18th post titled My Littles -

Three days after my above post I noticed this little'n perched on my deck rail.  Seems it was time for both youngster to fledge, which surprised me looking back at the pics I took of them in their nest, hmm

Somehow this newbie made if from the nest, under the deck, topside and perched atop the railing.

I pulled up a chairs and watched this dude for a little while, hoping one of the adults would stop by so I could get a pic but no luck.  A short time later, this baby was gone and off to see the area.

I checked their nest later that afternoon to confirm it was empty, them removed it, so I could finally take down my ladder and check my gutters.

My Littles...

A pair of Robins made a nest atop my 30' extension ladder that I have stored under my back deck. They made it in less than a couple days, and when I was away in RI for my daughter's graduation.  Seems they like the spot and have been here for the last couple of years.

There are two nice and plump youngsters in there now.  It won't be long now before they're old enough to "fly the coop".

I'm looking forward to it, since the parents get all hot and bothered when I'm out and about in that area and carry on and on and on but also because I need to use my ladder!  Soon enough...

Man (egg) Over Board!

Sticking with the pool themed posts here's another.

When it comes to song birds, we all know about the "fecal sack" or "poop pouch" right?! This is a feeding parents reward for bring the young food.  The adult will fly off with this tough mucous membrane encasement of poop to be discarded away from the nest.  It's their way of nest cleaning and keeping the nest free of waste and odor that might attract unwanted predators.

I've also seen Robin's carrying off blue egg shells too.  Apparently, performing the same nest keeping duties, which all makes sense.  However, I found the following in the pool the other day; a fertilized Robin egg!  It would seem that an adult Robin was carrying this egg off, which it deemed unhatchable maybe, to deposit away from it's nest but it landed on the pool instead, YUCK!

*** WARNING *** A bit graphic for some of today's snowflakes...

One of the odder things I've found in our pool over the years.

Deck Vacancies - Update

An update to my Sunday April 25 postings titled "Deck Vacancies"...

Here's a picture taken Saturday of the Robin nest under our deck.

Goodness do little birds grow SO fast!  Of course the mother is constantly on the move foraging for these little mouths and doing a wonderful job.  There just now too big to all fit comfortably, which means they'll be leaving the nest soon.  Hoping they do so on their own terms and not get spooked into a premature maiden flight, as we come and go from the basement.

This pic shows (3), however, Emilie is claiming one of her pics has (4) babies...

Deck Vacancies

We have Robin that has made a nest under our deck, again.  It was made in just a couple days too!  Seems like the word is out that this is an idle place, however, they soon learn that although protected nicely from the elements the disruptions are constant, especially on the weekends. Our trash and recycle barrels are under the deck too, so we're constantly in and out to toss one thing or another.  The back door to the pool area is right there too, so the numerous treks out to the chickens has the mom flying off and on, off and on and we haven't opened the pool yet.

Under Deck Nester

A Robin chose to build her next on the support beam under our back deck.  It was not a spring build, rather a late season build - these pictures were taken last night.  Perhaps, it was her second clutch, who knows.  I'm not a big fan of having birds nest under the deck.  They're messy with the nest building materials, they poop on everything, and that's just the adults, and the nest is in a high traffic area.  The mother is constantly being spooked of the nest, where she'll fly to the other side of the pool and sit on the fence hollering. Last year I took the nest down along with it's 3-eggs.  Fortunately, I set it aside because when Emilie came home and saw what I did there were 4-eggs, so I had to put it back.  This year I just left it.

Anyway, when I peaked in last night I was surprised to see just one baby and it's pretty good sized too.  I guess it's a lot easier to feed one mouth versus multiple.

Just home Oliver is outside when Emilia takes her first flight, could be devastating...

Just Hanging

A couple of nice photo of visiting birds.

Both calmly perched and enjoying the afternoon with seeming not a care in the world.

Interesting note, the trees these birds are perched in, Boxelder, are no more!  The abutting neighbor cut down 90% of the trees in his backyard, which sadly backs to our backyard.  It's WIDE open now, no privacy any longer.  Sad really.

**Photo cred to Emilie Frye

Thirsty?

Good thing we have a safety cover...

At one point there were about 20 Robins sitting atop our pool cover the other morning, taking advantage of the melting snow to get a drink of water.

Zoom Zoom Zoom

A couple American Robins resting after filling their bellies on Bittersweet berries.

And They're Off...

Here's an update to the previous, "Oh Bother, (Christopher) Robin", posting from May 28 - 

All 4 babies have fledged the nest successfully.

All 4 babies fledged the nest when spooked by us adults - me when I brought the trash out; 2 took off.  One when Emilie when to check them out and the 4th when JoAnne walked by.  All followed by endless yelling and cackling by the parents.

Only 1 of the 4 didn't have enough umph to clear the pool fence.  This dude took a sharp right outta the nest and came to rest beside the echinacea.

The last I saw of him was on the far side of the pool hoping around and looking for a way out - 

The parents now have their work cut out for them - tending to each in different locations.

Oh Bother, (Christopher) Robin

The Robin's nest below was built under our back deck.  Since I didn't want birds nesting there I removed the it, pictured below.  It sat on my workbench in the basement for half a day.  That was until Emilie came home and found it.  After some arguing (might as well been talking to the wall) I reluctantly placed the nest back under the deck.  I like to think I caved because I was hoping the two eggs had gone cold enough and wouldn't hatch...

Boy was I wrong!  Not only did the two hatch, she laid two additional eggs and all four have hatched -

Sorry, not one of your parents, just here to grab a couple pics. Carry on -

Whatcha Doing?!

Can you spot the item in the below picture that doesn't belong?!  Please people, be kind I realize it's a tad messy but organized...

Ta-da! A baby American Robin wandered it's way in the garage.  I'm thinking it was a good thing I noticed it or perhaps the outcome could have been different; a stinky one at that.

Boy-O-Boy did this little one carry one and fuss when I picked it up.  That of course alerted the parents who were none to happy with me and they too began to carry on.  If you didn't know any better you'd a thought someone was being beaten.

After a stern talking too the youngster quieted down.  The parents in turn stopped dive bombing me, so I was able to take and drop the fledgling off at a safe spot down back and out of harms way.

Where's My Ice Scraper?!

A frosty morning in mid-April!

UGH, c'mon Spring where are you?

Even the Robin, standing on one foot and shivering, wasn't too happy.

Diner Time At The Holly Bushes

Here are a handful of pics showing the Robins and Waxwings gorging themselves on Holly berries -

Breakfast Time

A Robin enjoying the beautiful morning among the Bittersweet. 

Oh My Gosh My Holly...

The birds know where to go in a pinch when they're hungry.  The Robins, for example, have been gorging themselves on our Holly Bush berries.

There have been oodles and oodles of them darting in and out, staying long enough to fill their bellies.

Fact:  Only the female Holly Bushes will have the red berries on them.

Birds Of Color

Although the bird feeder has been empty for a couple weeks now, the birds are still a visiting.  Looks like they're go to food when all else is scarce is the Bittersweet.  

Here's an American Robin among the Bittersweet -

Here's a "daddy" Cardinal -

And my favorite, a Bluebird - 

I've since shoveled a path to the bird feeders and filled with sunflower seeds.  They're much happier now and many many more are visiting.

Too Big For Their Nest!

Our under-the-deck Spring tenants are growing!

Just a couple days ago we had a jumper and each time I returned it back to the nest off it would go again.  Upon further inspection there was simply no longer any available space for the family of four.  So, I took one of the nearby nests, placed it next to the original and put the little fella in it.  That seemed to do the trick but as it turns out for just a day or two.

The other morning I noticed a little on on the lawn again but this time I let it alone.  I figured the mother knew what to do and would take care of the situation.  However, this afternoon there is only one young'n left.  I think they're too young to fly just yet, so not sure where the other three have gone to.  Chances are they're hiding among the flowers under the deck.

Apartment Space For Rent

Well, it last just one year before it went to the birds...

As you can there are six bird nests atop the support beam to our deck.  They're all American Robin nests.  I'm just not sure yet if there's more than one nesting pair that's taken up residence. The best view is from the basement door, however, even that view isn't the best and as soon as you open the basement door off they go.  But if I was to guess I would say there's only one pair.

I really would prefer they do their family rearing someplace else.  I'm pretty sure the cranky old homeowner isn't going to be too happy when bird droppings start adorning the support beam...