Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/16/2008

Question
We are having some landscaping done in the next few days and just realized one of the trees being removed has a robin's nest and 2 eggs.  The nest was last year's and was empty several days ago, so they are freshly laid.  Is there anything we can do to save them?  If you ask the landscapers to work around that (assuming it's possible), how long until they hatch and are gone.  Can we move the nest or I am assume the parents won't find it then?  We feel terrible about it.  Any advise you can give us would be appreciated!  Thanks!

Answer
After all the eggs are laid - about five, it will take about 3-4 weeks before they hatch and the young leave the nest. If you move the nest more than a few feet, the parents might abandon it. Can't tell you what to do but if you can work around the nest that would clearly be best for the birds.