Expert: Julia Booth - 7/14/2008

Question
My 90-year old mother has noticed that a robin has built a nest on top of her
automatic garage door opener inside her garage. Is there any way to safely
move the nest if eggs have already been laid (and is it legal)? If it were me, I'd
leave it alone until the babies have left the nest, but it poses some danger to
my mother, since she lives alone and generally parks her car directly under
the spot where the nest is. I'm worried that she'll slip on droppings and she's
not really able to do the clean-up that's needed under the nest.
Unfortunately, I live quite a distance away and can't help her with it. She also
worries about leaving her garage door open all the time to allow the parent's
access to the nest. I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Thanks very much in advance.

Answer
Interesting that you would care if it's legal. Most people disregard the rights of animals in favor of their own -rather refreshing, actually.

If the eggs haven't been laid, then I'd say take it down. However, if the Robin has already laid the eggs and the nest is moved, it's unlikely that she will continue to incubate them. Moving the nest changes its structure and she may not recognize it as her own. I know that sounds kind of lame, but the birds aren't that bright when it comes to such things.

Incubation time for a Robin is 12-14 days. After that it's 14-16 days for them to fledge (leave the nest)

I honestly don't think the droppings would create that much of a safety hazard for your mother. But she must have left her garage door open for a while already, or the Robin would never have built the nest there. Does she live in a neighborhood where that would be an issue?

It's not illegal for you to move the nest...really. But I advise against it, if it can be avoided -and I understand your concerns.

I'm impressed that your mother still drives. Good for her. My husband's grandmother is 90 and doesn't drive (because she never did to begin with) but she does everything else.

Hope this helps,

Julia