Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/24/2009

Question
Hi: This April a Robin built a nest on top of my security lights which are directly above the rear door to my home which is my main entranceway. The area is under an overhanging porch roof and provide excellent shelter from wind, rain and predators.  The bird unfortunately would flee its' nest every time I exited or entered the house. I should mention that I also have two cats. I was very happy to have the nest and the Robin sitting on the nest right above my door and everything seemed to be reasonably okay until two days ago when I stopped seeing the  parent leaving, entering or sitting on the nest. Today, I very quickly checked the nest with a mirror and  observed four beautiful blue eggs in the nest.  I have recently  observed the parent on the ground feeding and sometimes just hopping about on the ground about my yard which (even at night) which I found peculiar as the cats nearby as well). I'm not certain, but I don't think that either of the cats caught the parent as I usually find out about that sort of thing fairly quickly. Sadly, I believe the parent Robin has abandoned its' beautiful nest tucked  under the porch roof. (It is really a remarkable  piece of work!)   I can't help but think that my my comings and goings  caused the parent to be stressed to the point of  abandoning its nest and eggs. Will the bird ever come back and check on its' eggs or nest?

Answer
Be a bit patient. Birds do abandon eggs for reasons that we often do not understand, and also sometimes there is a delay before incubation starts. Usually Robins are quite tolerant of human activity. They were building the nest while you were going in and out, and eggs and young usually bind them to a nest even more.