Expert: Julia Booth - 6/30/2010

Question
QUESTION: A lovely thing it is...robin nesting in my hanging fuchsia plant on my back deck. She is quite safe. However, we have to let the dog out sometimes and I have to go out to water. I have been watering the fuchsia plant being very careful to not get the nest wet. She flies away but does come back. My question. On the 4th of July we are having lots of people over for a Bar BQ so there will be people on the deck for a few hours. What should I do if anything? Is that too long for her to be off her nest? Should I move the plant to another location? Please advise. I am honored she chose our deck and I would like her to stay and have her babies. Thank-you.

ANSWER: I would not move the nest. Most of the time, birds that we assume have been abandoned have not actually been. Unless you watched the nest for 24 hours straight, you don't really know for sure if the parents have been back.

It is VERY rare for a bird to abandon its eggs oryoung, especially robins, who are well known for becoming emotionally attached to their offspring. And both parents participate in the incubation, feeding and fledging.

Urban birds are accustomed to hectic activity and loud noises. I have seen them nest inside the traffic light at a busy intersection. So I wouldn't be too worried, if I were you.

You may have to avoid watering the plant for the duration.

Let me know if you still need help,

Julia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I appreciate your help. I wasn't going to move the nest but move the plant the nest is resting in. There will be many people on the deck right exactly where the plant/nest is. How long can eggs not be incubated? If we are out there for 5 hrs and she can't get to the nest or won't, is that too long? The mom and the dad both fly away and sit on the fence telling us off while we are outside for just an hour. I don't want the eggs to be left unattended for too long. If you think 5 hours is OK then I won't worry.

Answer
Robins are famous for nesting in inconvenient places.

Three to five hours isn't too long, unless it is less than 50 degrees where you live. If the mom and dad are squawking at you, then they have no intention of abandoning the eggs. They're asserting their authority and letting you know that they won't tolerate your interference. But they will eventually realize you are not a threat and carry on. Incubation is about 2 weeks. Time it takes for the birds to fledge is another 2 weeks.