Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/21/2007

Question
Hello, We cut down a tree in our yard yesterday and inadvertently brought down a robin's nest with two babies that appeared recently hatched. One didn't make it. Last night and today the mother has been sitting on it and the father brings food; it has been taking the food and seems to be doing well. My question is this: we found the nest and put it back into it; our neighbors thought we should put it in a basket and tie it into a tree to keep the baby safe from preditors on the ground. We tried this in a tall tree in our yard and the parents couldn't find it. We took it back down and they've been tending to it ever since. Should we try again, putting it into a lower tree that I've seen the parents sit on frequently? I'm worried about leaving it on the ground. (It is now in the small basket, in the nest, with the parents tending to it.) I feel terrible about cutting down their tree and want to do whatever I can to help the baby survive. Thanks so much! Cynthia

Answer
Well, the parents and babies have already been traumatized by the felling of the tree, so I would not do anything more. Further disturbance could very well cause them to abandon the nest. Thanks for your concern and good luck. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com