Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/16/2007

Question
For the past two days a robin has been adamant about building a nest on our motion detector lights that are right outside our sliding door to the backyard. We've taken down three different starts to the nest because we use that door all the time, especially now that the good weather has come to western NY. But they keep trying to rebuild. Once a robin picks a location for a nest, is it possible to change her mind? I've heard that the egg laying and baby leaving the nest time period is about 4 weeks. This nest is within inches of that door that we will have to use often. Any ideas?  

Answer
If she wants to build a nest there, let her. After all, you are taking down her nests now, so if you disturb her later it won't be much different. Yes, you might eventually discourage her, but then she might not nest at all anywhere. You are correct about the timing of egg laying to babies leaving. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com