Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/6/2007

Question
Hi, I read your info about the robin eggs being abandoned and have a similar situation.  I was excited when a robin build a nest under our raised deck (4' above ground) but it has turned to sadness.  She was sitting on the nest but when we did yard work nearby (within 2' away) and mowed the lawn with a noisy mower she flew away and she has not returned to sit on the nest. I don't know if something happened to her or if it was just too noisy.  There are lots of other robins in the yard. The eggs are in the nest but no mama.  Is there something we could have done differently?  Should we just leave the nest & eggs and let nature takes it's course?  I'd hate to see return visits to this nest only to have them abandon it if we make too much noise.  

Answer
Well, it could be that there was too much disturbance or that the mother got eaten by a cat or something. But the disturbance could have driven her away permanently. If the mother is gone and the eggs are there, there is nothing you can do, I'm afraid to say. If she does return, minimal disturbance is the key. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com