Robin Fledglings

The babies have left the nest! It’s true, I have been cheering for them for a while now. I saw the nest a few weeks ago. It was so perfectly built. Little branches smoothed and shaped making a perfect basket. It looked like one edge was a little higher so anyone on the ground would have trouble looking inside. I lucked out because it was right outside my bathroom window. The blinds were shut, but every now and then I took a peek at them. First a robin sitting on the nest. Next a robin sitting on a nest… Then I researched robins sitting on nests.

Twelve to fourteen days to hatch. One day there was a lot of angry squawking, I opened the blind and banged on the glass because two blue jays were trying to interfere. The blue jays flew off. Later, I noticed mom sitting in the tree nearby, the nest was full of little mouths to feed. The parents were so attentive, making many trips a day to keep the babies fed. I kept the light off at night, so no predators would see them.

Yesterday they were gone. They jump out of the nest at about thirteen days. It then takes an additional ten to fifteen days for the fledglings to become strong fliers. This is a dangerous time, only 25% of fledged youngsters live to November. So, I continue to root for them from afar. Wherever they have wandered, under a bush or behind a shed. May they have safe travels.

The robin, known for its orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. I had a couple baby robins once who made an appearance at the end of winter. They kept me busy for many a season, and then hopped the nest. I wish them safe travels as well.

(photo) Eileen Schneider