Robins' Nest - to move or not to move?

[Bird Brain]

We have a pair of robins that have built a nest in our feeder box. I know - how lucky are we?!
Unfortunatly, we are having our windows replaced in a few weeks (the nest is ~12 feet from our patio doors!)
So are wondering if we should leave them be and hope they don't get distubed, or try to move the box now (before they lay eggs).
What do you think?

[Naturenutz]

It sounds as if the birds will be incubating the eggs while the work is in progress.They will not leave the eggs without good cause and will sit tight .However it is possible the work could be too noisy etc. How long will the window fitters be there ? The incubation of the eggs takes 12-14 days according to my book.However the eggs are not incubated untill all have been laid which may add a few days. If they had chicks they would be far less likely to desert . They are quite stubborn birds i would take the chance they will stay.Also they have up too 3 broods a year,so all will not be lost.

[werdnal]

Robins are very tolerant of people. See how they hang around watching whilst you are digging in the garden, incase you turn up something interesting. To compensate for any disruption, why not put out a supply of live mealworms to help them. It might overcome any thoughts they have about abandoning the nest if there is a ready supply of easy food nearby.

This nest if very early though. If we have a cold snap of weather, they may even decide not to bother and try again later.

[Kayleigh]

If the birds are nesting then it is an offence to disturb it so what ever you do dont touch the nest.
Do what werdnal says and get some mealworms or dig the the garden so they can find worms and grubs to make the work less likely to disturb them or get the work dont later in the summer..

[Redrob]

Hi! Its a gamble wether you move it or not! But are you aware that it's an offence to touch any nest during the nesting season!!
We had a Robins nest rite next to our back door, in the hose-pipe reel. They were quite comfortable with us walking past quite often. They still managed to bring up four chicks!
Robins can be quite stubborn birds when they want to be, especially if they have young. Also if the birds are familiar with the homeowners regularly going out to feed them they will get used to your presents.
It is still very early in the nesting season, therefore if the Robins are disturbed they still have plenty of time to rebuild there nest where-ever it may be.
Good-Luck!!

[Farplace]

Leave them alone and tell your window-people about the nest. Then fingers-crossed, all will be well.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

If the birds are nesting then it is an offence to disturb it so what ever you do dont touch the nest.

Originally Posted by Redrob

But are you aware that it's an offence to touch any nest during the nesting season!!

Not true. It is an offence to "take, damage or destroy" the nest of a wild bird, and it is an offence to deliberately disturb the nest of a bird on Schedule 1 (a couple of dozen of very rare species).

It's not an offence to touch or disturb a Robin's nest.

Re the nest, I'd leave it. If there's going to be a lot of activity within 12 feet then I'd think about putting up some kind of screen between the windows and the nest now. Maybe tall potted shrubs or a trellus screen - something that will hide the box from the birds. They are pretty tolerant, but if they are flushed from the nest and can't get back for more than about half an hour due to people being stood next to it, then the eggs will die. So you could screen it, or just keep a close eye out during the work - if a Robin appears close by then ask them to back off til it goes in the box. Once back on the eggs or brooding chicks, it'll be in there for up to an hour at a time.

Don't be afraid to check the box the day before, to see if there will actually be a problem. Carefully look inside - you can use a small torch or carefully lift the lid a little, to see if you can see a sitting bird (if you flush it it will come back as soon as you leave). If there's no bird, then you can very gently feel with your finger to see if there are eggs in there. This is perfectly legal - ornithologists do it all the time, and it's not rocket science.

[Bird Brain]

Many thanks for all of the advice - we'll leave them be.

We've got a couple of small trees in pots, which we'll move to give the robins a bit of protection from the workmen when they start.

Would you like to see some pictures? and maybe a bit of video?

[artdemole]

Originally Posted by Bird Brain

Many thanks for all of the advice - we'll leave them be.


Would you like to see some pictures? and maybe a bit of video?

Saturday morning in the 1/6d seats????

[tcvarlh]

YES, You never know something new may occur, not seen before, robins do some odd things sometimes, like my one fights with my Dunnock. They really loathe each other. Two schoolboys scrapping feathers everywhere and lots of dirty looks.
h