Just found Robins nest:

MirandaLuck · #1 (**permalink**) 27-03-2011, 01:16 PM

Hi

We have just noticed a very busy Robin building a nest in our 'dog house'. The dog house is where our four dogs sleep at night when the weather is nice (they find the house too warm in the summer - AGA that can't be turned off- but thats another story!). I started 'airing' the dog house last week as suspect the dogs will want to move in there soon.

The Robin is using the ajar window as access.

The nest is quite big and made up in the shelving in the dog house with leaves, sticks etc. She is flying in and out every few minutes with more building material!

I wonder how long it will be till she lays eggs? We could prevent the dogs from going in to the dog house for a while? I've a feeling Robins will lay more than one clutch?

I know Robins are brave and territorial. Will she be brave enough to tolerate dogs in 'her' space?

Any suggestions please?

RKB · #2 (**permalink**) 27-03-2011, 04:52 PM

She will lay one egg per day, starting in a few days, until she has 5-6 eggs, then will incubate for a fortnight, then the young will be in the nest for another 16 days, and then be dependent on the parents for another fortnight in the immediate area. So you're talking a good 7 weeks that the doghouse will be out of action, and another 2 that you'd have to keep the dogs well away (the young can't fly at first, and hide on the ground). She is unlikely to tolerate dogs in close proximity, so will probably fail at some point (eggs or young will die).

If keeping your dogs away for that long is impractical, and if the young will be at risk if they are in the area, then you might want to think about blocking out the Robin now, before any eggs appear. You could keep the door shut and put 1/2 inch mesh on the windows. But you would need to do this immediately before eggs start appearing, literally tomorrow. Encouraging them to build elsewhere might be kinder in the long run, as they're not always sensible. Although it is illegal to destroy any nest that is being used, this wont apply to blocking a bird out of building in a stupid place.

You could put a Robin nestbox in a more senible location, away from the dogs, among ivy or behind a bush.

MirandaLuck · #3 (**permalink**) 27-03-2011, 05:20 PM

Hi. Very many thanks for your response. We just checked and as there were no eggs, we have gone for the blocking out approach. We'd rather upset her now than once eggs/chicks are about and given the curiosity of my dogs, think (hope!) this is best.

We noticed she had tried to build in a dog muzzle - and then decided it was too small, so I have taken that material and put it in two newly installed boxes in locations as you suggested. May that encourage her?

Interestingly, the nest/s she had built contained hair from one of my dogs who I groomed out in the garden yesterday afternoon. It has totally amazed us that she has done so much work in such little time!!!

Thanks again.

MirandaLuck · #4 (**permalink**) 25-04-2011, 10:42 AM

Just in case anyone is interested ... I have discovered that the robin has built another nest in our potting shed! It is in quite a safe position and apart from us occasionally going in there, she should be pretty happy. It also seems a much better constructed nest. Maybe it was worth her while doing the first one as practice!