Mama Robin

We watched her over a period of several days carefully constructing her nest, a bit surprised by its location.  A large evergreen bush immediately in front of our living room window seemed to us an unlikely spot.  A light on a timer beams into the nest every evening, and we have a direct view of her home.  Perhaps she has sacrificed privacy for the sake of the shelter provided by the eaves of the house.


From the dining room window, we saw her in the backyard picking up dry grass.  We would move to the living room and watch her place it in the nest.  She seemed to be packing it down and making the interior of the nest conform to her personal shape.  One day another bird perched on the bush, and she chased it away.  She didn't seem to be spending very much time in the nest so we assumed the eggs were not yet laid.


We arrived home last evening after visiting grandchildren in Maine for a week.  Apparently Mama Robin laid her eggs in our absence, because she is now a permanent resident of the nest.  Last evening the wind blew furiously and the bush swayed.  She huddled down, flattening herself into the nest.


This morning she is again in the nest.  A mourning dove perched on the top of the bush, but Mama Robin did not budge from her position.  Her beady little eyes are darting here and there.


She is less than six feet above the ground, but I haven't seen any cats prowling in this neighborhood, so I hope she is safe.  I wish her well.  The world can be a dangerous place for mothers and babies of all species....including our own.