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I have learned that robins leave the nest before they learn to fly. for this reason, the fledglings have a rather low survival rate, about 10-20%. had I known this sooner, I would have not gotten attached. perhaps I would have made the mother robin build her nest elsewhere than on the bend of the downspout right under the eave, at the corner of the added den just to the right of the back door. you can see my point, im sure.
but I did not know. so we watched the mother build her nest, lay her egg(s), hatch and feed her baby. we watched as the baby grew stronger. I did not get a shot of the fledgling as he sat on the side of the nest one day last week. I had just fed the dogs as he watched from his perch above me, all calm and quiet. I put the dishes up, and returned to the yard to do pick-up duties. I had just passed under the nest with my bucket when I heard the frantic screeching and fluttering. I turned to see the fledgling in the mouth of my lab, the parent robins on the patio table trying to distract the dog.
I cried out ‘noooo’ like some silly scene in a movie, and chasing roy off I scooped up the bird in my bare hands. he was all bloody, but still alive and fighting. I put him back in his nest, and brought the dogs in. I was shaken, and grieved. I washed the blood from my hands, and watched the nest.
the parents never returned.
the beau removed the nest, and the little carcass.
now that I know they leave the nest days before they fly, I know that he never would have made it in my yard. my dogs will eat birds if they can catch them. I don’t feel so bad about it. and I have forgiven roy. poor dog, he really didn’t understand why I was mad at him.
I think of that scripture in romans 8:22 ‘For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.’
Roket Man said:
I’ve been an outdoorsman all of my life and been exposed to some truly barbaric things in various jungles, both natural and man made, during a portion of my military service. Nature is much more civilized. Even so I guess I just never considered what living so close to the tree line in a rural part of the state would mean but we have seen hard things in our own back yard over the course of the past 7 years. Even though I know it’s nature’s way and I can’t interfere there are times when I just have to. I even used Frankie’s air gun to drive a house cat away from a baby possum that wandered out of the woods. A POSSUM!
silverylizard said:
i have an affinity with possums. it was what the other kids called me in grade school …
k☼
ღ Amy... said:
::heavy sigh:: Poor little birdy. I had a similiar incident this weekend with a baby bunny. I will be blogging about it soon.
silverylizard said:
rabbits really scream too ;(
k☼
puzzle said:
that’s it – much too often we know a lot about exotic animals but nothing about those who are common to our surroundings; we had nests of Redstarts in our Neusiedl-garden, they bevave the same: the fledglings leave the nest before the have learned to fly and are sitting on the ground, easy prey for each and every carnivore animal. I wonder what natur’s purpose must have made them act like that – in the end, there must be some advantage for that species in all, even in case of some accidents.
silverylizard said:
as many robins as there are even with the high mortality rate, if they all survive we would be wading through robins ;S
k☼
Arlene said:
Hi Kirsten, nice to see you back, but what a sad post, I wonder if our UK robins behave in the same manner.
But how sad for you to witness this, I hope the parents find a more secure spot to re build with better luck.
silverylizard said:
they just keep trying i suppose
k☼
jennyozzy said:
sad kirsten but these things happen my dog heidi has had her first lot of esterc thanks to you hopefully i will see an improvement it was just under ten pounds but i dont mind if it helps her so thankyou so much have a lovely week xxjen
europasicewolf said:
Nature can be very harsh can’t it? And yet how much harsher we can be towards nature in different circumstances, especially on a global planetary level. None-the-less it is always painful when something we see hatched and nurtured, and that we had perhaps looked forward to watching grow up and fly freely, is struck down by others of nature…hard too when we are abruptly reminded our loveable family pets are also as much a carnivourous product of nature as their wild cousins…but take heart…I’m sure those robins will go on to produce another little robin that will survive its challenges,,,and who knows…it may just be the next one to come a nesting in your garden! Hugs, Wolfie 🙂
Raven said:
You were able to see this little one for a while so it was a small gift. This is a sad tale yet these things happen so often and we never know of it. This is something I will remember now, too. 🙂 Thank you for sharing. Rx
lynnwiles said:
Poor robin, poor you, poor dog. Glad you came to terms with the incident of nature.
silverylizard said:
wolfie, raven, and lynn … yes thats it exactly to all your comments. it was just one of those ‘well, crap’ moments.
k☼
jennyozzyjennyozzy said:
hi kirsten hope your well its been chuckin it loads of those big clouds you like have a great week xxjen
cheryll said:
I wish I had not read this blog, but I did. UGH!
silverylizard said:
well there was the baby sparrow that was stranded in the attic, sitting and chirping on the slats jist under the big fan that works the whole house … whin i pushed the slats open, fown he came, and i scooped him up and released him back out into the front yard. he did fine, and soon was flying with the rest of them.
i know. the robin incedent was a hard thing to experience … so i had to share it. 😉
k☼
k☼
Evelyn said:
I’m surprised that the kitties didn’t get there first. Man, I’ll tell you I’ve seen some pretty bizarre things in nature that defy clear description so this doesn’t shock me but it is sad though. You become very attached, Kirsten ! I have to be careful about that – I’d go around depressed all the time if I let everything get to me. I have learned not to touch fledglings. Their chances are much better of being helped by their parents if you don’t. If they smell human anything on them they won’t come near.
Androgoth said:
I don’t know why but I never get any updates from your Space even though I have been subscribed to you for ages… It’s not your fault I know, perhaps it’s the Ghouls and Skeletons at it again, well not literally of course… lol Just kidding Kirstin
These Robins seem to be around all year now, but I always
like to see them in the garden… don’t you my great friend?
A very good posting this one…
Androgoth XXx
Androgoth said:
Have a really lovely start to your week Kirstin
Androgoth XXx