Leaving the Nest

I always feel lucky when a bird chooses to nest close to or at the house. I know to some its annoying, however after the first day they become used to what we are doing and become more chill.

Until the babies begin leaving the nest! Which happened today. I was home earlier and two wee beaks were hanging over the edge of the nest. I went to the front to take some macro rain drops and when I came to the back again, I saw 3 beaks. As I held my camera up to capture 3 of the quadruplets there was a bit of a commotion over my head and then suddenly mommy and daddy birds were freaking out!

Not expecting this, I had our dog outside with us, who is a very large and stocky lab and would definitely want to play, not understanding how gentle he would need to be. Quick bribe for the dog and we got him in the house and gently directed the baby robin to the grass out of the driveway.

This evening, while doing laundry I heard my husband outside with the dog and suddenly sound very stern, opening the door, running out on the deck, in my housecoat, I knew another baby bird must of left the nest. Sure enough, one was sitting tucked in the grass on the edge of our patio. If you weren’t looking you wouldn’t see it. With a little encouragement, he got up and moving and mom and dad were waiting in the grass for him as he or she got moving again. Understandably the baby bird was scared, some kind words and I was able to capture some macro shots!

The little feather tuffs – so cute!

I am a true believer that when in nature (and not potentially dangerous wild animals) when you talk to them in a kind voice, they understand you are not hurting, you are helping. The beginning of this week one of these babies fell out of the nest. It was freezing cold out and it was huddled on leaves on the cement patio. Mom and Dad were loosing their minds. I carefully got a piece of cardboard and broke a piece off, to use to gently slide the baby onto it. In comparison to this baby tonight and the baby at the beginning of the week, it definitely wasn’t ready to leave as these ones today, both walked and tried flying just fine! I was able to get the baby on the cardboard and then my daughter watched the baby while I got a ladder and put it up against the house. The wee thing fell a story and a half, so it was quite the adventure! I was able to climb up near the nest, and gently slide the baby back into the nest without touching it. By later that day they were all snuggled in together again!

Looks like by night fall they should all have left the nest!