Weekend Birding: An Update on the Nest
The Robin Family
Last week for Wordless Wednesday I posted a photo of a bird’s nest. I thought it might be a robin’s nest but there weren’t any birds in the area and it was too high up for me to see if there were any eggs.
A week later I was walking on the same path and this time the nest was occupied. The Crab Apple tree now had leaves, the blossoms were beginning to open, and an American Robin was sitting on the nest. A robin on a nest in May is not an unusual site in my neighborhood, but this one was so pretty I had to stop and take a few pictures.
In some bird species both the male and the female will incubate the eggs. In the American Robin, only the female sits on the nest.
I hid behind a shrub so I wouldn’t disturb the birds and watched for a few minutes. Soon the male showed up with a worm, mom left for a short break and the nestlings got a meal.
International Migratory Bird Day
Today is International Migratory Bird Day, an annual event that highlights and celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Many events and programs are taking place today. I will be out with a group of birders exploring a golf course and searching for migratory birds.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
I see a lot of Robins but seldom do I see them in a nest or with a worm in the mouth. Nice photos.
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This week I’ve seen three robin’s nests with robins in them. A new record high for me. Probably because the trees leafed out a little late this year and the nests aren’t as hidden as usual.
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How great to see the change in the tree in just a few days! Such a beautiful spot to put your nest- particularly if you have to sit there all day long. Thanks for the reminder about International Migratory Bird Day. I’d seen something about it during the week, but forgotten all about it.
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This was one of the most picturesque nests I’ve ever come across.
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Such amazing close-ups – well done. The crab apple is looking beautiful too 🙂
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What a fabulous series! I am always so impressed with your bird photos.
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Great shots of the parents. Maybe next you can update with the babies! Do the moms still sit on the nest after the eggs have hatched? Maybe to keep them warm. Here’s Mine
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I’m hoping to go back for photos of the babies. The nest is not in the best place. It’s right on the path and quite visible, which means predators can see it too. Yes, the mom sits on the nestlings for at least the first week or so until they are able to regulate their own body temperature.
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We’re not having good luck with baby birds this year. The nest on our front porch was abandoned before the eggs hatched and our goslings have completely disappeared. 😦
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Not a good sign that the goslings are missing. They usually stay with the parents for a few months before going off on their own.
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Robins definitely conjure up spring moments….thanks for the lovely shots!!
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
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Beautiful photos. How I love Spring.
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Oh my, you got some fantastic shots! Both are amazing! I’ve always liked Robins 🙂
Here is my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT post.
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Lovely, lovely shots. I love how clear and crisp the pictures are.
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
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Oh Leslie! That photo with the pink buds and the mama robin tucked into the nest is outstanding!
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Your bird pictures are simply the best! Look at that mama on her nest, awww!
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Those are great pictures! Cute bird too my mother-in-law would love it!Here’s my Saturday Snapshots
Daisy from A Serendipitous Life
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Such great pictures – I never tire of looking at the birds!
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Now that’s a proper nest – some of the trees around here have the most ramshackle looking affairs in the branches – they look most uncomfortable! My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/JyyYT
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Robins build some of the nicest, sturdiest nests. They use mud to hold them together. They are quite the little engineers.
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So pretty! We have a lot of robins in our neighborhood, but I still haven’t seen any nests. I’m probably just looking in the wrong places (or walking right by them). 🙂
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Most birds do a really good job of hiding the nest. Also, they won’t go back on the nest if they think someone is watching them.
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amazing and incredible shots!! nice work! 🙂
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The robin has a nest with a beautiful view.
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Gorgeous photos, Leslie! These really should be in a book. They are perfect!
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Very cool Leslie,
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