Porch Light Robin Nest

by Pat Richardson
(Henrico,VA USA)

Robins often build nest on top of porch lights. Our readers share their experiences and the challenges of having birds so close to their front door.

Nest Discovered

A robin has built a nest on top of my daughter's front porch light.

It's up too high for them to see inside the nest, but the robin is dive-bombing at everyone who goes in and out of their front door!

There's a deep red-breasted male who gets very upset when mama bird does this.

He can be seen pacing back and forth in the grass.

He is absolutely beautiful, and he seems to be a very attentive expectant father.

Add to this my daughter's male cat who can see all of this from her picture window, and he's going berserk inside.

Initially, her boyfriend wanted to knock the nest off the light when they first saw it, but my daughter wouldn't let him.

I laughed until I cried as she was telling me about this.

Eggs Hatched

Since the above 3 paragraphs were written, the eggs have all hatched.

There are four beautiful healthy baby robins in the nest now.

It's still up too high to see into the nest, but she's had success using her cell phone to take pictures.

My daughter is very proud of her "grandbirdies".

Do we remove the nest from the light fixture once the baby robins leave. While they enjoy the experience there is a slight mess.

I think they both feel one nesting is enough.

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Robin's and Grackle's
by: Anonymous

This spring we noticed a robin building a nest on top of our porch light.

As we observed this activity we became very interested. Something very different began to happen.

We saw many twigs falling onto our porch floor. The nest was not yet completed.

Next we saw something we never saw before. Another bird was invading the Robin's nest.

We now watched more intently! A purple Grackle was tearing the Robin's nest up.

It did this each day. The Robin kept coming back and many times rebuilt the nest.

We watched this happen for several days. The Robin very patiently kept rebuilding it's nest.

Finally 'my husband picked pieces of the nest and placed it back on the light trying to help the Robin.

The Grackle won the battle. The Robin gave up and w

ent else where.

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Our nest on our back porch light
by: Barbara in Chicago

About two weeks ago our friend started building her nest on our back porch light right by our back door…. not a very good location for either of us.

Every time we leave the house, she flies away but always comes back.

She waits on a branch of the Dutch Elm in our yard.

We have a dog who is oblivious to her and her nesting behavior.

We are just waiting for the babies and hoping that we don't get dive bombed once the little ones are hatched.

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Porch Light Robin's Nest - Sandston, VA
by: Gwendolyn

This year was the first time that We have had a Robin's nest on our front Porch light, since the house was built in 1996.

The Momma Robin has been very cordial with us constantly going in & out of the house constantly at all hours of the day & night, often interrupting both her nesting & feeding times.

The baby Robins hatched & made very little noise only "dunking down" whenever the door was opened.

Last week they flew out of the nest on their own (just after "Mother's Day" - how appropriate).

We would watched them from the glass storm door, keeping the wooden door open, unless we left the house or went to bed.

I also put out a "Feeder" of mixed grains & suet blocks (1 with Fruit & 1 with Mixed Grains & Nuts), as well as a "Bath & Water" Bowl.

We believe it's best to stay calm, talk softly (like to a baby) and don't make any sudden movements.

Most animals (especially wild ones) will try to avoid you rather than attack you, if at all possible.

Best Wishes for some Peace with your Winged
Neighbors.

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Robin's nest on porch light
by: Lisa in Lancaster

A few years ago a robin made a nest on top of our porch light fixture, and we got to watch three baby's hatch and grow.

I didn't want to remove the nest after they'd all gone, and now 3 years later, we have a new momma!

At first we were worried because when we'd come in or out(it's our main door!) She'd try to fly away, but was hitting the rim of the porch roof overhang a lot, but now she's got the hang of it!

I'm always out in our yard, talking to all the birds and taking pictures, photography of nature is my favorite thing to do!

Anyway, she's used to me a little now, and I think my voice is familiar to her now....she just now stayed put while I opened the door to check to see if she was there!

That's a first! She's usually gone before we're out the door!

I found this site because I was concerned about the temp going low tonight, and wondered if I should leave the light on for them for heat, but someone here said they will be plenty warm without the light

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Now I have two Robin nests
by: Shari

So grateful to read this site. A month ago a Robin nest went in over my covered front porch on the light.

I keep it off by the way.

I got up this morning, went to my sliding glass doors in back and as I stuck my head out a Robin swooped me then lifted higher.

I leaned out to find a full set up nest above my back deck on a sensor light I have never used.

This nest was built sometime just this morning.

Now I am grateful for the nature of it all and I love Robins, but now I am worried.

I have to be able to use the deck, and I have a Lab who goes out by that route to the back yard.

Not to mention later the prey dog in him I will have to watch close to keep ground hopping babies alive.

So, my prayer now will be hoping if this couple stays and uses this nest they will get used to me.

I don't want two nests, one on the front and one on the back porch all summer or it might make coming and going difficult.

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Live Your Life
by: Gene

Hi Shari, thanks for contributing to the website.

I say, live the way you normally do. The sooner the better.

If the eggs hatch and they have young, the Robins can be unnervingly aggressive. They won't hurt you, but, they will swoop and sometimes even tap you. Wear a hat.

Yes, when it comes to the dog, watch him. Baby Robins always seem to land on the ground after leaving the nest. But, they are gone in a day or two.

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Persistence!
by: Paul

Noticed the nesting materials of a Robin few days ago on top of my porch light, also where the clothes line is attached to the house.

Puzzled at first how this dead grass blew up on the light.

Then I saw the robin visiting through the window, removed it twice but now will let them go ahead, after reading other posts on this site.

Lots of crows, so it may be a decoy nest, from what I read.

Nature knows best, Mother's Day, I will leave her efforts, but continue to use the back porch to sit in the Sunlight in the evening.

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