Robin Nesting in Rose Moss
by Barbara Rodgers
(Greenville, MS)
Robin Nest in Patio Plant
I brought my patio plants inside for winter as I normally do.
This spring I hung them back on the patio and a few weeks later made my watering rounds.
Since the rose moss hangs above my head I can't see inside the basket but I noticed an unusual pattern to the growth of the vines.
Usually, they grow in a downward pattern but this time I noticed the growth in a circle.
When I took the basket down to examine it I saw a beautifully constructed bird nest.
I suspected it was a red robin because it contained 3 beautiful blue eggs.
Robin Eggs in Hanging Plant
I had already sprayed them with water and was so afraid the eggs were damaged. I watched to see if the bird would return.
I didn't know that cats are on their list of predators.
My neighbor's cat comes over often even though I don't encourage it. I never feed the cat!
I saw the bird coming closer at ground level but when she saw the cat she flew away.
I chased the cat away and hid inside to see what would happen next.
First, a gray bird with an orangish red breast flew to the top of the patio and rested to watch and see what was happening with the nest.
Then she flew to a nearby hanging plant to wait and watch.
When it looked safe she flew into the nest with 3 eggs in it.
I check every 30 minutes or so and she has now been on the nest nonstop for 3 hours.
I can't imagine it taking that long for her to lay another egg! So she must be trying to hatch them out.
I have posted her saga on my Facebook timeline and she has 16 followers!