I had an interesting situation at our house. Bought a flower planter and left it on our front porch about chest high off the porch. I saw a bird's nest appear a couple weeks later but never saw a bird so I tossed the nest into the bushes to mulch. Then I saw the flowers were trampled and looked to see why and found 3 Robin's eggs in the flower bed. I used utensils to retrieve the nest from the bushes and carefully laid the 3 eggs into the nest. All the while the mama Robin was squawking at me. I checked and saw the bird returned to the nest and was doing some tidying up. Then low and behold she reclaimed the nest. Later that same day I saw 4 eggs as she apparently had one in reserve. She is nesting nicely now and we can't wait to see her little hatchlings come to life. I did handle the nest by hand at first when I tossed it but who knows if the bird cared. It makes sense that birds don't have a sense of smell.

What great pictures! Even caught her expression! As for the lawnmower, I think the noise scares her bad enough that she "freezes", but when you walk up, she flies to lead you away from the nest. I have a pair of doves in my yard, too. Have never found a nest, but love their cooing. (My mom used to think it was owls!) If they are on the ground and I'm walking around outside, sometimes they will "freeze" to hopefully blend in with their surroundings. Most of the time they stick out like a sore thumb - like when I was a kid and thought if I shut my eyes I was invisible! They are great little garden companions. Thanks for the photos! Carolyn

Robins are birds that I enjoy viewing, but not as they try to build nests under our porch lights which are on both sides of an area right by our front entrance door. For three days my husband has removed the straw, twigs, etc in order to prevent a completed robin's nest. They put the straw, twigs, etc. up, he takes them down immediately. Today after reading these posts, I sprayed the area with ant and roach spray that I use when the ants try to visit too close to our outside walkway. Two robins just came with straw in their mouths, but they flew away. I hope this is a long-term solution. This is the first time that we have had this problem in the nineteen years that we have lived here. I am already tired of the mess on our porch and the potential health hazard presented if the robins succeed in building a permanent nest. We have plenty of trees that the birds usually choose for their nests and are still quite welcome to do so. However, why our porch this year is a puzzle. Thanks to all who have posted for their solutions. To the haters, because one does not want a bird's nest in an area that he/she frequently uses in his/her home, does not label the person as an animal hater. Why should my quality of life be compromised daily upon trying to enter my home for the sake of a bird's nest? The answer is that it shouldn't and will not. We will win this fight and reclaim our safety and keep our good health.

Yea, but I fully understand how hard she worked. Cute little fledgling yesterday. She's really very calm when we come out the door and even when we stand on the deck and talk. Heck, sometimes, we forget she's up there. I'm thrilled to have birds and even help them out. I'm just ready to get it down when she's done. I'll be watching for signs that she's done. Not before she's done. ;)