We have had nests in really crazy places too. The one in the barn is in a bike water bottle insulator RIGHT beside the tractor. Mother just watches us from a nearby tree when we are in the barn.

Because this is summer, she won't need to be sitting on them to keep them warm. Feeding should be the only need at the moment. Mother is fussy because she is protective.

Can you surprise your kids with a slip and slide to keep them off the swing set? :O)

Many years ago, when DD was five, we were graced with a nest outside our front door. The most miraculous thing was that we actually saw them the morning they took off, fluttering to an eave and then onward to the trees. We were lucky to witness what probably only took a few minutes.

I found a neat link tracing the progress of a Robin's next (maybe you've seen it) but it looks like maybe a two-week process from hatching. I'd just keep the kids away as best you can for a while. I don't think they reuse the nest.

Here is a link that might be useful: A very sweet photo essay

How fun! I think you are doing everything you can do to balance everyone's needs. We feed birds and it's so much fun to watch them bring their babies to the feeders and teach them to eat. At first the babies just flap their wings and open their mouths and the parents feed them. By day three, the babies generally start to eat.

We need to write federal grant to keep up with bird seed, I swear. They are distracting but so much fun to watch.

I was very excited to see that there are birds nesting around our patio area again. There used to be a 100yr. old Blue Atlas Cedar in our backyard that was a haven for the birds. Last Fall or the yr. before it began collapsing under it's own weight and had to be cut down. It's branches literally spanned from one side of our .18 acre property to the other in the back. We were so sad. We used to watch the birds line up in that tree waiting to fly into the patio area to feed.

Luckily I had planted 2 plum trees in the patio area 3yrs ago and they have grown so quickly and began producing fruit the 1st yr. We're so pleased to see the birds coming back and setting up home again. DS1 thinks that there may be another nest in one of the patio trees too.

I can't wait to track the progress of the birds w/ DS1 - he's very excited but is really good at keeping his distance and respecting the momma when he see's her fly in or hears her chattering from somewhere.

In spring we had a little hummingbird nest in our backyard. It's hanging off a vine 2 feet off the ground. I had to keep the kids off the yard until the baby bird were old enough to fly away. They get to come out and visit the nest and took pictures once a day after school (when the momma bird was away, of course.) It took forever because when we found the nest it was brand new w/ 2 cute little eggs. It was so amazing when the baby bird came out! He's about the size of your fingertip. The nest is tiny as well, only has enough room for the mom to sit on. Once the baby bird fell off the nest and we had to find him & put him back into the nest.

I don't know anything a/b robin . We read a/b the hummingbird online and DS did a oral presentation at school on his hummingbird experience. Maybe this is a good opportunity for your kids to learn a/b robins & bird in general.

bella - we just put up hummingbird feeders but they don't seem to be attracting any. Any advice? We're in rural area with lots of birds, but not hummingbirds apparently!

Amysrq - Thank you so much for posting that wonderful picture-essay about the robins! I put it in our favorites.

We had almost the identical experience in April-May with a scrub jay family that lives in our camellia tree. Couldn't get pictures, though, as the nest was hidden among the branches with almost no light. But it was within three feet of our den window and we observed everything, from the jays building it through the babies fledging. It was just an amazing and incredible experience. DH and I became like grandparents - hovering at the window (actually, we could watch from the den sofa), his calling and emailing me from work wanting to know how everyone was doing, going online to learn as much as possible about nesting and jay families (they're monogamous, and very communal birds), boring family and friends with "oh they have feathers! oh there are four, not three", etc.

Right now the neighborhood is being driven crazy by young crows, who are very hungry and very noisy, far outdoing the squawking of the jays.

Ttod - What a great experience for your DS, what a perfect way to learn the tending and loving of animals! And BTW, our jay babies took about 18 days to fledge.

Hubby's parents have a couple that returns every year and sets up house right inside the front porch. Smack dab in the middle, too. They have no issues with the multitude of humans passing in and out. The humans, OTOH, must watch where they step and where they stand.

Bella - how amazing that you got to see a hummingbird baby!

Goldgirl - sometimes it takes awhile for them to find their way to you. My dad hung a feeder up at his kitchen window and it took a year or so until one found it. Then more found it. Years later it's just plain dangerous to stand out there because so many fly in and out so fast.

I think I'll take my ladder out to get better pics when moma isn't guarding the nest. I feel more comfortable now doing that after reading your experiences. Aftre all I can't imagine how long she was there sitting on the eggs w/ the boys screaming right beside her day in and day out never even knowing she was there!

pbrisjar - I know people will think that I'm crazy but I've always wanted to put a birdhouse under our porch roof on a side that's not often used. Maybe once we get our porch rebuilt!

goldgirl: we have this vine w/ tubular flower growing all over our wall and the hummingbirds love them. I believe it's called trumpet creeper (campsis radicans--aka hummingbird vine). It's all over our neighborhood & when they are in blooms the hummingbirds will come to feed off the flowers.

Our neighborhood has so many types of birds! in the morning we can't sleep with all the hooting. On the drive to DS school I would see cranes (white birds w/ tall legs) walking around and DS said, "oh somebody is having a baby -- that bird is dropping the baby off. haha.." :-D He thinks it's a stork (maybe it's a stork ...) :-)

Last year we had all sort of bird nests like pigeons in our yard but the hummingbird was our first! I found out that male hummingbird are dead beat dads! The eggs & babies are tended only by the mom, and we often had to watch the nest while she was away, being that there are bigger birds & couple wandering cats in the neighborhood.

What a wonderful experience to have that nest so close......a wonderful learning tool for everyone!

amysrq,
I just finished that photo essay...very, very sweet!

Almost three years ago I was blessed with a visit by 3 hummingbirds.
I had no feeders, ever. Nor did I have much in they way of flowers that attracted hummingbirds.

At that time I went to the library to learn all I could about these 3 wonderful guests appearing in my back yard all day, every day, all year long.
I am now hostess to 9 hummer feeders, the three original Hummers, and they must have told their friends and family about the good eats because I have so many Hummers now....keeps me entertained from morning til a little after dusk, every day, all year long.

Two years ago I started looking online for more information, close-up photos of Hummers, nests, their young, ect.
I found this wonderful UTube video at that time and I've kept it in my favorites all this time and never tire of watching it.

The first few second are still photos, but after that, at about the 47 second mark, it's a video.

Here is a link that might be useful: Documentary from egg to fly-away

Amity, that is an amazing video!

Goldgirl, the best "hummer crack" plants in my garden are the annual Black & Blue Salvias. They may be hard to find at this point in the season, but tuck that away for next year.

When I consider perennial plants for my garden, I use the search function on the seller's website (Bluestone) to find plants that are butterfly and/or hummer friendly.

There are also GW boards for butterfly and hummingbird gardens, if you really want to delve into the subjects.

Here are ome pics:

Sunday June 28th:

Tuesday June 30th:

Beautiful!

You won't believe this, but today we had hummingbird visitors to the feeder!! DH was so excited (the feeders were his idea). He saw two, and I saw one, but it was just a quick glimpse. Hopefully they'll spread the word to their friends. :)

We can only use deer-resistant plants because we have about 10 that hang out on our property, along with our menagerie of wildlife. I'll check out the plants you've recommended to see if they'd have a chance of surviving here ;)

ttodd,
Spectacular close-up shots....simply amazing!

amysrq,
Isn't it wonderful? As many times as I've watched it, I never get tired of it. Nature's wonders.

goldgirl,
There have been a few times I've sat down to watch my Hummer visitors, only to notice a couple hours later how quickly time had gone by and I hadn't accomplished a darn thing.
Watching those little jewels becomes addictive....be careful! :)

Mine have gotten so used to me being outside working the gardens, they don't even flinch when I walk by. In fact, a few actually follow me around and some actually look right at the camera when I'm ready to take the shot.
Addictive, I tell ya. In a goooood way. :)

For all the Hummer Juicy I make, I need to take out stock in C & H Pure Cane Sugar.

Coming in for a Landing.
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I'm changing the plants in an old iron bird cage and my visitor sits on the bird cage door, watching what I'm doing.
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This guy just kept fluttering in front of me, checking out the thing in my hand....my camera.
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Lunch Bell for the Newbies. I added color to the Juicy so they would see it. After they learn where it's at, I no longer add the color.
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I'm stringing some Morning Glory in through Chix Wire of a homemade topiary. This little Jewel stuck by me all day so I called him "My Groupie".
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Thursday's Pic: