Mama Robin

[shadowycat]

A mama robin has taken up residence in a nest in a tree next to my back patio. The nest was occupied last year by a robin, too. Of course, there's no way to know if it's the same robin sitting there now as sat there last year. Regardless, I was surprised to see the nest occupied again. I didn't think robins did that sort of recycling. From what I was able to find on the subject, it's not common but does happen occasionally. Has anyone else seen this sort of reuse of old nests?

Comments

[alatefeline]

Wow!

[shadowycat]

She is pretty, isn't she? :D

[shirebound]

What a great shot! I hope you get to see babies, too.

[shadowycat]

Thanks! I hope so, too. Last summer the foliage got in the way most of the time. Maybe this year will be better.

[yourlibrarian]

Good question -- we had some robins nesting on our balcony repeatedly for a few years. I don't recall that they used the exact same nest although from one year to the next the nest would have been gone anyway as they made them in plant pots and we would have cleared them out. Also, in at least one case the robin pair was clearly a different one.

[shadowycat]

These robins may have added to the nest, but it's definitely the same basic nest in the same location as last year. I wish I knew if it was the same pair of robins, but I have no way of knowing that.

[sally_maria]

Thank you, it's really interesting to see an American robin. I can see why they re-used the name, even though I believe they're not related to the British ones.

A welsh robin:

[shadowycat]

There are definite similarities in their plumage. :D

[marycatelli]

Oh, yes. Ours is a kind of thrush.

[iddewes]

The North American robins are quite a bit bigger than the European ones too! North American jays also look completely different from our jays. :)

[rdm]

Quite the gorgeous shot!

[shadowycat]

Thank you! I was lucky. Usually all I can see from my best angle is her tail. :D