Robins nest

[Forkrightorf]

Does anyone know anything about nesting robins? I have discovered a robin nesting in a bucket, underneath a balcony attached to my house, I had a peek from a distance and definitely spotted some eggs. Usually this would be delightful but the balcony is rotten and due to be demolished in a fortnight. It is seriously dangerous and really does need to be removed before it hurts somebody. I know it's illegal to disturb a nest, and I really don't want to cause her to abandon them.... does anyone have any experience? If I moved the bucket away from the construction site would that be end of them?! I am clueless!

is there another spot where you can put the bucket that is very nearby? If possible, I'd put a washing line from the old bucket location to where you want Robin to move to, and then move the bucket about 1ft along the washing line each day. But I'm entirely guessing.

and maybe also fix a roof over 1/2 the bucket so the nest is still sheltered in the new location.

Get in touch with your local Wildlife Trust, they should be able to help you. Link

Silly birds, they have an absolute knack for choosing unsuitable nesting places.

Thank you both for replying. I've just emailed the Wildlife Trust asking for advice. I usually wouldnt dream of moving her, she's had the worst timing and couldn't have picked a worse spot!

Please come back and let us know what the advice is. I've just been reading the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the bits of it that make it difficult to do any tree work during nesting season aren't limited to nests in trees - it's all couched in terms of any nests. I suspect there's exceptions for work having to be done for safety (though I suspect merely replacing the balcony for aesthetic reasons would have to be postponed), but I'd be interested to know what the wildlife trusts advise.

I’d maybe leave it if you could delay the demolition by a couple of days. we had one in our allotment shed (which was a joy to find after such a shite year). Once they’ve hatched they will fledge really quickly - in a fortnight. You can find time lapses of the process on YouTube.

The wildlife trust said they couldn't advise as it's not their area of expertise. I did email the RSPB for clarification but don't expect a reply any time soon.
BUT they have hatched! I didn't want to get too close but I saw movement from the nest when mum wasn't there this morning, and heard little squeaks from the side of the bucket. Everything I've read suggests 12-14 days until they leave the nest so I'm hoping that will be enough time, carpenter says he can push the start date by 2 days if required. Thank you all for your advice

Robins really are the champions of idiotic nesting!

How lovely if inconvenient for you !

They are so lovely to watch I must admit! Mum and dad have been swooping around like crazy this morning, I imagine the rain has encouraged lots of worms. I took another very cautious peek and saw a yellow beak and little feathery head squeaking away! My biggest worry now is next door's cat - he has been prowling around this morning!

@MrsBertBibby

Robins really are the champions of idiotic nesting!

They are. We had a robin's nest tucked in the corner of the bbq.

Our nutters had one under my potting bench, a metre away from the cat flap, and at cat's eye level. The cat was old and half blind and brain compromised, but within 24 hours of hatching, something (fox or msgpie) had found them.

Then they tried our garage when the door was left open a few days...ended up one inside one outside, too daft to find the bird-sized hole under the eaves. Then they tried our front porch and were most put out at our insistence on using the front door!

Complete berks.

The bloody cat got to our babies earlier today 😭 poor little things. They looked to be doing so well, I checked them early this morning before going out for a few hours and they were fine.

Move the bucket somewhere nearby but sheltered and away from the cat. It's still early in the year, they may have a second brood.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I take a hard line with neighbourhood hunting cats if they lurk in my garden - a super soaker hurts nothing but their dignity but has proved an effective deterrent.

The blue guys have abandoned the nest box in our garden because magpies have started coming to the bird table. They can't get in the box though.

Blue tits!