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In March we discovered robins building a nest in a pot in the greenhouse. We tried to disturb them as little as possible while continuing to water plants, but at one point they seemed to have deserted the nest. We were away for a week in mid April and returned to find the robin sitting on the nest. We continued as before and after a couple of weeks we observed the birds to be going in and out of the greenhouse as if feeding young. Over time there was no sign or sound of young in the nest although the feeding behaviour continued. Today we have investigated further and found no sign of young ever having been in the nest, no shell remains or anything. We are very puzzled by this behaviour and wonder if anyone can offer an explanation?
Maybe they were just roosting in it?
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Unknown said: In March we discovered robins building a nest in a pot in the greenhouse. We tried to disturb them as little as possible while continuing to water plants, but at one point they seemed to have deserted the nest. We were away for a week in mid April and returned to find the robin sitting on the nest. We continued as before and after a couple of weeks we observed the birds to be going in and out of the greenhouse as if feeding young. Over time there was no sign or sound of young in the nest although the feeding behaviour continued. Today we have investigated further and found no sign of young ever having been in the nest, no shell remains or anything. We are very puzzled by this behaviour and wonder if anyone can offer an explanation?
Hi John
Last year I had a pair of Robins which seemed to be building a nest in one of our evergreen clematis plants which by then had covered the back wall of the garage. But alas we never saw any chicks and they were left well alone ! We have another pair feeding but no sign of any nest building this year.You may be lucky and they will try again for you.
I have robins nesting in our shed on 2nd brood (for the second year running).
It's possible your robins had young successfully. It only takes 2 weeks for the young to fledge - and they disappear suddenly. I only knew that mine were fine as they stayed (mainly hidden) in our garden. The young in the nest are very quiet and crouch down if you look in.
Our robins first brood left the nest on 12th April and their 2nd brood are due out in about a weeks time.
Try again next year. Maybe move the pot to a better position and shaded from the sun. We moved our bird box this year to a top shelf in the shed so we were able to go in and out without disturbing the robins and also have been able to have a peep at them. You could also provide other containers for them to nest in. Our robins found a blackbird box which we had intended to put up in the garden!
Thanks to everyone who responded. We have now moved the pot, complete with nest to a new home under an arch covered with honeysuckle. We hope the robins may return to it in the fulness of time, but we have also put up a robin box in the same vicinity.