Who killed cock robin? I said the ……..

I don’t know if I can go through it all again. I take my hat off to the likes of David Attenborough and others who watch and film nature and are not affected by some of the consequences when a predator takes a defenseless victim.

For the third year running I have assumed the role of chief protector for the pair of robins which have nested in our garden. This year I am under huge pressure to ensure that their baby chicks survive as both my 7-year-old and 3-year-old can see the parents tirelessly going in and out of the nesting box to feed them.

First year, the robins nest in some ivy about a metre off the ground and produce one egg which hatches but the birds’ natural enemy, the family dog, finds the fledgling on its first trip out of the nest on the ground and tries to include it in her play. Needless to say the fledgling came off worse. Wife in tears as she witnesses the parents of the chick obviously grieving for their loss as they keep returning to the empty nest. Dog is oblivious to all that is going on around her.

Year two, we have put a nesting box into the ivy but the robins (who seem to like a challenge) choose to nest alongside it. Three eggs become three chicks.  Garden dog proofed, dog left outside to keep cats and squirrels away but sadly the magpies have a braver side and killed all three chicks within the nest. Same story  – wife in tears as this time the grief of the birds is once again horrible to witness.

But this year they have gone in the nesting box! We currently have five chicks, the garden is dog proof, cat proof, squirrel proof, and wife is doing walking foot patrols. I am still thinking of how to keep the magpies away so any suggestions welcome. Now all I have to do is keep inquisitive children away and pray for a happy ending!