Uh-oh. They are very territorial, especially once they have babies in the nest. I was very nearly head-pecked last year when I accidentally got too near to a nest full of Robin babies. That day, I found out that I actually can still run!!! LOLOLOL

Oh boy...does that mean I should take the emerging nest down??

My head is only 1 foot away from the nest when I stand at the door......yikes!

Mama bird is staring me down through the window...oh great, she just got on a bush so she's eye to eye with me....

help!

If they are just building it I would absolutely take it down and put something there to prevent their rebuilding it. If you leave them to it it will impact your life for weeks.

I had robins do the same thing on my back patio where I take the dogs in and out- high prey drive dogs. Unfortunately for me I did not see it until there were eggs present and so I let them run their course.

Long story short I had to fence off the area to keep the dogs from going at the babies (I have extremely large dogs who can stand on their back legs and get at things six feet high), and as it was hard concrete underneath I padded the floor for the moment they jumped. I also had to extend fencing to accommodate the babies making their way to cover. It was exhausting, but everything worked out and I got a lovely series of photos right up until the last moments before they jumped out.

The only positive I can think of aside from their all living was that it forced me to learn a great deal about baby robins so I could stay one step ahead of their development in terms of keeping them safe.
I did not find the mother to be at all territorial towards me- I kept my regular in and out schedule. I did provide mealworms from time to time to try and help keep her healthy.
So unless you are prepared to spend time and energy devising ways to keep them safe, nip it in the bud and remove the nest.

The last photo was about ten minutes before the last ones to leave jumped out.

{{!gwi}}

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{{!gwi}}

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Leave the nest. Enjoy the robins. Use another door for 6 weeks.

They don't hurt anyone. They're Robins, for goodness sake!

LOL, using a different door is not an option for everyone.
Mine is the only exit from the dogs areas.

Wow, Cearbhaill, those are wonderful pictures. I know it was a lot of work for you, but it was probably quite rewarding as well. When I had Robins nesting in the rafters in my garage, they were not territorial towards me either. They only became protective if a tall person entered the garage. I love Robins. They are such smart, personable birds.

I agree! Great pictures...

Thanks for the advice/opinions. My dog won't even be aware that they are there but my cat is a different story!

Can I just keep using my back door? The dog's line is back there so we can just hook him up to do his business. I don't think I can put a line in the front yard.

Where did you put the mealworms so the mom could get them? Maybe I'll do that and since she'll be happy with me we can all co-exist peacefully!

Thank you!
Heather

Spinory,
Nobody that lives here had any trouble at all with the Robins that nested in our garage. We just made sure the door stayed open so they could get in and out, and used the garage as we normally would (which is for a lot!) After all, "your" Robin chose to build the nest there even though you use that door all the time. Could you hook a little bowl somewhere under the nest, perhaps on the wall where she could see it? If she can look down and see the mealworms, she will certainly take advantage of your offering. She will especially appreciate it after the young have hatched. It sure would be fun if you and your kids could be there to watch them fledge. They are really amazing birds and as each one learns to fly, it will in turn encourage the next fledgling. It is fascinating to see.

Thank you Kendra-I may try that if she continues to build...we had a very windy day yesterday and it knocked everything down.

This morning I looked and she is building again. Obviously, this was meant to happen =) so I will wish her the best and get some mealworms for her when the time comes.

Thanks everyone!
Heather