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Monday 9 May 2016

Robbin' Robins

We have drama in our back yard under the patio. A pair of robins is stealing pieces of the ivy vine which is wrapped around parts of our patio. They are seeking bits and pieces for their nest and we can see them through our basement windows as they take off with parts of the long plant. 

 
Their efforts are even more intriguing because when the blinds are up, the birds hit the windows, trying to fly through them. We keep the blinds closed all of the time now so our feathered friends can see the windows.

 
 

Over the last week, the robins have hit the windows numerous times. It took us some time to realize what the noise was. They sounded like huge June bugs which, attracted to light in a window at night, bounce off the window. However, any time I try to get a picture of the birds through the glass, they disappear into the grass. 

 

I will wait to clean the windows until the robins are finished nest construction. Meanwhile, they are such resourceful creatures, harvesting the ivy as they do, although we fear they are causing brain damage every time they bounce off the windows. I wonder if anyone has studied the effects of repeated concussions on birds? It gives a whole new meaning to the term 'bird brain.'

 

10 comments:

DJan said...

Yes, that does cause damage to their little brains. I have had it kill a couple beautiful goldfinch, and a few chickadees were stunned silly for hours. I learned that they rarely get completely over it. I finally got some stickers to put on my windows that helps them see the glass.

Ginnie said...

Well, I don't know the answer to the "bird brain" conundrum ... but, it's a sure bet that you are not afflicted by a bird brain. Your blog entries are so interesting and I love how you find something of interest in most everything.

Joanne Noragon said...

At my house the sparrows just this year chased away the wrens and took over their old nesting spots. It is what it is.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Stickers on the windows help or hanging something in the windows like stained glass decorations or other suncatchers.

Marie Smith said...

Keeping the blinds down has worked to keep them from hitting the window.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you Ginnie! The birds are doing well in the meantime.

Marie Smith said...

Birds antics give us something to discuss at least.

Marie Smith said...

The blinds down works too.

Barbara said...

I have never had a bird hit my window. It is funny and scary all at the same time. I haven't seen them looking for nesting materials recently either. Once upon a time I saved the ends of yarn and put out for the birds but apparently yarn - or the colors I had - were not to their liking.

Marie Smith said...

The birds wanted a different colour wool for the nest the were knitting, Barbara!