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Ready to take flight? – A robin update
By Carol / May 14, 2013 /
Three robins crowd a tiny nest.
Only a couple of days ago, the baby robins – their little heads marked by wild bits of hair – could barely peek above the edge of the nest. Only when Mama flew in with a worm did they crane upward, their beaks wide open. I could not tell how many babies filled the nest. Two for sure. More than that? Impossible to tell.
Yesterday, however, the nest was packed. One of the young – probably the first to hatch – stood high in the nest, her speckled breast beginning to show a tinge of rust. She scanned the horizon, perhaps thinking of her first flight. Meanwhile her younger siblings still huddled low in a nest literally full to over flowing. Of necessity, someone would have to leave soon. There simply isn’t room for all of them to remain, they’re growing so fast.
One more day, or ready to fly?
Today, only one bird remains in the nest. Her beak is wide open as she looks out to the maple tree across the way. Missing the warmth of her siblings? Feeling all alone? Looking for her mother? Hoping for one last meal before she’s on her own?
I scanned the shrubs and trees and lawn, looking for the juvenile robins who’ve gone before her. None were in sight.
As the young launch, I wish them well. I hope they will find lots of worms. I hope they will keep a sharp eye out for nasty predators. I hope they will choose wisely when they build nests for young of their own.
I have many hopes for the robins, as I did for my son when he left the nest. And I am amazed at these robins, as I was with my son, at how quickly they grow.
Other Robin posts:
Hungry & growing: A robin update
Life & Death in the Wild Kingdom
How to spend waiting time? A robin, writing update
And then there were four
A bird’s eye view
Your worm wish reminds me of a scene I witnessed several years ago. I glanced out the window beside our front door at just to right moment to see a robin pull a worm from the flowerbed just beyond. Robin made short work of that mammoth worm, pecking it to pieces on the brick walk next to the bed. Suddenly she fell to her side on the ground and lay there in a daze for about a minute before getting up and staggering off in what seemed a drunken stupor. A couple of minutes passed before she lifted off into the air. It was a huge worm, apparently an intoxicating one. And to think — they feed this stuff to tiny chicks!
Drunk on worms! That an idea. Maybe in smaller doses – like the pieces she pecked the worm into – it would be okay for the babies. I love the story!
Carol,
I’ve enjoyed browsing your stories. We seem to have a lot in common. I’m also memory keeper from the Midwest who grew up in the middle of the century. I live in Callaway County, Missouri, at the upper edge of the Ozarks, in a house surrounded by woods, flowers, birds, and wildlife. Thanks for sharing!
Welcome to my stories, Carolyn. I hope you’ll come back from time to time. It sounds as though you live in a beautiful area. Thanks keeping the memories alive.