On Saturday the unthinkable happened….in full ‘lets tidy the garden mode’ I pulled away some deadwood clematis which was ensnaring my rotary washing line and climbing up to the roof of next doors garage. Pulling away a huge clump of dead branch under the garage eaves, I was horrified when a perfect little birds nest dropped out, and a tiny fluttering followed. Horrified I realised it was a baby robin….it darted for cover behind the compost bin and its parents chirped angrily, returning to the site of the nest with beaks trailing worms….I was absolutely bereft – I never meant to evict a robin – I can’t even shoo big fat wood pidgeons (I have a tame lame one called Hoppity!). I abandoned the gardening and came indoors watching anxiously from the window. The parents were reunited with their baby. What could I do? reinstate the nest? give them a plate of worms? I felt so guilty…..a friend pointed out that this robin was actually ready to leave the nest – it was being a lazy teenager and tipping it out may have been the shove it needed – it certainly learnt to fly pretty quickly! 2 days later the robins are back and singing merrily to me from the tree overlooking the compost bin. I think I am forgiven.
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