Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the tag “Robins”

24 May 2025
7 Comments

Robin Recall


To prevent any misconceptions I will emphatically state that I do indeed like robins.

Not that is out of the way I have say this: Robins have got to be one of the stupidest birds out there.

Why the vitriol?

Maybe I’m just fed up with this particular batch of red-breasted harbingers of spring.

I don’t mind how they try to nest in our patio rafters every year—at least not too much since when we do allow a nest it’s plenty entertaining watching them raise their noisy brood.

I’m irritated but understanding when they lob their droppings all over my outdoor furniture—when nature calls, and all that.

I must say I get tremendous enjoyment watching them splash around in the birdbath—they are exorbitant extroverts when it comes to bathing.

Getting ready to splash and dash

I do mind one distinct and inexcusable behavior: robin reflection bobbing. Or flap and slap. I’m sure there must be a scientific term for how robins (I have yet to see other birds do this behavior) go for their window reflection endlessly flapping up against it until I shoo them away.

This is is the first year in the thirty years at this address I’ve seen this behavior.

Right—I understand they think it’s another bird and are feeling territorial…

Yet this year they are taking on car windows, the neighbor’s shed window, the office window, the living room window. These aren’t isolated incidents but repeated violations no matter how many times they are chased away.

We even blocked a window so the reflection was covered and the robin still wanted to fight with the window.

I’m doing a call out here—has anyone else noticed their backyard robins being so crazily hostile this year?

My explanation is that this year’s robins are an off batch. They give meaning to the description of being bird-brained.

Maybe there should be a robin recall. Anyone know the number of the department of defective birds? Or did that one get shuttered as well?

Chillax, fella
Posted in birds, humor, Nature, Reflections, Spring and tagged , ,
21 Mar 2025
5 Comments

Snow kidding–it’s spring, right?


“I told you we got here too early, but no–you said spring had arrived.”

Yup, after all that nice weather: the temps in the forties; the clear blue skies; the good riddance to that winter white stuff because it rained for three days; and the daffodils starting to poke up their little green noggins, we woke up to an inch of snow with more falling down on Saturday which eventually melted in time for the spring equinox.

So is it spring or should I be prepared for disappointment once again?

Well, it’s a good thing my holds arrived at the library and I still have cocoa mix…

Posted in birds, humor, Nature, Reflections and tagged , , ,
28 Feb 2025
5 Comments

And then came along spring…


It’s not official, at least according to the calendar, yet I would say spring has arrived. I know the calendar says it starts March 20th but this year, in my neck of the woods, spring is here. How can I state this with such confidence? Easy. I spotted a robin yesterday and they are in full force today cheerupping and chuckling their arrival.

Plus, three days of rain pretty much eradicated the latent snowfall of February and the temperature is reaching towards 52 degrees. Last week I was breaking ice in the birdbath and stoking up the fire in the stove, today I was sitting outside without a coat enjoying my morning smoothie. Seasons are not subtle where I reside.

I didn’t get much done today because I spent as much time as possible parked in my Adirondack chair which I pulled out from storage yesterday. Once the temps hit the forties I’m outside. After gray skies, dumps of sun, then dumps of rain I feel it’s so very wrong not to be outside enjoying this gift of warm weather.

Yesterday when I heard that distinctive cheerup chuckle I zeroed in on locating the source. Sure enough there was the red-vested fellow boldly claiming the yard, running along searching for worms. Soon it became apparent he was not alone and a robin convention formed, all of them flying and bobbing about as if it was a reunion and they needed to get caught up on one another’s happenings.

So the robins have arrived, the temps are warmer, the sun is warm, and the skies are that blue that resonates so well with me. *Sigh*

I never truly trusted the groundhog’s prediction. I will go with a robin everytime when it comes to spring.

Photo by Mike Kit on Pexels.com
Posted in Reflections and tagged , , ,
12 Aug 2012
5 Comments

Badminton, Barbecue, and Baby Birds


The other day we were enjoying the fine summer evening with a mix of badminton, barbeque, and the usual family hi-jinx. We have tried to be courteous and considerate of our new neighbor, especially since it appears she is a single mother with four babies.  The babies make absolutely no sound.  Unheard of.  They patiently wait at home while mom is out getting them food.  We keep an eye on them for her when we can.  Recently, we noticed the babies were about to take that first significant step of independence and leave home.  I know–what? Babies leaving home?  Sorry, I couldn’t help but build up a gotcha.  The mom is a robin who’s built her nest right in the corner of our patio and garage. Silly, silly birdie.  Didn’t she know what a noisy lot we were?  We have been watching with anticipation as the birds went from hatchlings to fluffy bits.

This particular evening I had a feeling the birds were about to head out.  All day long they had been stretching up and airing out their wings and periodically during the day I would check on them.  A countdown began.  Four babies. Three babies. Two babies.  Finally, the one lone baby robin left in the nest.  We encouraged it and cajoled it to head out into the unknown.  It resisted and began pitifully uttering dismal little chirps–they were much too soft to qualify as cheeps.  Some of my family had grown restless waiting for the big moment and wanted to return to the game.  I decided I wanted to actually witness the big moment of baby bird first flight and sat down with my book.

“Forget badminton, will ya,” I stubbornly replied to tauntings to rejoin the game.

“Oh, it will be awhile for it goes.”

“Nope, any minute now.”

More stretchings and wavering pips from the corner nest.

“Hey, maybe it is goin–”

“Look! There it goes!”

“That was really cool!”

With a birdie sigh of “Now or nothing” the last baby flapped its wings and zipwinged it to the pine tree at the edge of the yard.  With shouts of “Hooray!” we congratulated one another on witnessing the positively, absolutely neat event we had just watched.

Witnessing the resolution and trepidation of a baby robin before it determines, “Yup, this is it” is a moment to always remember.  There’s definitely an extended metaphor in here somewhere.  Robert Frost–any commentary, sir?

Update: Mom’s back with a second brood.  I guess we weren’t such bad neighbors after all.  Looks like this batch will be taking off within the next week.  The Flight of the Baby Bird II?

image: http://www.dailygreen.com
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Posted in birds, Family, summer, Writing and tagged , , , ,

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