Today we went out to take the "Week 2" picture of the baby Robins.
I was so excited as I expected to see them all with their little mouths open waiting for food.
Sadly, this is what we saw:
An empty nest…I couldn’t believe it.
We saw Mommy Robin feeding the babies earlier this week and we haven’t gone near the nest
since the picture we took last Friday, so we can only assume that a squirell or raccoon
must have gotten to the babies.
I am so sad to think of poor Mommy Robin coming back to the nest to find her babies gone.
This was an up close and personal experience for me of how nature isn’t always kind;
I know it is the cycle of life, but I fell in love with those little babies as soon as we discovered them.
I don’t know whether to leave the nest in the tree or remove it in hopes that she might return again;
any suggestions? Oh I just hate to think of what happened to those sweet little ones.
I’m thankful that we were able to witness the beauty of new life
and will always remember the special visitors that nested in Emma’s tree,
even if only for a little while.
Sharing My World 
Jul 03, 2009 @ 14:18:55
I try not to get attached to the baby animals around here, they are after all prey.Still it tears at my heart strings when I see them go.
Jul 03, 2009 @ 14:18:57
I think after a nest is vacated that no one would want to occupy it. Just a thought. Sad that it happened.
Jul 03, 2009 @ 14:21:58
Aaaaw wot a shame. Luv PF XXX
Jul 03, 2009 @ 15:59:20
Thats very sad dear . I\’m so sorry for that . I love stuff like too so it upsets me that they are gone . If I were you dear .I would leave the nest there dear A lot of birds tend to come lay eggs again in their original nest . But thats up to you hun . At least you have some very nice pictures of them .May their little souls be at peace now.God bless love Terry
Jul 03, 2009 @ 16:58:51
Goodmorning Rhonda, That is sad. It is a joy to discover first hand the beauty of new life and taken away so young is always difficult. My suggestion would be to leave the nest there for the time being. Just wait and see what happens. Love and Care! xXx Kerrie
Jul 03, 2009 @ 17:08:06
More likely a crow took them, squirrels are not meat eaters and they are too big for a blue jay, I have seen crows take them though, not very pretty sight to see the parents fighting off the crows, or trying too…
Jul 03, 2009 @ 17:31:04
Hi Rhonda. How sad. I am sorry. Being brought up with animals and foal I have had my fair share of dying animals and it is never easy. Poor little things.
Jul 03, 2009 @ 18:32:05
Think that Les is correct regarding the crows.Was looking for an update on this,but not an update of this nature.Sad,indeed.Wishing you well.Peace.~ Piggy ~
Jul 03, 2009 @ 19:24:28
This is sad, but it happen a lot,sound to me like crowsif the mummy come back she will make a new nest next time, but i would leave the nest, as other birds will use bit out of it for there netsTake careSue
Jul 03, 2009 @ 19:34:43
Ah, Rhonda that\’s sad. I agree with Les and Piggy; most likely crow. You\’re right about nature, she can be and often is cruel.
Jul 03, 2009 @ 19:49:52
Rhonda my friend, there are many creatures that could have been the culprits. One will never know for sure whom was behind this deed. Yet be sure of this that which you witnessed was a gift. When one\’s soul and heart are touched how can we not feel it. Thus each time our hearts feel the touch of new life; are we not better for it. Even in the sadness what you remember is of the caring mother and therein where the soul lives.Peace to youMark
Jul 03, 2009 @ 20:19:20
Rhonda, I am so sorry. I know how sad you must have felt when you discovered the nest was empty and the babies gone. Hopefully, it wasn\’t caused by a stray cat up your tree. Treasure the lovely pictures and happy memories of being that first-hand witness to the beauty of new life. I echo the sentiment that whenever one\’s heart and soul are touched you have to feel it in your very being. How can we not? And each time we are touched, we are a better human being for having lived and experienced it.Hugs,Becky
Jul 03, 2009 @ 20:42:57
Nature can be cruel Rhonda – survival of the fittest rules. How sad. Do leave the nest! Even if Mother Robin does not come back, maybe another bird will take up residence – I work with wildlife, and it can be heartbreaking. Impossible NOT to get attached. Do hope you have a good weekend! Luv \’n a hug.
Jul 03, 2009 @ 20:56:59
Where all God\’s creatures here on earth Rhonda and unfortunately only the fittest survive.Have a creative week my friendHugs Jewelie
Jul 03, 2009 @ 21:39:31
Sorry Rhonda, I know it made you sad, I know you know it\’s nature, but I also know its hard to understand sometimes. Maybe another will rebuild soon. Hope you have a wonderful 4th and give Emma a hug, Hugs, Pat
Jul 03, 2009 @ 22:16:55
That sucks, I know that seeing something like that can be a very up close and personal experience but like you say nature isn\’t always kind and this is a reminder that we live in a fallen world. The good news is that I know this isn\’t the last such experience you may have. I have no idea what the best thing to do with the nest. I hope you have a nice weekend none the less.
Jul 04, 2009 @ 03:00:33
yes Rhonda nature isnt always kind, the other week I saw a magpie attacking a young starling, I rushed outdoors and rescued it, put it in a box indoors but needless to say it died a few hrs later, it made me mad as I put food out everyday for the birds so I wondered why would it want to eat another bird! but I guess this the other side of nature.
Jul 04, 2009 @ 06:47:03
sometimes nature can break your heart suddenly angel eyes
Jul 04, 2009 @ 23:40:27
I am so sorry for the sadness seeing an empty nest brought you. Our biggest culprits in Australia are Crows, Magpies, Hawks, Snakes or Cats. No doubt the mummy Robin will be scared now, so, I am doubtful she will lay again using the same nest, but, most likely will use the same nesting materials. I would leave the nest there, and, one day hopefully there may be another nest in the same tree, but, in a different place to bring you excitement again ~ Love Melanie xxxx~
Jul 05, 2009 @ 01:38:06
Sorry this happened and such sadness at seeing such a close experience end this way. Rather a shock but as you observe this is nature in operation. Take care.
Jul 05, 2009 @ 03:38:41
Aww, that is sad when this sort of thing happens. I\’d leave the nest where it is, maybe Mama Robin will come back and lay more eggs. I have a friend (HeidiP) HeidiP is a dog who has here own blog on Spaces. On her blog, there is an entry about a mother Robin who had a nest built in an old car. Something happened to the eggs, but I believe, if my memory serves me correctly, she laid more eggs. Here\’s the link for Heidi the Poodle\’s space if you want to read about the little Robin family. http://heidipandme.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Jul 05, 2009 @ 05:00:55
If the mommy does not return within a week or two…perhaps shield the branch with a mini \’scarecrow\’ & park a birdhouse there too…:) Then the next little family may sing safely while mom\’s scouting food. Mother nature gifts from mankind :)Love Robin
Jul 05, 2009 @ 09:09:51
Aww, poor babies! And the parents too. How disturbed they must have been! l agree with you Rhonda, nature is not always kind by our standards of such. l would be very upset as well to see harm come to a creature l\’ve become attached to. Poor little birds!
Jul 05, 2009 @ 17:50:06
Rhonda do leave the nest as Robin will have babies a few times during the summer. However it may not be such a safe location. Yes nature can be cruel. The beautiful Stellar Jay can be the worst nest robber. I have seen them fly away with baby chick in their mouths. But it all brings a balance that is nessecary to keep down the population. Both my geese nest I had here and was watching for babies were raided before the young ones were born . However they do not nest again. Your photo are just beautiful. Hugs Carrie
Jul 06, 2009 @ 00:39:01
I think you should leave the nest just incase. but i am so sad to hear of this discovery. as nice as mother nature is sometimes she seems to be so cruel
Jul 06, 2009 @ 00:57:36
So sad Rhonda. I understand how you must have felt after bonding with these little guys. We\’ve had something get a nest or two of baby bluebirds before. Nothing worse than finding their little feathers all over the ground below the nestbox and knowing they weren\’t ready to fly the coop yet.Is there anyway to move the nest higher? If its a snake I can\’t imagine moving it would matter though as they will climb anything.