Posted by shaymon cain on April 20, 2008

Q: We cleared out alot of overgrown shrubbery in a new house this weekend. We have been hearing a robin and while clearing the shrubs found the nest with one egg in it. We left that shrub but without the other shrubs the egg was left pretty much in the open. We saw a parent come back to the bush, seem confused and fly away (without going to the nest). We have notg seen any activity since, so the egg was alone last night (60 degrees) and in the sun today (78 degrees). I made a huge mistake (before consulting your site) and brought the nest in an hour ago- to see if I could save the egg. Is there any hope for this egg/nest? The original shrub is still there, but we still have not seen or heard the parent- can it be returned. I now know from reading other answers there isn't hope to save the egg ourselves.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Alabama

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: If there was only one egg in the nest, no incubation had begun - the birds would normally lay one egg a day for a few more days so temperature for that lone egg is not an issue. I'd return the nest and egg to the original location although it sounds as though your birds are likely to abandon that nest. Don't feel too bad as robins will most certainly renest. The fact that your hands have touched the nest is not a negative factor but the removal of the nest and shrubbery probably is. There is still a lot of spring and summer to go so your birds have plenty of time to nest a couple more times this year.

John Wiessinger ( April 21, 2008)