An Empty Nest

Not mine, of course. We've got a long way to go before we're empty nesters. I'm talking about Momma Robin's nest.

I waited a week or so to check the nest again. The eggs should have been almost ready to hatch, but when I peeked on Thursday, they were gone. All four of them...just gone. 

I guess a blue jay or hawk must have stolen them. We did see a hawk in one of our trees earlier this week, and I'm wondering if he had discovered a tasty treat under our deck. We were so sad to find that the eggs had disappeared. 

But as Elsa said, "Maybe next year."

And then there were four!

I posted this picture a week or so ago...

But when I checked the nest a day or two later, we found this...

And by Sunday, there were four. I read that the robin will keep laying until she has about four eggs, so you could remove several eggs over a period of a few days, and she would keep on laying until there are four left. Funny. We didn't steal any of her eggs, though. 

Now we're waiting for baby birds to hatch.

I'm not the greatest about doing science experiments or projects.  We do our science reading, but the follow-up is what I'm not so good at. However, I'm working to remedy that this summer. We've ordered a Magic School Bus Science Kit through HSBC, and we'll receive a science experiment kit to use each month. This month's project revolves around space and the planets, and it should be arriving in the next week. So we'll have some summer science fun before long. 

I also have another experiment up my sleeve, but we haven't started it yet. Soon! And then I'll post some pictures when we get it going. 

Momma Robin's Secret

We had noticed some weeks ago that the robin's nest that has been under the deck for the last few years has gotten bigger this year. I'd been wondering if there were any eggs inside, but I hadn't checked until today. 

Tada!

I wonder how long before they hatch? Or before the blue jays get them? I remember reading several years ago to be cautious in checking the eggs too often because jays will watch and then raid the nest. We definitely had jays here in the winter, but I haven't seen any lately. Hopefully these little guys will be safe.