Questionable Nesting Sites

Dave Humby

Just by chance I happened to notice that I had a fully completed robins nest behind the front grille of my car. After some mechanical dismantling I was able to get to the nest and remove it. The car seems the 'perfect' design for a nest for the robin but not for the human...and ultimately the robin family.

I had thought that was the end of it, then, this morning, as I'm sat in my home office looking out the front, I see our friend the robin starting his rebuilding project! The only solution I can think of is to block off the grill for the next few weeks. How many weeks should I continue this for guys?


The egg-shaped holes seem ideal for the robin and there is a lovely void behind with nice structures to build the nest. Seemingly too inviting for the birds to turn down.


Temporary blocking solution. Just got to remember to take it off before using the car!

pansyface

😊

God loves a trier. ❤️

Fairygirl

Oh what a shame! They do seem to like that kind of site. I don't think there's much else you can do apart from having the front of the car right up against a wall or fence ,and even then, who knows. 
I would think a few weeks would be fine - for now. @wild edgesmight know the best timing.

Yeh- just remember to take off your towel....

Ergates

Is there somewhere nearby you could put up an open fronted nest box, as an alternative? If you could tempt him to use that instead, being territorial birds, he might also chase off any other robins who were taking a fancy to your car.

When OH was learning to fly, one of the standard pre flight checks was looking for birds nests under the engine covers. Apparently it happens quite a lot, even when the plane is in frequent use. Luckily they usually only get time to part build it before it’s discovered.

B3

"When OH was learning to fly"
I had visions of him jumping off a wall and flapping his arms vigorously😏

Dave Humby

@Ergates yes, I was thinking of the option to provide a robin box near the car. There's a dense hedge which would probably be a suitable location. Sod's law they're not using the one I kindly erected in the back garden for them! 

Dovefromabove

Perhaps visit a breaker's yard and buy an old Audi front grille to mount in front of the robin box? 

wild edges

I'd be more worried about a robin sized stone going straight through the radiator. Nice design, Audi

Balgay.Hill

When i was a kid, many decades ago, a neighbour had a birds nest in the engine bay of his car. He was an older retired guy, so only used his car for short journeys to the shops and back and suchlike. The birds were entering via the wheel arches if i remember correctly. He would pop the bonnet regularly to check on it, and let me watch what was going on. The birds successfully raised the chicks, despite all the intrusions and use of the car. I think they were blackbirds, but can't be sure. I remember the eggs were blue, so also could have been a song thrush. Amazing really!

Fairygirl

Maybe your robins are social climbers @Dave Humby and like a better class of car for their home. Swap it for an old banger and they might move elsewhere

TheGreenMan

This discussion is 👌🏼