/ Register

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Sharing the greenhouse with a Robin

Discussion in 'Pets and Wildlife' started by Chuck-NH, Jul 3, 2017.

  1. Jul 3, 2017 #1
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,990
    Likes Received:
    1,936
    Location:
    New Hampshire, USA
    We have a vent that we leave open all Summer in the greenhouse and a Robin found her way in and liked the real estate. This section of the greenhouse is separate from the Orchid growing area, but I do have my potting area and bins of media in this section. Well apparently she prefers NZ Sphagnum and tree fern fiber as her primary nesting material. I also noted quite a bit of live Spanish Moss in the nest, meaning somebody must have left the door open to the Orchid section one day...not me.

    image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
    Kipper and weeand like this.
  2. Jul 3, 2017 #2
    CoveLady

    CoveLady Active Member

    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    120
    Location:
    Brevard NC
    Chuck, She is no dummy, there is no rain in the greenhouse or predictors either.

    I have had a number of birds come in my vents before the shade cloth is put on. One time a hummingbird got in and could not get out. I had a double wall plastic hoop house at the time, it got in between the plastic layers on the end wall, I finally cut a hole and lifted it out with my hand. It was very exhausted so I put it's feet on the feeder foot rest and guided it's bill to the feed tube. It sat there for quite a while and then recovered, drank some liquid and flew away. It is awesome to hold a hummingbird in your hand.
     
  3. Jul 3, 2017 #3
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,990
    Likes Received:
    1,936
    Location:
    New Hampshire, USA
    Good point...a smart bird! I occasionally have hummingbirds fly though the roof or side vents and have seen them in the Orchid blooms. One year had a particular pesky hummer that would follow me around chirping and trying to get into water. I had a watering wand that was particularly gentle and he just loved getting doused...wish I could have taken a video. He didn't come back the following year or maybe he just forgot to take his daily morning shower.
     
  4. Jul 3, 2017 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    6,563
    Likes Received:
    2,362
    Location:
    Redding, California, USA
    What a great addition to the greenhouse. We have large numbers of robins visit our area when certain fruits and berries are ripe but I think they nest at higher elevations here.

    I have a bluebird nest box near the door to my greenhouse and the second batch of the season are about to fledge. Fun to watch.
     
  5. Jul 3, 2017 #5
    CoveLady

    CoveLady Active Member

    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    120
    Location:
    Brevard NC
    Kelly, you are lucky to have the bluebirds use you nest box. They come look mine over and leave. I have a lot of woods around me and I think they don't like being this close to them. It is an official bluebird house and out at the top of my very sunny rockgarden. Every year I get excited when they are looking it over but so far no takers.