RTE Radio One presenter Derek Mooney has a webcam set up in a robin’s nest in his back garden this year. Last night, at around 8.45, I had a look at the site and saw that there were 3 new hatchlings tottering about, newly arrived. This morning, it looks like a foruth has hatched, and one egg remains. I’m not sure how they are doing – a couple of them seem a bit quiet, even when the parent comes back with food. The webcam can be found here.
I visited Lough Key Forest Park in Co. Roscommon on the afternoon of Christmas Day last year. The lake was nearly completely frozen over and the the grounds were covered in snow. The birds there are used to being fed, and as soon as I got out of the car, I was surrounded by little birds hopping around looking for a handout. I had to walk away from the robin in order to focus on it – it was originally right at my foot which was too close for the lens to focus on it.
The 4 little hatchlings do appear very lethargic…my fingers are crossed for them.