QuestionI live in southeast Pennsylvania, just outside of Philly. I have at least two robin red breasts (or more?) that have insisted on using my back porch to hang out. Needless to say this has caused quite a mess. My picnic table and my daughters toys are covered in droppings. I have kept my daughter away from all of her toys until we resolove this and I can sanitize all of her things.
I think they came from the 100 acers of woods that were recently cut down across the street from us.(wheather that is a signifant point or not, I do not know). We can find no sign of a nest on our property.
This began early in the spring time. He would keep flying into my kitchen window, trying to land on the sill. (He was actually slaming so hard, we could hear him from the floor below.) I hung some plastic easter eggs outside the window, thinking that once he hit them a few times he would go away. We thought our problem was taken care of when we didn't see him for a couple of days. He then relocated to my porch, maybe 30 feet away. My porch is simply a concrete slab, covered by a roof. It is open on three sides) I have hung pie plates by fishing wire around the outside of the porch, he keeps comming back. I also placed a couple of pin wheels in the yard, thinking the noise and reflections would keep him away. No dice.
My husband recently created a web out of fishing wire between two of the support posts. We do not know if this will work or not.
And he is now back at the kitchen window, (and the windows on my porch), trying to land on the screen. So in addition to the mess on the surface of my porch, I now have a mess on three windows that needs to be cleaned.
I do not mind chemicals and spikes on the windows, as long as the windows are not permanently damaged and can still be opened to let in fresh air. I want to avoid toxic substances on the table and toys. I do not want to have to leave something up all summer long. I understand that I may need to keep a few things around just to keep him away, but I also want a usable back yard.
AnswerI have not heard of a bird called a robin red breast. Are you meaning, just a plain robin? As robins have red breasts?
I would look very carefully for a nest. Robins nests are not large, about the size of a large male fist. As I read it you have two different problems.
As for the porch, screen it (assuming that you don't have a nest there, remember, robins are a protected species).
As for the window, he probably sees his reflection and wants to attack it. Robins are terretorial. He thinks it is a different robin. Provide back lighting to the window or other means to reduce the reflection. This behavior will ultimately stop as the sun will shift angles and the mating season will be over.
Porcupine wire can stop birds from roosting on ledges, You can use nixalite. Go to the manufacture site and they can help you with installation info.
I would suggest screening though for the porch. I would think after several weeks this problem should diminish and you can remove it is you wish. Keep it handy though as you may need it next year.
Any photos? you can send them to
[email protected] Also the following website will have additional bird control information http://icwdm.org