Robin’s nest perpendicular to deck steps – black rat snake tried attacking tonight. What do we do??
Tonight, when my husband let our pug out before bed, he noticed a black snack coiled up on one of our deck rails which are perpendicular to the deck. Right under our deck, a robin has built her nest (right under the support beam and boards). We didn’t even see the snake until my dog was running up the stairs and spooked it … as it was trying to lurch its entire body into the bird’s nest. My husband saw the adult birds flee … leaving only the babies behind. He was able to knock the snake off its balance and it fell into the grass …
We discovered that the snake is native to Virginia (a black rat snake) and found out that they also prey on bird eggs and baby birds. This nest is only a couple of weeks old and I think the babies have already hatched.
I couldn’t bear to see a snake attack this nest – it almost did tonight had my husband not intervened. On the other hand, I also know that it’s not safe to move a bird’s nest b/c they would die.
What do I do? 
You let nature take it’s course. You eat chickens, right? And their eggs? You can’t guard the nest 24/7, and if the birds are just gonna run and not try to defend their nest like most birds do, much less build in a horrible spot like right next to your deck, they’re gonna lose a little one or two.
Having snakes in your yard is a sign that you have a wonderful yard with a healthy ecosystem. Coexisting with them is a sign that you can accept all the things that “healthy ecosystem” means. Nature isn’t pretty all the time, and if it’s not the nest by your deck, it’ll be another nest, snake can’t help the fact that he has to eat too.
Acoma Native American Clay Pottery D Victorino 221964
