Chirpy surprise in compost bag

A GARDENER who went to start preparations for the summer ahead got a very chirpy surprise on opening a bag of compost.

Tucked inside was a robin who had built a nest in the compost to protect her eggs.

Anne Conlon shared her story with the team at Horkans Garden Centre, where she got her compost.

Horkans online blog recorded the story as follows:

Anne dedicated herself to looking after the robin and its eggs, checking them daily and warning off cats lurking nearby.

She watched as the daddy robin went in and out of the nest all day, gathering supplies and looking after his little family.

One week later, four healthy chicks were born and welcomed into the world.

Within days their eyes began to open and they sought food, with the mother robin in and out of the nest all day looking after her young.

Anne predicts that the young birds will be leaving the nest any day now. She hopes they remember her and stay in her garden.

At Horkans, we want to say thank you to Anne for looking after our feathered friends. We hope they stay in your garden, Anne, so you can enjoy their presence.

For more photos, see http://blog.horkans.ie/nesting-season/