Jane Ransom wrote:

In article , BAC
writes
It's up to you, of course, but if you steer clear of the nest, you reduce
the chances of scaring the parents away from it,

In actual fact it takes a lot to scare off the parents once the eggs are
laid. A pair of robins used a shelf in our garage for years. There was
no way we could not go into the garage and right past the nest. They
reared several broods despite the fact that we started up cars,
extracted lawn mowers, plastic bags, garden tools within a few feet from
their heads!! The secret seems to be not to look at them. They know when
your eyes are directed at them and you can see them become agitated if
you don't look away again pretty quickly!!
Jane Ransom in Lancaster.

Well -
If they came back to my greenhouse, where they had their nest for many
years, I sure would welcome them and leave them alone as much as
possible.
But a few years ago, a common housecat came and destroyed the nest and
(I heard) brought a robin home to show to its owner.
I never saw a robin again in the greenhouse.
So, IMHO, above all - see that no cat can get close to the nest.
Regards,
Roger.


--
Walk tall, walk straight, and look the world right into the eye.

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http://users.pandora.be/roger.van.loon/gardenp.htm