# RobinCam!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [May 28, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568 "2017-05-28T00:20:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/1 "2017-05-28T00:20:54Z")
I made the mistake of leaving a stepladder on my porch after doing some outside house-work.
Before I stored the 6-ft stepladder, a robin built a nest on the top. I have taken the high road, and for as long as this works, here is the nest, live, daylight hours only, probably:
> **[Log into the Nest app](https://home.nest.com/camera/1448e1343fdc45d38aea7b7de63288fb)**
>
> Sign in to the Nest app in your web browser with your Google Account or non-migrated Nest Account. Connect your Nest Thermostats, Nest Cams, Nest Doorbell, or Nest devices and add Nest Aware to one or more devices.
I am having trouble with the WiFi connection to the Dropcam (Dropcams want to be within 15 ft of the router, and this one is 20 ft), so I’m not sure this will work. I’ll keep it going for as long as I can.
Right now, we have 4 eggs and some anxious parents, but nothing else.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/2 "2017-05-28T13:44:37Z")
Link goes to a sign on screen.
I’m looking at a robin’s nest right outside my window. Its in a holly bush. Strangely [started a thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=826742) about it last week to ask a few questions.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/3 "2017-05-28T14:27:48Z")
I’m having trouble with links. It’s hard for me to test how others see the video, since when I connect, I am logged in to the system.
[Here’s a link that might work better.](https://video.nest.com/live/9X6Gdu) You should also get sound; right now it’s raining.
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/4 "2017-05-28T15:10:54Z")
I’m not getting a live feed. But it’s appropriate you’re using a product called “Nest Cam”.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/5 "2017-05-28T15:41:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#):
>
> I’m not getting a live feed. But it’s appropriate you’re using a product called “Nest Cam”.
Yeah, I thought so, too. Did you try the link in Post #3? I think that should work, unless you’re on dialup. It does seem to take a few seconds to get going sometimes.
Someone said I would soon be a proud dad, but my only contribution was a stepladder. Would that make me a step dad?
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/6 "2017-05-28T15:54:34Z")
> [@Musicat](#):
>
> I’m having trouble with links. It’s hard for me to test how others see the video, since when I connect, I am logged in to the system.
>
> [Here’s a link that might work better.](https://video.nest.com/live/9X6Gdu) You should also get sound; right now it’s raining.
That link works fine for me.
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### Author:  [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/7 "2017-05-28T16:02:28Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#):
>
> I’m not getting a live feed. But it’s appropriate you’re using a product called “Nest Cam”.
I just figured it was part of the hosting service, like [Mare Stare](http://www.marestare.com/cams.php) (one I am familiar with).
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### Author:  [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/8 "2017-05-28T16:36:11Z")
The second link worked, but the camera’s offline. ☹
Thanks for not moving the ladder and for trying the cam! I hope it starts working.
ETA: Tried it a third time and it’s working. I see a parent and four tiny eggs!
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### Author:  [@mischievous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mischievous)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/9 "2017-05-28T17:29:31Z")
It has a soundtrack! (I can hear a trumpet and piano from off in the distance.)
Also, that bird looks both really comfy and super-bored.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/10 "2017-05-28T19:57:34Z")
> [@DesertDog](#):
>
> I just figured it was part of the hosting service, like [Mare Stare](http://www.marestare.com/cams.php) (one I am familiar with).
Actually, the “Nest Cam” is the name Dropcam calls their system, now that Google bought them out. They’re promoting a series of home-control systems like thermostats, and Dropcam has become Nest.
> [@Helena330](#):
>
> The second link worked, but the camera’s offline. ☹
I’ve done about as much as I can to get the WiFi link to work – added a 10 ft extension to a hi-gain antenna and tried some re-positioning, but it still sometimes disconnects. The signal has to go thru a wooden door, and even 2 bars out of 4 isn’t strong enough, apparently.
> [@](#):
>
> ETA: Tried it a third time and it’s working. I see a parent and four tiny eggs!
The fourth egg was laid 3 days ago, and the parents have been doing a lot of sitting since.
One robin – maybe not one of the pair, I don’t know – has had several bouts with my picture windows on the other side of the house. He/she flies up from the ground and crashes into the window, then does it again. Either it’s trying to fly thru the house or sees a threat. The windows reflect the lake and I’ve had birds break their necks trying to pass thru the house.
> [@mischievous](#):
>
> It has a soundtrack! (I can hear a trumpet and piano from off in the distance.)
Either that’s my neighbor’s music, or perhaps it’s picking up a movie I was watching inside the house.
I hear cars going by sometimes. Right now, the lake (on the other side of the house) is calm, but if the waves pick up, I’m sure the lake will drown out any cheeping, but I can hear some tweets now (maybe not from the nest?). That cam mic sure is sensitive.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/11 "2017-05-28T20:09:12Z")
> [@Helena330](#):
>
> Thanks for not moving the ladder and for trying the cam!
I’m a little worried about the ladder. It’s just leaning against the wall, and if anyone bumps it, the cradle will fall. It was never intended to be anchored, but I’m afraid if I try some kind of anchor (maybe a bungee cord to some hooks?), I might disturb it too much. At least it’s sheltered, under a roof, so overhead predators can’t see it and the rain won’t get to it.
I know cats can climb ladders, but we have only one cat in the neighborhood and not close-by. We have foxes, and red foxes are quite un-intimidated by humans. I wonder if foxes can climb ladders?
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### Author:  [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/12 "2017-05-28T21:33:53Z")
I just Googled and there are fox repellents you can buy. I wouldn’t do it close to the nest in case it affects birds, but maybe do something around the yard? Just a thought.
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### Author:  [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/13 "2017-06-07T18:53:29Z")
I couldn’t get your Nest link to work for quite a while. Just checked in again, only to find I missed the hatching.
Congrats on your new little ones! 🙂
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### Author:  [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/14 "2017-06-07T19:44:10Z")
Looks like four?
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### Author:  [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/15 "2017-06-07T19:54:11Z")
> [@romansperson](#):
>
> Looks like four?
I also count four teeny peepers.
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### Author:  [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/16 "2017-06-07T20:18:57Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#):
>
> I also count four teeny peepers.
That makes me happy, because there were four eggs! 🙂
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### Author:  [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/17 "2017-06-07T20:58:11Z")
Ooooo–I saw the little beaks moving!
You, sir, have secured your place in heaven.
> [@](#):
>
> If I can stop one heart from breaking,
> I shall not live in vain;
> If I can ease one life the aching,
> Or cool one pain,
> Or help one fainting robin
> Unto his nest again,
> I shall not live in vain.
>
> Emily Dickinson
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### Author:  [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/18 "2017-06-07T21:00:43Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> Ooooo–I saw the little beaks moving!
>
> You, sir, have secured your place in heaven.
>
> Quote:
> If I can stop one heart from breaking,
> I shall not live in vain;
> If I can ease one life the aching,
> Or cool one pain,
> Or help one fainting robin
> Unto his nest again,
> I shall not live in vain.
>
> Emily Dickinson
That was beautiful - thank you.
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### Author:  [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/19 "2017-06-07T23:44:14Z")
> [@Wallet](#):
>
> That was beautiful - thank you.
🙂
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### Author:  [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robincam/787568/20 "2017-06-08T00:12:34Z")
How wonderful! Thanks for bumping, **Wallet**! I’d forgotten to check back.
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