Expecting Mama Bird On Windowsill Offers Coronavirus Respite

BETHESDA, MD — Every day, dozens of people from around the world flock to John Witherspoon's YouTube channel to see a robin incubate her eggs.

The American Robin — with her dusky orange breast and elongated tail — built her home on his windowsill on April 18 and laid three eggs. They're supposed to hatch on May 1, or soon thereafter.

"I set up the YouTube live stream as soon as the nest appeared and it was clear that the robin was going start laying eggs," Witherspoon, a Bethesda resident, told Patch. "It was intriguing, and it occurred to me that other people might be interested as well.

"That's certainly been the case, because the viewership has increased every day," he added. "At some points, there are nearly 100 people watching, and they're from as far away as Hong Kong, South Korea, and Finland. Even at night when the robin is asleep, there are several dozen people tuned in."

Amid lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, more people are turning to live streams to stave off boredom and de-stress.

According to Witherspoon, his live stream is helping strangers cope with uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Many people have commented that watching the robin is very therapeutic and soothing, especially during these uncertain and unusual times," he said. "One person mentioned that seeing the robin preparing to bring a new generation into the world provides hope and shows us that nature is keeping its normal course ... that humanity will presumably be able return to its normal course at some point, too."

You can watch the live stream, below: