A mail mystery of sorts in Pleasant Prairie turned out to be for the birds. A protective mama robin living right over a mail box prevented the delivery of one family's mail.
Matt Pierce said he did not suspect anything was going on when he first found his mail box empty earlier this month.
"We thought it was just a slow news day. Then Thursday we didn't get anything, Friday we didn't get anything," said Pierce.
That went on for about a week before the Pierce family knew something was stopping their mail. The culprit, they learned from their mail carrier, was a nesting robin.
"He says, 'These birds can attack, so if I get attacked I'm not going to deliver the mail,'" said Pierce recalling a conversation with his carrier.
Sean Hargadon, a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service said, "Safety is a major concern for our carriers, whether it be snow or ice, dog or bird."
A postal carrier has the option of not delivering if they believe their safety is in danger.
The family did not think their bird attacked their carrier but another one in their area might have. The post office told them they would have to pick up the mail or they could take down the nest.
"The nest was already established and had babies in it. We didn't want to hurt the birds. So we dealt with it," said Pierce.
But their mail carrier offered a better solution. If they put a bucket by the side of their fence he would drop letters there.
"Which I thought was kinda cool cause he was going to work it out. So I thought I would help him out and one up him by moving the mail box. So he still had some place nice and secure to put the mail," said Pierce. "We haven't had a problem since."
Hargadon said, "The USPS is happy both sides came up with a solution so the carrier can safely do his job. And the family could get their mail."
