baby robin

Question
Please help.
There has been a baby bird in our yard for the last couple of days.  It has been fine with the mom taking care of it.  It ventured out of our yard a couple doors door in an area that was not as safe.  I brought it back to my yard which was right under its nest; however, the bird hopped the opposite way of its nest and now we cant find it. I am so afraid the mom will not be able to find where the bird is.  I feel terrible that we moved it back to its original place.  I understand we should have left it but we didnt. So now what?  My husband says that the mom will chirp looking for it and the baby will chirp till they find each other.  Can the mom find the baby if it is moved a couple house down?  
I hope you can make me feel better but I am afraid by my trying to help, it will not be fed, etc. I am going to look for it in the am.  If we find it I guess I will try to put it back by the nest area.  
What do you think?

Answer
It is common for birds to go through a stage (when they are learning how to fly) where they end up spending much of their time on the ground for a few days. The baby has to try and learn to keep up with mom and dad. They use contact calls, like your husband mentioned, to make sure they always know where the other is. If you brought the baby robin back near his nest (and it was only a couple of houses down)- parents and baby shouldn't have any problems locating each other again.

I hope this helps make you feel better. :)

-Maggie