very vry sad empty blackbird nest (1 Viewer)

[mandabot]

hi all,
please someone tell me that they have just left the nest.
i have worked for the passed 2 days and on close inspection today my babies nest is empty
there was at least one black bird in there.
there were 3 eggs, i saw one baby blackbird but didnt want to disturb, today there is half a shell and nohing else!!
i am mortified!!

 

[deborah4]

probably best to avoid ''close inspection of nests'' if possible ... unfortunately eggs do become prey to other birds/mammals, blackbirds can desert the nest themselves, cold weather can play a part ... lots of reason why nesting attempts fail - can be as high as 9/10.

Don't panic, they may return and have another clutch (can have 2-3) incubation is only about 20 days then another 20 before chicks fledge. If parents show signs of returning, try to avoid going near/inspecting nest!

Seems a bit early for chicks to have fledged but if that's the case, Blackbirds may still return for second clutch

 

[mandabot]

thanx deborah,
i only inspected as no male or female in site and i thought the clematis had been disturbed... the whole garden is empty of birds so i dont know what going on...
its so sad isnt it... the poor things
they male and female had been so so so buzy and scared everything in site off.... dont usually get magpies
i hoipe i was in no way responsible
the fact that no egg shells except 1 half kinda indicates to me that they have been taken??

 

[deborah4]

thanx deborah,
i only inspected as no male or female in site and i thought the clematis had been disturbed... the whole garden is empty of birds so i dont know what going on...
its so sad isnt it... the poor things
they male and female had been so so so buzy and scared everything in site off.... dont usually get magpies
i hoipe i was in no way responsible
the fact that no egg shells except 1 half kinda indicates to me that they have been taken??

Yes, it's very sad, especially when you've been watching them in your garden - it's easy to get attached Last year, watched the whole caboodle in garden from nest building until fledglings appeared then both taken by cats in the night. The year before, all eggs lost to a persistent Magpie. This year, started building nest, Magpie arrived immediately, Blackbirds immediately abandoned nest site - parents still around though. Very distressing.

No shells? Perhaps rodent or Magpie. No birds? Perhaps a cat - you may have a slinky furtive intruder with a new hunting patch, so keep your eyes open.

I very much doubt it was anything to do with you, but a rule of thumb to be on the safe side is to 'love from a good distance'

 

[mandabot]

what about squril are they likely???

 

[mandabot]

the dad is back in the garden... poor love... mother making a new nest i speck

 

[KnockerNorton]

No shells? Perhaps rodent or Magpie. No birds? Perhaps a cat - you may have a slinky furtive intruder with a new hunting patch, so keep your eyes open.

the characteristic sign of rodents is shell fragments, often in small pieces. Magpies remove the egg intact and take it somewhere else to eat (often on the lawn).

If there's shell in the nest then the nest has probably been predated, as birds remove hatched shells. It may possible be an egg that didn't hatch (which aren't removed) which was then nibbled after the chicks left. But it depends on when you last saw eggs. If it was 2-3 weeks then there was time for chicks. If not, they've had it.

 

[mandabot]

the hatched chicks would have only been 7-8 days old,the egg that is left looks partially hatched??? but i can not get to it totally.
i cant believe how upset i am!?

 

[deborah4]

i cant believe how upset i am!?

Cheer up ... I know it's gutting when this happens. Go put something nice out for the Blackbirds to eat tomorrow, might make you feel better - check there's no sign of rats/cats etc etc around too!

 

[KnockerNorton]

the hatched chicks would have only been 7-8 days old,the egg that is left looks partially hatched??? but i can not get to it totally.
i cant believe how upset i am!?

Don't be too upset, it's very common and they have 3-4 broods a year to compensate. It's all part and parcel. Nature is full of death, and when taking an interest you have to accept that. It's unavoidable and necessary (everything's gotta eat).

 

[StevieEvans]

..........<snip>.....Seems a bit early for chicks to have fledged but if that's the case, Blackbirds may still return for second clutch

hi Deborah, we've young Blackies here that have been out of nest a week or so, and a fledged Songy in town next to us.
Steve.

 

[deborah4]

hi Deborah, we've young Blackies here that have been out of nest a week or so, and a fledged Songy in town next to us.
Steve.

Reckon it's a bit patchy over the UK this year - I think the recent storms in the SE may have set us back a week or so ... ''my Blackbirds'' only started building a nest a few weeks ago (before being interrupted by Maggie the Muncher )

 

[mandabot]

would be gr8 to think they were out there!!
seen dad about but no mum... will put out some meal worm tomorrow
i know its all about survival... try not to get too attached when nesting occurs again??
she abandoned the nest there last year and rtn this year. might be a bit low 4 them really.
the blue tits have been buzy too ... so u neva know
thanks 4 everyones knid replys

 

[mandabot]

the mum and dad are about this morning but not going near nest.
i do however have blue tits and wrens and starlings nest building... never b4!!!

 

[baggy2508]

Hi.
Saw a Blackbird with beakfull of small worms today so look on the bright side as some are
suceeding,also Bluetits nesting in new box and Mallard on 7 eggs in garden.
Regards John B