Fetch Birdwatchers
2 lurkers |
165 watchers
Apr 2022
5:22pm, 12 Apr 2022
8,681 posts
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Northern Exile
Bit of drama in our back garden today: Our resident blackbirds (Blacky & Tacky) nest in the ivy on the fence and it appears that today is the day for kicking the chicks out of the nest. We arrived home to find Blacky (dad) feeding one of the fledglings and mum (Tacky) feeding two others. We were quite concerned for a while, not knowing that it's normal practice for blackbirds to fledge on the ground. The one that Blacky is looking after seems a lot weaker than the other two though and isn't being sensible and hiding under the bushes, it's wide out in the open and this is sparrowhawk territory. I understand that this will be going on for about a week - ten days, it could be stressful. FF nearly got a panic phone call from Bobs, but we googled before hitting the red button. |
Apr 2022
7:22pm, 12 Apr 2022
3,616 posts
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jacdaw
Blackbird young disperse before they can fly to reduce the risk of losing the whole nest full, I think? First Willow Warbler of the year here today. Plus Lapwing, Curlew, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank on a run across the moor. |
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Apr 2022
7:33pm, 12 Apr 2022
8,682 posts
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Northern Exile
Is that the reason? We got our info here: groundfeeders.com |
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Apr 2022
7:56pm, 12 Apr 2022
3,617 posts
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jacdaw
The rspb seems t suggest they only leave early when disturbed - rspb.org.uk This more general article seems to support the leaving early to reduce predation of the whole brood idea - allaboutbirds.org |
Apr 2022
8:01pm, 12 Apr 2022
19,938 posts
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Chrisity
Back from the Caribbean and some stunning birds. Favourite would have to be these Oropendola bird nests in Costa Rica. |
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Apr 2022
8:02pm, 12 Apr 2022
8,683 posts
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Northern Exile
Ta JD. Well, as the afternoon wore on they smaller one of the chicks took a bit of cover closer to where the nest site is and was fed constantly by dad. I think they're going to be OK, I just need to keep other predatory birds out of the garden. There was a lot of commotion from both parents when a pair of wood pigeons flew in, naturally protective I suppose. |
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Apr 2022
8:44pm, 12 Apr 2022
3,618 posts
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jacdaw
Maybe I live in a high disturbance garden, but every year we have flightless blackbird fledglings being fed in various bushes and hedges by parents in a continuous state of highly vocal alarm. I don't think I've ever known them stay in the nest until they were flying.
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Apr 2022
9:07pm, 12 Apr 2022
24,827 posts
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Rosehip
Blackbirds fledging time was a right palavar with a Springer in the family, garden visits on a lead only.
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Apr 2022
8:35am, 13 Apr 2022
55,090 posts
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Derby Tup
Singing blackcap this morning. My first local one of the year. Wonderful 
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Apr 2022
10:04am, 13 Apr 2022
8,686 posts
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Northern Exile
Blackbird chicks appear to have survived their first night out of the nest. Located two of them, can't see the third yet.
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