Blackbird nest

[Emily Ball]

Not a question-just a follow-up to the one I posted on the 13th July. Mr. and Mrs.Blackbird are raising four healthy chicks folks.  

[Cetti]

That's really good news Emily - and thank you for letting us know.

 Hope you have plenty of cotton wool to stuff in your ears for when they jump out the nest. The parents calls all day long  were deafening for just two babes - and you have two more. Worth it though!

[Robinia]

That's lovely - it's good to have updates.  I hope they all make to adulthood. 

 I had a rather irritated blackbird right outside my bedroom window at the crack of dawn this morning.  He was having a right good grumble about something!

[Emily Ball]

I've often thought it would be nice to get a few more updates / follow-ups / progress reports on here. It would be great to hear from questioners when(if) they have acted on some of the excellent advice given in all the categories and whether it has really been helpful. Maybe there should be just such a category.  By the way Cetti, have you ever spotted one? And better a blackbird than a woodpigeon Robinia-those birds never change their repertoire!

[Emily Ball]

The warbler, not the category!

[Cetti]

I'm going through my 'thick' phase today Emily, so please would you speak very slowly. Have I ever spotted what...?

[Cetti]

We posted together.

Ah, I'm with you - my namesake. Yes, regularly. There is a RSPB Reserve called Radipole near Weymouth town centre. It's the main stronghold for the Cetti's and you only have to walk a few minutes before the exploding song is heard. Once heard never forgotten!

[Robinia]

Oh we have wood pigeons too Emily but they're always at the back of the house.  My elderly neighbour was woken from an afternoon nap a couple of days ago by a pair of them getting friendly outside her living room window - she said it was an almighty racket! 

I agree about the follow ups - I do worry about some people!

[don1]

Thats great news Emily and Mrs blackbird managed this incredible feat without the help of humankind, isnt nature wonderful?

Isn't human interference unnecessary? answer Yes it is.

I think I offended Robinia in your original post, I assure you both it was not intended, I have worked for a very long time in the protection of birdlife in the U.K. and the best advice you can ever get in the protection of our feathered friends is to leave them alone.

Like I said to you Emily, Mrs Blackbird knows exactly what she is doing, just be honoured that she chose to raise her family in your back garden.

[Robinia]

I wasn't offended don1 I think my humour is mistaken for huffiness or sarcasm sometimes!  I just don't see any harm in feeding the birds all year round & as I type my garden is full of a wonderful assortment of birds who wouldn't be here if there wasn't food for them. I realise they would find it elsewhere but I have lots of natural food too - plants, shrubs etc.  It's in contrast to many people in my area who have ripped up the hedges & trees & replaced with block paving.  I know I'm not saving the planet but I like to think I do make a miniscule difference to the local wildlife!