Birds nest - under the bonnet !!!

[shivvy]

We have a campervan and planned to go away this weekend, leaving tomorrow. However when we went to get it ready this evening it wouldnt start. We looked under the bonnet to see what the problem was and a blackbird flew out! We looked more closely and there is a perfect nest with 5 lovely eggs in it.
But what do we do now?
I'm sure we shouldnt move it and I really don't want to, but how long will the van be out of commission if we don't?
There are loads of trees and hedges all around (I don't know why it chose the campervan!) so would it be possible to move it safely?
Help!!

[pond50]

i would contact the rspb
they really shouldn't be moved

[shivvy]

There is no way I want to do something to upset them but if they did abandon the nest, is it too late for them to have another brood this year?

[welshlibranr]

Oh bless you! sadly I don't think you should move the nest, it means that you can't go away in your campervan, but you will have the pleasure of knowing that you played a hand in the baby birds survival, and you will be able to watch their progress until they fledge!..................hope you decide to allow them to raise their family...............not sure how long between hatching an fledging, but sure you'll find out if you google it!.....

[boxtops]

That's lovely shivvy, you should feel very privileged!

[wildwood]

If you move the nest anywhere the adults will certainly abandon it. If you leave it where it is and don't open the bonnet, they will probably have success. Only you can decide what is the best to do.

If you move the nest the adult blackbirds will soon go to nest somewhere else so no harm to the population will come if you decide that your holiday comes first (it would with me). Blackbirds will nest at least two times each season anyway. Cats often get the chicks so they go again.