Lovely Sight On My Patio Just Now

[hellywelly4]

I put some live mealworms out a couple of minutes ago and a blackbird came down and started to pick them up. I don't know how many he managed but it was a lot! It was wonderful to see, particularly as I had tried with dried mealworms before and they were not liked at all.

[Chipchopper]

Probably off to feed the chicks, I reckon.
Live worms must seem more natural.

[10ClarionSt]

As mentioned on here before, many years ago a Blackbird laid 4 eggs in my garage. This meant I had to leave the garage door open all summer to allow it access. It also meant my kids wanted me to move the nest from it's precarious position on the ladders, and build a shelf for it, which I did. Success! Four fledglings left the nest and during the time of feeding, I took some really good photos of the whole thing. The sad bit is, I don't know where the photos are now. Hey Ho!

[hellywelly4]

That’s lovely Clarion. I remember going into a garden centre several years ago and an area had been cordoned off because robins were nesting on one of the displays. I’ve got a blue tit family in my bird box again - four years running. Lovely time of the year.

[ladybirder]

Blackbirds can take one helluva lot at once Helly as you are finding out. I used to have a window feeder full of live mealworms stuck to my living room window. The Blackbird would pick them up and arrange them it its mouth one after the other with the ends hanging out of each side of its beak. Most I counted in one go was 14. Wonderful and uplifting to watch. Nothing compares to live mealworms during the breeding season as they give the nestlings the moisture they need as well as well as food. I think live mealworms pay for themselves with the joy they bring.

[ladybirder]

^ joy they bring to the birds and us.

[shoota]

Maggots too, any left over from a fishing expedition (remember them?) go on the bird table.
Robins and blackbirds go mad on them.

[rowanwitch]

I remember once a neighbours dustbin had a maggot infestation
We tipped it out on his Lawn a flock of starlings came down and cleared them all. He picked up and rebagged the rubbish. Any that were left behind were cleared before he could close the kitchen door

[Theland]

The nearest I get is at 05:59 on radio 4, tweet of the day.
Today's was the Savvy Warbler. When I heard the name I thought it was a joke.

[Canary42]

It never fails to amaze me how blackbirds turn their beaks into a heavily loaded kebab at nesting time ;-)

[ladybirder]

Birds are just brilliant aren't they:-))