Blackbirds - a bit too close to home?

[237SJ]

I`ve had a pair of Blackbirds around the garden for a few weeks now and I was wondering if they had a nest somewhere. I`ve just found out where it is - right above the patio door. There`s a mass of evergreen Clematis that has trailed around the door and they are busy stashing moss in it. It`s so close that if they were to fly into the nest and aimed about 9" lower, they`d be in the living room. I know some birds are quite brazen and don`t mind humans but when anyone goes out of the door now, the nest is about 18" above their head. Do you think the birds will stick around when they realise how close to humans they are?

[rowanwitch]

so long as you are quiet and don't slam the doors etc they should be fine I think birds are learning that proximity to humans is good for protection as predators may not come near

[horseshoes]

Every year my Mum and Dad have blue tit chicks in their hollow metal gatepost! We have a little listen when we pass.

[237SJ]

It`s quite a heavy sliding door that has to be pushed quite hard to close and they`ve chosen to nest at the end that opens. There`s a security light right above them as well but (silly I know) but I leave it turned off anyway because the leaves of the clematis set it off. Some Blackbirds tried a nest about 8 feet from the door a couple of years ago but they lost their eggs to a magpie or squirrel. This is a really good spot because it will be difficult for the squirrel to get to.

[razza]

They will be fine.

[starone]

How lovely and what a privilege to have them so near and so unafraid.

[237SJ]

Starbuck - yes, it`s lovely that they`ve chosen my place! When I bought the house the garden was just a plain lawn and nothing else but I`ve planted so much (too much really) stuff that it`s a real haven for wildlife now. The bird`s just flown back in. He`s very busy this morning. Sometimes, in summer, I stick perfumed insense sticks in the pot plant on the patio but I`d better not do that now as it`s right underneath the nest. Good job I`m not a BBQer as well.

[chaptazbru]

You're so lucky. My friend has had blackbirds nesting in a bush just outside her kitchen window and they are not in the least bothered by the comings and goings of humans. Just watch out for magpies though, she had a constant battle keeping them away from the chicks once they had hatched.

[woofgang]

A few years ago out local nursery had a Robin's nest in the flowerpot sale display in a conservatory type space. People were passing within six inches of the nest all day. Anyway they fenced off the aisle and got some more pots in to sell till the birds had flown.

[maggiebee]

Have bluetits nesting in a box less than a foot from my back door. Wooden door tends to swell a bit in winter, but even banging the door shut regularly has not put them off - this is their 5th year. Lovely to watch. Think blackies may be nesting in my hedge too.

[237SJ]

I`ve a sneaky feeling they`ve given up on building the nest. Last night when they started building it, it was raining. When the sun came out later this morning the nest looked quite exposed to the sun. If there were to be chicks in there, they wouldn`t have much protection. Oh well, at least they abandoned the nest before they layed any eggs in it.

[237SJ]

No, I tell a lie. She`s back. I can see a tail sticking out and there`s lots of rummaging going on. Sorry to bang on! I won`t bore anyone else with the comings and goings. I`ve been called out to work tonight so I won`t be here for a few days. The birds can get complete peace.

[scarlets fan]

This is a real cliffhanger. Please keep us up to date with developments. I had a blackbird nest in my hedge a couple of years back and it was heartbreaking one day, all the chicks were dead on the lawn - magpies had raided the nest. Hope your little family are successful.

[ladybirder]

You are not banging on - and don't you dare stop now. We want to know all the nitty gritty of how they get on. And of course we shall expect names like Bertie and Bertha Blackbird and the bbbbbabies:-)

[237SJ]

I`ve noticed it`s the female doing all the work - surprise surprise :-)

[FredPuli43]

Hey,unfair to males, sj ! Some species have the males doing all the nest building or even all the incubating. What I want to know is how the females of those species managed to get away with that. And so, no doubt, do you !

[237SJ]

Looks like my blackbirds have decided not to nest by my patio after all. They finished the nest but have decamped to next door`s leylandii. I saw the magpie diving in there yesterday so I hope they don`t lay any eggs because they won`t last five minutes.

[ladybirder]

Oh dear. The suspense. Thanks for the update 237.

[237SJ]

The blackbirds seem to have given up in mine and my neighbour`s garden altogether. I`m not surprised as there are a couple of magpies round here who have seen them off.
My trailing evergreen clematis seems to be popular though. This morning I`ve noticed a little wren that is making her nest in it. She`s right above the patio window and right underneath the bedroom window. If I look out of the bedroom window, I can see into the nest. I`ll have to be careful not to scare her away. I`m glad my overgrown garden is useful for something.