First nest of 2014 (1 Viewer)

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Adam M

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2014

• #1

Hello,

I saw a mistle thrush feeding young in a nest yesterday. The young actually looked quite large, so my guess is that the bird was sitting on eggs since about New Year's Day!!

A couple of my mates seem to think this is an exceptional record. Is that the case?

Adam

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2014

• #2

Adam M said:

Hello,

I saw a mistle thrush feeding young in a nest yesterday. The young actually looked quite large, so my guess is that the bird was sitting on eggs since about New Year's Day!!

A couple of my mates seem to think this is an exceptional record. Is that the case?

Adam

Click to expand...

I believe February is the mean average for MT breeding, the mild Winter (so far) has given the species a window of opportunity to breed earlier than usual.

Cheers

 

Last edited: Jan 23, 2014

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Zheljko

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2014

• #3

I saw a pair of Collared Doves copulating on nest on Dec 31st, but Collared Doves have no season at all.
Today I saw Magpies and Rooks tidying their nests. Poor birds don't know that snow storms are predicted for whole next week.

 

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Boro Birder

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2014

• #4

That is quite early but as stated above with the mild weather we have been having the birds are taking advantage of it, let's hope the weather stays ok and there's not a early burst of breeding, only for them to face a severe bout of weather.

 

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Adam M

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2014

• #5

I know they tend to be some of the earliest nesters and that they have just made the best of the mild weather. But everything I can find online is suggesting this is about 4-6 weeks earlier than average, being late Feb- early March according to most sources.

What I'm really after is just how usual/unusual is it to find them feeding young by mid-Jan. One of my mates, a rather decent birder, is really going on about how good of a record it is, I'm just checking that he's right.

Adam