Since February 2018 we have enjoyed the company of two blackbirds that we have fed in the garden. Both seasons have seen them breed successfully. Unfortunately a few weeks ago the male died, having been struck by a car. The female remained with us and continued to enjoy live mealworms and sunflower hearts but following a trip away from home for a few days last week she is nowhere to be seen. We used to reckon that the birds recognised the sound of the car engine when we returned from odd trips and soon turned up!
Worst case scenario is that she has been predated or simply died. Though possible, we think this unlikely as she is clearly aware of possible predators, always casting an eye to the sky before venturing out of bushes. As the food on the table/feeders would have run out about three days before we returned, she could have re-located to somewhere else offering food and adopted that as her base.
My question, though, is whether our blackbird of probably a little under three years of age might have gone off in search of a replacement for the mate who died? Combined with this is the fact that two young males and a female have been quick to move in since we last saw 'our' blackbird a week ago. These and other birds seem to be thinking about pairing up and perhaps as a solitary bird they were able to take over her territory relatively easily.
Any thought or comments, please?
Thanks very much,
Steve
Worst case scenario is that she has been predated or simply died. Though possible, we think this unlikely as she is clearly aware of possible predators, always casting an eye to the sky before venturing out of bushes. As the food on the table/feeders would have run out about three days before we returned, she could have re-located to somewhere else offering food and adopted that as her base.
My question, though, is whether our blackbird of probably a little under three years of age might have gone off in search of a replacement for the mate who died? Combined with this is the fact that two young males and a female have been quick to move in since we last saw 'our' blackbird a week ago. These and other birds seem to be thinking about pairing up and perhaps as a solitary bird they were able to take over her territory relatively easily.
Any thought or comments, please?
Thanks very much,
Steve