Hello all
A pair of blackbirds made a nest in my holly-like tree (I think its Mahonia) about a month ago. The mother sat on the eggs for a couple of weeks after which I could hear very faint chirping whenever the mother returned. A couple of days after hatching everything went quiet - no sign of the mother (who would normally sit on the young overnight). After a day or two, I inspected the nest to find absolutely nothing there. There was no way that cats could have got to the nest and, from what I can gather from the web, the young would not have been ready to leave the nest. I assume therefore that a magpie or crow has eaten the young.
My question is this: Given that blackbirds have 2-3 broods a year (so I gather), will the blackbirds return to the nest? They now pop into my garden from time-to-time to eat the berries on the very tree housing their nest. If they will not return to the nest, should I remove it to encourage them or others to return? Would it help to replace the nest with a nestbox? I should add that it has been about 2 weeks since the nest was abandoned.
I desparately want the birds to return. They added a real bit of nature to my otherwise dull 20-foot London garden.
Thanks.
A pair of blackbirds made a nest in my holly-like tree (I think its Mahonia) about a month ago. The mother sat on the eggs for a couple of weeks after which I could hear very faint chirping whenever the mother returned. A couple of days after hatching everything went quiet - no sign of the mother (who would normally sit on the young overnight). After a day or two, I inspected the nest to find absolutely nothing there. There was no way that cats could have got to the nest and, from what I can gather from the web, the young would not have been ready to leave the nest. I assume therefore that a magpie or crow has eaten the young.
My question is this: Given that blackbirds have 2-3 broods a year (so I gather), will the blackbirds return to the nest? They now pop into my garden from time-to-time to eat the berries on the very tree housing their nest. If they will not return to the nest, should I remove it to encourage them or others to return? Would it help to replace the nest with a nestbox? I should add that it has been about 2 weeks since the nest was abandoned.
I desparately want the birds to return. They added a real bit of nature to my otherwise dull 20-foot London garden.
Thanks.