BLACKBIRDS

[Jacksparrow]

Last week or so, was admiring all the purple berries on the berberis. This evening not a berry left. Did see a blackbird now and again jumping up to grab a berry, and even a woodpigeon. Did not take long to strip it clean.

Tell me about it.. a couple of weeks ago I was thinking I'd pick the cherries the birds had kindly left us - two hours later the entire tree was bare. We had about 20 for ourselves this year..

Around my way Starlings are the main culprits for cherry stealing. Of course the blackbirds like them but they are lone operators whereas the Starlings hunt in packs.

[Butterfly]

Sadly, I think my blackbirds couple's nest has failed
A while ago, I heard a group of magpies loudly chatting about something. Obviously, it attracted my attention and I went out to see what all the chatter was about. At first, they all flew away and it seemed like there was nothing going on.
Than I saw a movement on the ground, by the garden wall. It was a blackbird nestling
I went closer to inspect it and saw that its injured, holding its wing and one leg in an awkward position.
So I caught it and took it to a local wildlife rescue. Last I heard is that it actually survived and its being treated . Hopefully it will be released into the wild soon.
But ever since than, I don't see my lovely blackbird couple busy taking food away . I fear the rest of the brood suffered similar fate, with worse outcome

[Willpar]

Such a shame. Magpies are quite expert at finding nest to raid.

[Jacksparrow]

Sadly, I think my blackbirds couple's nest has failed
A while ago, I heard a group of magpies loudly chatting about something. Obviously, it attracted my attention and I went out to see what all the chatter was about. At first, they all flew away and it seemed like there was nothing going on.
Than I saw a movement on the ground, by the garden wall. It was a blackbird nestling
I went closer to inspect it and saw that its injured, holding its wing and one leg in an awkward position.
So I caught it and took it to a local wildlife rescue. Last I heard is that it actually survived and its being treated . Hopefully it will be released into the wild soon.
But ever since than, I don't see my lovely blackbird couple busy taking food away . I fear the rest of the brood suffered similar fate, with worse outcome

Someone once said that "nature was red in meat and claw" and it is true. We draw birds to our gardens with offering of food which in turn attracts the kind of birds which prey on them. Our gardens are a distillation of the countryside so the likelyhood of seeing both the good and bad of nature working
first hand in much better. None of us like it but there is nothing to be done about it. Corvids are very intelligent birds and very little will dissuade them when they see the chance of an easy meal.

[Jacksparrow]

My blackbirds are departing for their summer moult holidays. I only have one currently and I haven't seen him today.

[Willpar]

There were plenty of activity last week with the blackbirds here. See what the cameras say next week.

[Jacksparrow]

I have had a blackbird moping in the garden today. It has been moving around but spending a good deal of time just sitting or standing and not doing the usual blackbird things. I am a long way from the virus that has been causing problems in the southeast so I don't know what could be the problem.

[Willpar]

Hope it turns out ok JS.

[Jacksparrow]

Hope it turns out ok JS.

No sign of it today.

[Jacksparrow]

My Blackbirds have made a start on eating the Rowan berries. I had a very patchy crop this year and they won't last until winter starts properly.