Garden Wildlife UK

We've just started feeding them Mealies. At first, they seemed frightened of them. Now they're used to them they can't get enough.

Here's a sunbathing Blackbird -



and then having a bath ....

The one in the second photo appears to have a few issues with his plumage and is missing some feathers. I have had a similar thing with my cock Blackbirds over the years to a greater and lesser degree. I have always attributed this to Mites.

Goodness me do they usually recover quite well?

Jacksparrow wrote:The one in the second photo appears to have a few issues with his plumage and is missing some feathers. I have had a similar thing with my cock Blackbirds over the years to a greater and lesser degree. I have always attributed this to Mites.

I must admit I thought it was just because of the water after bathing, but I had never seen one looking so odd after bathing. The ones around the garden all look okay otherwise.

nuthatch wrote:Goodness me do they usually recover quite well?

It is difficult to be certain. My tamest one last year had problems with Mites and was totally bald but he disappeared for the autumn moult and on his return he looked fine. I think it depends on the level of infestation. I had one about 10 years ago that was so bad that his ability to fly was affected and the only way he could get airborne was to climb in to a tree or bush and launch himself.

I'll keep an eye on them and see if there are any signs of mites or similar.

It is now 2 weeks since the eggs hatched in my nest and mum and dad are still busy feeding the youngsters. If I get the chance I will try and have a quick look in the nest to see how many are likely to fledge.(all being well)

I managed to get a quick look at the nest today and could only see one chick. It was perched on the rim of the nest awaiting another feed. If there were anymore they must have been hunkered down in the nest out of sight. I would guess it was likely to be another 4 or 5 days before fledging takes place.

How exciting