Blackbirds

Female blackbirds have been busy nesting in the garden for the last few days, I have noticed one building a nest in an overgrown clematis Montana, another in a rhododendron and a third one has chosen a conifer.

It will be interesting to see whether she stays in the conifer nest as it has been carefully pruned for the last fifteen or so years in order to provide both a sunshade and a wind break around a two person garden seat. I have no doubt that the one building in the overgrown clematis will stay, because she has built a nest in this same place for the last few years. It is however the first time I have known a nest to be built in a rhododendron, so that will also be interesting to watch.

Nests are always built by the female and are usually, but not always as I can attest to in my own garden, sited low down or occasionally even on the ground and I have also seen them in sheds and garages. They are made of straw small twigs and plant material and are a largish cup shape, inside they are plastered with mud and finally are lined with fine grass. The female lays 3 - 5 eggs and incubates them for 13 - 14 days, during this time they are fed by both parents on worms from the garden or if the nest is in woodland then catapillars are given.

They fledge at 13 - 14 days, but can survive as early as 10 days if necessary, once fledged the male takes over the feeding, while the female readies herself for the next brood. They usually have 2 -3 broods per year, however in a good year they can have four.

Interestingly the when the last brood fledges they are divided and each parent takes care of their youngsters.