Those who have been following my blog, will have read about the blackbirds that were nesting in my garden – if you missed it, the entries are here and here.
Well, sadly, all has not gone according to plan! The female blackbird duly laid her eggs over a few days but for some reason, she has not incubated them. At first I wasn’t concerned because I know that blackbirds do not incubate until they have laid all their eggs, usually at the rate of one each day. I therefore assumed that she just hadn’t finished laying. However, several days have now passed with no sign of her and still only the 4 eggs that were there earlier in the week. The last sighting I had was of the male blackbird who was hopping around the nest almost as if he was looking for her.
I am not sure what has happened but either something has happened to her, or something has spooked her and made her desert the nest. I do know that the neighbours’ cats come into my garden, and we have magpies around too. Also, just the other side of the fence is my neighbour’s back door which is of course used regularly. Whether it was one of these that spooked her or something else, I will probably never know.
I do know though that the failure rate with blackbirds is probably in excess of 60%, and I have even read reports of a 90% failure rate, so although it is sad, it is not unusual as they do have a habit of building their nests in less than ideal places. They usually lay several times each year so hopefully their next attempt will be more successful.
I feel really disappointed and even now I still look out for her return, although in reality, there would be no possibility of the eggs hatching now anyway as they have been left too long.
Ah well, the cycle of life goes on!
Thanks for visiting.
Until next time,
Your friend
The Dorset Rambler
If you would like to contact me, my email address is terry.yarrow@gmail.com – comments and feedback are always welcomed.
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The Dorset Rambler 
Oh that’s a shame. 😦
We have a large box hedge and I have been watching a female Blackbird for the last few weeks popping in and out. More lately with worms. So it’s possible her eggs hatched. Then yesterday we had a weasel in our garden. It caught a mouse and hid it under the hedge. There are empty rabbit burrows under there as a fox took the last of the bunnies a couple of months back.
Anyway, the blackbird was hanging around outside with a mouth full of worms for a little while, clearly aware there was a predator inside. I did think that if she has chicks, they may well not be there for long if a weasel is using it. They will be an easy meal.
I did see her later on in the evening still taking in worms. I will be keeping an eye out over the next few days.
I am concerned for them, but I have to say, I had never seen a weasel up that close before and it was really quite special.
Wow, interesting story Jen. Great to have a weasel in your garden, even if it is a threat to the blackbird chicks. Hope they all survive!
Aww. I’m sorry to hear this. I hope nothing has happened to her and that she will go on to build another nest. Thanks for keeping us updated. 🙂
Thanks Lynette. I really hope so too 🙂