Blackbird chicks, and then there was one

[bobbarber]

I was out in the garden weeding on Mayday when I noticed that `my` four blackbird fledgelings had been reduced to one, and the female adult was missing leaving just the adult male. What happened I don`t know, probably predators. The young one is nearly as big as its parent and can just about fly.It looks healthy enough but still relies on its over worked parent for food ...Bob

[jaykay]

unfortunately my father has just lost the female blackbird from his almost family, a lot of feathers signified the spot, the eggs couldn't have been far off hatching, daddy hasn't taken over the incubation, so it looks like the end of that! nature can be cruel at times

[Pam_M]

Originally Posted by bobbarber

I was out in the garden weeding on Mayday when I noticed that `my` four blackbird fledgelings had been reduced to one, and the female adult was missing leaving just the adult male. What happened I don`t know, probably predators. The young one is nearly as big as its parent and can just about fly.It looks healthy enough but still relies on its over worked parent for food ...Bob

Originally Posted by jaykay

unfortunately my father has just lost the female blackbird from his almost family, a lot of feathers signified the spot, the eggs couldn't have been far off hatching, daddy hasn't taken over the incubation, so it looks like the end of that! nature can be cruel at times

Two sad posts!

Hope the remaining young one survives, Bob!

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by Pam_M

Two sad posts!

Hope the remaining young one survives, Bob!

Thanks Pam, it`s doing very well at the moment and feeding normally. Didn`t see the adult today but heard a blackbird singing about 50 metres away so it could be him .
Correction to original post, not Mayday but June 1 (Bank holiday in Eire). They say it`s sad when you don`t know what day it is, but when you are a month out it`s ridiculous <> ...Bob

[Pam_M]

How is the Blackbird fledgling doing, Bob?

[Jonners]

Bob, we're at the other end of things in that there were just four eggs in our blackie nest, and now the fourth one is in the process of hatching, ready to join the three siblings there already.

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by Pam_M

How is the Blackbird fledgling doing, Bob?

Hello Pam_M , the Blackbird fledgling is doing fine and it`s dad is back and feeding it occasionally when it begs, but is feeding quite well itself. I had a bit of a scare yesterday when I saw it walking on the lily pads in my pond but he/she managed to get out o.k. The pond has several escape routes. the parent has been very attentive to it, giving out that lovely soft `chuck-chuck` contact call when they get separated in the garden ...Bob

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by Jonners

Bob, we're at the other end of things in that there were just four eggs in our blackie nest, and now the fourth one is in the process of hatching, ready to join the three siblings there already.

Hello Jonners, as one new member to another welcome, congratulations on your latest arrival and I wish you and them every success when they fledge . It`s a hard world out there...Bob

[Nickynockynoonoo]

I'm going to confess now. I rescued - no, interfered with, a baby blackbird last week. He had been on our patio for most of the evening. Dad had been feeding him, but when it got dark and he was still there, I brought him in for the night. We got up at 5am and put him right back where we had found him. Within minutes, dad was there, calling and Babe replied. Dad fed him and he hopped off into the bushes. He was in and out all day with offerings

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by Nickynockynoonoo

I'm going to confess now. I rescued - no, interfered with, a baby blackbird last week. He had been on our patio for most of the evening. Dad had been feeding him, but when it got dark and he was still there, I brought him in for the night. We got up at 5am and put him right back where we had found him. Within minutes, dad was there, calling and Babe replied. Dad fed him and he hopped off into the bushes. He was in and out all day with offerings

Hello Nickynockynoonoo, I have no doubt that you will be criticised by some for `interfering` with nature, and that the chick would have probably survived the night anyway ,that`s as maybe . Don`t most of us `interfere when we put up feeders, grow shrubs and flowers for wildlife, dig ponds etc. I think that as the adult bird was there I would have left the chick alone unless there were cats about. What you did was with the best of intentions and no apparent harm was done. Glad to hear you put it out very early in the morning...Bob