Nesting

Rog · #1 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 06:54 AM

Hi, My garden has a wooden fence with a huge covering of ivy. I know that a blackbird nests in the ivy and very likely others. Due to work in the adjoining property, the fence is to be totally demolished and replaced in September.

Is there any likelyhood of there being any "residents" ?

Tursiops2 · #2 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rog

Is there any likelyhood of there being any "residents" ?

Not by September, the breeding season will be well past (except perhaps for Collared doves, which are unlikely to nest in Ivy).
T2

Picidae · #3 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 12:29 PM

and Holly Blue butterfly eggs and chrysalis and moth eggs etc!

Gill Catton · #4 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 12:48 PM

Its not impossible in the first couple of weeks in Sept... The chances are very slim though. If it were me, I'd watch the ivy at around 7am for an hour (or two if possible) to see if you can see any adults carrying food directly to the ivy (which would indicate a nest with young in).

Jenny W · #5 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 04:15 PM

And if on the very slight off-chance that there is still something in there, they can't demolish the fence until the nest is no longer in use

It is very highly unlikely though - I've known broods of Blackbirds fledge well into August, but I've never seen any fledge in Sept.

Tursiops2 · #6 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 09:11 AM

In 40 years of birding, I don't remember seeing anything fledging as late as September, although I'll grant that it's not impossible. More to the point, though, Ivy will still be in flower in Sept., and providing an invaluable source of nectar for bees and butterflies before they hibernate. Would it not be possible to delay its removal until November?

Rog · #7 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Would it not be possible to delay its removal until November?

Absolutely not possible unfortunately. The land on the other side of the fence is being redeveloped, quite a major building project.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm hoping that the old ivy can be preserved and re-trained along the brick wall which will replace the wooden fence, but with foundations for the wall needing to be dug, I'm not at all sure.

Tursiops2 · #8 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 05:27 PM

Oh well, can't be helped then

. It might be best to take cuttings of the old plant and replant after construction. Will you get the south-facing side by any chance? A south-facing Ivy-covered brick wall can be a real asset for wildlife. But... if it's not your wall, legally you should get permission from the owners before growing anything up it, or attaching anything to it.

Gill Catton · #9 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

In 40 years of birding, I don't remember seeing anything fledging as late as September, although I'll grant that it's not impossible. More to the point, though, Ivy will still be in flower in Sept., and providing an invaluable source of nectar for bees and butterflies before they hibernate. Would it not be possible to delay its removal until November?

A quick squizz at birds of the western palearctic has blackbird and dunnock with young in nest still in the first two weeks in Sept - it's not something I have seen personally either but you can't perhaps totally rule it out... .

Rog · #10 (**permalink**) 28-07-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

But... if it's not your wall, legally you should get permission from the owners before growing anything up it, or attaching anything to it.

Shhhhhhhh . . . . . . I don't want to hear that ! The developers have had a lot of resistance, they need to keep on my good side. So probably no problem, however I'd not thought of that, so worth being aware of it. Thanks