Fledgling - update & urgent advice please!

spottydog · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 06:06 PM

Hi - you may recall my posts last week about having cut back a bush to discover a nest of baby birds. The following days I posted updates and by this morning there was was one fast-growing fledgling. Seemed a bit big for the robin I had thought it was.

HOWEVER..... disaster this afternoon.. after breezy winds the nest had become dislodged and come apart. When I looked there was no baby inside and so I searched around, eventually finding it among leaves and twigs at the shallow end of the pond where it had fallen - luckily dry.

I have shored up the nest as best as I could among the twiggy thatch and put the baby back - he was squawking quite a bit and then I was met with what looked like a mother blackbird or thrush shouting at me. I did my best and left. I can't tell if the parent is visiting the nest as they can enter the bush in so many hidden ways. The baby had some stubby feathers but still a bare rump. Luckily he was still warm. I have read that fledglings are on the ground at 9 days and parents look after them but as the ground under the nest is on a severe slope and the pond is directly beneath it, I'm loathe to put him back on the ground as he will probably end up back where he was. As the nest was split apart I assume he fell out and was not ready to come out. I've tried to mould it back together and put a fan of twiggy growth under it in the hope that it will stay put. Had to to it all very quickly to try to let mum back asap.

Any advice?!
Leona

Tringa · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 07:06 PM

As the fledgling was on the ground apparently because the nest was dislodged you have probably done no harm by putting it back, especially as you said the parent bird was around. It will probably find the youngster.

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 07:13 PM

Hi Leona,

From what you've said previously, and your current description of the nestling, it's fairly clear that it isn't yet ready to fledge and probably was decanted from the nest when it split apart.

What you have done is probably a good first measure, but it might be as well to begin fabricating an alternative nest for the eventuality that the nest will break up again.

Something like the kind of plastic container you buy fresh tomatoes in might be good as a base ... the ones with small holes in ... other wise punch small holes in the base and sides so that rain water can drain freely (a small basket would be even better).

This should then be ideally tiewrapped or tied with string or kitchen/garden wire ties(through some side holes) to the branches of the bush, so that it is both level and secure.

Then transfer the remains of the nest (if possible) plus nestling to the new structure ... if the nest is too fragmented to use, then substitute some other soft material as a lining to the box ... can be natural or artificial.

Neither the parent birds or the chick should be too phased by the change of accommodation at this stage, so its worth doing to make sure the wee bird remains safely off the ground, being fed by the adults, until its ready to fledge naturally.

Best of luck.

spottydog · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 09:13 PM

Thanks to valleyforge & Tringa for advice - and reassurance that I did the right thing!
I have seen the blackbirds going back into the bush early this evening so hopeful all is well. Hope baby and nest survive overnight. Will try to rig up a substitute nest tomorrow in case of further disaster. I have some raffia nesting pouches - would that be a possibility? Would it be big enough?
Hopeful of an event-free night. Will check in the morning.

Thanks again!

Leona

valleyforge · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 09:47 PM

Substitute nest needs to be at least as big as the original where possible, so not sure if your nesting pouches would suffice as most I've seen are only big enough for finches.

Substitute is of course only a standby in case the nest collapses asgain ... don't disturb it unless it it has fallen, or looks imminently likely to fall apart.

spottydog · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Thanks again - will see what the morning brings. Appreciate having you at the end of the email!

Leona

spottydog · #7 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 09:51 AM

Just done this morning's check. Nest NOT collapsed on the ground, no chick around having fallen out again so crept in closer. Parting twigs got near enough - about 18" to 2 feet away - and found Mum sitting on the nest looking at me - quite unphased! Backed off and left her to it! Is it being too anthropomorphic to suggest that she recognises me as the one who put the chick back in the first place?! Anyway - a good sign I hope, although haven't actually seen baby or the state of the nest. Have made up a replacement as per valleyforge's suggestion, ready just in case quick action is needed.
Thanks again,

Leona (somewhat relieved!)

valleyforge · #8 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 10:36 AM

That's nice to hear Leona ... have you got a positive ID on the parent being a blackbird now then?

Hopefully, if the weather stays clement enough, the parents may be able to make some structural repairs to the nest themselves if need be, at least sufficient until the youngster is ready to leave .... that may be another 10 or so days yet possibly (on the basis of your description).

spottydog · #9 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 11:22 AM

Mum looked quite brown - almost russetty - and a bit speckly - at quick glance and from yesterday's scolding. Left out some apple, sultanas and grapes on the bird feeder if she fancies them! There is already a family of 2/3 fat thrush babies around - almost independent but fat! Still getting odd feedings from parents. Quite a menagerie round here - the wren was giving it good guns this morning too!
Will check again later in the day and keep you posted.
Many thanks!
Leona

spottydog · #10 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 06:40 PM

Just checked nest, etc. when I got in and discovered nothing......... No baby, no mum, and broken nest still in place.
Devastated.
Looked all around, under bush, in pond, in leaf litter, everywhere, but no sign.
However, blackbirds still scooting in and out out of large griselenia bush a few feet away - saw the same 'mum' (I think). Really hoping that they have got baby into nearby bush. All fruit gone from bird feeder - about to put some more out.
Feeling very low.
Can only hope......
I even wished on one of the shooting stars I saw last night in the Perseids shower.
I really did my best......
Sadly,
Leona

PS Thanks all for advice, etc.