Dunnocks!

doctor_feelgood · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 06:23 PM

Earlier in the year I made a post about a pair of Dunnocks breading in the Russian vine at the bottom of my garden. By the by, she fledged four as far as I know.

I hung back trimming the vine for quite a while, (if you’re familiar with it, you’ll know how quickly it grows). Anway – to cut to the chase, after trimming it right back I saw another Dunnock’s nest right at the very top, away the other one from which the chicks fledged, which was close to the wall.

So, I have to ask – is it likely that there have been two pairs breeding within approx four feet of one another or is the second clutch in a new nest of the same pair or, a new nest from a new pair?

Any opinions or experience would be welcome.

Thank you.

2dogs2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 07:08 PM

In my book it says they can have up to three broods a year and a male can have more than one partner. The female can also have more than one partner. What is happening in your garden is anybodys guess.

FUDGEY · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 07:13 PM

Chances are it will have been the same pair. I wouldn't think two pairs would nest in such close proximety for territorial reasons. It is possible the 1st pair successfully fledged and another pair moved in.

2dogs2000 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Chances are it will have been the same pair. I wouldn't think two pairs would nest in such close proximety for territorial reasons. It is possible the 1st pair successfully fledged and another pair moved in.

I also think it is possibly the same pair but "the young are cared for by both sexes and any additional males" (quote from RSPB handbook of British Birds). The breeding habits of Dunnocks are not as straight forward as most birds.

doctor_feelgood · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 08:37 PM

Thanks folks.

On looking again, the other nest I soptted after trimming the vine last week, looks "newer" but I'm surprised I didn't see either teh parent birds in and out feeding or the fledged chicks in the garden, so it may be that they (whoever they were) were unsucessful - I hope this isn't the case.

I sincerely hope they'll be back next year. Will removing the old nests encourage a return?

Jonners · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 10:18 AM

A year or so ago we had a blackbird nest in some ivy under our kitchen window. They would go ballistic if we were washing up, but they successfully fledge their young. As soon as the youngsters had flown, they set about building another nest about twelve feet away in one of the bushes by the patio.

I would guess that your dunnocks have done something similar, i.e. used their first nest then built another one. Whether the pair are the both the same I wouldn't venture to say.