Who breeds first?

[animartco]

Now the breeding season has started I would like to put a question. Given a 'real' winter like the one we have just had, which species or group would be the first to lay eggs? I would love to know the order in which the different groups, ducks waders large wood birds passerines etc would be expected to nest and sit. Can anyone help? Anyone have any feathered families yet?

[aeshna5]

In Kensington Gardens there are already 4 Tawny Owlets showing well. This pair has been very successful in recent years + always seem early.

Birds like Crossbills breed very early; I know of goslings from Egyptian Geese a few weeks back (possibly didn't survive) + birds such as Collared Dove, Heron + others will breed early.

[Dogghound]

Mistle thrush also tend to be very early breeders.

[pressld2]

Herons are usually amongst the early birds too.

Dave P.

[fluff11]

have seen blackbirds sitting in feb before.

[riggy]

Hello

Don't feral pigeons breed all year round (dependent on the weather etc) with collared dove laying eggs feb time

Paul

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by riggy

Hello

Don't feral pigeons breed all year round (dependent on the weather etc) with collared dove laying eggs feb time

Paul

Feral Pigeons are certainly capable of nesting year round, but much more unusual in the winter.

[rossy]

yes feral pigeons do breed all year round, under a railway bridge near me they have thats a fact, also collard doves are early, owls , robins , mistle thrushes, and herons , think what you have got remember is its all down to the food or what they feed on, rossy