Hello & blackbirds

[clairebs]

Greetings from sunny Weston-super-mare
Have recently moved to house next to main road with a sizeable overgrown corner plot with mature fruit trees and loads of shrubs (which im still trying to identify). Have been busy clearing all winter and now planting to encourage more wildlife. Aiming to dig a pond too. Moved from a basement flat with no garden, so i am a complete beginner. At the mo trying to find out as much as i can about blackbirds. I have a pair nesting in a shrub right next to the road. Im worried that the fledglings might end up on the pavement/road. Also quite tempted to have a look in the nest, the hen doesnt seem afraid of me, she'll often land a couple of feet away from where i am working and go about her stuff (lovely). so it seems im not a threat. I just want to know how many eggs/chicks and i want to protect them if i can. Would it be ok to look?
Its great to have found this site.
Claire

[barquar]

I would leave well alone as she may leave the nest if she feels threatened.
As for the young if the eggs hatch I would think they will stay in the Garden and not head for the main Rd. Its Great that your doing a Wildlife Garden but you must be patient it will reward you eventually.
Barquar

[denn]

welcome on board claire, sure you will find out everything you need to know about wildlife here, enjoy. denn

[big bill]

Hello Claire and welcome to the site good advice from Barquar leave alone they will get by

[hobble]

Hi Claire,
the blackbirds will be fine, best not to look, just wait for the time they bring their babies into your garden for a snack.

[welsh.lensman]

Welcome to the site Claire, you'll find loads of good advice here, if you have a problem ask, there's always someone prepared to help.

[polygro]

Welcome to WAB Claire

Such a friendly crowd here. Lots of help, advice and fun !!

Look forward to your postings.

Polly

[ron1863]

Hi Claire and welcome to WAB

[clairebs]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Thanks for the adivice Barquar, i will stay well away from the nest and look forward to seeing the little ones in the garden. Its reassuring to know they wont head for the road, but im still concerned as the nest is so close.
Started digging pond yesterday then hit a layer of hardcore about a foot down, so had to fill it back in and start again in a new location. Seriously stiff and hurting today!
Just found a dead bumble bee, covered in pollen next to a flower, looks like it was stopped in its tracks. On closer inspection it was crawling with pink mites. Did they kill it or did they arrive after? Im off to explore the forums to see what i can find out.
Have a lovely day

[Kayleigh]

Hi claire and welcome to site..I also hit hardcore a foot down in my lawn..So my pond is not as deep as it would have been..Lazy house builders I was told.. Your blackbirds will go for cover and the undergrowth when they leave the nest..So hopefully they will be fine..

[Rosiew]

Welcome Claire.....I have a few blackbirds in my garden which I find quite tame ...even when they have the young ones ... I feed them ... and they hop around my garden quite close with no fear at all

[dmclean2]

Hi Claire and welcome to WAB,
I had a blackbird nest in the garage last year and had to leave the door open for a few weeks, my wife kept goung into the garage to put clothes into the tumbledrier and the female sitting on three eggs, I would go in and stand three feet from her and she would go away then return with food for the young , even the male Blackbird would come in and out even if I was there and finaly three lovely young un's fledged, they are very trusting birds and will come to you for sultannas just be cool and slow and don't make any sudden moves and they will learn to trust you,
Duncan.

[GME]

Great stuff. Good luck with your garden. Welcome to the site from me too