Question: How many blackbird babies would you have said were in yesterday’s photo?
There had originally been 4 eggs – and so I presumed there would be 4 babies. However, on my photographic opportunity today, it appears that we have only 2 little nestlings!?!
I’m concerned by what may have happened! I’ve been out at work all day today and it’s been hot, so plenty of chance for other birds – or other such prey – to be about. Have two been stolen? Has one died? Or maybe there were just two birds in the shot yesterday after all? What do you think???
I suddenly feel very responsible – and I’ve developed this overwhelming urge to protect them in some way. But what can I do without causing potential distress to them or their parents? My beau says ‘just let nature have its way. If they survive, then it’s meant to be.’
I’m all for nature, but I’m also all for giving her a bit of help!! Any ideas anyone?
Here are the little nestlings at day 2 of their existence. Aren’t they gorgeous?! (Although I agree Lynn at Tialys, that only a mother could really love them!)
And in response to Wandering Seniors’ request, here’s a picture of momma too:
She keeps giving me the watchful eye – and I really hope that she’s not freaking out at me being around! That’ll teach her for nesting at the bottom of our garden!
We also seem to have other wildlife happening in our little fold. The other night when I turned on the outside light just before bedtime, lo and behold, there rested a hedgehog! Of course, he soon disappeared (and before I could grab the camera!) And earlier, whilst clearing pots behind our garden mangle, I found two frogs, presumably from a nearby pond taking refuge in our rainwater! One of which I managed to snap before he hopped off!
Please cross everything for the little birdies – and if you’re religious then say a little prayer too please as I’m really hoping to be able to complete this chapter with a success story ;-)
Ooh! I definitely would have said there were 3 babies earlier. I don’t know what you can do to help without being too much of a ‘presence’. Have you tried looking at the R.S.P.B site to see if there’s any information on there? I love hedgehogs, it’s not often you see them when they are not completely flat! If you leave some of Misty’s cat food out in the garden, you may well see him again.
You must feel like David Attenborough in your garden at the moment – you’ll have to start talking in a half whisper.
Good luck with those babies – I’ve got my fingers crossed.l
I also would’ve estimated that there were three babies yesterday; I hope those two will grow up safely into adulthood. I can well imagine you doing a David Attenborough video post from the bottom of the garden, hushed whisper, “and here we see the adult bird feeding the two youngsters…” :-)
I love your new family addition – they are very cute and… fragile. Sadly I think there must have been at least 3 little birds, if not 4!, in your first photo… Have you looked on the internet for information about their behavior? I’m wondering if their mother hasn’t done anything – sometimes they push their babies out of the nest, if they think that there might be not enough food to feed them all…
I agree with you, that nature is very exciting, and do hope for a happy ending!
Maybe you could contact Springwatch – leave a question on their blog/facebook/twitter or something. They don’t seem to intervene with nature, but they follow these kind of stories so they have alot of experience. I have had a chat with them about my urban squirrels as they contacted me after I uploaded a video to their website. The RSPCA could probably direct you to a local naturalist/bird specialist. I would feel just like you, want to protect them, they wouldn’t be much of a mouthful for a predator anyway. X
Thanks for the photo of the mom – she’s a pretty little bird… and certainly giving you the eye! But I think she somehow knows that you’re not going to hurt her or the babies. You’ve got quite a wildlife habitat there. The U.S. has an organization called the National Wildlife Federation that certifies backyard habitats that meet certain requirements. Maybe England has something like that that you could apply for. I’ve started the application for us to be certified by the NWF since we have so many little critters calling our yard home. Bragging rights are all you get for being certified, and we had our little haven going before I found out about it, but it would still be fun to be certified (in a good way, not as in crazy! haha).
That frog photo is about the cutest thing ever.