Tags
blackbird, david attenborough, fledgling, flown, hedge, nest, nestling, photograph
I thought I’d fill you in with the latest (of what I know) on the little baby blackbird.
I continued my daily regime of taking a single photograph of the nestling – and you can see on the two pictures below (Day 7 & Day 8) how much it has grown and developed into something a lot more recognisable with feathers!
Bigger birds (including magpies) could be seen around and I was often infuriated to see that momma blackbird would leave the nest for long periods of time! I know that she had to find more substantial food, but she appeared to often ignore the fresh worms and other sources of food that I would leave next to her nest or nearby in the garden for her to see. Maybe she had the taste for something more insect like instead!
I kept watch as best as I could.
On day 9 I managed to take a few shots of them together in the nest…how cute are these!!
…as well as a causal solo shot of the little one taken on one of momma’s food hunts…
All seemed well. But on my rise the following morning I was greeted with this sight…
…all I can hope is that at 10 days old, momma thought it was time to fledge the nest – away from magpies and nosey photographers! There didn’t seem undue distress to the nest or anything – so I’m hoping that they weren’t attacked in any way by other birds or local wildlife. I have seen several blackbirds flying around the garden still – and they seem to be in and out of the hedge (did they move there instead I wonder?) although there has been no sign of the fledgling.
All I wish is that it survived…but nature is nature and despite enjoying my recent David Attenborough watch (and whisper), I have to make peace with the fact that nature will always have its way.
Wherever you are…bye bye blackbird.
THOUGHTS of HOUDINI 
Oh no! I hope the little blackbirds are okay…
But perhaps, don’t despair. Maybe they are hiding somewhere in your garden?
We had doves and pigeons nesting in our garden some time back, and when suddenly the nest was empty, I thought something bad had happened to them. But I’m pretty sure I saw two of the little ones in the garden, sitting in some shrubs, really well hidden among the leaves and branches. (Probably avoiding my lens ;-)).
I like to think that they and their next year’s descendants are still visiting our garden.
Perhaps, sometime, ‘David Attenborough’ will return for some more thrilling-reportage-from-Al’s-beautiful-garden? ;-)
Eeek! I am fearing the worst but hoping for the best. Although it made for some great photos, maybe Mother Bird will choose a little less well advertised place for her nest next year.