Birds Nest.

[ernyha]

:o A question for the wild bird experts.

 

When can I have my garage back?

 

A pair of Robins have built a nest in one of the nuts and bolts bins on my garage wall. In fact they have took over the three adjoining bins as well. Have watched them flying in and out of a slightly open window for about three weeks now and when I had to go in tonight for something I had a look to see how they were getting on with their housing estate. When I got close to the nests, from one of them I could see a beak and two eyes peering over the edge. Whether they are sitting on eggs or she is just laying I don't know but my question is "When will they be finished and given me back the full use of my garage?"

 

It means I have a good excuse for not getting the lawn mower out though.

[dogsnuts]

Ern

 

Between 5-6 weeks matey, i had a robin nest in my shed last year on top of the paint cans, had to put a brick just inside of the door so it didn't shut on them, we have got a pair of blue tits nesting for the first time this year in the bird box, cant wait until they hatch because they are one hell of a busy bird, can have up too 15 eggs, cant wait, keep your eye on them mate

[ernyha]

Thanks dogsnuts, I had to go in the garage today to get the trolley jack and wheelbrace out (another puncture) but I didn't disturb her and she just eyed me from the nest.

Can't wait to find out how many young hatch out. :wacko:

[Fisherman Mike]

Robins lay 3 to 9 Eggs and may have several broods in a good year. They may not always use the same nest for each brood.

 

One or two eggs will be laid daily, incubation depends on Climate but is normally between 12 to 15 days The young normally fledge after 12 to 16 days. Its amazing that even eggs hatched days apart wil more or less hatch at the same time so that the birds are generally the same size when they fledge.

 

So looking at the worst scenario 36 Days... so dugsnuts is spot on.

 

Do the birds a favour and get some white maggots from the fishing shop keep them in the fridge and put a few daily in a shallow dish nearby. You will have friends for life. :wacko:

 

FM

 

Ps You should be able to go about your daily chores with out disturbing the birds they are pretty domesticated which is why they like to be near Human habitation. When I was a lad a pair nested in an old flower pot laid on top of my rabbit hutch and I had to move the nest twice a day and carefully replace it in order to feed the bunny. They didnt seem to mind and a couple of times the bird even sat tight.

[The Sniper]

Are you experiencing maternal feelings, ern ?

 

Do you need the web address for Mothercare ??

 

Boots do a lovely mother and baby pack.

 

:wacko:

 

Seriously, please let us know of their progress.

 

[ernyha]

Just noticed them both leave the garage together so I opened the door and rushed to the nest. Impossible to see inside but a careful poke around with my finger and I think there are six eggs.

Next time I spot them leave together I will have the camera handy. :wacko:

[Teal]

I was speaking to an ornithologist the other day, he was saying that birds are nesting earlier and earlier each year, (he studies great tits) although this year they were 2 weeks later than last. Apparently a change of 2 or 3 weeks seen since 1987 and very consistent, in getting wider each year since then, like I say this year is the only anomaly and I reckon that could be down to the colder snap we had. About the eggs hatching at the same time despite being laid at different times, is that not just because they are not incubated until the last one has been laid. The suspended animation of the life is pretty awesome though.

[rb5037]

he studies great tits

You left that one for a comment :wacko:

 

Love the little reds in the garden, very tame birds coming close to see what your doing.

Always thought they have something to do with after life, i.e. the soul of someone who has died.

 

The one we have most days in our garden i like to think as my dad

[old rooster]

Ps You should be able to go about your daily chores with out disturbing the birds they are pretty domesticated which is why they like to be near Human habitation.

Have found very much the same, best if you ignore them and carry on as before, probably not wise to use your circular saw or other noisy appliances though :wacko:

 

They don't seem too bothered by folks being around, if you don't look at them they seem to think you don't know they are there.

 

As I'm typing I can hear another nest of starlings cackling away under the eaves, thought I'd blocked them all up last year but looks like it will need sorting once they've left the nest. **** all over the windows as they come in to land and on the cars outside.

 

Plucked some pigeons in the garden the other day and as it was quite windy a fair few feathers were floating about afterwards, hardly got in the house before sparrows and starlings were collecting them up for some luxury nest lining, talk about "feathering the nest" !!

[Fisherman Mike]

As I'm typing I can hear another nest of starlings cackling away under the eaves, thought I'd blocked them all up last year but looks like it will need sorting once they've left the nest. **** all over the windows as they come in to land and on the cars outside.

Believe it or not they are on the amber list of the BTO.... numbers dwindling..

 

People think of them as drab birds but a close look at a male bird in full plumage in the spring will reveal what spectacular birds they are...especially when the sunlight catches the irredescence of the plumage

 

Its a shame they **** so much!!! :wacko:

 

FM.

[old rooster]

As I'm typing I can hear another nest of starlings cackling away under the eaves, thought I'd blocked them all up last year but looks like it will need sorting once they've left the nest. **** all over the windows as they come in to land and on the cars outside.

Believe it or not they are on the amber list of the BTO.... numbers dwindling..

 

People think of them as drab birds but a close look at a male bird in full plumage in the spring will reveal what spectacular birds they are...especially when the sunlight catches the irredescence of the plumage

 

Its a shame they **** so much!!! :wacko:

 

FM.

Amazing but true, doesn't seem five minutes ago that you could watch swarms of the little devils going to roost in the evening, used to watch a massive bunch of them while fishing a clay pit near Oxford, must have been over 10,000 of them.

 

Wonder if they have migrated or fallen foul of modern farming techniques ? They do migrate and I recall being told not to feed them to ferrets as the ones that came in from Africa could carry toxins due to eating mosquitos out there.

[Fisherman Mike]

I seem to recall that some millions can migrate across channel from Northern Europe.. Infact several hundred set down on our 35 ft boat when we were cod fishing in the channel some 20 odd years ago. I think they got disorientated in the thick fog. They seemed to be pretty fearless and many of then took some fresh water we offered to them in a tray.

 

I also recall that the flesh of adult birds is pretty unpalitable and although they are taken by hawks, not too often. Though I have seen a pair of local sparrow hawks dine on the juvenile birds with the dull grey/brown plumage.

 

My previous post was erroneus the birds are actually on the red list as numbers have declined by 65 to 75 % in the last 10 years or so.

 

Cheers

 

FM.

[ernyha]

I am sure you are correct about the taste of starlings. Many moons ago when I was a lad cutting my shooting teeth with a BSA airgun on sparrows and starlings in the garden, neither my dog or cat would go to retrieve a starling but would race each other to a dead sparrow. :wacko:

[lurcherboy]

Enjoy the spectable Ern :wacko:

 

 

 

LB

[ernyha]

:wacko: Took a couple of pics. today.

This one of the nest and showing the eggs piling up.

[ernyha]

Just caught the bird flying off an axle stand as i entered the garage.

[ernyha]

Just about to fly up to the nest in the nuts and bolt rack.