General Chat

The blackbirds dig up worms but we put out a handful of sultanas and some fish food sticks for them as well. The last couple of years Mrs Blackbird has even stood on the back door step waiting for her sultanas. She fills up her beak with about ten of them then flies of to her nest. Mr B is more nervous, and won't come as close up to the house.

We have a baby backbird in the garden, although they nested in next door, they push their young out of the nest and feed them on the ground until ready to fly which always seems daft to me, you'd think that they would learn when cats get them every year. We have had our garden used as a ''nursery' for several years now, this year we don't have a cat but there is still one cat around. Usually OH makes a perch down the garden with a bamboo stick and makes a fairly safe from cats area with chicken wire etc. Also if one of the babies is injured the adults stop feeding them and concentrate on the healthy ones, in fact from what we have seen they only reckon to feed one each. Blackbirds have more than one brood a year. Ann glos

We have a young blackbirds at the bottom of garden in the hedge, cos I heard them on sunday calling for their mum. I just put the bird seed out and also Blackbirds like apples as they are ground feeders, and we have the fountain going and some water in a dish for the birds. We also have a hedgehog, but dont know if its a male or female yet, hoping its a female and might see some babies soon. Yvonne

Thanks Ann, I always put bread out wet but its raining in Cumbria and has for two days so no need to worry! Caz xxx

This time of year when they are likely to have young, don't forget to soak any bread you put out. dry bread can choke the young birds. Ann glos