We were out walking in the Yorkshire Dales yesterday and sat down on some grass beside a hedge, next to a minor road. We sat for nearly half an hour then, as we stood up to leave, a flash of brown shot out of the base of the hedge and away into a nearby field. We hadn't time to see what it was as our backs were turned, but we found a nest with 15 eggs in it, tucked into the foot of the hedge. We were wondering what bird occupied the nest and why there are two larger eggs of a different colour. The bird did well to stay there with two people just 4ft away, chatting and feeding.
Difficult from the picture, what size were the eggs and nest please?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
It's difficult to remember now and we were in a hurry to leave so that the hen would return quickly. I've spoken to my Brother-in-law who is certain that it's a partridge's nest. He says that the two eggs of a different colour will have been laid by a second hen. The thickness of the grass straw used suggests that the eggs are about 1" or so.
There is one particular pic on here which is very similar to yours ...
www.alamy.com/.../birds-nest-eggs-partridge.html
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
I would suggest partridge too. Well known for having large clutch sizes, and also multiple birds laying in the same nest. This has a technical term, which I can't remember.
Thank you
One term is 'egg dumping'.