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Noticed a wagtail flying into the hole surrounding the exhaust pipe in our digger today. We opened the engine to see a nest with five eggs snuggled in the corner. What is amazing is that we only used the digger this morning so we hope that the eggs haven't been cooked. Regardless to say we will not use it again until they have fledged. Pics attached.
Lucky wagtail
Flowerpot
Living the dream.
How wonderful and well done for stopping the use of the digger. Not always an easy decision but always the right one. Keeps us informed of progress please.
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Good grief!!! They do chose some strange places, and I also hope you haven't a clutch of hard boiled eggs!!
Lovely photo of the nest and eggs. Please let us know what happens.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Flowerpot,
Fantastic pictures!
It never ceases to amaze me how some birds, especially robins and wagtails, can be so creative and (lets face it) ingenious in their choice of nest sites, from car grills to car engines, from crash helmets to hanging baskets, you can only admire these bizarre choices. Of course, once a nest becomes active (i.e. the first twig is put in place) it becomes protected by law and cannot be removed until the young have fledged and left the nest.
Pied wagtails normally lay around 5 to 6 eggs, which are then incubated by the female for 14 days. The young fledge and leave the nest after a further 14 to 16 days. Pied wagtails can like, many other birds have more than brood in a year.I do hope all goes well, keep us all posted!
Claire
Wonderful photos Flowerpot ... and what a lucky Wagtail that you discovered them in time!
We have plenty of wagtails around here (in West Wales) but I've never come across a nesting site ..... now I know why! I guess I will be checking around all mechanical diggers I come across from now on - just in case!!!
Do keep us all informed of their progress. Lovely, heartwarming story!
Best wishes
Diana
Hi Flowerpot
Thank you for posting this picture of the wagtails nest. It looks so comfortable in your digger. I would love to hear further news like everyone else.
I spotted a blackbirds nest in woods just across the road from me. It seemed quite low in the bushy, twiggy, growths that grow around the bases of some trees, but I went just close enough to spot that there were eggs in the nest, and planned to subsequently look at it from time to time through the bushes along a barbed wire fence. Sadly, after the weekend I found the eggs had gone. I was so annoyed!
Best wishes Chris
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Hi Flowerpot, It seems your digger could be out of action for a month. I hope you will be rewarded with a successful nest, after such patience and love for the birds.