We’ve started to receive calls and emails from happy and relieved people reporting the return of swifts to British shores. Now we can start summer, right? Swifts faithfully return to nest sites year after year (if they are still there), in roof spaces, under soffits and behind fascias.
You can help swifts in a number of ways:
If you have swifts in your area, add your sightings and nest sites to our survey. Use the forms on our website and return them to us so we can collate this important and valuable information – thanks!
Discuss this on the RSPB Community
Ducking out
Mallards and their ducklings are everywhere it might seem. They’re still hatching and giving people scares by not nesting anywhere near water and making intrepid journeys jumping from high nests, traversing across busy roads, through cat-infested gardens, across drains, up hills, down hills until they eventually (hopefully) reach their desired destination. Again, in most cases, they will be fine on their own, but if in immediate danger, a little coaxing and guidance might be required. You can get all the information you need here.
Look out, you're under a-nest...
Most likely a sparrows or starlings nest actually – they often nest in roofs but they’re not there to cause damage, just borrowing the shelter and safety for a little while to bring up their young ones. If you do have them in the roof, you’ll have to wait until the young have fledged as they are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Any roofing work during this time should be avoided so as not to disturb them, and you are free to fix your roof once they’ve finished. Please bear in mind though, that these two species are both red-listed as species of conservation concern and need all the help they can get – if you have to block their access to the roof, think about putting up nest boxes for them.
A Cuckoo Blackbird!?
A couple of confused enquirers have been in touch to let us know about confused blackbirds! At his time of year, the parental instincts of wild birds are running at fever pitch and where a nest is lost thrushes sometimes can be seen brooding or feeding the young of other birds. Although perhaps well intended, blackbirds brooding baby robins for example, could deny the true parents access to their young. Other reports have confused young blackbirds with baby cuckoo’s. Cuckoo’s are best known for parasitizing the nests of dunnocks, reed warblers and meadow pipits.
This is detailed in this weeks Ask An Expert!
Unusual nesting sites
Many species look for well-hidden spots to setup home for the nesting season. For example, we know of pied wagtails nesting in royal mail trucks and cement mixers. Blue tits nesting in everything from plant pots, signposts and wall mounted ashtrays. Song thrushes in traffic lights. Robins in sheds, kettles, boots, coat pockets and even canal barges in daily use! Also, one furniture removal company even thought it good practice to bring a families garden furniture complete with nestboxes. Much to the homeowners dismay on realising there were eggs inside on arrival at the new home. Thankfully, these were swiftly returned the same day to hopefully allow the parents to continue as intended.
www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums
One for sorrow, two for joy
Most British members of the crow family (including magpies) will take eggs and nestlings. This can be upsetting to witness but it is completely natural. However, some people are concerned that there may be a long-term effect on songbird populations. Analysis of over 35 years of bird monitoring records found no evidence to support claims that increased numbers of magpies have caused declines in songbirds. Its important to bear in mind that although magpies are perhaps more obvious and dominant, species such as great spotted woodpeckers, House sparrows, swallows and even blue tits are known to evict the young of other birds from nests to feed or reduce competition.