Hi I have a blackbird in my garden and for some reason it has laid 5 eggs on the ground, no next or nothing just laid its eggs on a patch of soil. Is this normal or strange ?
Hi bartyward,
I gotta go with 'strange' for this one, as I've never heard of this before, but perhaps some of the more esteemed members on this site will have heard about this and have an answer? I hope so 'cuz I'd like to know what's gone on here. The thing is, the Blackbird must have returned to the spot on consecutive days, as she wouldn't have laid all the eggs at once. Strange, indeed.
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it - Jules Renard
Yeah sorry I should have explained, The bird has come back every day and laid its eggs up to now there is 5 there on the ground I just worried when the eggs hatch the cats will get the chicks.
Must admit I have never heard of that happening before . maybe its scared of hights !! lol
Please keep us up to date on whats happening with your Blackbird.
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Will do.
That's a strange one. The only thing I can think of is that maybe her nest was somehow destroyed just as she was ready to begin to lay, and she was 'caught short' as it were. The eggs probably don't stand much of a chance in such an exposed situation, she may not even attempt to incubate them, though if there's anything you can do to keep cats out of your garden for the next few weeks that might help.
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
I could put some garden stencils round it but im afraid that this will scare the bird off.
I checked on the nest when I got home from work and she wasnt sitting on the eggs, also when I went to work this morning it looks like she hasnt been there all night.
Hello bartyward,
Blackbirds, like robins from time to time can build their nests in some unusual places (in hanging baskets, sheds, etc) but for the most part they opt for tree or shrubs. Blackbirds prefer to nest low down, often no more than a few metres or so up off the ground. Their nests (built by the female) are usually a solid cup shape, made up of grass, twigs, dead leaves and mud and are then lined with fine grass and dead leaves. They have, however, been known to nest on the ground often between roots of trees.
Blackbirds will lay eggs in daily intervals, potentially laying up to 5 eggs; the incubation of these eggs is mainly done by the female and takes 14 days. It would appear that this bird has intentionally laid her eggs on the ground, though it does seem a little odd that there was no nest. If there were remnants of a nest nearby, then it would safe to assume that perhaps this nest had been disturbed. All I can recommend doing is to leave these eggs alone for the time being and if you are worried about cats you could perhaps try putting something with a citrus smell near to (but not too close) to the nest. Cats do not like the smell of citrus and will avoid it. As most garden birds have a very poor, almost non-existent sense of smell, they will not be bothered by it.
There is a possibility that this nest may be abandoned. Blackbirds can have up to 4 broods, so hopefully she may try again somewhere else, hopefully a bit safer.