Advice please. A blackbird built but never used a nest in our garden. Should I leave it, or can I give it to my nephew who would love to have it, but wouldn't want it if the blackbirds might use it next year.
They don't re-use nests, so give it to your nephew with a clear conscience.
That's great news - thanks.
They do reuse nests. There is a path to our local shop & several weeks ago a blackbird flew in front of me into the hedge. When i looked I could see it sitting on the nest. Eventually 5 babies flew the nest. A few weeks later the same thing happened again. This time there were only 3 & I was privelidged enough to see the last one fledge. It was a beautiful sight. It sat on the edge of the nest gingerly wondering whether or not to fly the coupe.
It's a bit late in the year for them to start raising a new brood, and they'll build new nests from scratch next spring, so there's no need for anyone to worry about removing old nests of small birds, once the nesting season is over.
Maybe not Robert, but old nests are used by birds roosting especially the winter months. I leave the nests in my trees/ conifers for this reason.
back in the spring a blackbird pair built a nest in an overgrown clematis armandii growing on one of our fences. Unfortunately soon after building it and some eggs being laid, the nest was attacked by magpies and abandoned.
Soon after I was able to give the clematis a prune and found the nest. it was a brilliant piece of construction, but to had to be removed. I removed it carefully and put it intact elswhere in the garden. I doubt it was used again though. Such a shame. :'(