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Help needed from people who know about wild birds please.

5 replies

Blackbirdsandrats · 27/06/2026 10:06

A young blackbird is busy making a nest in my polytunnel sized log store. The structure is built and she's starting to line it. I only discovered it today. I suspect rats under the shed next to it. They'll easily get at the eggs when she lays. All this is happening under an oak and there are squirrels in there too. Poor thing doesn't stand much of a chance tbh.

Is there anything I can do or would it be better to let nature take its course here?
She's very tame and comes within a yard of me when I'm in the garden without the dog.

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Blackbirdsandrats · 27/06/2026 10:12

After a quick Google I've found that disturbing the nest is a big no. Feeding her nearby might help so she can be around to fend off rats. I don't feed birds in the garden but I'll make an exception.

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frozendaisy · 27/06/2026 10:19

Contact RSPB

you might be able to do web chat with them and can attach photos etc

EBearhug · 27/06/2026 10:21

If you feed her, that will probably also attract rats...

I'd let nature take its course. But you could ask the RSPB.

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BillieWiper · 27/06/2026 10:28

I think you just have to leave her to it, but maybe feeding might help so she doesn't have to go far. The thing is most wild birds are designed to have several nests during breeding. They will often have several that fail but they just keep going.

We had a lovely little robin couple who nested in our garden and the cats got the babies. We were devastated. But they sensibly moved on and hopefully their next nest was a success.

It's so tempting to try and intervene somehow but it's ultimately part of nature.

Blackbirdsandrats · 27/06/2026 10:31

I'll fight the temptation to mount a round the clock rat guard and chat with the RSPB.

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