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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To block off this bird nest?

9 replies

HairyMcLarie · 03/10/2022 20:07

WFH today I was watching a blackbird flit back and forth to an opening in the truss that supports our upstairs deck. I then realised she was building a nest. It must be early days as she wasn't there on Friday.

Now I adore birds ( but I don't know much about them clearly) but if this girl builds her nest there it's going to be a disaster for her and us!

Firstly I'm going to get over invested and stressed out about the chicks! It's pretty safe up there away from predators but it would difficult for the chicks to fledge properly as they'll probably end up disappearing down the gaps in the downstairs decking. Also it doesn't look like a big enough space for her to sit on the eggs?!

Also as it's just underneath the deck the dog will go insane once she discovers and the whole neighbourhood will know about it night and day presumably that will stress out the birds too. Obviously we walk around on the upstairs deck too which will be centimetres from the nest. Finally we often host weekend lunches on the lower deck as it comes into spring and summer and she's going to be too scared to come in if we are all milling around down there.

Help. Is it okay to block it off and hope she chooses a different location at this early stage or will I totally ruin her plans for this crop of eggs? I don't want to stop her laying and only want the best for her so if that not a good idea I won't do it

Any advice?

OP posts:
FurryDandelionSeekingMissile · 03/10/2022 20:11

It's October, she's not laying any eggs. (Assuming you're not in Australia or something.)

FurryDandelionSeekingMissile · 03/10/2022 20:13

Actually I just noticed your username so maybe you're in NZ… I don't know the wildlife laws there but suspect they're even stricter than ours. Might be best finding a local forum.

Dogscanteatonions · 03/10/2022 20:14

Definitely not nesting

CanaryShoulderedThorn · 03/10/2022 20:15

They dont nest in the UK in Oct , she's more likely hunting for spiders or looking for a nice roosting place to see her through winter.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/10/2022 20:22

"Finally we often host weekend lunches on the lower deck as it comes into spring and summer "

...I think we can deduce the OP is in the Southern Hemisphere.

I don't know what your laws are, but if it's going to be a disaster for her then pragmatically better shoo her away before she gets any further. We once spotted a house marten just starting to investigate our eaves - right where opening the bedroom window would have squished it. We hung up a thin, rustly carrier bag, it found a much better location up in the apex of the end wall, in the shade. Better all round.

Askinforabaskin · 03/10/2022 20:23

Contact the RSPB

HairyMcLarie · 03/10/2022 20:55

Yep sorry. Am in Nz!

OP posts:
HairyMcLarie · 03/10/2022 23:16

Thanks all. I took a ladder up there and although it's full of sticks and grasses etc it's nowhere near big enough for a nest. Also she hasn't appeared today (it's only 11am here but she's made no appearances) so I'm truly hoping she's realised and she's moved on!

OP posts:
saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/10/2022 23:43

We had a few birds that thought out gutter would be a great nesting spot… but the cats staring at it and chirping, the dog going in and out side, and the general business of the area convinced it to keep looking.

They tend to figure out when the spot isn’t right.

now if only the dumb bunny who built a nest in the dog’s yard was equally as smart a couple of years ago ….ughhhh!

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