Distance from nesting birds

[BiarritzCrackers]

Yesterday I noticed the female blackbird taking dry grass cuttings into a corner of the garden, where there's a dead leylandii covered in honeysuckle, which seems a very good place to nest. It's only a couple of metres high, so she's quite low down.

I want her to be happy there, but it's in one corner of the only border I can grow stuff in - landlady's leylandii all along the long wall at the back, one side of the garden is the house, and the other border is fully in shade. How far should I stay away so as not to upset her?

Blackbirds are daft like that. The nest is too low and will be predated

Blackbirds tend to nest quite close to the ground, so the height of that nest is not too unusual.

I think it’d be difficult to really put an exact number on how far away you should stay from the nest to make the parents feel comfortable, but a blackbird alarm call is quite distinctive, so if you hear that you’re probably too close! 😄

A lot of blackbird nests fail, so you may well find that your birds abandon the nest in a week or two to find a better location (assuming they actually think your presence is a problem)

I think it’s lovely that you’re looking after your local wildlife ☺️

They are a very conversational pair, and have been around for months, bathing and snacking on grapes; they feel like neighbours! I really would love them to nest here, as it's also a good garden for fledglings (should they make it that far) - lots of low, covered, hidey places. I just wish they had picked the shady side of the garden! I'll tread carefully, stay a couple of metres away. I've only seen her go in once today (I work by a window), so I'll watch and see. I usually just use containers for a few veggies, but thought I would grow a bit more by using the border too. But I can survive without if need be.

There certainly shouldn't be any problem in continuing to use the space in the same way that you have been and that she's used to. It's if you're going to be there a lot more than you used to that she might be worried.

update: baby blackbird fledged about five days ago, so it seems to have worked out. Currently shadowing female blackbird around the garden; I am 'cat prevention' officer.

That’s an awesome update! 😊 I’m glad it worked out

oh that's great ,they are lucky to be nesting in your garden !

hope things carry on ok - be warned ,as said above ,blackbirds don't have a great reputation for raising their broods .

thanks for the update