Magpie raiding the nest!!!

[muddled]

A magpie as found the blackbird nest in my garden.

Mama blackbird, some sparrows and tits, raised the alarm this morning with a cacophony of chattering and I rushed out to see the magpie swoop out from under my grapevine...tiny mama blackbird in close pursuit!

I have rushed out several times since, brandishing my broom like a madwoman when the 'chatter alarm' is sounded. I tried sitting out there but noticed that the male blackbird stops bringing worms while I'm there so I came back inside.

I fear that the little blackbird family is doomed now that their nest has been found. Is it only a matter of time?

[Thelma Sanders]

Afraid so, I know it's nature - but magpies really do annoy me.

I get very few small birds in the garden since magpies took up residence in next doors large tree

[Verinda]

How are things going in the blackbird nest? I hope the situation has improved?

[noviceveggrower]

I have seen some nests with chicken wire fairly near them to try and stop magpies stealing the eggs, chick and fledglings.
Could you get some wire by it to try and stop the magpies or get something to distract them? A mirror perhaps?

[muddled]

The nest appears to be empty from what I can see.

However, on hearing a lot of chattering today while in my greenhouse (in another section of the garden) I stepped outside to see both a male and a gemale blackbird on the fence with worms in their beaks!

Now obviously I can't be sure that these are the same two birds but;
They were carrying rather than eating the worms which suggests they are feeding chicks.
I know (from reading posts on here) that blackbird chicks don't fly straight away.
The nest is eight foot up on a pergola....so any fledglings won't be coming back to it.
The chattering was not panicky...but was loud and insistant...similar to when robins herded their fledglings round my runner beans last year.

So (and please don't correct me if I'm wrong) I am going to stick with the theory that the magpie was too darn late. Ha!
Mama bravely kept it at bay for the last day or two before her chicks fledged, bounced onto my decking and scampered into the rampant undergrowth (untamed due to several species of birds nesting all spring).
Mother and father bird are feeding them up and keeping them safe, they're all hale and hearty, the magpie will have to make do with roadkill, I'm having an all round good day and everything is right with the world!

Well, that's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it

[Verinda]

Great to hear Muddled. It's a blessing you do not own a cat!

[muddled]

Sitting in me egg this afternoon I was joined by a male blackbird, directly above me in the grapevine.
I looked up and he looked down...then he gave a chirrup and shook his feathers...and mama blackbird and a littlun flew in and landed on a water dish about six feet in front of me!

They had a little drink and then fluttered up to the guttering where mama taught the little one to dust bathe! (showering me with dust and debris )

So I know that at least one of the brood made it and is thriving!
I'm really surprised that now the little one can fly, they are still all together as a family unit but more than anything I am extremely flattered that the male blackbird gave the 'all clear' while I was sitting right there

[Verinda]

Brilliant Muddled, what wonderful news

[Knight of Albion]

That's good news. Everybody loves a happy ending!

[Knight of Albion]

Re Corvids: Remember, at this time of year they probably have their own fledglings to feed and as with any fledgling they can only eat/be fed 'soft' food. Sadly, that often means the fledglings of other smaller birds, especially when they can't find anything else.

I have found that putting out (soaked) wholemeal bread is gratefully accepted and helps to keep the peace in the garden.