Ready to leave the nest

The last few years a family of blackbirds have taken up residence in the corner of our porch. Last year the male blackbird returned and started building a rather avant-garde nest in the hope of attracting a new mate.

 

 

But there were obviously better offers elsewhere as the nest remained empty, and gradually disintegrated.

 

This year the blackbirds were slow off the mark and another family moved in. We've always had plenty of swallows round the buildings and this year one of their haunts was not available - the old workshop that is now a classroom (with no access for swallows!). So one pair took advantage of an empty plot and set up home on an empty pipe in the porch.

 

By the 4th June the eggs were hatching, and the nest began to get more and more crowded. Eventually there were five heads peeping out over the top of the nest. By this week it was so crowded that they were often fitted in nose to tale.

 

 

But today's the day and they are starting to venture out of the nest and onto the pipe.

 

 

 

They don't seem to be too bothered by the comings and goings in and out the door; the adults fly around close by or wait on the beam at the end of the porch, keeping a watchful eye on us.