A Blackbird's Story
In a garden on Westgate, a pair of Blackbirds adapted resourcefully to raise a family during challenging times. They re-used their nest for a second brood, demonstrating the resilience and determination of these intelligent birds.
A Second Brood
Four Blackbird chicks in the nest—second brood, 16th June, 2010
Photo Tony Foster
Here are the four chicks from the second brood, all doing well after Mum and Dad's second go at raising a family that year. The first time around, at least three birds fledged successfully.
Happy to report that a week or so later, all the young from this second brood also fledged successfully! This represents a remarkable achievement—two successful broods in a single season.
Resourceful Nesters
The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is Britain's most recognizable garden bird. The glossy black plumage and bright yellow beak of males make them unmistakable. These birds are highly adaptable, nesting in gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodland.
They typically raise one or two broods per season. Nest reuse like that observed here is not uncommon, particularly when the first brood is successfully raised early enough to allow time for a second breeding cycle.