So I have a Blackbird nesting in my garden

arctan

.... how do I kill it ...

joke :P

actually pretty surprised there hasn't been a nest in the garden, for years.

it's always full of birds, very few cats round etc.... so was nice to see one starting to make a nest, female and male busy collecting twigs and muck, they seem to dip everything in water to soften it up before they bring it to the nest site ...

so, question is, anything we can do to help, would love to see a nice brood appear,

I know most will say just leave them to their own devices, but it'd be nice to even giv them a leg up building wise,

would it be ok to leave out shredded cotton wool and the likes ? gonna keep an eye out for more natural materials, pampus grass etc...

food and water wise, they're set, as I said, always a lot of birds in the garden with good water sources and fruit and bread thrown out to then bi-daily...

OpenYourEyes

I think cotton wool isn't recommended because if it gets wet it holds the water and mould can grow etc. Definitely go for more natural materials. Supposedly leaving some grass cuttings on the lawn can be of help.

Tbh, there's probably no shortage of nest-buliding materials in the area - if there was they probably wouldn't have chosen the location. With food and water (and try and steer clear of white bread), they should be grand!

arctan

good point on the cotton wool ! cool I'll leave them too it so, hopefully see some chicks in the next month or two

kylith

I've heard hair recommended. I don't know about human hair because it might be too long and wrap around the chicks' feet, but hair from a short-haired cat or dog, or person, would probably be well received.

arctan

yeah the birds used to love the heard shedded from our cats when they were about, good call !