I've been running frantically around the garden for the past two hours!.......the blackbird's nest in big bush outside the window was being attacked by next doors cat, I ran out with water spray, and gave the cat a good dousing, he promptly ran away, I then looked into the nest and two of the three chicks were missing, the parents where flying around madly at this, then the remaining chick threw himself out the nest!.....he was in the bush somewhere, I searched and searched and eventually found him and put him back into the nest, I could hear another chick calling too, but the bush is thick and I couldn't see him, but I was glad to have found one of them at least, I then made a makeshift fence around the part of the bush where the cat had gone in, just as I finished the chick that I'd just rescued hopped out of the nest again!...........He's right at the back of the bush now I think, and I have no chance of reaching him!..........Worst of all, the parents are still searching, and I can still hear at least two chicks calling!...........I think they were just days away from fledging!..............doubt they can survive now........so sad........
I am a great cat lover and believe, in general, that it is all a fight of the fittest - birds exist and cats eat birds.
However as a bird-lover it must be heartbreaking for you to see the little chicks grow up, almost to the point of becoming independent and then a cat turns up looking for some entertainment or food.
found one wolf!............he's now in his nest again!........sadly not sure if the parents will return after finding an empty nest earlier!........fingers crossed for the little guy!.
If they were fully feathered they should be ok providing the cat can't get to them. They will call out to the parents who will find them and feed them.
wildwood, have heard them calling, and have seen the parents flying around frantically with food in their beaks, just hope that by putting the one I found back in the nest, I haven't put him in danger!.......think they were in the early stages of fledging, and the cat turned up!....
The parants should find the chicks as long as they keep calling, so if you can keep the cat away all will be fine! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you x
Quick update!.........the chicks seem fine, they're in the base of the very thick bush, I hear them calling and the parents are hopping in and out with food!.........they should be flying tomorrow I hope, managing to keep the cats away so far, so fingers crossed for them!.........
mdenning, yes I think they're fine, the parents are still around taking food into the bush, haven't seen the chicks flying so far..........thankfully haven't seen the cat or any sign that any of the chicks have been harmed.........
Gosh! I just went online and found your amazing story! I was on the edge of my chair....WELL DONE GIRL!!! I love all animals and this reminds me of a similar state I was in (Blackbirds again) a few years ago hope all is still well! x