birds nest

jamkea

I have blackbirds nesting in my grape vine on my patio, usually through the summer I prune the vine back once a week otherwise it gets out of hand. Now the birds are nesting I'm not sure what to do as I don't want to disturb them, they have got quite tame and come to me to be fed, but watch me and won't go into the nest until I am back in the kitchen. Has anyone had to deal with a similar situation?

Dovefromabove

Hello @jamkea and welcome to the forum 😊

How lovely … 
I would leave that area of the vine … you can prune it later. If won’t come to any harm, it’ll just look a big the untidy.  As we’re into July now I don’t suppose they’ll be using the nest much longer … although some birds are nesting later than usual due to the very cold spring. 

Apart from the pleasure of helping our wildlife, it’s illegal to disturb nesting birds and there are serious penalties
“…Penalties that can be imposed for criminal offences  in respect of a single bird, nest or egg contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an unlimited fine, up to six months imprisonment or both…”, which indicates how seriously it is regarded. 


 I’m sure you’ll agree that the welfare of the birds is more important than a temporarily untidy vine 😊 

mrsteveearsom

Steps to move the bird's nest: the first is to locate the nest you want to move. Next is to use disinfectant and spray on the nest. Gently remove the nest and move it to another nearby location. Once removed, use a disinfectant or bleach solution and clean the area thoroughly.

Dovefromabove

I'm sorry but that's completely wrong information @mrsteveearsom.

It is totally illegal to move or to intentionally interfere in any way with any bird's nest in the breeding season in the UK.  Punishment can be an unlimited fine, six month's imprisonment or both. 

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wildlife-and-countryside-act/

Not sure why this old thread has been trawled up to spread misinformation ... I smell a rat. 

punkdoc

I don't understand it either, @Dovefromabove

Dovefromabove

That person's posts are all a little 'unusual' @punkdoc ...  in an earlier post they've mentioned a 'red bellied cardinal'  in their yard ... can't find one on t'internet ... red bellied woodpeckers, or various cardinals but not a red bellied one ... of course that doesn't mean there isn't one ... the use of 'yard' indicates that they're not in the UK ... probably N. America somewhere?  

Fairygirl

That's the WUM back again @Dovefromabove and @punkdoc. Not the OP, the other poster. There'll be a link added in there at some point, probably 

pansyface

I could name a few yellow bellied politicians...

Dovefromabove

Yes that's my expecation too @Fairygirl ... I'm waiting .... 🙄

Fairygirl

It's her standard pattern - old threads, only about birds or wildlife. 

Fairygirl

What's a backyard griller @mrsteveearsom ?
Another link again eh Stevie boy...very tiresome...