While we’ve been in lockdown the past few months, I’ve watched with interest the antics and the movements of a pair of Blackbirds that regularly hunt in our tiny backyard.
Their energies hit high level just a couple of weeks or so ago, and I eventually figured out by watching that they were engrossed in a bush in the next-door backyard. A nest no doubt.
Then last week the frequency of visits, the amount of a calling and the digging in the garden went into really high gear.
Now, I’m not a bird feeder, so for a couple of days I simply refrained, but a sliced apple core, or a small handful of sultanas, or mixed fruits, raisins seemed to be the favourite, saw them ducking over the fence line with full beaks.
I had to smile.
And.
Today.
Looking out at the rain soaked ground, lo and behold, not one, but two big fat chicks sitting in the dry under the pergola. With mum and dad making constant trips to top them up.
Why sultanas? Well one of my Flickr friends in England David Brooker posted what must be the ulitmate friendship between human and blackbird.
Enjoy
Copyright David Brooker (2020), https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbrookerimages/with/50412253708/
Here’s Mum feeding one of the young ones a small piece of pear.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Lovely to know you have some chicks, David. They are delightful birds, if a little noisy at sunrise. That is an amazing video from David Brooker. Blackies always seem to be so skittish and shy to me.
A quirk of the virus lock-down, I am at home watching the Grand Final on the TV from Bris-Vegas instead of being part of the broadcast crew at the “G”. Strange times!
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G,day, Well at least you’d have been able to enjoy the game.
So many things are different, I ponder as to what we will all come away from this with that is still intact.
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A delightful shot of parent and chick. Pear would be a nice change from worms! I loved the video too so thanks for the link. Like Dave, I have always felt the Blackbirds are pretty nervous about humans, so it may have taken quite a long time to gain that bird’s trust.
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This female must be an exception to the nervous with people rule. She won’t feed from me directly, but is not adverse to running along the fence top when I’m in the kitchen to catch my attention.
Don’t ask who trained who! I think its obvious. 🙂
Was very mistyeyed today when Dan the Man talked about releasing some of the restrictions. And not for myself, but I’ve grown adverse to the complaining ‘news’ services.
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Thanks for the tip about sultanas, David. I will try it when my chick/chicks emerge from the nest hidden inside the fresh Virginia Creeper leaves on the house wall. I’m not a bird feeder too, yet sultanas seem to be an easier way to brake the rules than fishing the earthworms from my compost 😉
Yesterday conference was a welcome relief and I liked that shy applause when Dan the Man left the scene.
25 km radius still does not allow me to go across the river but you and David Nice are such reliable Flickr mates to keep me amazed (and up to date). Thanks!
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G’day Adam, the sultanas seem to be working a treat with the two little tackers in our yard.
I’m comfy in the 25km. and was interested to see so many ‘experts’ today saying they were in agreement with the way Dan and Company have bought the situation undercontrol. Thanks of course to every Melbournian who has quietly sat back and obeyed the rules.
Hopefully we’ll not let the hard earned gains fritter away for frivolous motives.
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