Eye On Nature

For several years we had a male blackbird which, whilst not tame in the true sense of the word, was very trusting. During the winter months it would perch at eye level in the same spot of undergrowth and allow me to approach and even talk to it from a distance of only three or four feet as it delivered, sotto voce, its full repertoire of song. I wonder whether this is the regular practice of blackbirds out of season?

I was surprised to witness a bluetit being bullied by a greenfinch as it was feeding from a container of peanuts hanging from the bird-table outside my kitchen window. The greenfinch could only hover but took several jabs with its beak at the bluetit's head as it did so. - Kathleen Gaughan, Bishop's Nympton, North Devon

In winter, it is not unusual for blackbirds to give a subsong which can only be heard from a distance of a few feet. This song seems to have no function other than the satisfaction of the bird. Greenfinches are most aggressive birds and bully all comers, even other green-finches, at nut holders.

In June of last year while cutting long grass at the edge of the lawn I came across a robin's nest built into the grass using a lot of blue twine. It was very well hidden. Sadly, I mowed over it. There were five eggs. Later, treading carefully this time, I came across another nest in a different area, again in long grass, empty at this stage. I keep my garden as bird-friendly as possible - no cats and there are good nesting sites with lots of cover. Although I have had robins nesting in cupboards in the house I would have thought nesting in the long grass would mean lack of suitable sites. - Jane Harvey

Robins usually nest in a hollow on a bank or on the ground. But they will nest in any convenient crevice or hole.

Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. Email: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by email should be accompanied by postal address as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.