But the parent birds do not start to incubate the eggs until they are all laid. I put some flimsy chicken wire up around the fence which stands in the same corner as the conifer. 207076, Scotland no. One like the blackbird lays all the eggs before starting incubation while others start incubation as soon as the first egg is laid. There are two words to describe the way birds lay their eggs. Edit: sorry BB, posts crossed but I am glad we said the same thing. Many thanks  Bob, BB and Kathy and Dave (also for the welcome to the forum) for your replies. I started working for the RSPB in August 2005 for the Membership Services department and after a 5 months secondment in 2007, I started working full-time for the Wildlife Enquiries team in January 2008. However the hen was sitting on the nest last night only to disappear this morning. Most birds lay one egg a day until the eggs are all laid. Explore these pages to find an opportunity that suits you. Take a Wild Challenge and look out for something with the WOW factor! Some birds lay up to 15 eggs … Go on the hunt for fabulous fungi! However this morning there was a dead chick on the ground with it's head ripped off. Anyway, we noticed two eggs in the nest yesterday, but no blackbird. My best time of the day? Bigger birds lay bigger eggs which take longer to hatch. I can never remember what the two words are. And in a very few bird species - like red-necked phalaropes and dotterels (which are rare wading birds) - only the male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks. In some birds, only the mother sits on the eggs. Click on the link below to go to our Contact Us page. so i keep myself well away. Some birds lay up to 15 eggs but others lay only one. How long can they survive, especially as it is still fairly cold here in south Northumberland? I always put out fruit for the blackbirds as well as they love apples and grapes. The hen has been spending most of her time sitting on the eggs and all looked well last night. As i feel they are part of the family (i have two dogs, one parrot and 5 chickens) i also have a mealworm farm. Coalition calls to introduce urgent safeguards for mountain hare populations. Why do birds have to sit on their eggs and for how long. I quite agree that it is sad to see an abandoned nest when they have worked so hard, all I can hope is that they have found a better place to build and I will do as all have suggested and leave well alone until the winter. How many different shapes, colours and sizes can you spot? Finally it would be very temptintg to blow and keep the eggs if they prove to be abandoned. its great to watch mum and dad blackbirds busily feeding there four young. I have been told to just take the eggs out when I am sure no one is sitting on them or remove the nest completely as no other blackbird would use it. The Blackbirds in question may have decided to try for another clutch in another nest elsewhere. Different birds sit on their eggs for different lengths of time. Has anyone noticed Great Tits with tumours or growths. Enjoy yourself here, I agree with BadgerBread, and Bob that any interference with a wild bird nest is a no-no. This is called a 'brood patch'. As for the cat problem all you can do is to be as vigilant as possible. This is just under a fence and ideal for cats to plan an attack as the fence forms a corner on which they can sit. Blackbirds do make their nests in vulnerable places for some reason, They have to be low down because the fledglings can't fly for quite a while after leaving the nest. I have now seen a third egg. Often they will take up residence in a previously used nest by another bird. My life-long interest in birds and wildlife stems from my fortunate childhood upbringing in rural Oxfordshire where I can remember owning first pair of binoculars from a very early age. There are now two eggs instead of four and we are suspecting that the nest has been abandoned although the hen was there briefly. It was again sitting on the nest this afternoon. After studying Environmental Studies and Ornithology via distance learning courses, I recently completed a diploma in Zoology at Oxford College. It's a bit like baking a cake - the warmth from the parent bird makes sure that the chicks inside develop properly. It sounds as if the adults have abandoned the nest (or come to an unfortunate end somehow), but I think moving the eggs or nest would still be a criminal offence. A nocturnal bird that can be seen hawking for food at dusk and dawn. I would leave the nest and eggs where they are. It is against the law no matter what the circumstances attached. both mum and dad seem to watch me closely as i go about my gardening.i reckon i have there trust so i am keeping it that way. I will leave well alone as advised. Has anyone noticed Great Tits with tumours or growths. Bird courtship rituals can vary from the spectacular to the bizarre, Wetland reserves are doing great things for people and wildlife. I am a lover of all birds and feed them daily enjoying their calls and their waiting around until food is put into feeders for them.