Hello Everyone,
I have a question and hoping someone can assist. We live in a period house and we're used to Mr & Mrs Jackdaw nesting in our chimney each year. We are single glazed and cold in the winter, but come March/April, down come the twigs and so I stop using our lovely fire and put an extra layer on. It's time for them to use it. Each September, I have the chimney sweep come and in the last 2 years I have been amazed at how much nest he has brought down from our small chimney! It's almost the size of a small hay bale! A coke can, string and paper also came down last year.
Yesterday I had the sweep come, I knew Mr & Mrs had flown, as there was no movement and no more tweeting from young since July. However, hardly any nest came down? It was just scraps, twigs, 2 handfuls at most of some foliage and lots of soot. Oh I thought, how can this be?
My question is, why would the Jackdaws not have nested in our chimney this year? Is it the mad weather, the damp? I know everyone else in our small village have their chimneys capped or caged, so ours is the only one open for birds. I thought they came back to the same place each year?
Thanks!
Hi Kate welcome to the forum.
I'm not sure anyone will be able to tell you for definate (unless they live local to you) but this years weather has had a big impact on some nesting birds so that could be the problem, funnily enough i've had Jackdaws on the feeders for the first time this year.
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Hi Alan,
Thanks for responding, yes weather must be it. That's a good point, the Jackdaws have also been balancing on my bird feeders this year too. I assumed they were swooping down from the chimney to get some food - perhaps another result of the weather.
We have a good number of Corvids local to me and i have Magpies nesting in the garden, unless something is happening local to you to affect them i should put it down to the weather and hope it's better next year.
Well I am in Surrey, surrounded by fields. We have had loads of rain this year, esp in June, so perhaps all a bit too wet for the poor things up there. But then I would have thought loads of worms and snails etc for them as a result.
Hi Kate
I'm also in Surrey quite close to the Sussex border and in contrast to you there seems to have been a really good season for Jackdaws here. We get a couple of large flocks of around 25 birds in each and they often join on to the large Starling flocks we have again this year, bit noisy but great to see.
Shane
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
Hi Steve,
Aha, they have all flown to your area :-) We're Reigate way, but closer to Gatwick. I suppose they might also vary they're plans each year, go somewhere else every couple of years. Nice to know they are still in abundance. Have you had a bad year for J'daws at all?
Sorry, I meant Shane, not Steve...
Jackdaws seem to be doing o.k. in our area in fact they love the fat ball hung out and we have seen young so must have bred somewhere local.In our recording area in the eastern side of the dales it is possible to see several hundred jackdaws heading to roost late afternoon.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Hi Kate we have always had Jackdaws but this year has been really good. From your description of where you live I reckon were close to neighbours, I'm in Horley.
Can't say I've noticed any less young jackdaws this summer compared with previously, but I've certainly noticed jackdaws (and jays) coming to my hanging seed feeder, and they also clear up spillage underneath before they move on. Perhaps a little less natural food around with the poor summer making them do this, but really can't say.
:-)
Seriously thinking about trying harder!