The Bigg Bird Forum

[WildlifePaul]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Abit of sad news for the sparrows, We are down to 2 chicks. However they do look healthy, I am pretty such dad as been killed cause I haven't seen him for days mum is working flat out (with no help from me) not my choice of course just not paying attention to the mealworms not much more I can do for her.

VIDEO HERE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOR5uYVYIIU

sparrow chicks
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 1 Time(s)

I'm pretty such mum will manage with 2 by herself they look healthy enough as you can see from the video god knows what as happened to dad!

Got my hopes up for Emily leaving them this morning, Didn't come back to the nest for 30 minutes but no she just came back soaked from her bath and carried on sitting

[xxMariaxx]

So jealous of your garden Paul.. You have so many nests during Spring..Thank you for such wonderful updates. You're page is always the one i check

Maria x

[WildlifePaul]

Thank you Maria, Very kind of you to say! Glad you enjoy my posts, I hope everything is okay for you now.

[WildlifePaul]

Well, Emily is still sitting so I have done something that I know not everyone will agree on but am only trying to help.

I have a wren nest in my ivy she is currently laying eggs 4 eggs in total (I think they have 7) so today I took one of the wren's eggs and put it in emilys nest I feel bad for doing this but if Emily sits for another 12 days and it is a big IF atleast something will hatch for her if not I will put the egg back in the wren nest. The wren egg is abit bigger not much the camera in box makes it look way bigger but that isnt the case but this allows me to know which one isn't her egg.

While doing this I remove 1 of emilys eggs and crack it as expected nothing but yolk

If this works and I pray for emily it does she will be raising a little wren in the next two weeks if she gives up before that atleast I have tried to give her motherhood even if I did something "wrong" to do so.
Picture of the wrens nest in the ivy

Wren nest
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 2 Time(s)

Wren egg in emily's nest

Wren egg in emily nest
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 1 Time(s)

All in all its still been a great year for me, Blue tit nest 8 fledged, great tit nest 4 fledged, sparrow nest still happening, dunnock nest and now a wren nest so been a great year just feel really sorry for Emily.

[SueP]

Oh Paul, I so hope it works for Emily. As you say, if she abandons you can pop it back in the wrens nest with hopefully no harm done. Good luck?
Sue

[WildlifePaul]

So far so good, She is sitting like normal. Wren egg is same colour and same patterns as a blue tit though just a tad bigger.

Just got to hope she sits for another 12 days now if not I will return the egg to the wren nest. Looking forward to little wren chicks in the garden another nest means more mealworms though

[WildlifePaul]

Emily is fast asleep on her eggs and of course the wren egg I hope to god she sits again 12 days and hatches this

Sleepy
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 1 Time(s)

[SueP]

I know you will have wrestled with your conscience before doing this Paul, and I know you are doing it for dear Emily. I so hope it works to ease Emily's pain and your warmth to help Emily. Don't always agree in messing with nature, but know you are doing this for the right reasons, and know you will watch carefully and return the egg if any problems. You are a very caring person Paul, so I hope beyond hope this has a good outcome.
Emily certainly looks to have accepted, and looks so sweet bless her. Hopefully she will hatch and cherish her little gift from you.
Sue

[WildlifePaul]

Thanks Sue,

Emily is still sitting she as been leaving the eggs for around 30 mins or more today though and just sitting on side of the nest I think its just that hot in the box for her its 28c in Liverpool today so inside a nestbox it must be way in the 40c's egg be hatching itself at this rate

Wren as layed another egg this morning she is back up to 4 now after me robbing one for Emily

Looking forward to see if she carrys on sitting for the other 11 days be amazing to see her bring a wren up

The two remaining sparrow chicks are doing brilliant probably do a video update on them soon really big now.

[WildlifePaul]

Little video update on the sparrow chicks, Growing so fast!

VIDEO HERE -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHT6TdG9uaE

Sparrow chicks
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 1 Time(s)

[ELLE]

Hi Paul

I imagine you have been going insane thinking about what is the right thing to do, well just to let you know, I totally would have done exactly the same. My first thought was, what a brilliant idea, I know we all talk about what's right for nature, but when your heart tells you something else, I think you have to go with your heart ❤️ which you have, so i hope Emily has a good outcome & finally gets the family (or chick) she's so longed for, & let's face it, they both deserve it just for their perseverance.

Well done Paul

Elle
Xx

[WildlifePaul]

Little sparrow update, I think these two be going within in next day or 2! They are 15 days old today loads of wing flapping happening etc.

VIDEO HERE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB7r83IhxnE

Sparrow chickss
Poster: WildlifePaul, viewed 1 Time(s)

[SueP]

Lovely videos Paul, glad you can see them clearer now, even if only for few days before they go.
Sue

[blueeyedchick]

Lovely pink little beaks Paul and a good picture too saying they are so secretive!
Not long now as Sue says, have you seen the red sparrow recently?

Kathy

[WildlifePaul]

Thanks Sue & Kathy,
Sparrow chicks have now gone they went the day I posted the last video late evening time! New they was ready to go though.

Yes Kathy, Still see the red sparrow regular. There is actually about 3 of them now so I think its a little family of them rather than just the one. Lovely to see anyway!

and the news everyone as been waiting for!

EMILY AS GIVE UP! only took her 2 months popped the wren egg back into the wren's nest no harm done.