Starling Nest 2020 - Eggs are Laid

2020 is the seventh year in a row that I've had the pleasure of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) nesting in a box that I have on the side of my house here in Derbyshire. Since the first nest back in 2014, the birds have successfully reared and fledged  a total of 32 young, most of which I have also been able to ring for the BTO's Ringing Scheme. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had any recoveries of any of these birds since fledging. This year perhaps?

Anyway, the 2020 season began on 3rd April, when the first few pieces of grass and leaves were brought into the box. I always spot this, as most of the material ends up on our back door step!! Nest building continued, and the first egg was laid on 11th April ( 4 days later than 2019, and a full week later than my earliest ever egg on 4th April 2017).

Starlings lay one egg a day, and so, by 15th April, we had a full clutch of 5 eggs.

15th April - full clutch 

The birds will now incubate for a couple of weeks, so I'll leave well alone and check on the young birds' progress, when they've hatched.

All the data that I collect will be forwarded to the BTO's Nesting Neighbours Scheme (previously known as Nestbox Challenge).