A Close Shave

On the other side of the lane that runs past our property is a narrow verge and a ditch. Every year in Spring, the verge erupts with nettles. And every year, I do battle with the brush-cutter to try and trim the verge back a bit.

This year was no different. Yesterday, I strode forth and did battle with the nettles such that they lay vanquished.

This morning, I noticed that Watson, our youngest Labrador, was interested in something that had been exposed by the trimming of the nettles.

It turned out to be a blackbird’s nest. I’m surprised that she had built it at ground-level, even if it had been hidden in the nettles. While I’m thankful that I didn’t decapitate the chicks, I do fear for their safety now that they are so exposed.

Update: as I feared, one day later and the nest is empty. The chicks have been predated.