Lakin Farm

Today a wagtails nest was found in the engine bay of the digger, see the red arrow. John (Ruth’s dad) was using the digger and decided to check the water level, hey presto a birds nest!

After some deliberation as to what to do, it was decided to move the nest. After all, the digger had already been moved from it’s original location, and the parents would have lost track of where the nest was. So moving the nest out of the digger and back to the location where the parents may be looking for it seemed the best option.

Here is a picture of Reuben trying to give the chicks some food, they were very weak and it looks as if one of the four had already died.

After some coaxing the chicks came to life a little. They seemed aware of movement, but did not beg for food like they would if their parents were there.

Reuben then built a small enclosure of bricks for the nest, near to where the digger is usually parked.

A yellow bucket has been placed close to the nest as a substitute for the yellow of the digger (well you never know!).

A little later we checked on the chicks and they seemed a little brighter, as you can tell in this next picture.

We have seen the mother around the new nest site, but we are not sure she knows the chicks are there.

In the morning we will check the nest again and see how the wagtail chicks have faired.