Arctic snap set to hit historical chick

THE arrival this week of the winter’s first Arctic snap does not bode well for the blackbird fledgling which has made natural history in a Limerick Christmas tree.

The tree on the grounds of St Joseph’s Hospital, Limerick still stands one month after the holiday because a blackbird decided to build a nest.

The un-seasonally mild conditions throughout December fooled the bird into believing Spring had sprung.

Eggs were laid and, last week, one hungry chick hatched.

Over the past few days the adult birds appear to have been working overtime to fatten the chick up, but as the weather gets colder the birds’ food supply will diminish.

These birds live primarily on a diet of insects and worms and they will need plenty for the next fortnight by which time, if all goes according to plan , the chick should be large enough to leave the safety of the nest.

Concerned bird watchers, many of whom are working at St Joseph’s, are considering placing worms at the base of the tree if the ground freezes over.

The common blackbird is aptly named in BirdWatch Ireland’s 2002/2003 survey of garden birds.

The blackbird surpassed the blue tit to take joint position at the top of the table with the robin, making them the most widespread species in Ireland’s gardens.

Blackbirds patronised nearly all gardens (99.5%).

In fact, the robin, blackbird and blue tit have occupied the top of the table as the most frequently occurring species in eight out of the nine winters since the Garden BirdWatch survey began.