The table below shows the average times when different bird types nest -each year follows the same general pattern but the changing climate is bringing some nesting times forward. Unfortunately nesting earlier can be a mistake as the required nestling food source may not year be available, such as caterpillars for bluetits.
E = eggs in nest
e = eggs in nest but diminishing numbers
N = birds nesting
F = fledglings being looked after by parents
| MONTH | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground feeders such as thrushes | Eggs in the nest (E) | E | E | E | E | e | ||||||||
| Nestlings in the nest (N) | N | N | N | N | N | N | ||||||||
| Fledglings being looked after by their parents (F) | F | F | F | F | F | F | ||||||||
| Insect feeders such as swallows | Eggs in the nest (E) | E | E | E | E | e | e | |||||||
| Nestlings in the nest (N) | N | N | N | N | N | |||||||||
| Fledglings being looked after by their parents (F) | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | |||||||
| Seed eaters such as goldfinches | Eggs in the nest (E) | E | E | E | E | e | ||||||||
| Nestlings in the nest (N) | N | N | N | N | N | |||||||||
| Fledglings being looked after by their parents (F) | F | F | F | F | F | F | ||||||||
| Birds of prey such as kestrels | Eggs in the nest (E) | E | E | E | E | E | e | e | e | e | ||||
| Nestlings in the nest (N) | N | N | N | N | N | |||||||||
| Fledglings being looked after by their parents (F) | F | F | F | F | F | |||||||||
| Sea birds | Eggs in the nest (E) | E | E | E | E | |||||||||
| Nestlings in the nest (N) | N | N | N | N | ||||||||||
| Fledglings being looked after by their parents (F) | F | F | F | F | F | F |