Empty Nester

Startled to find this today in our small lace cap hydrangea bush, only now revealed as the leaves fall away.

I had noticed a blackbird taking nesting material into the bush, but not for long - I had assumed that because we placed our garden chairs quite close to the bush that any nesting attempt would have been abandoned in favour of a more secluded location,

It is a complete nest and there is some evidence of use, so I may have been wrong.

It’s a pleasing - if rather ragged - form and structure. And. apart from a late fleeting visit to our local nature reserve as the light dimmed, our landscape today has been focussed on home.