Free lodgings but provide own food. Light and noise pollution.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:12 pm

I took this photo today (March 30 2102) of a bird on its nest in a traffic light close to where buses leave Leeds City Bus Station. The bird presumably is not bothered about the amber light that comes on and off, nor the noise from buses. I wonder if it has any fledglings? I did not though see another bird come to the nest the couple of minutes I was there. I did not stay longer so as not to distrurb the bird though I suspect it must be used to people looking at it as the nest is obvious to anyone passing by. I shall post a close-up photo of the bird in my next post.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:15 pm

This photo is the close-up one of the bird. I wonder if anyone knows what bird it is?

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:23 pm

Theres a starling which makes its home very year in the Amber light in the traffic lights at Morrison, Hunslet.Think the lights must keep the young ones warm, after they have left someone comes along and removes all the nest materials.They seem to be very adaptable to homemaking.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:26 pm

Interestingly there is also a nest in the very nearby traffic light, but that nest seemed to be unoccupied.

book · Post by **book** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:30 pm

Almost certainly a Thrush, the markings give it away.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:35 pm

book wrote: Almost certainly a Thrush, the markings give it away. Thanks book.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:37 pm

Leodian wrote: I took this photo today (March 30 2102) of a bird on its nest in a traffic light close to where buses leave Leeds City Bus Station. The bird presumably is not bothered about the amber light that comes on and off, nor the noise from buses. I wonder if it has any fledglings? I did not though see another bird come to the nest the couple of minutes I was there. I did not stay longer so as not to distrurb the bird though I suspect it must be used to people looking at it as the nest is obvious to anyone passing by. I shall post a close-up photo of the bird in my next post. I spotted this(i presume) bird last year froman Arriva bus to Wakey....it caused some amusement for fellow passengers !

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:38 pm

buffaloskinner wrote: Theres a starling which makes its home very year in the Amber light in the traffic lights at Morrison, Hunslet.Think the lights must keep the young ones warm, after they have left someone comes along and removes all the nest materials.They seem to be very adaptable to homemaking. Cheers buffaloskinner.It would seem that birds may prefer the amber light as I think the unoccupied nest was also in the amber one. Perhaps the middle position also gives a more secure feeling to the birds.

book · Post by **book** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:46 pm

Good points, the lights will also attract flies, midge, moths in the evening so no need to go out digging for food, no need for a male to carry and fetch for the chicks. A thoroughly modern female thrush.

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Fri 30 Mar, 2012 10:54 pm

A few years ago there was a bird's nest (a thrush, I think) in the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing on Clarendon Road at the crossroads with Moorland Road and University Road opposite the Henry Price Flats. I think that one was in the red light. There were three baby birds, who looked very crowded in there when they started to grow before they could fly! One day they had all gone and the nest was on the pavement. There hasn't been a nest there since that year.