Birds That Choose To Nest In Farm Machinery

bluebell

Member
Over the years we have had birds nest in tractors, example one year a robin choose to nest in the roof lining of our ford cabbed scraper tractor, gaining access through the missing back glass ? wagtails are always about here and have nested under the back of little used tractors in the past? Birds we dont want to nest or do we something about are feral pigeons that used to nest, then mess in cattle water troughs or on farm tractors? The others we like to see and try to accommodate them? Other birds that come into the buildings are pheasants, both male and female to have a scratch in the straw. What have you got? Any stories please post
 

wr.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Breconshire
Two years ago a blackbird nested in our roller. We needed to use the roller so we'd move the nest and place it on the mower which was parked next to it while the roller was out for the day and put the nest back later. This happened several times and the mother tended to them where ever they were.

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P1060728.JPG
 

Bogweevil

Member
Had an old tractor to run the back up irrigation pump at peak season. Started it up one May morning and out from the exhaust system flew a clutch of blue tits - thank heavens they were on the cusp of fledging and seemed to fly away safely. Happily being an old machine it did not start first go, so some prolonged coughing gave the birds due warning.
 

Dry Rot

Member
Livestock Farmer
When I moved into my previous house, I found the chimney blocked. When I looked into the chimney, I found a tawny owl's nest with three youngsters. What to do? I needed the chimney open so I could use the fireplace.

So with fingers crossed, I removed the youngsters and put them in a box and put the box in an apple tree in the garden. But the parents continued to feed them and they fledged successfully.

The nest was another matter as it blocked almost the entire length of the chimney. I removed some of the sticks and mud, presumably put there by jackdaws over years, but it was an impossible job. Drastic situations require drastic measures. After some thought, I filled a polythene bag with petrol and using a long pole eased the bag over the edge of the chimney pot. Then I followed that with some lighted rags. Nothing happened for a few moments -- then there was a roar and a sheet of flames shot skywards out of the chimney. No more nest and a clear chimney!:)
 

Tim G

Member
Livestock Farmer
I used to deliver silage to some cranky old woman (whos since become my mother in law) and used her mf590 to unload the bales, I got strict instructions that it had to be done in so many minutes and the tractor parked in exactly the right place when I finished as there were Robins nesting in the loader subframe pillar.
I've had birds nesting on the knotter of my baler, and last year blue tits nested in a gate post in the yard.
 

MontyK

Member
When we moved in to our cottage about 6 years ago there were loads of house martin nesting but ever year there were getting less now not seen one this year, seen some swallows flying around, whats it like in other parts of the country ?
 

Netherfield

Member
Location
West Yorkshire
We used to get a pied wagtail nest in the farm shop, right by the door there was a knothole, couldn't have found a busier place really with people in and out all the time, but undeterred it carried on for at least ten years or so. Likely not the same bird perhaps but certainly the same knothole.
 
I had a wren nesting in the wiper hole in the front of the cab on my Case loader tractor. I went out for an hour each day but the bird didn't seem to mind.
Another (or maybe the same one?) nested in the cab frame behind the step on the previous Stockman Special.
 

Bobthebuilder

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
northumberland
Blackbird in seed head of combi drill under the dome and pipes 2 yrs in a row, then on starter motor of tractor, the past couple of years she’s taken a liking to the sprayer hatching 3 broods last year but managed to get the nest out this years before she got settled, atm a wood pigeon on combine exhaust, robins and blackbirds in workshop nut n bolt racks
 

pycoed

Member
Wren's nest in roof of Zetor (which had blown forward in a storm & was roped on at the time). Incredible amount of moss for such a small bird - about 10 X as much as they actually needed. Nice warm cwtch tho...
 

mobileweld

Member
Arable Farmer
I do a lot of work with irrigation reels and they often have birds nests in them. Lots of queen wasps too for some reason!

the one that sticks in my mind though I got called to a farm where the reel wouldn’t wind in no speed and the farmer was adamant that there was a problem with the gearbox. Experience has taught me though start at the beginning every time no matter what. And it turned out all the problem was a bird nest in the machine right up in the cone filter stone trap. Enough to stop the turbine getting enough power but enough flow going past to look like the gun was throwing plenty out.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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