Came across this egg a couple of days ago on the riverbank.
My two part question is this:
1. How did the egg get to be on the riverbank with no obvious nest nearby (I had a look around); and,
2. Is the location of the egg away from a nest and its condition an indicator of success or failure for mummy and daddy blackbird?
How far north is the river?
Pine Marten or rat are in my mind at the moment.
Found at the White Cart River just south of Glasgow - near Eaglesham.
Claret Bumble hit the nail on the head.
Claret Bumble is correct, but the two holes in the shell look to be from the outside in (rather than inside out).
They do not match the dentition of a rat (unless it made two attempts) and the location does not suggest a pine marten.
Could be a squirrel they rob there fair share of nests..
Unless it was seen to happen- we will never know.
It is always useful to hear differing possibilities and to know what to look out for and what to accept.
(Spotted the first returning house martins here this lunchtime)