A DOG groomer from Galashiels has been forced to cut out her car after a blackbird set up home on one of the wheels.

Joni Fairburn discovered a nest on top of one of the tyres of her Volkswagen Tiguan last week.

And inside were three eggs.

The vehicle had been parked outside Joni's Abbotsview Drive home for five days after being serviced.

And the blackbird, dubbed Bonnie by Joni's children, took full advantage by not only building her nest but also laying three eggs.

Mum-of-two Joni, who runs her dog grooming business from home, explained: "The car had been in for a service on the Friday and we decided to give it a rest for a few days as it had been clocking up a lot of miles.

"Unknown to us Bonnie took advantage of the situation to build a nest on the rear tyre of the car.

"It was pure chance on the following Wednesday that I spotted it before driving the car again.

"I noticed a lot of debris at the foot of the wheel and lifted the nest not realising what it was.

"But when I saw the eggs I put it straight back as I was worried Bonnie would just abandon it if it was moved."

Joni contacted the RSPB for advice.

But was told that moving the nest would inevitably be the end of Bonnie's eggs.

She added: "I spoke to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they said if I needed the car I should contact the council who would remove the nest but the eggs would be destroyed so I was not having that.

"Bonnie seems very contented and oblivious to the fuss but it has been a major talking point amongst the neighbours and the kids pop out from time to time to have a chat with her and make sure she is okay.

"Fortunately I work from home so not reliant on the car, so it's the bike for me for the next few weeks.

"On the plus side I have got a Tough Mudder assault course coming up so I can use the break from driving to get plenty of training in."

Joni will be without her car for around a month as the two-week incubation period will be followed by a period of another two weeks before the chicks will fledge.

And in some cases the parents may decide to do it all again with a second brood.

Bonnie's tyre residence is just the latest in a long line of bizarre nesting spots.

As the nesting season takes off, birds are setting up homes in hanging baskets, tool boxes or even washing on clothes lines.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said nests have been found in post boxes, rubbish bins, clothes-peg bags and even the pockets of jeans left hanging on the line too long.

Hanging baskets are a particular favourite with wrens, while many birds make use of garden ornaments or buckets.

Blackbirds have been found on nesting on car wheels, blue tits have set up home in communal ashtrays and mistle thrushes have nested on a set of traffic lights.

Intentionally damaging nests is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and can lead to adult birds abandoning the site.

If chicks are still in the nest when it is abandoned by their parents, they are likely to starve, the charity warned.

Richard James, wildlife adviser for the RSPB, said: "Most people would be horrified if they disturbed a nest, so we're urging everyone to be mindful at this time of year.

"Bear in mind that any nook or cranny could be a nest site – they may not be obvious but you'd be surprised what creative housebuilders garden birds can be."