MAY BRINGS WINTER CONDITIONS

The temperatures in May are actually lower than last Christmas, which must be a shock for the summer visitors.

April usually brings showers, but it was more like heavy rain. In fact the wettest April for many areas of the UK.

The rain is welcome for most, though it was just a bit too relentless for some wildlife as they appeared to slow up on the breeding process.

I noticed the great tits were still coming in and around the nestbox, but they don't appear to be on eggs or ready to lay. That said until the nestbox camera is working again I can't be 100 per cent sure.

There are a few night visitors to the windows at night when it's dark and the light are on inside. Moths and daddy long legs have been seen recently, but the cool weather means only a few each night.

Yesterday I saw something I didn't think I'd see, especially in the summer. A family group of long tailed tits was chattering amongst the trees, which shows that food supplies must be low.

The group is usually seen in winter, but because the mild weather meant food supplies for most birds lasted through most of the season, I only saw the group a few times.

If this weather keeps up I expect to see them again, which is wonderful as they fly among the trees chattering away to each other.

The robins, blackbirds, tree sparrows, house sparrows and dunnocks are still regulars in the garden, with the blackbirds enjoying tugging worms out of the wet soil.

I've now filled in the pond with grass from lawn cuttings, so hopefully soon will completely fill it with soil and add some rockery plants.

The tree and house sparrows are showing interest in one of the nestboxes, though other areas of the local houses and buildings seem to be preferred at present.

Finally the swallows are creating wonderful songs from their perches on the telephone wires. I saw three this week, two of which must be the returning parents.

I'm now watching out for them entering the buildings behind the house and for the beginning of nest building.