THE SWALLOWS ARE BACK – 11 DAYS EARLIER THAN LAST YEAR

In the midst of some typically heavy April showers a rainbow appeared very near the garden. Rushing to get the camera to capture the moment, the noise carrying across the breeze sounded very familiar.

Looking up towards the rainbow, a familiar silhouette appeared against the darkened sky – a pair of swallows on the telegraph wire.

Their appearance is 11 days earlier than 2015 and nine days compared to 2014. Whether this earlier arrival is due to anything associated with the ‘global warming’ debacle is much too soon to tell.

It would also appear that the house sparrows are busy building nests in the triple nest box, although I have only evidence that one of the boxes is being used, I suspect at least one of the other two is too.

Unfortunately the two next boxes with the cameras in have so far proved empty of any activity, but with spring sunshine beginning to warm the air, there is renewed hope the two nest boxes will soon be filled by great and blue tits.

The small trees and bushes are also showing signs of spring life, with new leaves appearing. This is also providing cover for the small birds as they carry out courtships within the confines of the increasing amount of cover.

The cat issue continues with nightly fights being heard. I do wonder if some people think moving to the country means they can just bring in as many ‘pets’ as possible, and they will form part of the ‘natural countryside’.

It would appear this is the case because there are eight houses, six without pets, while two have at least six cats between them. There are also dogs, but they are not destructive to wildlife in the way cats are.

Time will tell, but I really hope this year’s young birds are decimated by the cats, in the same way the vole and mouse population appears to have been.