NEW LIFE IN THE GARDEN

There seems to be new life everywhere in the garden, with caterpillars being very much appreciated by the newly hatched great tit chicks.

The chicks hatched earlier this week and have been fed very well by the parents, who are both bringing in a plethora of young bugs, many of them caterpillars.

The chicks are growing quickly, although the camera is still not working properly and progress is being calculated by the increased level of the chirping from the youngsters.

I’m not going to try and fix the camera until the breeding season has finished, but I’ve lost hope of the other nest box with a camera being occupied.

Ironically that camera is providing some clear live video. It’s similar to last year, when the only section of the triple sparrow nest box that was not occupied, had a camera in it.

It would seem that the birds are camera shy in this garden!

A number of sunflowers and broad bean plants have been planted outside, with a defence in place against the numerous snails and slugs – still no sign of the hedgehog from last year.

The skies are being filled with the songs of two particular birds – the swallow and chiffchaff.

I can’t work out if there has been a fledging of swallow chicks already, or if the fields around the house are a good feeding ground for swallows from around the area. I suspect it’s the latter.

Either way it’s a lovely sound to hear.

It’s the same with the chiffchaffs and the odd male blackbird calling in the evening from regular posts.

If only the weather could be as nice as the songs carried over the airwaves.

WINTER, SUMMER, NOW AUTUMN?

The last few weeks have seemingly brought three seasons in just a few days. The hailstones and frosts gave way to temperatures in the high 20s, before cold northerly winds brought temperatures, and matching weather, reminiscent of autumn.

How has the wildlife fared? Probably about the same as humans – managing through it all.

The swallows have been in good song and, apart from when it’s been really wet, showing off their aerobatic skills.

Chiffchaffs have also been in full voice, while magpies are now regularly being seen on their own, suggesting it’s partner is on eggs in the nest.

The great tits are definitely on eggs, but with a change in the TV situation in the house, images are not currently available.

Not a single piece of nesting material is in the new nest box, so the camera is wasted in there. Is it because the triple sparrow nest box above it is occupied? I have my suspicions.

No sign of the house sparrow families feeding youngster in the three nest, but I suspect it’ll only be a matter of time before we hear some noisy chicks.

The main focus recently have been on planting and now the temporary greenhouse is almost completely full of emerging chillis, tomatoes, sunflowers and cauliflowers.

The snails and slugs have so far been kept at bay, but I sense it’s only time before at least one plant succumb to the molluscs.

The defence barrier it there, so I’m hoping it holds out, unlike the continuing battle with the cats. More of that next time!

A COLD BLAST OF WINTER SHOCKS THE WILDLIFE

I’m sure the swallows are having second thoughts about coming back from a warm Africa, particularly given the cold, snowy and icy week of weather we’ve had.

The regular hailstone storms and overnight frosts have meant a battering for the flora, with at least two tulips having all their petals ripped away and left in tatters on the garden lawn.

The swallows have been witnessed gathering mud for nest building, and while the weather has helped create plenty of mud creating facilities, it’s not been helpful for the purposes of the a nest – rearing young.

Of course an update on this blog wouldn’t be complete without a comment about the cats coming into the garden.

The first, and only, lot of seeds have been planted this year, mainly indoor, but with a few directly outdoors. Poppies and parsnips have been planted outside, but the soil in which they have been planted has once again been desecrated by cats using it as a toilet.

If anyone has ideas on making these cats leave the garden alone and finding alternative toilets, please let me know.

Inside, the seeds of sunflowers, tomatoes, cauliflowers, chillies and broad beans have been planted. The cauliflowers are already showing a couple of green shoots, while the sunflowers are emerging in their pots too.

Of course the seedlings will stay indoors until the weather gets warmer, and they are a lot bigger.

Finally, the great tits have almost completed the nest, but the camera is playing up again so visual images of the inside of the nest box are still not available.