DROUGHT CONDITIONS IMMINENT?

The results of the breeding season are clearing being heard in the trees, bushes and hedgerows around the garden.

The good news is, despite the five blue tit chicks that sadly died in the garden, there are plenty of successful broods that have fledged – many making noises to claim a post-nest feed from their parents.

But with another heatwave having already started, and predicted to continue for at least another week, let’s hope they find enough water and daytime shelter to keep hydrated.

The local streams are running dry, so I’ll be supplying extra water for those in need.

No further updates on the robins or blackbirds, although they haven't been seen really for a couple of days, so I don't expect any chicks from the hedge or nest box in the ivy.

No rain is predicted until July, so the flora is also needing support, particularly the flourishing broad beans.

The sunflowers are definitely strengthening, while the tomato plants are showing signs of enjoying the heat.

Watering is now happening every night, with the watering can and hose getting a lot more use than last year.

The only concern is if the rain shortage continues it might lead to a hosepipe ban, and then the plants will be in trouble.

Many will love the warm sunny weather, but it does mean wildlife can be negatively affected, although not all.

The swallows are loving this weather and it might help them raise two or even three broods this year.

The first brood is due to fledge very soon, and their chattering song, often expressing delight during an evening feeding session, is one of my favourite sounds of the summer.

SUMMER WARMTH COMES EARLY

Late spring and early summer have been remarkably good weather wise, in comparison to previous years, although it’s not led to happy scenes in the garden.

The blue tits suffered a catastrophic failure of the nest, with five youngsters not fledging, most likely falling victim to the consistently warm and very warm weather.

I have a slight suspicion, given the five that died were in condition that suggested they were close to fledging, that one or two chicks did make it into the big bad world.

Blue tit chicks were heard in the trees following the five deaths, for a couple of days, which is not unusual compared to previous years.

I guess it’ll never be known whether any blue tits did successfully fledge, which is disappointing because it’ll be the first year that nest box has not fledged successfully.

Meanwhile, the robins are keeping us guessing on whether they have eggs, chicks or perhaps neither.

I suspect something it happening because they’re spending a lot of time in the garden, flirting with the hedge area around the nest box hidden in the ivy.

They’re very nervous, even shunning free mealworms, which heightens my suspicion that eggs are definitely there.

What’s more I now only see one bird at a time, and in recent days it’s been carrying caterpillars and grubs towards the nest box.

Perhaps all will be revealed soon.

The blackbirds haven’t been seen or heard of for a weeks or so now, and I overheard one of the cat-owning neighbours talking about the cats bringing in a blackbird recently, so I just hope it wasn’t one of the ones in the evergreen bush.

If it was then it would explain why nothing has been seen or heard from them.

Again another shame because it’s domestic cats ruining local wildlife for people. There are eight cats between three houses, with one house feeding stray cats nearby.

It’s no wonder there’s not been sight of mice/vole/shrew predators, such as owls and kestrels in recent years; their wild food is being killed by well-fed domestic cats.

Finally the broad bean, tomato and sunflowers plants are all outside now, although the slugs and snails are ensuring all but the broad beans are not doing well. The battle will continue, but hopefully we’ll see success now the organic pellets are protecting the plants.