OCTOBER PROVIDING LAST CHANCE TO BREED?

As the wet and cool summer gave way for a wet September, most people could be forgiven for thinking October would be cold and even wetter.

So far it's turned wet, but the cold weather hasn’t really materialised, the odd exception apart. In fact the weather is due to become a little milder in the next few days.

This has been backed up by regular sightings of swallows and house martins across the UK, despite the fact they should have been half way to Africa now.

I last spotted a large number of swallows at the end of September, but others have reportedly seen some in the last week, while there’s been one tweeter (excuse the pun) posting about house martins still nesting.

Wildlife has the knack of adapting to weather conditions and changing things like breeding habits, migration and even food sources.

It’s difficult to tell what the long or mid-term results will be of the wet summer we’ve had, but one thing could be our summer migrants staying later, risking their lives, to increase the breeding population for next year.

You could even say (without any biological evidence) that old birds are potentially sacrificing themselves to give their youngsters the chance to keep populations of their species going.

Of course you could also say that they could be first time parents or know that leaving it late will still give enough chances to raise a successful brood as insects hampered by the wet summer continue breeding in to autumn.

I was checking a couple of my nestboxes this week, ones that haven’t been used for nesting, when I came across a dead tree sparrow in one. I couldn’t see any reasons why it had died, other than old age or starvation.

The starvation one seems unlikely as I supply the birds visiting my garden with a range of seeds and nuts, so can only presume it died of old age or a genetic condition. A sad sight, but just part of nature.

The blue and great tits are still enjoying the sunflower seeds, so I’m not clearing up the plants until all seeds are gone.

My garden flowers are still producing a colourful backdrop, and there seems to be plenty of takers to the pollen on offer. I wonder if they, like the swallows and house martins, are relying on late breeding insects to prolong the breeding season and make up for a very poor spring and summer?

Winter and next year will help provide some of the answers.

SUNFLOWERS PROVING POPULAR

As the daylight succumbs to the long dark nights that winter will soon bring, the sunny moments we experience now should be enjoyed while they last.

Inevitably the wildlife are now storing up food for the colder days ahead, so my peanut feeder is taking a battering, along with the seed-filled heads of my sunflowers.

Today I've spent time watching as blue and great tits feast on the seeds, sometimes hanging upside down before prising the valued food from the flower head.

I've counted 37 sunflower heads in my garden, some bigger than others, from three varieties of plant. It doesn't seem to worry the tits as they happily fly from one type to another.

I was busy digging up part of the garden last weekend when I noticed I had company. Within minutes of me starting a robin was watching my every move and when a tasty morsel popped out of the ground, it was soon gobbled up by my new friend.

The robin stayed with me for over an hour and didn’t seem too disturbed to be feeding within a few inches of where I was standing or my spade was digging.

I suspect this robin is a resident of the area and knows that I’m not a threat; indeed I’m great help for a hungry bird looking for food.

About a week ago the garden peanut feeder was visited by a bird I’d not seen around for months; a great spotted woodpecker. I was quite shocked because the feeder is now within six feet of the house and front door, so this one must have been brave.

They’re very flighty birds so this one didn’t stay around too long, but it’s good to know one is still around and I’ll be looking out for it this autumn and winter.

The number of snails and slugs seems to be going down, although I still ‘crunch’ a few underfoot as I walk in the garden after dark.

I’m wondering of the huge numbers this year will result in even bigger numbers next year. If so I’d like to think that we’ll have hedgehog numbers increasing and hope to see one in our garden soon.

On final note the main concern I have for this winter is the high water table level. Just a short spell of rain now floods streams and rivers, while making fields and gardens very boggy.

Will autumn help by being drier than normal or will we face the prospect of heavy snow and dangerous surfaces outside this winter.

 

FINAL FAREWELL FROM THE SWALLOWS?

The lowest weather pressure system seen in Britain in September for over 30 years has brought chaos to many parts of the UK, particularly northern England.

Major flooding affected the roads and countryside around my home and garden, at one point making the house impossible to get to.

After three days of rain, torrential at times, the garden resembled a sodden marsh, even the snails and slugs seemed to be disturbed by the weather.

One thing I didn’t expect to see was what greeted me earlier this week. Below is an image of about 25 swallows swooping over a partially flooded field, chattering away in excitement to each other as they chased insects for breakfast. (see below)

 

I did notice that many were youngsters with their tail feathers not quite as long as the adults, so presume they were either a late brood or had been delayed by the recent storm system.

Whatever their reason is was a wonderful sight and I hope they all make it to the warmer climes of Africa and some slightly less damp conditions.

I was then immediately brought back down to earth as I faced another tricky day of negotiating the flooded lane that leads to our house.

 

Part of the lane was turned into a river as the small stream that normally sits alongside it spilled over as it failed to cope with the rainfall, eventually creating a river by using the lane as a path to travel along.

 

The lane is now back to normal, apart from the huge amount of debris carried by the flood water, including branches, rocks, litter and mud.

I’m still not sure how wildlife has been affected close to me, though Cheshire Wildlife Trust did say they hoped the population of water voles had kept safe.

It goes to show even those who live in and around water are in danger when flooding occurs.

I suspect flying creatures like butterflies and moths have suffered, particularly the former as I’d seen plenty of them feeding only a few days previously.

But wildlife does have a habit of bouncing back from natural devastations so while the short term for many might not be good, I suspect long term many will use next year to reclaim any losses in 2012.

I’ll now be keeping an eye out for some more straggling swallows, but also for other wildlife to see what the storm has done.

SO LONG SWALLOWS, SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER?

The swallows are still around; well yesterday I saw a pair gliding in the evening air, snapping up insects in daredevil moves, some just inches above the ground.

A few days ago there was almost 20 gathering together, so I can only assume that the last two are parents looking for any stragglers to help make the journey to Africa.

I suspect I won’t see any more after this weekend, well until next spring. They are one of my favourite birds, probably in the top two, so I thoroughly enjoy seeing them, albeit for only five months of the year.

My only concern is they come back next year and were not put off by our lack of summer this year.

In the garden my tomatoes are suffering with the cold weather overnight, even being hit by a slight frost last night.

I’ll still be collecting some for consumption but know the time will soon be upon us when the plants will succumb  to the weather and lead me to thinking of next season for planting seeds.

The butterflies were around in numbers with the sunshine of the last couple of days, making the most of any late summer, early autumn nectar supplies. Some flew away when I went near them, while others (see below) seemingly posed for the camera!

 

The snails and slugs are still out in force in the evenings, especially when it rains, though I’m not culling them as I wait for a hedgehog or two to come and sort them out!

Most plants are showing signs of early autumn colder nights, though others are blooming, including those that are feeding the butterflies.

What changes will the garden and the surrounding wildlife experience over the next few days, weeks and months? Only time will tell, but I’ll be following and diarising what happens around me to give a logged history of wildlife in the neighbourhood.

SUMMER STARTS IN SEPTEMBER

The weather is now showing us what summer could have been like if it had bothered turning up in May, June or July. But what does it mean for the wildlife?

Well in my garden some flowers are still blooming, including gladiola, poppies and rudbeckia, so there’s been a large number of bees and butterflies each day.

At night the slugs are in decline, while the snails are seemingly hiding too as the nights become cooler. That said the last couple have been mild.

The swallows have certainly packed their suitcases, but not all have left. Just two nights ago I saw about 80-100 flying over the house and garden, searching for evening insects for a tasty treat.

I suspect the warm day weather will keep them, but it’ll be how cool it is at night that’ll prompt the full departure.

The usual mix of birds has been in the garden, although a pair of young robins seem particularly fond of spending time there.

The harvesting has begun with tomatoes now a daily fixture and just a few carrots and potatoes left.

I’m hoping the chillies and sweet peppers, most of which are still indoor, will be ready in the next couple of weeks.

So as September means we saw goodbye to our swifts, swallows and house martins, the autumn glow brings new visitors and a different time in the cycle of the lives of wildlife everywhere.

What will the cooler months bring? Our first hedgehog? The great spotted woodpeckers and little owls returning?

Will the weather bring lots of snow and the return of -25C on our car gauges? Whatever happens the wildlife will cope in one way or another, but next breeding season is bound to see extras for plenty of those who didn’t fare too well this year.

Most importantly; will be nestbox camera be able to film a new family next summer?

AUTUMN IS COMING FAST

As August nears its end and the ‘summer’ season fades into autumn the colours of the garden and surrounding countryside will change dramatically.

All season have their particular themes, but autumn must be up there for being the most vivid as the green colours of the trees and bushes turn into red, bronze and gold. The impact of these colours is increased when the low sunlight of dawn or dusk lights up the display.

In my garden there’s nothing too amazing, certainly not on a grand scale, just a few weeks of red and golden leaves decorating the trees and climbers on the walls.

The good news in my little oasis of greenery and wildlife is the start of harvesting my tomato, carrots and potatoes, all have proved to be delicious whether for lunch of dinner. There’s nothing better than freshly picked fruit and veg washed and eaten straight from the plant or ground.

The slugs and snails are systematically being ‘rehomed’ away from the garden, not all, but as there’s been an influx with the warmish wet summer, a large number. The only slug that has been allowed to stay is the leopard slug, which will help control the other slugs.

This week there has been a trio of blackbird chicks in the garden, looking very like they’ve just fledged. I think it’s the third brood I’ve seen this summer so they’ve obviously fared well.

The swallows have also not done too badly as I’ve counted over 30 at one point either flying or resting on the telegraph wires. I suspect they will soon be off to Africa again, although some must have already gone as the numbers have decreased slightly in the last few days.

I had interesting visitors in a flock of long tailed tits, which last year only appeared in winter, due to the mild autumn. I wonder if the wet summer has meant less naturally food so they’re already coming into known food stations seeing what is on offer. I’ll be keeping an eye on this situation.

The great tits, blue tits, dunnocks, tree sparrows, house sparrows and robins are still regularly visiting and I’m keeping my stock of peanuts full so they know food will always be available from me; I know they’ll be around when the cold weather strikes.

I think the only true test of how well the breeding season has been on our birds will be when they descend on gardens for food. It will also show us how much natural food is available. Last year there was plenty as I did worry about not seeing many birds until November and December; will this year be any different or will the summer weather have made a difference?

SUMMER IS FADING FAST

This summer has hardly been one worthy of the name summer, but with the last few days of warm weather have been gratefully received.

My garden has needed a mid-season trim due to the amount of green foliage growing because of the relatively mild and very wet conditions.

It's been a great season for the likes of slugs and snails, but not for wildlife relying on warm and drier conditions - the great tit chicks dying in my nestbox being one example.

One bird that seems to have coped with the conditions is the robin, which has produced two broods. One of the chicks is now a regular visitor to the garden and I think it could be getting used to me as it bobs around withing a couple of feet of me.

Time will tell if it hangs around, but I suspect it'll have a fight on its hands for the territory around here.

Amazingly the swallows have produced two big broods, probably benefiting from the dry conditions after the rain, in which millions of insects take to the air and some straight into the swallows' mouths.

I regularly count over 20 flying around, perched on our roof or on the telegraph wires. It is indeed a good year for them, well certainly around here.

There are regular visits from the blue tits and great tits, but only in ones or twos, while the tree sparrows, house sparrows and dunnocks are often in small flocks.

My garden plants have suffered, although I am hoping to harvest some tomatoes (at last!) and some sweet and chilli peppers.

The carrots and potatoes have not fared well, but I think we'll at least enjoy some over the next few weeks.

This week I was joined in my garden by a dragonfly, which I'd seen about a week ago, but this time I was able to capture a nice picture of it from about two inches. I think it's a Hawker, but would welcome an expert's help.