LIGHTER NIGHTS, BUT NOT WARMER DAYS

The clocks may have sprung forward, making the nights lighter for longer, but the warming up of the daytime is yet to take place.

The spring blossom is slowly disappearing from the fruit trees, but there are no signs of the garden birds starting to nest.

Neither of the nest box cameras have shown any activity, or have even been used by anyone roosting overnight.

The garden is acting like it is a trance, with flora and fauna waiting for the warmth to properly kick everything into life.

Only today has there been any significant sound of spring, with chiffchaffs singing their unmistakable song almost everywhere. It’s s lovely song to hear and ensures everyone knows spring is coming.

There has been no sign of any caterpillars recently, and the general insect life appears to below in numbers; again the spring warmth will surely bring many out.

A bee has been spotted on this lovely flower, taking a rest or possibly just struggling to get enough energy to enjoy the spring sunshine.

The long tailed tits are still making daily visits to the bird feeders, with the fat snacks proving to be the most popular.

When they stop coming to the garden will be the time I know they’ve gone to nest and spring should be firmly with us.

Until then I think everyone in the natural world will be hoping to see more of the sun and less of the grey clouds bringing rain.

SPRING STIFLED BY TAIL END OF WINTER

Winter is stalling spring’s ‘grand entrance’ as the initial sunshine and warm temperatures that greeted the start of the month have faded away.

It hasn’t stopped the house sparrows continuing the build process on their nest, but it’s still a slow process and it’s probably only halfway there.

 

The other nest box camera (in the sparrow nest box) has also shown signs of nesting activity, although the screen is now quite blurred from a couple of bits of what looks like nesting material.

 

I suspect only the blackbirds have fully built nests, and I’m quite confident they are on eggs as only the male has been showing himself recently.

The robin duo have been seen together in the garden so they are obviously not on eggs, but I don’t think it’ll be long.

Flowering in the borders and rockery is still increasing with daffodils now almost in full bloom.

The blossom on the fruit tree is very visible and when heavy rain or strong winds pass through, it looks like there’s been a dusting of snow.

I was even dive-bombed by a bee this weekend, so surely the warming weather of spring is around the corner.

I know the wildlife is hoping so.

THE SECOND FLEDGING FROM THE SAME NESTBOX

Last Sunday the house sparrow chicks departed early in the day, albeit a day ro so later than I expected. 

The two chicks had been testing their wings out for a couple of days, but I suspect the rain and cool weather delayed their departure.

Then all of a sudden they fledged before my eyes and flew off with their parents to explore the giant world outside of the nestbox.

Here’s the sequence of how they left, starting with Saturday night.

 

Sunday morning

 

One has fledged

 

They’ve both gone

 

The fledging happened in a matter of minutes and it was just luck that I was able to watch it, both on timing and that the camera was still working!

It’s such a shame that the camera wasn’t working when the blue tit chicks were in the nest, or when they fledged, but the most important thing is they fledged.

I will inspect the nestbox and nesting ‘arrangements’ later this summer, before clearing out the nestbox ready for next year.

I’ve not seen much of other birds recently, although the chattering of house sparrows does often mark the arrival of dawn.

I have heard the calls of blue tits, goldfinches, magpies and swallows, but only the swallows are regularly seen.

The swallows have gone a little quiet so I suspect they are on a second clutch of eggs – well given that we’re about to experience a summer I don’t blame them!

Given that the weather is going to warm, if not hot, up I’m going to make sure the birds have a water supply, as this will become increasingly important for them, the longer rain doesn’t fall.

Finally the bee numbers are increasing every time I’m in the garden, and I’ve spotted at least five different types, which is very pleasing.

So let’s all enjoy this upcoming real summer and hope the wildlife can too.

SPRING BRINGS GOOD AND BAD NEWS

I returned from a week away with the family to find the nestbox camera isn’t working again! I can’t express how disappointed I am considering spring is finally with us and the blue tits seem to be very busy around the nestbox.

I suspect there are eggs in there, or will be very shortly, and therefore I’m not going to investigate or tamper with the nestbox as this will only disturb the family and I’d rather wait until the eggs become chicks and the chicks become bigger.

One way of testing there are chicks is putting out live mealworms and seeing how often the parent birds take the food to the nestbox.

I’ve ordered some today through www.livefoodsdirect.co.uk so later this week should be able to get an indication as to whether chicks are imminent or when they arrive.

This in turn will allow me to judge when, or if, I can try to get the camera working again. I’ll be reading my blog from the last couple of springs to check on how long it takes for the chicks to become too big for the parents to incubate them at night.

One positive was the return to my garden of the beautiful spring/summer sounds that bounce on the airwaves around the UK, made of course by my favourite UK visitor, the swallow.

I counted six individuals dancing in the skies around my garden, frequently swooping in the evening sun last night to catch insects that were gathering to enjoy some spring warmth.

I think they’re still catching up on the changes around the place, although whether they can nest in the sheds behind our house is open to debate given the idiots (and I use the word very carefully and with justification) that rented the house with these sheds.

They have since left, but whether the interiors are still enticing for the swallows and indeed whether the local population of five cats can access the buildings through the crumbling roof, is something I’ll be watching with interest.

Perhaps I’ll pay the buildings a visit in the next few days to check everything is ok.

One final note was the sighting of a bee this morning, which I will only be able to see as a positive if it is seen again and with plenty of others.

So one good bit of news and one not so good, but overall spring is here and hopefully the wildlife can start to get on with producing the next generation.