WHO WON THE FIRST FLEDGING RACE?

Before I announce the winner of the race to be the first nest box to fledge, I found a new family this weekend.

Down the lane and less than 200 yards from the garden a new family of mallard ducklings appeared from the stream with their mother.

The family quickly turned around and pattered their webbed feet away from the lane and back to the undergrowth around the stream.

This is the first time I’ve seen a family of ducklings near the garden and with the pond nearby, I’m sure they’ll  be staying around  for a while and give me the chance to see them a few times this spring/summer.

So who won the race of the house sparrow families to fledge first in the garden?

It was the blue tit nest box house sparrows, the shy family that covered the camera. They fledged on the sunny and warm Saturday (yesterday) and I don’t think the other family will be far behind.

 

I've now probably got a few days to 'clear' the camera view before the next batch of eggs are laid.

The garden is looking very green, with a splattering of colour from a variety of plants, which are attracting plenty of insects including the odd bumblebee.

I’m going to leave some areas of the garden to continue growing wild, but others will be ‘managed’ to ensure plenty of colour brightens up the place this summer.

 

The swallows are still flying around catching some of the increasing number of flying insects, although I'm not sure when any of their eggs will be laid, particularly as the weather isn't too warm for the time of year.

Finally I’m still waiting to hear from the hedgehog rescue centre to see if I’m going to be selected to rehome a couple of prickly mammals.

THE FIRST CHICKS HAVE ARRIVED

I knew there was a reason for the house sparrows in the blue tit nest box putting nesting material over the camera – they had eggs.

I say had, because they have now hatched and I can clearly hear the chicks when I’m outside in the garden.

I’m guessing there’s at least five, having listened to the chirping for a period of time and recognising separate chirps.

Obviously I’ll not open the nest box until the chicks have fledged as I’m sure there’ll be another brood, but for now this is the view I'm getting.

 

In the triple sparrow nest box there are also chicks that I can hear. I suspect the sparrow parents are continuing on with the contest from 2014 when a pair of house sparrows and tree sparrows tried to produce the most chicks – last year was a draw.

Again the nest box camera has been evaded by the house sparrows, as they have nested in one (or maybe both) of the other nest boxes.

Does anyone else have so many house sparrows in such a small space using nest boxes?

The swallows are now in a large group and have been seen frequently ‘hanging out’ on some of the nearby telegraph wires.

The group has totalled 10-15 over the last few days, but I think only one pair is nesting in the horse stables behind the house.

The old pond area, which is now a wild rockery, is literally blooming. Indeed there have been many insects taking refuge and feeding in there.

 

Today I saw a beautiful small(ish) butterfly, which I think was this one.

 

It was joined by a large bumblebee, dancing in the air around the flowers and grasses.

The weather for the next few days is due to be delivering early summer temperatures, so I’m hoping to see more butterflies and bumblebees in the garden.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED IN FORCE

Spring is now well underway with temperatures suddenly reaching 16c in the garden, and accompanied by bright, sunny skies.

The dry and warm(ish) weather has resulted in a deluge of bird song during sunrise and sunset. The rock garden and pond area are now flourishing, as this picture shows.

 

I’m pleased that the robins can be heard almost above all the other bird song, or even most other local noise in the morning or evening.

The one in the garden has now found a mate and it’s nice to know they’ll be using my garden should they be successful in having a nest of chicks in the coming months. Unfortunately I don’t think they’ll be using my robin nest box, as the honeysuckle hasn’t quite grown enough to conceal it well.

One resident that has been back in the garden is the great spotted woodpecker, although he is very shy and disappears at the slightest noise.

While the birds continue to flock to the garden and make the most of the handouts, I’ve not seen one in either nest box that has a camera.

Given the closeness of the camera in the sparrow nest box I think it could put the birds off, but a piece of straw that is in the tit nest box had been moved around for the last few days, suggesting that visitors have been in, just not seen by me.

Neither nest box is occupied overnight so it has been a waiting game to see if March can bring the start of nest building, but today it did! I’m not sure which tits are building the nest, but my hunch is blue tits.

 

One lovely sign of spring is the sight and sound of a bumblebee. I found one on the winter rose plant, which has grown year on year since being planted in 2010.

The picture isn’t the best for identification purposes, but it’s from an upside down position and show the bee feeding on early nectar.

 

If anyone has an idea on the type, please let me know.