THE RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS

Previous dates of the first swallow sighted:

2016 – 10/04

2015 – 21/04

2014 – 19/04

This year it was two days earlier than last year, the 08^th April, and they couldn’t have picked a better weekend to return – blue skies and temperatures of 20c.

With the continuous sounds of chiffchaffs, blue tits, great tits, robins and blackbirds reverberating around the countryside near the garden, one quick burst of a swallow song suddenly emerged.

And there on a telegraph wire, well where else…, was the single swallow announcing his/her arrival.

With cooler temperatures expected for the next week (and typically Easter Bank Holiday) the first swallows to arrive back for the breeding season are unlikely to be in a sudden rush to build a nest.

Talking of nests, the blue tit one is looking almost complete, with both male and female birds taking turns to go in the nest box and create what is hoped to be a place to lay the eggs to hatch the next generation.

There appears to be feathers and hair discarded by the local horses now being brought in to line the nest; being carefully woven in to the dried grass and moss that is already there.

Moss is also being used for some of the other nest boxes, just not the other camera nest box.

It appears at least one of the triple next box is being used, but the next box with the other camera in is still being ignored.

The warm weather over the weekend has meant the wildlife in and around the garden is emerging from every nook and cranny that it’s been hiding away for the winter in.

Spring is most definitely here and the wildlife knows it.

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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!

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.

SUMMER BRINGS SUNSHINE, GROWING PLANTS AND DISAPPEARING BIRDS

The warm weather was interrupted by a few heavy showers and plenty of rain this weekend. While it’s great to be able to sit in the garden and enjoy being amongst the wildlife, the wet weather is most definitely welcome, both for the flora and fauna.

I did feel sorry for the birds who visited the garden looking like they had been swimming, and also the bees who got a pounding from the raindrops as they tried to gather nectar from the flowers.

I’m hoping to continue harvesting the vegetable crops this week, following the broad beans that made a tasty and welcome addition to the homemade paella I cooked this week.

The potatoes should be ready soon, while the runner beans and tomatoes should start showing by the end of July.

Of course the broad beans will still be harvested for the next few weeks and I’m delighted that they’ve done so well considering I’ve not grown them before in the garden.

The sunflowers are really starting to grow, with one now over six feet tall. I think they’ll be half a dozen that will exceed six feet and I’m sure the birds will welcome the seeds in early autumn.

The birds are now making themselves scarce; only the robins, blackbirds and goldfinches regularly visible now.

I have seen a few chiffchaffs, and heard plenty, but I’m not sure if they’re feeding youngsters or not. I suspect they are, but where is beyond me so far.

With the height of summer fast approaching I know the bird visits will decrease and I’ll have to concentrate on what’s growing in the garden, although the insects will take over to some degree, particularly the numbers of butterflies and moths, more of which next week.

Of course this will last until late summer when the young small birds that have survived the dangerous first couple of months return to a place their parents have used to feed, shelter and breed.

A NEW FAMILY IN MY NESTBOX

Two main bits of news since my bizarre video from a few days ago. First of all thank you to those people who told me that the bizarre video was of ermine moth caterpillars. The fully grown moth is below.

The blue tits’ nestbox (the one with the camera that still doesn’t work) now has house sparrow chicks in, which I can hear calling for food.

I’ve never heard of this kind of behaviour before (a bird taking over another nest immediately after the first birds fledged), although, as previously mentioned in my blog, I did find a dead house sparrow in the nest of the blue tits a few years ago.

It’s great to know that two species of bird have utilised the same ‘house’ that I’ve provided for wildlife, and good to know the mealworm, peanut and seed hand-outs I provide are being used to help raise the next generation.

I’m not sure when the house sparrow chicks will fledge but suspect they have another three or maybe five days left in the nest.

In other news the robin chicks have visited the garden with one of the parent birds and made use of the mealworms I’m still providing.

The great tits and blue tits have not been seen in or around the garden for a few days and I suspect they’re not far away, just skulking in the hedges, bushes and trees while the parents undergo the annual moult.

There seems to be plenty of young birds about, much more than last year, including magpies, blackbirds, goldfinches, chiffchaffs and long tailed tits.

A large family of long tailed tits visited the garden this week and I counted nine, which may not mean seven youngsters as there might also have been a couple of cousins and siblings of the parent birds.

The good news has been a dramatic increase in the amount of bees visiting the flowers in the garden. The foxgloves have been a particular favourite with roses and pyracantha a taking second place.

Let’s hope the summer can deliver some good conditions for continued growth and prosperity of all wildlife, to make up for last year.

SPRING IS SPRUNG

There may not be swallows or house martins in the air, but spring has certainly sprung with many wonderful tones filling the air.

I've been hearing chiffchaffs singing for a few days now and while I was listening over the weekend I noticed a female blackbird with a fledgling feeding in the garden.

I'm sure this is much earlier than last year.

It's all timing with a prolonged spell of warmish early spring weather, with plenty of sunshine on offer.

The birds, trees and flora have all responded, with green seemingly appearing by the minute on trees around my house.

The great tits are certainly making themselves at home in the nestbox with the camera - the onyl problem is the camera is not working. This weekend it's my challenge to get that sorted - can't be missing the chicks!

This spring I'm going to spend some of my weekends walking the lanes near my home, to see what the wildlife is doing; indeed to see exactly what wildlife we have hear.

I fear the great spotted woodpeckers have moved on elsewhere as the dead tree which they seemed to occupy has now fallen.

With the clocks going forward this weekend I plan to spend Sunday evening looking for new arrivals from abroad and see just who is making their home where I live.

Can I see any swallows this weekend? I doubt it, but with sightings already confirmed in the UK, surely it will be very soon.

IT'S RAINING ON MY PARADE

So this is 'flaming June'? I think not!

A day of constant rain has left the few garden visitors looking more bedraggled by the minute.

I'm sure the worms are not the only ones loving this weather. The reservoirs that needed a little drink along with rivers and farmers must be pleased.

This afternoon I watched a chiffchaff taking aphids from my blooming rose hedge, hoping he would stay around to eat all of them, but he stayed only for a few minutes.

A robin and blackbird then took advantage of the wet conditions bringing out all sizes of worms, although they took a soaking in the first place.

The next two days forecast warmer and drier weather and I'm hoping the plants, vegetables and fruit in my garden will benefit from today's soaking and have a growth surge this week.

Not much opportunity to see the swallows today, but I think the youngsters are near to fledging.

More updates later this week when I'm able to get out a bit more.

SUNSHINE & SHOWERS

A typical April day in May, failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the parent great tits as they continued to feed the eight hungry mouths in their nestbox.

Every so often, more in the morning and evening, the female would incubate the young while the male would gather food of various kinds.

Mealworms, caterpillars, insects and spiders were brought in today and the chicks are certainly showing signs of growing.

They're now asleep and being kept warm by the female.


In other news the robin, blackbird and dunnock parents are busy raising their broods, although I've still not seen any blue tits about the garden.

Other birds singing around include the swallows, chiffchaffs, goldfinches and wrens.

Finally the frog has welcomed the rain today, although a lot more is needed to fill the pond back to full.