THE NEXT GENERATION IS ALMOST WITH US

In the last week or so the robins have still been around the garden, sometimes looking at the ivy and going in to investigate what I presume can be to build another nest.

I’ve even seen them go in with nesting materials, although not very often and I don’t think there was enough movement to suggest the garden will have robin chicks this year, sadly.

The great tit chicks are very loud now and I’m surprised they haven’t fledged yet, although the parents are seemingly trying to tempt them out now!

Perhaps when the heat we’re likely to see tomorrow will prove the final straw as the nest will become very hot and their feathers will increase their body temperature and incentivise them to reach for the outside world.

The house sparrow families are seemingly thriving and the swallows are looking like they are nest building, more on both of those next week.

The pond has plenty of life in it, but there’s not been the sign of the frog for a while and there’s not visible frogspawn.

However, it is providing a place for insects to live and they are needed for a bio-diverse garden, which is what I want to have.

The broad beans, tomatoes and other flora are growing quite well, although not so much the poppies. I don’t know why that is, but they are in various locations around the garden so let’s see how they all are in a few weeks.

As we approach the traditional summer season, it’s going to be interesting to see how the current Covid-19 situation will impact everyone and the wildlife.

One thing’s for sure is the wildlife around the garden has been carrying on with the breeding season, blissfully unaware of the situation their human neighbours are going through.

Time will tell how much the pandemic has affected wildlife, hopefully it’ll be in a positive way.

In the meantime we’ll keep on trying to help the birds get fed with mealworm handouts and watch as the next generations make their way in the world around us.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

I've been enjoying the sunny weather by spending quality time with my daughter, something I don't have to often.

But as we've been in the garden lots, I've managed to keep an eye on the great tit nestbox.

The main activity in the second week of incubating has been watching the male bring food to the female.

She is spending much more time on the eggs and now rarely ventures out of the nestbox. On the one occasion I spotted her doing so I did count that eight eggs were still there.

I'm anticipating the hatching in the next 24-48 hours, although it could be another 4/5 days before all the eggs hatch, if they all do.

The mealworms are going down a treat with the robins, blackbirds and the male great tit, who is splitting them in half before feeding his mate.

My one worry is the blue tits. I've not seen any around the garden for a week and I've got the feeling they've decided to move on.

On the pond, I've not seen any more of the frog and no sign of frogspawn. The pond filling might begin this weekend.

More updates over the weekend when I hope to bring some news of a hatching or two!

JUMPING FOR JOY

Two news updates tonight as some people's Easter celebrations give way to that sick feeling from eating too much chocolate. I feel fine as my Easter diet has been mainly watching the great tit eggs.

The great tit female has spent much more time incubating the eggs, while the male is often seen 'on guard' in the trees near the nestbox.

It's interesting to see and hear the interaction between the pair, especially when anyone s outside in the garden. The male must be reassuring the female on the nest, giving her he confidence to keep the eggs warm.

I did witness a very interesting battle between the female and a mosquito type creature, all in the darkness of the nestbox. The video below shows what happened.

I don't think there are any more eggs so the total appears to be eight, fingers crossed they all hatch and survive to at least fledgling.

In other news, I was putting extra plants in the rockery when I noticed a pair of eyes looking at me from the pond.

A frog was half submerged and motionless, watching me attend to the surrounding rockery. t even allowed me to take two photographs.

I think it's a little late for new frogspawn, so wonder if it's a tadpole from last year visiting the place it grew up.

I'll be keeping an eye on the pond to see what develops, but don't expect it to be another place in my garden to produce new wildlife.

The below photos of the pond are taken with seconds of each. Can you spot the frog?

PONDLIFE

A major development has occurred in the pond today, a huge gathering of frogspawn.

I can't say the frogs have found the pond as I nicked it from Sarah's parents' pond earlier today. You could say I've 'adopted' some frogspawn.

It'll be a few days before I know if it's been successful, but I'll keep the blog updated with any news.

As we've been away since Sunday I'm not aware of any news on the blue tits and great tits bartering over the nestboxes.

I should be able to see more of the favourite nestbox tomorrow and hopefully confirm the spring residents.

The garden appears to be waking from the enforced winter hibernation with many bulbs and plants from last year coming back to life. Hopefully we'll have a colourful display in April and May.

Finally the greengage tree is now in full blossom with numerous bees at work collecting nectar.

I'm now going to eat my Easter eggs and hope the birds have some eggs of their own soon.

More updates later this week.

WINTER RETURNS

Just when we thought spring had sprung, winter unleashed another spell of treacherous weather to most parts of the UK.

If you didn't get snow, then you will have noticed the drop in temperature, just when the first blossom of the season had started to liven the bare shrubs, trees and countryside.

The weather has also dampened the spirits of the local birds, with nestbuilding and courtships of the robins, blue tits, great tits and dunnocks (among others) slowing down.

The activity around the nestboxes is continuing and the birds are certainly pairing off and the flocks shrinking.

With a wet Easter forecast I'm hoping the weather improves so the wildlife can get on with the season of breeding and provide a summer spectacle of new faces in the garden.

The pond is continuing to thrive, although no signs of frogspawn. Hopefully next week will bring some good news.

Happy Easter everyone.