CALM BEFORE THE AUTUMN STORMS

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks in the garden, with the list of garden bird visitors still on the low side.

With most, if not all, of the summer visitors now departed and the winter visitors still to properly land on our shores, there’s little activity going on.

On the insect and invertebrate front it’s quietening down too, with spider numbers and webs decreasing, flies in short supply and only three crane flies seen.

One major difference has been the beautiful colours the climbing plant (still not sure of the variety) has shown through its leaves over the last couple of weeks.

In mid to late September it had a full canopy of green leaves, but within two weeks they had turned to a glowing red colour and now most have simply fallen off.

The ivy is continually growing, but also being kept in check. It’ll provide a good cover for roosting birds in winter and food source almost all year round.

By the end of the month the nest boxes will be inspected, clean and put back up, with the hope that the cameras work and they will be used for winter roosting.

Who knows if they’ll be used again next year, but it won’t be long before we find out.

Until then it’s time to enjoy this warmer weather, ahead of the old Hurricane Ophelia that’s due early next week.

A VERY GREEN GARDEN IN WET JUNE

Activity in the garden has been mainly limited to the flora, with plenty of growth in many plants including the cauliflower and broad beans.

There has been a favourite sight this week with a visit from a couple of newly fledged robin chicks.

They spent quite a while in the garden, watching from various posts and pouncing on the odd invertebrate.

Apart from the off visit from blue tit chicks and flocks of house sparrows, the main visitors have been swooping swallows.

It’s great to see and hear them, particularly the newly fledged youngsters who are constantly chattering to the adults as they chase their insect food.

Sadly they’ll all be gone in a few months and the slow process of summer turning into autumn will begin.

Until then we can enjoy them and hopefully some summer sunshine, which has been particularly lacking following a thoroughly wet June.

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.