ENJOYING THE LOCKDOWN WILDLIFE DURING A HOT APRIL

Four weeks into lockdown and I’m seeing and learning new things about the garden and wildlife.

The original or usual next box looks like it’s got a great tit couple nesting in it, which is great news that it’s being used for I think the 12^th consecutive year since it was put up.

The robins have appeared to stop and nest building trips to the ivy, so perhaps they’re sitting on eggs. Time will tell but I hope so.

A pair of blue tits are nesting in a crevice in the house next door, which is a place they’ve used before. It’s where an old outlet pipe for a boiler was sited, so it’s obviously quite a nice venue for them.

I think there’s activity in the one of the other nest boxes on the wall, the single one, but I’m not sure which birds are nesting there, if any. House sparrows, great tits and blue tits have all been seen taking an interest.

However, the big news is a new pair of breeding birds has been discovered, which is a first for me.

At the back of house, a pair of pied wagtails are busy building a nest under the roof tiles of the old shippons.

It’s really exciting because it’s directly in front of one of our bedroom windows, so viewing the activity is quite easy.

The pond has had a delivery of flowering plants, snails and oxygenating plants, and is still home to the frog.

I’m not sure if the frog has successfully found a mate, I would suggest not, but it’s great that it’s there making itself at home.

Also making themselves at home in the garden has been a range of butterflies, including the peacock, orange tip, speckled wood and holly blue.

News on the planting next time, but there’s lots of growing in the greenhouse, so hopefully lots of successful growth and new life in the garden in the coming weeks and months.

NESTING ACTION IS LIMITED

The garden has seen very little in the way of nesting behaviour so far, although some signs of courtship among the local bird population has been noted.

Near to the garden numerous magpies are collecting sticks for nesting, while some have even almost completed nests.

However the nest boxes have seen absolutely nothing, which is unusual because in previous years, at least one nest box would have already been taken – indeed in some years they’re taken in January.

The weather is certainly becoming cooler again and while numerous blue and great tits have been seen to inspect the emerging bulbs on trees and bushes, it may be that it’s not quite right to start building a nest yet.

It’s not a convincing theory, but one this garden is hoping is true, otherwise it’ll be the first year no nests have been recorded here in a decade.

Are the cats, who are continuing to use the garden as a toilet, to blame? If so then action will be taken to combat this trend.

Locally the smaller trees are slowly starting to turn green and bring some colour to the area, while the birds are always excited when the bird feeders in the trees are filled up.

Indeed they are on the feeders within seconds of them being hung up again, full of peanuts and seeds.

WHERE ARE YOU SWALLOWS?

Well I’ve seen my first swallows of the year, but only while out on my bike and about five miles from the garden.

It’s always a delight to see these birds and while the birds that nest around my garden aren’t back, I’m happy enough to know that once again our countryside will be filled with sounds of my favourite bird.

Given the weather is certainly spring-like I’m remaining hopeful that I’ll be seeing and hearing swallows around the garden very soon.

I’m pretty sure that nesting and potentially brooding of eggs is happening to a few of the frequent visitors to the garden, including the robins and blackbirds – I’ve only seen a single robin for a week or so and no sign of any female blackbirds.

One surprise visitor was a long-tailed tit. I always thought they nested on a large marsh area about 2 miles from the garden, but with a few areas of thick cover nearby, there’s a chance a nesting pair could take up residence nearby.

No update on the house sparrows, with the blue tit nest box pair seemingly intent on keeping activity in the nest very private. I’m reluctant to try and move the items that are covering the camera as I’m not sure if eggs have been laid or not.

In the house sparrow triple nest box, once again the birds appear to be nesting in the two segments that don’t house a camera. Typical!

One lovely surprise has been the appearance of a peacock butterfly, which has been making the most of the sun warming up the soil and rockery.

 

NEST BUILDING ON HOLD

The mild weather has continued with hardly a spot of rain this week, but it has brought foggy nights and mornings, plus frosts.

It’s meant the wildlife in the garden have relied a bit more on the snacks I’ve provided and the nest building process has stalled.

I’ve still not seen the birds that have brought nesting materials to the original (blue tit and great tit) nest box, but each day has seen the material being slightly added to and moved around.

I’m wondering if the sudden burst of cold overnight weather has made the birds think that the caterpillars their youngsters will rely on to survive, might not be around for a few more weeks.

Therefore building a nest and laying eggs will be best put on hold for a short time – saving energy and making sure caterpillars are going to be around when they need them most.

The sparrow nest box has not seen any action, although the house sparrows are in the garden every day. I suspect they will use the other two nest boxes in the triple nest box because the camera might be too intrusive – only time will tell.

The first seedlings have appeared from the spring planting – basil and parsley – which is an encouraging start and I’m hoping they will replace the plants from last year which are on their last legs.

Given the week ahead looks fairly settled again I may even have to water part of the garden! Who would have thought about that a few weeks ago.