I don't log when the Martins and Swifts arrive, we have plenty of Swallows but neither of these yet. I particularly like watching the screeching Swifts.
As is has been Concorde's anniversary recently does anybody agree with me it should have been called the Curlew?
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Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter
Lots of swallows here now, also the willow warblers and the blackcap have been singing their little hearts out the last couple of days which have been beautifully warm and still after all the cool north-easterly winds last week. We are now quite desperate for rain (and I think the birds are, too), because we have not had any rain since right at the start of the month. The bird bath is very busy.
First swallows seen today, the last 3 years they have been around the 5th 6th of April so late this year !!
It's the advanced guard - they seem to arrive here have a rest and go back to tell their mates it's ok to arrive, and then a week later the mob arrive !!
It's the advanced guard - they seem to arrive here have a rest and go back to tell their mates it's ok to arrive, and then a week later the mob arrive !!
To date I have yet to see a Swallow this year. The normal date is 12th of April and several sightings before that date over the years. There are simply none in the district! The Sand Martins came back on time over a month ago.
JB.
JB.
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peter
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Daughter counted ten swifts today after I first spotted them wheeling across the sky above us. 
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
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PLUMPUDDING
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Our Housemartins came back on Friday with the torrential rain. Only two returned last year and raised one young, but four have turned up this year, so hopefully will increase further with a good breeding season.
Without me actually noticing I now have 28 Swallows on the plot.
They certainly are exceedingly late this year. Last year some even got to a fourth brood but they will be lucky this year if any of them get to two broods this year the way they are carrying on.
The gales of last week took their toll on nests.
1 Goldfinch 1 Chaffinch 1 Bullfinch blown out of the hedgerows
2 Goldcrest nest blown out of one the Yew trees.
We have umpteen Green Finches nesting on the plot this year and I only remember one last year. There are two Long Tailed Tits nesting about 150 yards apart. I also have two pairs of Wheatears at the rear of the plot up on the old Roman Fort ramparts. (Historical SSSI)
JB.
They certainly are exceedingly late this year. Last year some even got to a fourth brood but they will be lucky this year if any of them get to two broods this year the way they are carrying on.
The gales of last week took their toll on nests.
1 Goldfinch 1 Chaffinch 1 Bullfinch blown out of the hedgerows
2 Goldcrest nest blown out of one the Yew trees.
We have umpteen Green Finches nesting on the plot this year and I only remember one last year. There are two Long Tailed Tits nesting about 150 yards apart. I also have two pairs of Wheatears at the rear of the plot up on the old Roman Fort ramparts. (Historical SSSI)
JB.
I had a short visit to Flamborough today and had a magical hour watching the seabirds on the cliffs. Lots of Kittiwakes on eggs and it was wonderful laid out on the cliff top, watching them turning their eggs and their mate coming into the nest to feed them. Also saw the usual Razorbills, Guillemots, Herring Gulls, beautiful Fulmars, Gannets and a few Puffins.(down on the sea.) Didn't see anything unusual but I just love Flamborough, the sights, sounds and even the smell! A real chill out. The wild flowers were lovely too.
Happy with my lot
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PLUMPUDDING
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The birds around here seem to have had a very good start to the breeding season this year. They are all bringing their babies to the feeders and I'm going to have to get some of those window stickers from the RSPB to stop the fledlings bouncing off the windows.
So far most of the blackbirds, song thrush, and robin have survived and we have a creche of little house sparrows having dust baths all over the place. The magpie has killed one of the blackbirds and the cat got one of the robins, but everything else is doing well. We're still getting about 16 species on the feeders every morning and most of them with their young.
So far most of the blackbirds, song thrush, and robin have survived and we have a creche of little house sparrows having dust baths all over the place. The magpie has killed one of the blackbirds and the cat got one of the robins, but everything else is doing well. We're still getting about 16 species on the feeders every morning and most of them with their young.
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glallotments
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For anyone who isn't aware it is the RSPB Nature Count this week http://www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount/index.asp
That means the birds will go into hiding!!
It says only count birds that land in your garden not those flying over but swifts are on the sheet. I thought they ate and even slept in flight so has anyone ever seen one on the ground. I know they will have to come down to lay eggs unless they have evolved a special pouch like a kangaroo!!
We had a whole family of long tailed tits in the plum tree on our plot last week - I hope they were browsing the aphids!!
That means the birds will go into hiding!!
It says only count birds that land in your garden not those flying over but swifts are on the sheet. I thought they ate and even slept in flight so has anyone ever seen one on the ground. I know they will have to come down to lay eggs unless they have evolved a special pouch like a kangaroo!!
We had a whole family of long tailed tits in the plum tree on our plot last week - I hope they were browsing the aphids!!
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