Monday 30 May 2011

Monday 30th May 2011

Home after a few days on the River Thames in London. Garden grateful for the rain this afternoon. Can't believe how many Monkey Nuts the Jays are taking, must have young somewhere close.
Second pair of Swifts next door have laid an egg today, expecting a couple more.

Had a good walk this morning by the Canal as far as Southcote Pond. Cuckoo still singing well, good to see so many Swallows about flying under the bridges. Grey Wagtail, Heron and the Family of Canada Geese also seen.

Thursday 26 May 2011

Thursday 26th May 2011.

A wet day! At last we have the water buts full again. Downside was the strong wind. No other news to report, Birds not affected by the rain/wind, Woodpecker and Jay still taking loads of Monkey Nuts. Starlings still eating at least two fat balls a day.

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Wednesday 25th May 2011.

Another warm day.
Jay and Woodpecker very busy taking Monkey Nuts, can only assume there are young about. Not seen young in Garden yet, last year I had young Woodpeckers being fed by the Male.
Thrush in Garden all day ground feeding under the Fat Ball Feeder. Even more Starings today, flying in formation round the Garden tonight.

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Tuesday 24th May 2011.

Weather still dry and warm, garden in dire need of rain now. Starlings still making loads of noise while being fed, over 30 Starlings on lawn yesterday lunchtime.
Worried about the Wren again, not seen her feeding for two days now. Good to see a young Thrush being fed this week. Last saw a Thrush during the Snowy period in January.
Swifts have settled again although only two eggs now following the fight last week.

Friday 20 May 2011

Friday 20th May 2011.

Foxy back in Garden under the Summer House. Completly emptied a large plant box, looking for bulbs no doubt as only soil left.
Wren still busy feeding, so surprised still feeding, thought would have fledged by now.
Swift news not good, nest taken over by two other Swifts causing mahem. There was a 7 hour battle with at least one egg broken. All being recorded by neighbour.

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Tuesday 17th / Wednesday 18th July.

Sparrowhawk spent time in garden last night, never caught a bird, could not have been hungry as there were plenty of young Birds about.
Bit worried about the Wren, not much feeding going on. Starlings could not make more noise! Hundreds of them. Woodpecker and Jays returned after an absence of about a month. Both eating me out of house and home of Monkey Nuts.
The Robin rescued last weekend is a surviver, seen today on feeder.
Swifts have been a worry, an intruder entered today causing mayhem for 7 hours. Original pair back together tonight and sitting back on eggs, fingers crossed.

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Tuesday May 17th.

Weather still fine, getting desperate for rain now. Been a good 8 weeks without rain. Sparrow Hawk spent time in the garden tonight, not aware anything caught despite a Pigeon staying arround. Starlings so noisy with their young, got through a complete fat block today.
Bit worried about the Wren, not seen today. Will check the nest tomorrow.

Monday 16 May 2011

Monday May 16th.

Lots been going on the last few days.
In the Garden the Robin rescued from neighbours Cat continues to thrive. Wren still feeding, expect to fledge very shortly.
Jays have re-appeared after a break of about three weeks, eating loads of Monkey Nuts each Day.
Starlings Fledged, so noisy! Unbelieviable yesterday, Mum took a whole Grape from the feeder and rammed it down the throat of a young.
Swift has now laid 3 eggs, interesting days ahead.
On walks this weekend spotted 2 Nightingales at Hosehill, Theale. Skylarks also spotted at Englefield nesting in the Wild Flower Meadow.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Tuesday 10th May.

Wren still busy feeding young. After an absence of a couple of weeks Mrs.Spotted Woodpecker re-appeared tonight. Hopefully there will be young to feed.
Noticed a Chaffinch has nested in the Leilandi Tree and was busy feeding tonight.
Four Swifts entertained tonight with their singing and flying display.

Monday 9 May 2011

Monday May 9th.

Another warm day.
A pair of Orange Tipped Butterflies spotted in garden, not seen before.
Neighbour has Swifts nesting, today laying an egg for starters.

Sunday 8 May 2011

May 8th 2011

Good early morning walk by the Kennet & Avon Canal, after heavy overnight rain the countryside looked particularly green. Wild Flowers beginning to flower now. Good to see the Swallow back nesting under the Railway Bridge at Southcote. Blue Tit also nesting under the bridge. Grey Wagtails nesting close to the weir.
At home not much activity, Wren still busy feeding. Fox been about digging holes but no sign of Cubs. Watched Bats for an hour tonight flying about the garden.

Saturday 7 May 2011

07/05/11

Wildlife in the Garden
*****************
Wren busy feeding young.
Robin appeared a couple of times in old nest, perhaps another brood beckons.
Leaf Cutter Bees very busy, at least 6 tubes blocked.
Heron trod and destroyed the Frog Spawn, that is bad news.
Pictures on Flickr of newly hatched Spiders which were nesting on the Garage Door.