House Hunters

It may be nearly two month before a Blue Tit will lay an egg in this nestbox, but the process is advancing well: I have watched both Blue and Great Tits inspecting boxes around the garden for the past ten days or so.

Blue tit emerges from a viewing (c.OOS)

I particularly like the look of the natural Birch box, sited on, well you've guessed it, a Birch tree.  i wonder does the naturally camouflaged combination give more protection from predators?  In any case, its still not to late to put up a box.. remember, in the words of the Auctioneer: 'location, location, location'!

Great Tits: seen and heard (c.OOS)

The range of bird song is expanding daily, Great Tits are very persistent, but also Redpolls, their buzzings from the Alders are a feature, they are also great at tidying up after the horde of Goldfinches descend on the Nyjer feeders.

With just a week or so left in the Garden Bird Survey season, I am still waiting on a Starling or Collared Dove to visit.. both breed locally so I fancy overhearing one or other at first light, singing from the roof.. dream on!

Cherry tree in bud, Blue Tit shows off its colours (c.OOS)

Spring Song

07.45., Tuesday, 3 Feb.

Its minus 5 degrees,  bright and still: a heavy white hoar frost confirms to my slowly waking mind that the cold air enveloping my legs is perhaps the coldest this winter.

Blue Tit (c. OOS)

A solitary Blue Tit is hugging the peanut feeder, but no others join this early diner.  However, there is clear song, not from one bird, but two: Mistle Thrushes singing strongly and plaintively, from unseen high perches: its a little surprising to observe nature planning for the future, in spite of the cold, harsh conditions of late winter, these birds are putting down a marker for the future.  A more tuneful Song Thrush joins in the chorus, this one visible in the top branches of a bare Ash tree.

Mistle Thrush: picking the highest point to defend its territory (c.OOS)

Likewise, Great Tits and Coal Tits sing strongly, despite the fact that an egg will not be laid before the end of April.. The all important action now is to plan and mark out a territory for the future season. A good territory increases the chances of attracting a mate and raising a family successfully.

Male Chaffinch: short snatches of song are now evident (c.OOS)

Though some of our garden and woodland species are still down in Africa, for another 6 weeks or so,  Chaffinches deliver short snatches of song, Dunnocks and Wrens likewise.. it wont be a silent spring!