Garden Update

 A brief respite from the relentless holiday posts, with an update from the Garden. Firstly the Swift box we have been given, by the Hurst Rethink is in place and the call is being played first thing in the morning and during the evening. Although we have had Swifts high over the house and Garden on several occasions, including a group of 8 a couple of nights ago, we have no evidence that any have investigated the box, fingers crossed!! This is part of a campaign to reinstate Swifts in the village and reverse the decline that has happened over the last few years, largely driven we think by a lack of nesting sites! Ten boxes last year and Ten more this year have been put up, one was occupied last year, so hopefully a couple of them will be used this year as well, however it is a long term project, which will hopefully grow over the next few years.

More info on the project on the Hurst Rethink website at the link

Save our Swifts 

The Swift box in pride of place, with speaker underneath

In other news the pond we had to reinstate over the winter, seems to have survived the ordeal, the Hornwort has had a growth spurt and the water has cleared nicely. Froggo has reappeared recently although no sign of any tadpoles from the large amount of spawn produced earlier in the year. Though it is full of shrimp like things and other small invertebrates. The plants we bought all seem to be doing well, so all is good!

Froggo

Hornwort

Reed, Iris Greater Spearwort and Water Forget-me-not

The downside of our holiday was we missed all the blossom from the Hawthorn, Rowan and Bird Cherry which had all finished by the time we got home. No mow May is fully underway, lots of Buttercups probably the highlight so far although other plants look ready to bloom !!!

Hawthorn

Bird Cherry

 Bird wise, we arrived home just in time for the big Starling fledge, there are loads visiting the Garden they seem to have had a good year  and the pair in our eaves look to be getting ready to go again!! It's carnage every time we put Fatballs out!! Only seen one Sparrow fledgling so far this spring, numbers have been down a while. Goldfinch continue to visit and a Greenfinch was a nice surprise on the feeder, we get them occasionally but not regulars. Blue Tits seem to be working hard and the Robin and Blackbirds are still about so hopefully their young will appear soon. 

Young Starling

Greenfinch

Male House Sparrow

Goldfinch

Female House Sparrow

This is a great time of year with new life everywhere, hoping to get some Dragonflies in the garden this year and some Swifts in the box!!