Friday 12th
The wind did not drop fully but it was much warmer. There were 14 new birds ringed as more juveniles appear. this time it was four Great Tits, three each of Blackcap and Blue Tit, two Chiffchaffs a Wren and a Chaffinch.
Checking the nest boxes showed plenty of House Sparrows trying to make up for a slow start and incubating eggs.
The House Martins were similar with several broods on the go but not all boxes being used. On our previous visit one set of boxes, with a flat roof below, had five very young chicks on the roof. What had pulled them out we did not see but a pair of House Sparrows were noted to be investigating the nests once we left. Anyway we put the four living chicks back in the nest box. Today there was still one chick in the box and looking healthy.
Sunday 7th
Another dip in the wind allowed a keen team to get ringing. Young Robins led the way with three followed by singles of Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and Wren, plus two Whitethroats. The Crow Trap nearly lived up to its name when a Jay was retrapped in it.
Friday 5th
The blustery wind dropped enough to allow some netting. Ten Birds were ringed. A family of five Blackcaps were joined by a young Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and two Robins.
Now that the tits are fledging some of the adults are transferring their energy to moult activity.
Monday 1st
It was with a mixture of hope and trepidation a check of the House Martin nests was done. After a very late arrival there has been lots of activity around the boxes. There is a long way to go though. Eleven of the 20 boxes did not have any activity. Seven of the others had eggs, but only one clutch was complete. A strange story emerged around the only nest with chicks. When I got onto the flat roof to check there were five small chicks spread around on the roof. One was dead but the others were just alive, probably aided by the still warm sun. They were put back in the nest. However when I got down a pair of House Sparrows appeared and tried to enter the nest. Their actions were quite aggressive and it was probably them who had pulled the chicks out. When they realised we were still watching they moved away and eventually a House Martin went in. We will, have to wait to see if they survive.