Tuesday 8 June 2010

Swift half news - 8th June 2010

  • Last night I came home from work to find a fledgling blackbird in the sitting room. It may have been brought in through the catflap by Malu (or male kitten/cat) or more likely fell down the chimney - the daft get. Anyway - I got it outside ok, only for it to be hit by a bus. (Only joking).
  • Talking of fledglings - this morning, the first (and possibly the last again like last year?) fledgling woodpecker left the nest. Last year we had one young woodpecker (strange as woodpeckers have four or so eggs normally) arrive on June 9th - - this year it was one day early. I think there may be one more to come, as the adult male took a large lump of woodpecker bait back to the nest late this afternoon. We'll see.
  • What is for sure is like last year, the female and the fledgling woodpecker are very cautious of the adult male - seems such a shame after all the hard work he put in during the time that the chick(s) were in the nest.
  • Heavy rain last night and a few heavy showers today should help the damsons, pears, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries in the garden!
  • As for the swifts - well the female is sitting tight on the chick(s). The male is bringing in food, but with all this rain around, its not ideal for the little swiflets. Should improve as the week goes on I hope.


FIRST (& LAST AGAIN?) FLEDGLING

  • Anna and I made 12 litres of elderflower champagne (from the elder tree in the garden) at the back end of last week, and after a little yeast added yesterday - its time to bottle it tomorrow!

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