General (County) and Swift Half update - 17th March 2011

• I know the odd swallow and house martin have appeared over Berks, but I've not seen one yet. That said, I've been locked in the sodding office for what feels like millenia, so not much chance of seeing much recently!
• All the daffs are out in the garden - although they're quickly being flattened by the spostles landing on them whilst chasing the bumblebees around!
• Newt activity in the pond still strong - I counted 14 last night without even trying.
• Plenty of blackthorn and cherry blossom out.
• Malu has already taken out the first birds nest of the year - another pair of dumb blackbirds nested in a very visible spot on an overhanging ivy branch in the rear garden. We have now got one cracked blackbird's egg on the kitchen window (might have been the only one in the nest) and a deserted nest.
• Like last year, it's pretty well soytan that Malu (or Yala) will not allow the blackbirds to nest successfully in our garden.
• All three hens in fine shape - one egg each, each day. (Conker below, Couven top)