Swift Half update - 12th May 2011

• I've not posted a "Swift Half update" (garden) for a while, because of all the swifts activity in the roof, so here's a brief run-down.
• We've now had two broad-bodied chaser dragonflies emerge from our pond - the second of which emerged yesterday - and spotted by eagle-eyed Anna (at this time of year all I can see is swifts!)
• Both have been female  - and I'm rather ashamed to say that Conker, our smallest hen has eaten both of them...


• The blackbird nest in the front garden was down to one fledgling until the other day (I have no idea what happened to the others). That bird fledged and in common with all blackbirds (and wrens and robins it seems) fluttered to the ground, found cover and hid for two days. I've locked the cats in for a couple of days until it found its wings, which I think it has now - so the cats are out again. The photos of the fledgling and parent on this post can all be viewed large by clicking twice (as can any photo on this blog).
• All the plants seem to be doing well - the evening primrose, the valerian, the wild flowers, the buddleja, the chives (all flowered), the sunflowers (about 6" tall now) and the lavender - but the pulmonaria has withered and died for some reason.
• Today was "starling fledge day" - lots of starlings seem to fledge on the same day each year and being gregarious, tend to flock in noisy numbers as soon as they leave the nest. Last year "starling day" was on 25th May - so even the starlings are a fortnight early this year!