General (county) news - 14th May 2010

• Bigger hatches (eclosures) of mayflies on the Thames today, due in part to a slight change in wind direction from north-easterly (for the last two weeks) to a sou-westerly. We may see the heady heights of 17c over the weekend, and up to 70f (21c) briefly by mid week next week I hear!
• Black swan cygnets all hatched now.
• Great crested grebe young growing well.
• Common terns over Caversham weir this morning at dawn, courting with the male catching fish for the female.
  
  
• Horse chestnut blossom in full swing.
• Bluebells dying back now in our woods.

General (county) news - 5th May 2010

• First real hatch of sedge flies on the Thames this morning.


• First really good numbers of swifts overhead (I counted 15 or so over Caversham Weir, Reading, at 7am)


• Pair of terns now over Caversham Weir.


• All Black Swan cygnets now hatched (eight in all I think, from two separate adult pairs).


• Coots broods hatching also.