British Garden Birds

Weekly news about the bird activity in my garden. Last updated on Sunday, 11 May 2008.

Last year's Blue Tit Nest Box Diary (2007) and the previous year's diary is here.

A solitary Chiffchaff continues to be seen now and then, gleaning insects from shrubs and trees around our garden and the neighbours'. This summer migrant has been joined by a Blackcap, which sings sweetly first thing in the morning and occasionally in the evening, though it has not yet been seen.

The first Swifts were seen and heard on 3rd May.

Two Robins are often in the garden either looking for invertebrates or feeding on suet. Undoubtedly, they are a pair as there is no malice apparent even when they are within a few feet of one another. A third Robin made a brief visit but was seen off swiftly by the other two.

A Blackbird seems to have nested in the Photinia tree again and is seen leaving occasionally for brief respite from incubating the eggs.

Counting the number of House Sparrows has become increasingly difficult as both males and females are desperately searching for food for the hungry mouths back in their nests. The first few fledgling House Sparrows have been in the garden, begging their parents for food with fluttering wings and wide-open yellow gapes!

Tits are few: one Great Tit and one Blue Tit, both visiting the feeders for sunflower seeds or hearts.

A couple of Greenfinches, one Goldfinch and 4 Bullfinches are regular visitors - in fact, they rarely seem to be away.

A pair of Collared Doves are daily visitors.

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