The very wet weather has undoubtedly had an adverse effect on breeding birds in the area. Nonetheless, with close observation, it is possible to see fledglings being fed, usually hidden though they are in deep foliage. In my garden, a family of young wrens have recently emerged from their well-camouflaged nest amongst the ivy and their parents are constantly going backwards and forwards with food. Five young magpies are similarly being supplied with morsels scavenged by their parents, though their presence is rather less subtle. The risk is of course, that the young wrens and their ilk will become food for the magpies.

There have been at least two broods of fox cubs playing in the church carpark, but these have recently disappeared and I suspect that their mothers have transferred them to an area with more cover. A pity as their playful antics were a sight to behold.

Dartmoor

Just returned from Dartmoor, where skylarks abounded. The most striking bird to be seen however was the stonechat, with numerous paris noticeable wherever there was a significant stretch of gorse. A pair of wheatears were protective of their territory, and probably had youngsters to feed. The only birds of prey to be seen were buzzards and kestrels, though these were augmented by a healthy population of ravens.

Lost Blackbird Chicks

There are all manner of birds feeding young at the moment, but particularly noticeable has been a pair of blackbirds. With the wet weather we have been having, these birds have found little difficulty in finding lots of worms and could be seen almost constantly with beaks full of them. I was puzzled as to the location of the nest, but followed the hen bird up the side of the house and when she flew out of the wood store, the nest soon became apparent. However, there was very little cover for the nest and I was amazed that it had survived about three weeks without being detected by predators. Without disturbing the nest at all, I withdrew and soon discovered that it was observable from the dining room window. I planned to set up a camera the next day.
That evening, upon letting our dog into the garden in the late evening, he went wild, chasing around with his nose to the ground. That can only mean one thing: fox. The next morning the blackbird nest was empty! The chicks were a week short of fledging.

Fast Learning Goldfinches

I was surprised today to see some greypate goldfinches feeding at the niger seed feeder in my garden. The parents have been coming regularly for the past few weeks, but this was the first time I had seen the youngsters. Unless they had secreted themselves away in the bushes whilst observing their parents feed, they must have very quickly learnt the food potential of this plastic tube.
At one stage there were four adults present and so it seems that more than one pair has bred locally which is good news.

Sand Martins

There are several sand martins flighting low over the wheat fields at the back of the house. The nearest sand quarry is about a mile away and as there are plenty of fields between there and here, it is somewhat surprising to find them. At a higher level numerous swifts are also feeding on their aerial prey. The swallows appear to be confining themselves to the wheat fields at the front of the house so, there seems to be some sort of demarcation taking place here.