What a dreadful few days of weather we have had. We seem to be through it now, the rain has stopped and it is reasonably clear and bright. In the front garden the Holly Berries are an attraction to the local Blackbirds. Herring and Blackheaded gulls are seen regularly on the rooftops. Sparrows have frequently been in the garden along with a Wren which can be heard on most days but I have only been fortunate to catch a glimpse once recently. Chaffinches do not visit regularly but I have heard them in the vicinity in the last week including a small flock of finches the other day probably Chaffinch. You can rely on a visit from a Magpie at any time of the day and also Carrion Crow and Rook. These birds will perch on the roof but to my knowledge never come down into the garden. The Crows are usually passing over flying west away from the City towards the farm land near by.
There is a Robin that includes the garden in it’s territory along with the Dunnock pair, these birds are seen constantly. Wood Pigeons will fly quickly by at anytime but will never stop in the garden. That summarises our regulars and resident birds. Notably, Great Tits and Blue Tits are not daily visitors and my assessment would be that Blue Tits particularly are in decline as in the past they would be seen constantly. Great Tits are more often visitors in the spring when they are establishing territory. The visit of a Song Thrush is a rare event and just 2 sightings in the last 10 years would point to a real decline in this species which in former times was very commonly seen in any garden situation.
Insect activity is remarkable today. At 1100 hrs in the bright warmish sun there was several Hoverfly of 3 species Drone Flies. White Tailed Bees and a wasp. All feeding on the Ivy Blossom which is very attractive to them.