Like Rip Van Winkle

I changed the header picture to reflect the season of the year and remind me that I need to check the Swallow nests regularly now.

Yet another blowy morning today was not the best for simply birding so it restricted my activities to the said nest visits. The cool, insect free weather doesn’t help feeding Swallows much but the recent rain left a few puddles where the Swallows collect mud for nest building, usually by adding a new level of detritus to last year’s nest.

Swallow
Swallow nest

I’m not a believer in removing the old nests of Swallows. The old nests are often used in the following or subsequent years, and by leaving an old nest it probably gives the birds a head start when they come to start building, especially if there is a dry spring like this year; also the presence of old nests may play a part in courtship and pairing up. So all in all I leave well alone and let the Swallows decide how best to go about their nest choices. The number of nests is down this year with just four active at the moment, three with full clutches of five eggs and the final nest with 4 eggs, but there are plenty of Swallows around and a much needed hike in temperatures will surely get them more active.

Swallow

As I drove off site the reliable Little Owl was taking a nap. I think that’s what I’ll do, go for forty winks and then like Rip Van Winkle wake up in a few days’ time to discover the last ten days have been a meteorological nightmare and that the weather has now changed for the better.

Little Owl

But as it’s not much of a post today here are a couple of recent pictures to stop readers from falling asleep, two wide awake Bee Eaters doing what Bee Eaters do, and a Whinchat, ever alert to my attempts at photography.

Bee Eater
Whinchat