May 2011 part 13

26th Much needed rain . All the "tits" are very busy collecting food all are looking very scruffy.
27th Marsh Lane reserve woods and my first fledglings - a thrush and blue tits. 2 of the nest boxes are being visited by parents with food, both are greeted with lots of noise from inside. The great tits seem more cautious, taking more time about delivering their food. Whereas the blue tits are zooming in and out at great speed.
2 goldfinch feeding in my garden.
29th At the reserve and my first sightings of the cygnets. 6 in total.

Mute swan with cygnets. Eggs hatch after 36 days. Young feed themselves and will ride on parents backs for protection.
30th More rain fledgling starlings in garden adding to the noise their parents make.

Starlings eggs hatch after 12 -15 days. Young are fed by both parents and will form summer flocks.
3 longtailed tits in the garden, 2 goldfinch also back to feed, robin, blackbird, blue and great tits, pigeon also feeding.
31st  sunny today. Fledgling bluetits in garden, starlings are back and the goldfinch is eating the sunflower hearts.