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| Swift box |
Hello, hello!! Ferreting Fynn here and before we get started, I just want to say sorry for not posting anything for a while as they has been so much going on lately. Anyway, let's get cracking!!
Recently, we have put up a swift nest box ( as you can see to your left) because each summer, we see swifts darting round the street so this year we decided to put one up. Unfortunately, swifts have declined by 60% and if you have swifts darting round your street try and put them up, yet it is not simple.
First off, you need to place it 5 metres above the ground and under a roof tile or like in our case, under the gutter (if this isn't clear to you, the
RSPB have some websites that can help). We have already put up some other nest boxes in the garden, but I don't think we have got anything, and since the swifts mainly arrive in May you still have time to put up one yourself.
Fairlands Blackcap This photo here has a blackcap in it, but where is it? This was a male that was really belting out, which we added to our 200 bird list which we are taking part in still. Blackcap are just arriving from Europe and Africa but occasionally, some blackcap over winter. Last winter, a pair was over wintering at Harpenden, Herts. It was a lovely sight seeing the blackcap, and I'll give you a good tip for looking out for a blackcap: look high in the trees or bushes as the males are, at the moment, trying to attract the females so they perch high in the trees and start to belt out their song.
Can you find the blackcap? I'll tell you in the next blog.
Stay safe!!
Ferreting Fynn
Well done for putting up the Swift nesting box! Lucky birds. I think I can just make out the blackcap- but of course I'm not sure. It looks like a bird, anyway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to start the day - reading your latest blog.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the swift box and your other bird boxes. Hope some birds find them soon. When do swifts start to lay eggs and how long do they take to hatch?
I had to look really closely to find the blackcap . I think I have found a bird shape . Will see if I am right when I read your next blog. You are very observant to have seen it in the wild.
Looking forward to your next instalment. Hope it comes swiftly ��
Great blog Fynn
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting blog, I did not know that Blackcap’s occasionally over wintered in the U.K. and your tip on where to look to locate them is going to be very useful. I did locate the Blackcsp in your picture.
ReplyDeleteReally hope you have luck with the swift box, it’s certainly in a great position and if used you will have a great view.
The good weather had brought out the butterflies and we have seen at least six different ones, it really makes it feel like summer.
Looking forward to your next blog and the interesting facts you provide us with.
Just heard about your blog. Myself and Mrs Hughes are both interested in bird watching so I thought I'd check it out. I was interested to read about your nesting box. This is something I've often thought of doing. Maybe I should give it a go, now I have a bit of time on my hands! Although we have starlings nesting under our roof tiles and I wonder if this would put off other birds nesting on the house.
ReplyDeleteWe mainly get sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, coal tits and pigeons, with the occasional robin and blue tit visiting our bird feeders here in Baldock but we've seen some rats too, so are having to be careful how much food we put out.
I look forward to reading your next blog.
Hello Mrs Burchell, thank you so much for taking an interest in my blog. You were right about reducing the amount of food you are putting out for the birds, to stop the rats coming.
DeleteI suggest you try to put out a swift box as they have declined by 60%. Any other nest boxes you try to put up have to now wait till the Autumn as it is to late for the birds have already nested.