To me, spring arrives on the farm along with the first Chiffchaff, and this year commenced on 15^th March. We now have six singing males. Siskin are also in fine voice causing a deafening noise in the trees outside the house. In fact there is a hive of activity amongst all the resident birds. We have pairs of Grey and Pied Wagtails. Last year both decided to nest in or around the barns and slurry lagoon area (a stream runs behind). I am also waiting to see if the Mallard has nested in the slurry lagoon again this year (plenty of rushes grow there). She has done so for the past three seasons and it is only when the ducklings appear that we realise that she was present. The first two years the ducklings fledged but last year they disappeared one by one.

Fieldfares and Redwings are still around but will soon be departing, the Snipe already having done so.

The Ravens are now sitting and it is quite comical when a head appears over the edge of the nest each time we walk underneath. Until they nested close by I had never realised just how vocal Ravens are. There is a constant “chatter” which goes on between the pair when both are at the nest site.

The Blue Tits are busy nest building as can be seen using my new nest-cam (birthday present!).