The Swallows and House Martins finally gave up their battle to breed in their usual locations hence no nests at all this year. There are still quite a few around though, feeding on a plentiful supply of insects. I know it is good that the Tawny Owls have had a good breeding season as they are amber listed but I wish they would keep to the main barn for roosting and leave the workshop and old wood-shed to the Swallows. Similarly the Sparrows have not been satisfied with the Swift box they commandeered the year it went up but have now taken over the old House Martin nests and the latter do not seem to take to artificial nests. Still there are many other young birds around with fledging Wrens appearing out of the bushes like little darts.
Although I can identify many birds by call and song, this time of year is quite confusing with the noises from recently fledged birds - keep thinking I may have something rather different only to find it is a youngster!
The highlight of July had to be the visiting Hobby. It remained for about 30 minutes during which it underwent a fly-past of the conservatory, landed on a telegraph pole watching and finally chased a couple of swallows up the drive, over the garden and away.