It's great that the pub replaced the swift nesting spaces right away. So many developers and home owners don't do that and vital homes are lost. There's a great chance they will nest next year. Please do keep us posted.
Luckily the maintenance was done before the Swifts arrived. Although a few years back they put scaffolding up to the roof after they'd started nesting but the Swifts just flew under & around the bars and past the workmen as though they weren't there! The present landlord is a new 'tenant' and had no knowledge of the Swift history there but was extremely amenable when I asked for permission to put the boxes up. The 'Swifts Over Macclesfield' group & the RSPB provided the boxes and some manpower on the day.
I raised the alarm when I noticed that the old holes were no longer there but it turns out one or more Swifts had still found a way into the edge of the roof space so all was not lost. The boxes would have been a bit too late for this year.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
This cheeky juvenile thought he'd have a go at getting a sparrow sandwich for an afternoon snack. They were all in the hedge getting their knickers in a twist
He wasn't bothered by me getting up close and personal either
However - it wasn't as easy as he thought...
'Och - I've got ma wee ar*se stuck in here noo.. '
'C'mon you - ah'm in a right fankle...gie's a haun' gettin' oot....' He did manage it - and the sparrows lived to fight another day
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have finally put my feeding station up again. It was like Picadilly Station out there. I do not feed the birds during the summer as there is enough natural food available for them. The blackbirds have started stripping the heavily laden hawthorn nearby. It is the first year my Callicarpa has had a lot of berries, the bright purple colour seems to deter the birds until they are really desperate, then the tits seem to be the ones to strip it.
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I raised the alarm when I noticed that the old holes were no longer there but it turns out one or more Swifts had still found a way into the edge of the roof space so all was not lost. The boxes would have been a bit too late for this year.
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
Yup - last time I looked
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
He wasn't bothered by me getting up close and personal either
However - it wasn't as easy as he thought...
'Och - I've got ma wee ar*se stuck in here noo.. '
'C'mon you - ah'm in a right fankle...gie's a haun' gettin' oot....'
He did manage it - and the sparrows lived to fight another day
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The blackbirds have started stripping the heavily laden hawthorn nearby. It is the first year my Callicarpa has had a lot of berries, the bright purple colour seems to deter the birds until they are really desperate, then the tits seem to be the ones to strip it.
Who's a pretty boy then?
No robin, so he got some peace today to have a bath
I was just about to go out, so he timed it well
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...