Despite a rather cold and blustery wind, the buzzards have swung into action on the Poplar tree. There were at least three matings this morning, although as their ‘usual’ branch was twisted off in the Autumn gales, they have selected a spot further into the tree. This means there is less scope for the aerial dive-bombing method I’ve seen in earlier years, which may be a relief for the female? Anyway, they have re-established their bond and look set fair for the coming season.

It will interesting to see if we have another wandering Red Kite this year. Last summer we watched our first, in the nineteen years we have been here, float over the copse and away across the river. Just yesterday we saw another flying near Ockeridge Wood so they are moving steadily in our direction.

In the last week or so we have noticed that the redpolls are not visiting the garden as frequently and there are fewer of them, the siskins, too, are decreasing but they will probably stay around longer as they breed locally.

I sometimes wish I could understand what birds are saying – not just the general contact calls or alarms, but the conversations they have, especially the corvids. As often happens at this time of year, we are seeing gatherings of magpies, 18 one morning, and a dozen yesterday, and I find the interaction between them so interesting to watch. The other day it was as if the crow was orchestrating the gathering – he sat right on the topmost branch and had magpies ranged beneath him, but not in a threatening manner, as if they were hanging on every ‘direction’ he gave. They moved through the trees but always with the crow at the top, unfortunately I couldn’t see if they were following a perceived threat or if it was simple curiosity that drove them, possibly a strange dog or cat – we’ll never know. But wouldn’t it be interesting if we could!

It can be hard watching the natural order of things in the garden though, particularly where magpies are concerned. I’ve been watching the hen blackbird making nest right at the top of an ivy covered dead tree and was worried that the site was very open to avian eyes. Sure enough I heard an alarm call and there was a magpie perched in the ivy, checking out the nest. Hopefully the blackbird will take the hint and try again somewhere safer from prying eyes.

Apart from the pigeons in the ivy, and sparrows and starlings under the roof, birds don’t tend to nest in our garden, despite plenty of possible sites. I think this is very sensible – our garden is a bit like Piccadilly Circus, always busy, we feed throughout the year and so it attracts all sorts of birds, including the Sparrowhawks. Not really the best place to bring up your offspring!

Here is the garden beginning to wake up!