Dramatic scenes in the garden this early evening. Having just thrown a few kitchen scraps into the garden a few minutes earlier, I heard a squawking noise. I looked out of the back door to see a stunning male Sparrowhawk sat on a Starling on the lawn. It flew off with the bird in its talons. I couldnt help feeling a bit guilty though!

Quite an interesting and eventful few days in the garden with 2 garden firsts
First was a Carrion Crow sat on the fence on Friday and second was 2 Mute Swans flying over together this afternoon. I heard the noise from their wings before I saw them.
Today saw the first newly fledged Starlings with 4 arriving with a flock of about 15 adults as I sat in the garden. They were begging for food but also doing a bit of self-feeding. Then some drama as a pair of Magpies arrived and the flock scattered and I watched as one of the youngsters flew straight into the kitchen window! Fortunately it was still able to fly off. They all returned a few mins later.
Also a very independent recently fledged male Blackbird that was gaining its black feathers on its wings and tail but still had its spotty plumage on its breast.
About 12 House Sparrows regularly visit to dust bath, bath in the bird bath, feed and collect nest material. There is a pair nesting in the wall of a house opposite.
The Blue Tits dont appear to be in the box this year after earlier showing plenty of interest.
Other species noted are the occasional Robin, frequent Woodpigeons and Collard Doves and Swifts overhead.

Also the usual 2 Grey Squirrels

Recent highlights
Some scraps of stale bread yesterday attracted a flock of 25+ Starling. All in stunning plumage in the sunshine. Great to watch as I sat quietly. Some also gathered nesting material.
A growing group of about 20 House Sparrows regularly come for a dust bath, water bath and food. At least 3 nests in neighbours buildings- 2 under the eaves and 1 in a hole in a wall.
The Blue Tit pair are defending their plum tree that has the nest box from the Sparrows chasing them off every time they land in the tee. Feisty little things they are. Hopefully they will nest soon.
A Sparrowhawk is seen most days
A Rook flew over today.
The Feral Doves have increased to 8 on the roofs but never come into the garden. A few Woodpigeons and3 Collard Dove are regular.
A Robin visited the other day. First for a while. As was a Wren.
A couple of pairs of Blackbirds gathering food.
A Magpie is quick to pick up any food scraps put out.

A Grey Squirrel often runs along the fence.

Todays highlights
Singing Goldcrest in next doors conifer
3 Collard Dove including pair displaying on the fence
3 Feral Doves on the roof
Blue Tit pair again at the nest box
1 Mallard over
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull low over garden

Also
Holly Blue butterfly seen twice

2 Canada Geese over
A few Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black headed Gulls spiralling on thermals high up.
The regular daily Sparrowhawk over.
Goldfinch over.
The singing Starling today mimicking Buzzard, Duck quacks and what sounded like a police car siren!!!

Raptors were the main highlight from today:
9 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk were all kettling together around midday over the garden.
Another Buzzard flew over later on.
The Sparrowhawk also flew over again mid afternoon.
Best of all a Peregrine spent a couple of minutes soaring overhead early afternoon
The Blue Tit pair continue to bring nest material to the box including feathers.
House Sparrows, Blackbirds and Woodpigeon were also very active.

Today's observations:

I thought I heard the twittering of a Swallow flying over - then realised it was the Starling mimicking again !
2 Canada Geese over
1 Sparrowhawk circled again
3 Goldfinch
A pair of Woodpigeon displaying
6 House Sparrows
The usual Blue Tit pair back and forth to the nest box and chasing away the Sparrows
1 Buzzard
a couple of Blackbirds

Other wildlife:
Main highlight was a Holly Blue butterfly
1 Orange Tip - male
1 Large White
a few Small Tortoishells and Peacocks

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Wednesday 8th of April 2020 10:51:39 PM

Some good sightings today:

A Rook flew really low over the back garden today. No doubt one of yesterdays birds.
As did a Carrion Crow later on.
A Sparrowhawk was seen 4 times. Twice soaring high and mobbed by A group of Starlings and twice making a hunting dash through next doors garden causing panic amongst the Starlings.
4 Buzzard over
3 Starlings singing. The usual one today mimicking the quacking of a Mallard! - now the 5th species Ive heard it mimick!
1 Wren showed nicely on the fence.
The Blue Tit pair regularly making visits to the nest box again.
Small group of House Sparrows coming and going.
Singing Woodpigeon

Other wildlife:
1 White butterfly sp
Peacock
Small Tortoishell

6 Buzzard over today - 4 together then 2 together together soaring and mewing
A Magpie made two visits
Blue Tit back and too to the nest box
Singing Starling
A few House Sparrows

Also a queen wasp

The usual singing Starling today mimicking a Kestrel!

Ive just realised I havent given a description of my garden so here goes. It is a medium sized, triangular shaped suburban garden with a lawn and a few ornamental shrubs and a plum tree. There are houses to the rear and to the side. Some neighbouring gardens have some mature trees that attract a few birds as well as a couple of Grey Squirrels which make regular visits. . My garden has a small fish pond with a waterfall which is regularly used by birds for bathing and drinking. The pond also has a few frogs and we get frogspawn each spring. I have a few feeders of suet balls, sunflower seeds, mixed seed and peanuts in the plum tree. There are two nest boxes. One in the plum tree that has been used by Blue Tits for the last five consecutive years. The other one is on a fence and doesnt get used. It probably needs moving to a better place. Irlam Moss is less than 10 mins walk away meaning flyover birds are often seen heading to or from the Mosses. A 10 minute walk the opposite way gets me to Princess Park and the Manchester Ship Canal.

Highlights from today:

A young fully grown Woodpigeon visited today plus 3 adults.
The usual singing Starling was today pretending to be a Herring Gull. Maybe it was inspired by the two Herring Gulls that flew over this afternoon. My bet is this Starling spent the winter at the coast.
The Blue Tit pair were regular as were a few Blackbirds
5 House Sparrows on the feeders this morning much to the fury of the Blue Tits that kept chasing them off! Theyre pretty fiesty for such small birds.

Pretty quiet in the garden today. The main highlight was a Cormorant that flew over and a few minutes later it or another flew back the opposite way again.

Today sightings

1 Sparrowhawk soaring high
Pair of Collard Dove
The pair of frisky Wood Pigeons again
Pair of Blue Tits again making visits to the nest box
Blackbird foraging where I had been doing some digging earlier
Goldfinch over
Starling again singing from TV aerial- today mimicking Oystercatcher and Buzzard! Its giving me another idea for a list!!

Butterflies:
Brimstone again
Peacock
Small Tortoishell