We are happy to announce that we have a family of eleven using our Pond! Our first ducklings this year were observed on the 22nd April having a swim with their parents keeping watch. We were lucky enough to get this close up before they swam to the safety of the other bank.

Bird Nests

If you've been keeping an eye on our web-cam footage you would have seen that a couple of Great Tits have nested in both of our bird boxes. Unfortunately one of the boxes appears to have been abandoned with the 7 eggs remaining untouched for a few days now. Birds may abandon their nests if they feel that their nesting site is at risk from predators or disturbed by humans. The amount of energy that goes into looking after a brood is high and many birds will not waste that energy on a nest that is at risk. Instead they will move on and nest elsewhere.

Abandoned nest on the left and Great Tit feeding its young on the right.

The other nest has been much more successful. Nine eggs were observed in total and the majority of them have now hatched. The parents are being kept busy with the many chicks to feed. They are currently blind and bald, but within the next few weeks will develop their sight and feathers. I hope you enjoy observing their development as much as we are!