Two observations worth noting at Torrisholme CC, firstly 5 adult mistle thrushes collecting food (worms and chafer grubs) rather than the usual 3 or sometimes 4. This implies 3 nests? Also a party of 40+ long tailed tit passing through the ground in very windy conditions but remaining very capable straight line flyers. Feeding on sycamore leaf aphids as far as I can see.
In Freehold, regardless of the rubbish weather, we still appear to have up to 14 swifts attending low levels if not always nests. The April to mid June weather has been really difficult for them and my ‘on mower’ experience at Torrisholme has revealed very few small insects, let alone almost no bees or wasps and certainly no horseflies. Temperatures are depressed but I would have expected more life. We are now surrounded by maize. Is this an ongoing neonicotinoid issue? How do you enquire? Just asking.
