It s not all gloom and doom though. The Song Thrush is another bird which has become much scarcer over recent years a trend which unfortunately has been seen over much of the country. I was delighted, therefore, when a Song Thrush began building a nest in the garden. At the end of the month the female was incubating eggs. The nest is in a small leylandii tree, very close to the living room window, enabling me to observe the thrushy comings and goings at close quarters.
Magpies take a large toll of eggs and nestlings.
Early Blackbird and Thrush nests seems particularly at risk as there is little cover in the garden at this time, so these nests are often very exposed. Despite some pretty awful weather several species got seriously into the business of nest building Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin and Blue Tit. Things picked up weatherwise towards the end of the month, and on several fine mornings migrants were seen passing over going north after their sojourn in winter quarters. Most of these were Meadow Pipits accompanied, though, by a few Pied and Grey Wagtails, Linnets, Repolls and Redwings. The last day of the month was very sunny and spring-like.