The start of spring was rather sad when the cat crossed the line and killed the pair of Barn Swallows. Although it costed a small fortune, I sent him on vacation, and from may onwards it was safe. Luckily a new pair of Swallows arrived and bred succesfully, together with many other birds!
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| juvenile Dunnock, one of the earlier breeders and succesfully fledged |
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| Blackbird, at least 2 succesfull pairs |
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| juvenile Wrens, the nest was in the firewood-storage |
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| Blackcap working hard to feed the young |
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| recently fledged Blackcap, next to the kitchen window |
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| Chiffchaff bred in the ornamental grass, second clutch just hatched |
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| several pairs of House Sparrow bred in the roof |
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| And also at least 1 pair of Starling in the roof. After fledging all Starlings of Pieterzijl gathered in my back garden, a rather noisy flock of 50+ ! |
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| Succesfull pair of Barn Swallow, and they started a second clutch! |
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| these Song Thrushes would have been an easy meal for cat (the nest was only a meter high, next to the barn) |
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| Icterine Warbler again bred succesfully and the young fledged a few days ago. Always hiding but very vocal, luckily this one showed in front of my window. |
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| Collared Dove, no comment |
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| Spotted Flycatcher is one of the last breeders, not sure where but the young fledged and favour the area around the kitchen. Note the spotted juvenile in the background and the catch; a Wasp! |
Furthermore there was Wood Pigeon (1 breeding pair), Great Tit (1 breeding pair), Greenfich (territory), Goldfinch (territory, probably bred at neighbour's garden), Lesser Whitethroat (territory). Not a bad year!
