Here we go again!

Spring, that is.  Less than one hundred metres from our sitting room are two huge, old chestnut trees, well over twenty five metres high.  The very tops have been used by nesting magpies since before we moved here, the original single nest has now grown to six separate nests, the one of choice refurbished each year by taking twigs etc from the others.  This year they have decided that the highest one is the current des res. All has been progressing well until a couple of days ago.  That's when the trouble started again ...

Some four hundred metres or so to the east of the magpies nests there is long established rookery in a large copse.  Now, crows and magpies are not exactly the best of neighbours with sporadic attempts throughout the year by the rooks to take over the magpies homes, usually involving much loud cawing and chattering accompanied by aerial attacks, usually fended off by the nest residents.  Should the inhabitants be away searching for nesting material then desirable nest bits will be taken by the invaders for their own use.  This will continue until eggs are laid and one parent or the other will be busy doing nothing except sitting on those eggs waiting for them to eventually hatch.  For some reason, possibly that the rooks are also similarly occupied, there will be peace and calm for a few weeks or so, at least until the youngsters are able to fly.  Then it all kicks off again, no stealing of nest components but just periodic skirmishes.

Spring, is forever associated with lambs in my mind anyway.  On a nearby farm we were delighted to see the first lambs of the year just a few days ago in a meadow.  Tiny little creatures all snuggling up to their mums then, now already venturing away from maternal security beginning to discover a wider and more interesting world.

Unusually early there are already primulas in bloom in our garden, daffodils and narcissus are poking above the soil along with hyacinths and very early adventurous tulips.  There is a red squirrel who is a frequent visitor to a nearby almond tree that keeps both us and our two cats fascinated for ages as to how busy it is looking for food.

One of the highlights of the avian spring are the huge  flocks of cranes heading south, they are a magnificent sight in flocks of several hundreds, invariably heard before being seen as they all honk continually as they fly.  There are also quite a number of flocks of birds aloft heading in various directions for their summer vacations, sometimes it looks like an air traffic controllers worst nightmare as there are just so many!

The great thing about the spring happenings is that we can view them all from the comfort of our own home without setting foot outside.  Great eh?