Spring bird migration passed rather quietly this year, presumably because most incoming birds chose to fly straight through to their breeding locations rather than stop off here on the south Wales coast for a breather. And the breeding process is in full swing with the local birds – they’re either shouting from the bush tops about what a great mate they would be, or rushing around trying to find insects to feed hungry chicks.

In view of the breeding madness going on all around it, I was very impressed with how calm and serene this Dunnock was looking. Perhaps it’s too young to breed, or maybe its first attempt at nesting failed and it hasn’t yet tried again.

Sadly, I’m fairly sure this year’s nesting attempt has failed for my Crow family. For a couple of weeks, the male was desperate for food and quite obviously taking it back to one specific location in the woods, either to feed his mate and/or their offspring. But today both the male and female appeared for food and they had reverted to their usual practice of flying off short distances to stash food amongst low vegetation, then coming back for more. That’s the second year their breeding attempts have failed, which is concerning.

When the stress of life and breeding and chicks all gets too much, what’s a bird to do but find a nice puddle and have a good splash! These Goldfinches really looked like they were having fun.