Spadgers

House sparrow seem to have had an amazing year for breeding. Our neighbours have a veritable sparrow factory under their roof and their birds must have had at least three broods since the spring. Watching the young birds in the garden the last few days has made up to a degree for the rapidly diminishing numbers of swift in village airspace. They'll be all gone for their winter holidays soon and won't be back until late April or early May next year

Swifts

Our swifts are still here and we had the privilege of watching them flying around 'screaming' last night whilst sat outside the Fleece with a drink. I doubt they'll be around much more than another week so it was nice to catch them before they went. I always used to think we were borrowing them during our summer from Africa where they spend the majority of their time but it dawned on me recently that they were all born here in the village and as such they are much more local than me!