Hatched

I seem to photograph this every year.

A commotion in the back garden woke me up this morning - lots of urgent blackbird alarm calls. Looking out of the window a magpie was rooting around on top of the hedge at the back of the garden, with a pair of blackbirds calling repeatedly. I opened the window and clapped my hands and the magpie scarpered. The blackbirds continued calling and the magpie returned minutes later. I repeated my action, and after a while things settled down. But corvids have good memories, so I guess it may return to investigate the nest.

Meanwhile the blue tits must have fledged whilst I’ve been away, and today I have found eggshells under the house martin nest. A couple of weeks ago I saw starlings closely investigating the nest and worried the birds might desert. My fears were unfounded.