The garden birds seem generally to have had a good breeding season, with juvenile Bluetits and Magpies being the new arrivals this month.

After reporting the absence of the adult Robins last month it was good to see it (or them) return in the middle of July, and they are now around every day as if they have never been away.

It looks as if last month's Sparrowhawk visits may have been reconnaissance missions. This month the bird came and perched briefly on the sundial, took a look around and flew off. Two days later it struck and, as you can see, was spectacularly successful.

Happily, our House sparrow population is at a record high and they seem to have taken the loss in their stride.

TJH
July 2003