No Hedgehogs near us, we have a badger sett over the road 

No evidence of Badgers in immediate locality. Did think that I may have seen back end of one disappearing round corner of house, long ago and seen crossing road in distance about 1/2 mile away. When younger, patrolled some Nature Reserves, one of which had a 'secret' Sett... but I left before going on a 'watch'.

Saw the first Swallow whilst out on a walk near to Westonbirt Arboretum, then another Red Kite on the Cotswold Edge by Bristol .

Quote from: Steve J on 20 April 2023, 05:37:14 PMSaw the first Swallow whilst out on a walk near to Westonbirt Arboretum, then another Red Kite on the Cotswold Edge by Bristol .

Made friends with a Robin today while doing a bit of weeding.  Musy have chicks nearby as he flew away with a beakful of worms. Close enough to reach out and touch him (on reflection I have no idea of its sex or if there was a pair taking turns toing and froing).  Sat in the conserservatory later with a cuppa and watched a couple of Red Kites circling overhead - they have really made a come back over the past few years.

I saw a Red Kite over Downham Market a few years ago, which surprised me, but in a nice way. Great to see them making a come back in the same way Buzzards did round here in Bristol some 20 years ago.

Woken by Chaffinch repeatedly bashing itself against window. One or more used to do this several years ago. Probably battered itself to death as Chaffinches have been absent since. I think they see reflection as a rival and attack. None of the other birds seem to do this.
Warmish, sunny day today... Saturday was wet.

On Friday I saw a heron land on the hedge at the side of our garden - presumably deciding which of the local fishponds it needed to "visit". My wife saw it again yesterday.
I recall that 30+ years ago my father eventually had to cover the top of his pond with mesh, as the heron kept turning up to take the fish. Whether the current heron(s) is part of the same f"family" I don't know.

Cheers,

Geoff

Quote from: Elliesdad on 23 April 2023, 10:00:08 AMOn Friday I saw a heron land on the hedge at the side of our garden - presumably deciding which of the local fishponds it needed to "visit". My wife saw it again yesterday.
I recall that 30+ years ago my father eventually had to cover the top of his pond with mesh, as the heron kept turning up to take the fish. Whether the current heron(s) is part of the same f"family" I don't know.

We used to have one come to our pond in Cornwall and take the fish.  The pond was right outside the dining room window so if you were careful you could 'sneak' up and have a look at the bird close-up.  They're surprisingly big things and don't half panic when they suddenly spot you in the window!

We had an old metal gate over the top of the pond to try and thwart his attempts but he still grabbed the fish through the bars of it.

Heard them flying over loads of times..But for the first time, I've noticed, we had a couple of Canada Geese ambling around in one of our fields.

Get lots of geese overflying, also some winter in Birkenhead Park.

Surprised Heron in our little stream, many years ago. VTOL for such a BIG bird, very impressive! 
Something got a couple of Goldfish in garden pond out front... but may have been Larvae... some repulsive, and, rather large, creatures there, then. 
Geese fly overhead sometimes. Once had visit from a Mallard Duck pair who had gone up the strean, exploring. Too shallow... had sleepover, then went back.
B Chaffinch woke me up...still Havin' A Go' !
Good intentions for today, but cold, breezy and light rain... NOPE! 

Was up at my Mum's on the Welsh borders a few weeks back, place was swarming with bunnies, hardly see them here in Beds.

Hedgehog active and Sparrows plus Blackbirds gathering nesting material. Bloomin' cold and wet here though .

Heard the first Cuckoo of the Spring. Few days late, compared to previous years

Some clarification required.

QuoteWas up at my Mum's on the Welsh borders a few weeks back, place was swarming with bunnies, hardly see them here in Beds.

or ?

And when you say "Beds", I assume you mean "Bedfordshire"?