Robin and Long tailed Tit

On a recent visit to Woods mill, Sussex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, I witnessed this unusual behaviour from a long- tailed tit.


At first I thought it was reacting to its reflection but continued observation suggested it might have been catching tiny flying insects. Just before the long-tailed tit flew down to the windows, it had been foraging in a near by tree.

Further on around the reserve I encountered this pair of robin. The male robin was collecting food items to feed his mate - known as courtship feeding. The robin showed great interest in my lunch and so I offered some bread crumbs on my hand.


The robin became braver after several visits to my hands and on occasions stayed for a few seconds before flying off. Bread not the best food for birds but the few crumbs won't have been a problem.

Tricky filming and feeding the robin but pleased with the results.


While it is easy to think that this robin is being very friendly - this probably involves a behaviour that goes back to when they were true woodland birds. Robins once foraged around wild boar that unearthed tasty worms and invertebrates while they rooted around for food. In a similar way, some robins have become used to humans a being non dangerous and a source of food.

Sparrow nesting

During the winter month the house sparrows have been regular visitors to me bird feeder. The last few days this has changed and the sparrows have now shifted into courtship mode.

While the occasional sparrow still pays a visit to the bird feeder, most of their attention has switched to collecting nesting materials. Instead of the front garden where the feeder is situated the sparrows now make more visits to the back garden.

Visits from both males and females, often as a pair. Materials collected mainly appear to be plant material and one female sparrow found a feather.

If you live in or near Brighton you might be interested in the Brighton and Hove's House Sparrows Project 

Once a very common sight in our towns and cities, the number of house sparrows has declined by 75% over the last 25 years. The project aims to ensure a sustainable population of house sparrows across Brighton Hove and raising awareness about their needs in order for them to thrive.






Visit the website to find out more about sparrows in Brighton and Hove, help with a survey, take part in a photographic competition or more

garden wildife update

Lots of activity in our garden now as flowers have responded to spring warmth. Winter visiting birds have been replaced by the more urgent need for nesting, great tis, blue tits, robin and house sparrows.




Bee activity has increased. The hairy footed bees, male and female are busy visiting the comfrey and flowering current. Several queen buff tailed and red tailed bumble bees in the garden - one buff tailed queen appears to be nesting in a hole by the shed.




Red mason bees visible today and the larger comma and tortoiseshell butterflies have been joined by speckled wood and a blue butterfly - that did not settle.

Tadpole development

Then tadpoles continue to develop. Due to the large number of frogs and spawn laid this year, they have developed at different rates. Some are quite large with roundish bodies where other tadpoles are only half the sized with relatively long, thin bodies.


Video clip taken with action cam.

Frog Spawn

Following the arrival of frogs two days ago - there are now 6 clumps of frog spawn in our pond.

Frogs return to my pond

I awoke this morning to loud croaking chorus from our pond heralding the frogs return following hibernation.

The pond is just outside the conservatory window and the frogs notice the smallest movement at the window - but definitely 13 frogs at the moment

Courtship in full swing as they are already jostling to form pairs.

Males and females common frogs look the same but there are a few clues you can look for.

The female common frogs are often a bit larger than the male and the female has a darker throat, while the male’s throat is often white.

Goldcrest visiting my bird feeder

A pleasant surprise visitor to my bird feeder - a Goldcrest. Smaller than a wren, along with the firecrest, the goldcrest is our smallest bird.

I noticed the goldcrest in the branches of the buddleia and it eventually came down onto the feeding tray of my bird feeder picking up tiny bits of food that had been dropped by sparrows and tits feeding on the fat balls.

The goldcrests plumage is olive above and buff white below, with darker wings displaying two white wing bars and an orange or yellow crown stripe flanked by a black edge.

Adult males have an orange or orange-yellow crown stripe, in the female the stripe is yellow. In the photographs the head stripe appears to be orange so this goldcrest is probably a male. Looking at the video the crest looks more yellow - but maybe due to poor light and damp windows.

After clearing up all the scraps from the feeding tray, the goldcrest flew back up into the buddleia and after a few seconds surprised me by flying onto the birdfeeder and eating tiny bits from the fat balls.

Goldcrests are largely insectivores so I was surprised to see it  on the bird feeder

In winter I have observed the occasional goldcrest foraging for food in the evergreen passion flower in our back garden but never seen on the bird feeder before.