Bits and pieces.

[Vogelmeister]

HI All, Not been here for a while, very busy with other things!! Just a few pics to share with You. One shows a new visitor to My garden. A Chiff Chaff, no less. Thought it was one of My resident Willow Warblers until I spotted it's almost black legs and confirmed the ID in My trusty reference book!!! Next is 2 pictures of a nest that I found in an overgrown bit of garden that I decided to clear. I'm pretty sure it's an LTT nest, it's quite deep inside, (but could be a Robin??) Other pic is a delightful Swan family spotted at Druridge Bay Country Park just south of Amble on the NE coast.(Well worth a visit if You're in the area, a lot of birds on that lake) There were 2 families of 7 cygnets. Surprisingly it wasn't "Dad" on the left that challenged My presence there but the young one closest to me, gave me a good " hissing at".

[PeterB]

Welcome back Charles. No idea what that nest is.

[Little Sparrow]

Good to see you posting again Charles.

I believe LTT's nests are hidden more in brambles/shrubs, though not saying it isn't one you found.

The Long-tailed Tit's nest is an elastic ball of moss, spiders' webs, lichen, feathers, and hair that is built by both birds in a bush, hedge or tree; brambles and gorse are favourite places. The nest may take up to 3 weeks to build and be lined with more than 2000 feathers.

Nice one with the Chiffchaff in your garden and great to see the Swan families!

[Vogelmeister]

The nest was completely hidden from view with all sorts of undergrowth. Only found it when I cleared the area. I have found a photo of an LTT nest in a "Nature Detective" book and it's nothing like this one, no moss and lots of lichen stuck together with spiders webs. Not sure it's a Robin's either. I remember finding a Robin's nest years ago and that had no "top" on it, but it was in a rusty old kettle.