My eldest grand-daughter, Erin, turned 6 this week. Being summertime, the request to attend the now obligatory BBQ rendezvous chez No.2 son was forthcoming.
From my side of the marriage there were just three: grandfather (me), grandmother (ex wife Ann) and my partner, Jenny.
Chris and Ann getting away from the throng.
On the other side there was a grand gathering of 7: Ali's mum, dad, brother, sister, brother's expectant wife and two children.
I spent much of the time entertaining the four children in the garden, with football using that huge blue thing above, playing tag, pretend fighting and pulling faces.
The next day
Having been summoned to go to Aylesbury, I got on my bike after an early breakfast to join Dave Short and another trainee, Bill, to check out and ring a few Barn Owls and Kestrels in the Aylesbury Vale.
The first three boxes contained Barn Owls: three were ringed in the first, there were two and an egg in the next and the third was deserted (reason unknown). A couple of Little Owl boxes were also checked, one empty, the other with a bird sitting. We tackled another four boxes containing Kestrels: six good, evenly fed young in the first box, four and an egg in the next (which I ringed), then two of very different sizes and one egg (which they were cuddled up to) in the next and in the last there was just the one chick and four very cold eggs.
The one I enjoyed most was the single Buzzard Chick (see photo). While we were climbing to this nest, a pair of Red Kites (the female was visibly bigger than her mate) circled nearby and the female Buzzard kept watch, mewing all the while. Later, she was joined by the male but he soon slid off west.
Afterwards, we went looking for Swallows in various farm sheds and barns. On one farm we found eight nests (there may be more) and ringed one brood of five that was ready. There four young lady onlookers/assistants as we did them. Some broods will possibly be ready at the weekend. Another species which we ringed was House Sparrow - four in a box on a stable. There are also some Stock Doves and Collared Dove nests that we (Dave) are following up and the following day (today), Dave rang me about a Spot Fly nest!!! And another!!!
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