Corncrake centre-out mowing. First cut silage, probably the latest in the country. Saw a very late corncrake in the nettles before mowing started. Mowing is definitely the most stressful day in the year

Before and after. Main garden pond dug/filled/planted 3 years ago and pond today
The only constant in video is Neantóg

From the garden, greater white toothed shrew

South meadow corncrake habitat. 100 years ago, this would have been a typical irish meadow with abundant corncrake and skylark overhead everywhere...

40 pairs of house martins and 4 swift boxes occupied ( 2 breeding pairs and 2 new boxes occupied) on house.... on farm 5 calling corncrake and 3 in surrounding area. Video is of chirping house martin chicks outside the bedroom window......

Whitethroat calling from the "front lawn"....

Nesting starling in the eaves. I cut a little hole in the soffit earlier in spring. because I thought there were starlings trapped. Now, they use hole as the entrance to their nest. Chicks are well advanced, and Neantóg wants to get at them!

4 swifts zooming around the house. In 2024 i had 1 breeding pair of swifts and 1 non-breeding pair of swifts. Hopefully can get 2 breeding pairs at least this year, looking hopeful!

Displaying common sandpiper by the iris field.

Main garden pond looking nice in morning sun....

Calling from the South meadow nettle bed.... corncrake... I think 2 calling males are present....

Corncrake are back!!!!!!!

Neantóg checking iris corncrake cover plot, needs to be a bit higher for corncrake!

North meadow nettle bed ready for corncrake. Corncrake may be present, but with lashing rain, they will not call.