Everything is 3 weeks earlier this year!

[Catherine]

Why are birds building nest so early? Why are there reports of some Blue Tits' eggs already having hatched?

Look no further!

Below are two pics of Fluffy's bird box (with webcam). The first was taken on 3rd May, 2010 and the second on 14th April, 2011. Yet the flower buds on the Clematis are at an identical stage in their lives - 3 weeks earlier this year!

The next pair of pics is of the Oak tree's leaves unfurling. The first was taken on 7th May, 2010, and the second on 14th April, 2011. Yet the leaves have opened to a similar amount in each photo - again, 3 weeks earlier this year!

Since Fluffy's babies will have to live on the tiny green caterpillars which abseil down from the Oak tree, Fluffy's eggs have been laid and are waiting for her to incubate them - to hatch just in time for a plentiful supply of those little caterpillars!

Aren't birds clever?

[rolf]

Some great evidence there Catherine, didn't realise how well advanced things are compared to this time last year.

[ladylouise62]

It only really struck me because I'm a gardener. I've been very aware of how far ahead we are whilst sowing seeds etc, but not only that, loads seem to be particularly lush even for later in the year.

And yes, birds are much cleverer that we give them credit for