Love Birds 2

Waxeyes or silvereyes, Zosterops lateralis

Judging by the close behaviour of these little birds they could be the same couple that I blipped during the winter. Here, she keeps watch as he feeds. Nice in large.

Since the onset of spring (though you'd never guess from today's chill wind) there has been a lot of change in the bird population in my garden. All the green birds left- the bellbird, waxeyes and greenfinches. The house sparrows had the grain and bread to themselves, the blackbird pair pecked at the cut apples, and the honey water went unnoticed. The waxeyes came back when I put out an over ripe banana.

Today I saw a thrush busy on the bread tray. The starlings, which have no interest in the food I put out, are feeding close to their nests now.

For the last two days I've heard a grey warbler. He was a regular here last autumn, but was chased away by the greedy waxeyes, even though he was not interested in anything they eat. I hope he stays this time. Grey warblers look similar to waxeyes only they are smaller and grey. They have the sweetest song, the quintessential sound of summer. They have a hard time raising a family because the shining cuckoo lays its eggs in their nests, and magpies feed on their chicks.

As well as these, I have seen briefly a pair of fantails and a pair of welcome swallows.

The snow didn't amount to much. There was just a dusting on the hills and mountains.