Filmed this on one of our stealth cams last night. Any ideas what is going on here?

Really pleased to see and hear a drumming lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) during our newt survey this morning.

I had a break-down of the nest-box camera but have now replaced with a new hi-res colour camera (B+W after dark of course). Having been unable to see in to the box for a few days, I am pleased to see the resident bird is still there, but only roosting still so far. Has been quite cold recently I guess. Still displaying outside, so fingers crossed...

I have set-up a telescope on the red kite nest and have seen both birds making regular visits with nesting material as well as sitting within what is now a fairly substantial platform. I can also see what looks like some sheep's wool and strands of something else; possibly a plastic carrier bag, within the nest structure. This species is known to decorate it's nest, with a variety of objects being found in monitored nests. I will watch out for anything else odd (as well as keeping an eye on my washing!).

We have a camera installed in a nest box outside our Whitchurch office, so will update with progress throughout the spring. So far there is a resident blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) using the box for overnight roosting (see below), but also seen displaying outside so fingers crossed...

We are lucky to have a pair of red kites (Milvus milvus) nesting in view of the office window. I have been watching these birds for a few weeks and noted signs of territorial behaviour. Today both birds were bringing sticks and small branches to a fork in a poplar tree so have now selected the nest site. I will keep an eye and post any observations as things progress.

Warm weather today brought a few butterflies out of hibernation. Three species sighted near our Whitchurch office; brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and comma (Polygonia c-album).