We are thrilled to be hosts to a huge number of tiny families this spring – long may THIS tradition continue, even though some of them are going to have to move house before next spring. We’re going to box in our eves but are going to put in lots of nesting boxes elsewhere so the birds don’t lose their spaces, they’ll just have to adjust to different spaces.

Anyway, for weeks now there has been a huge amount of activity – first making space (removal of fibreglass insulation from our loft....which is why they've got to move on) then building of nests, then eggs and now fledglings. We’re both thrilled. We even visited a fab starling website, where we learned they are endangered…..well, we’ll have to do our best to help sort that one out. We also watched 20 days of photos from hatching to leaving the nest – aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!! The best bit we learned was that like humans, Starlings are big consumers of junk food – well, I suppose we knew that, but unlike humans, they are meticulous to only feed their young ‘good stuff’ – no feeding the kids chicken nuggets, it’s wriggly things all the way!

Watching Mum and Dad come and go with what seems like half a ton of wriggling things each day is a superb treat. There is a definite pattern. They can’t seem to negotiate the flight in and the nest entrance in a single action so they fly in, land on this wrought iron hanging basket hanger and then do the final leg from a short distance and a standing start.

I’d just finished work and decided to try for a shot. I know it’s not stunning but nonetheless I love it. I am determined to do better with bird shots and will start by cleaning the window!!!!! What is it about all this that's so charming?

Last year, I was starting a journey to the other side of the world, that incorporated pleasure, misery and exhaustion.