Delighted to be able to report that so far this winter (3rd Feb) we have only lost one out of 12 larvae to (bird) predation in Savernake.
That's the lowest predation mortality figure on record there, from a double-figure sample, since monitoring began in the 2009-10 winter.
We also lost one to flail cutting...
Here's The Gallops No 1 in repose in a branch scar yesterday. This is a sensible place to hibernate -
In the woods to the south of Savernake, 8 out of 11 larvae survived January. That's still good...
However, losses tend to be highest during February, so don't get over-excited yet...
Titmouse numbers, especially of Great Tit (PE Enemy No 1), remain Low in the southern woods. There are hardly any tit flocks in the woods (apart from of Long-taileds, which seem to have had a good breeding season last spring). But Great Tit males are just setting up territories in the woods now...
Fingers crossed, we could be on for a good or very good PE season this year, though much depends on the next six weeks and on weather during the pupation & pupal periods in late May / early June...
A lot of storm damaged old sallows, like this -
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