An afternoons' Garden birding.

 Sunday 24th May 2026.

One of many Swifts high over the garden this afternoon.

Knowing full well that it was going to probably be the hottest day of the year, after our pub lunch in the nearby Bell Inn, we wanted to simply chill out in the back garden this afternoon and therefore, armed with my camera and binoculars, I managed to grab some nice photos of a lot of the birds that were seen from our garden here in Chittlehampton. Not just the birds either, but also some of the insects we all came across this afternoon and a few surprises too.

MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW

Throughout the afternoon and early evening, the numbers of House Martins, Swallows and especially the Swifts grew and the latter was probably around 40+ in the area. Watching them fly past just a matter of feet in small flocks was simply stunning, but far too quick to grab a photo of them. I did have better luck with some that were more high up in the blue sky and even the House Martins were also in good numbers, darting about among the Swifts.

Bird of the afternoon was my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. The last time we stayed here, there was one in the garden and I was pleased to see the bird late afternoon, though briefly, but got much better views of the bird while having our ‘al fresco’ dinner this evening in the garden. There were plenty of finches around today including Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin and Linnet on show, with most of the birds seen singing in a nearby Ash tree.

Other notable birds included a Coal Tit in one of the garden Conifers; a couple of Goldcrest heard singing also in the Conifers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen twice, but not long enough for a photo but only one Common Buzzard today and that was briefly seen flying over the fields to the south.

Painted Lady butterflies were all over the garden, though mostly enjoying nectaring on some of the flowering bushes. A couple of interesting insects flew in; a Chequered Weevil and a Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (see photos), while good numbers of Honey Bees and Buff-tailed Bumblebees were also enjoying the flowering bushes. A Red-tailed Bumblebee nearly landed on me this afternoon, but it did fly off to explore the garden again. As the Swifts are screaming still overhead and both Blackbirds and Song Thrushes are in full song, I shall be walking the dogs very shortly (it's around 9pm as I write this), the Moth Box will be on again tonight and I am so looking forward to seeing what it attracts tonight.