Crags nest boxes

Jeff Cox and I spent this afternoon checking and doing basic emergency repairs to the nestboxes at the Crags in the hopeful anticipation of the return soon of pied flycatcher and redstart. Many of the problems with the boxes were due to grey squirrel damage. The repairs are only temporary, and will only last this season, but are better than nothing. We also spoke to Drew Marsh from the National Trust there who agreed to be available to make up c.50 new pine boxes, as the 'old' beech ones have basically had it now, and all need replacing. Birds encountered whilst working include goldcrest, nutchatch, treecreeper, and green & gs woodpecker (h). With thanks to Jeff for his help