Toad in the hole

Whilst watering the plants by the back step I was surprised to see the soil in the pot starting to move. This was followed by a bubbling noise and all of a sudden a face appeared! It seems like a strange place to make a home buried inside a flowerpot but the toad seemed happy enough...

Other news this week is the flycatchers' nest got dislodged in some strong wind and appears to be empty. It has slipped out from behind the rose branch and is lying on its side. Whether the chicks were ready or not they seem to have survived as there are 5 flycatchers around the garden now - presumably 2 adults and 3 youngsters. It looks as if the adult pair may be making another nest again as they are flying together in the garden although I haven't worked out where they might nest.

The swallows have also left the nest for good now and the adult pair seem to be preparing for another clutch. One of the adults appears to have been repairing the nest whilst the other sits on top of the door frame over night. This is similar behaviour to when they finished the nest for the first clutch. Below is one of the ?adult swallows landing on the fencing post opposite the nest.