I keep too many birds, but as soon as I begin pairing up I can see those birds I'll never use and will end just eating seed. They'll have to go.

I put down 6 pairs just after the snow disappeared, within 12 days all had eggs. Only one pair has had not been fertile, the hen is an older girl that is past her best but she bred some good youngsters last year (two of her daughters are in two of the other nest boxes - I've paired up many of my best birds in these 6 nestboxes).

Today I've put together another four pairs. With a few exceptions, the only good birds left are too young to breed, that means that most of what's left can go. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done for us beginners.