11th November - Update

Several reasons I haven't updated the blog recently

1. It's been dark - a lot.
2. I haven't done much birding
3. I bought a new camera body which I'm still getting used to, including one disadvantage that photshop doesn't recognise the files ! so working out a solution as to how to load the pics.

But...

I am going to Ethiopia tomorrow  ... maybe I'll see some birds there !!

A summary of the last few weeks  - We went to Cornwall for a couple of days during the girls half-term, the theme was 'Jamaica Inn' - which is on Bodmin Moor - as Hannah is studying the book at school, we also visited some of the usual sites (e.g. St Ives and Eden). Not many birds were involved just a few Stonechats, Wheatears, Peregrine and many commoner species but an enjoyable 3 nights.

We had a 'Winter Pen' built for the Ducks and Chickens and if it had been finished a day earlier we would have had one more Hen rather than the presumed Fox dinner..... and yes it had to Blossom that succumbed after that  Vet bill !!!!

Birds numbers at home have increased again. A flock of up to 30 Goldfinches haas been visting the feeders daily along with a Sparowhawk ! There is sstill a good number of Siskins (again 30+) feeding in the Alders and 4 Lesser Redpolls. A Grey Heron has been frequently the tiny round pond in the garden. On Saturday a very large flock of Redwings were in a Holly at the end of the last field, the one I've been eying for xmas decorations, but that number of birds may get there first,  difficult to count but well in excess of 50 birds and 20 Fieldfare flew over. A few Goldcrest have been with Long-tailed Tits and Treecreeper have been regular seen and the Tawny Owls have still be very vocal.