Saturday 9th January - belated Happy New Year !

The year turned and the weather stayed the same, very grey, very wet, very windy and a few degrees colder. Many brave soles would have been out birding to get new year lists underway, but last weekend the weather was so foul I didn't venture out on my nominated day on Saturday as I had no great desire to get soaked and try and find birds through rain-sodden optics... maybe its an age thing !!!!

However all was not lost and the garden was pretty active last Friday to Sunday, although any pictures were through the grubby kitchen window. The list is as follows the numbers reflect the highest count of a species seen at any one time. 29 species in total and no raptors yet.

Siskin 4
Lesser Redpoll 5
Greenfinch 8
Chaffinch 26
Brambling 3 (2 males)
Goldfinch 15
Blackbird 4
Song Thrush 1
Redwing 8
Fieldfare 9
Robin 3
Dunnock 3
Wren 1
Pheasant 6
Raven 1
Jackdaw  8
Rook 3
Carrion Crow 1
Magpie 1
Woodpigeon 12
Stock Dove 6
Blue Tit 4
Great Tit 4
Coal Tit 1
Marsh Tit 1
Long tailed Tit 7
Great spotted Woodpecker 1
Nuthatch 1
Mallard 1

In addition Adie has a Wildlife Cam for an xmas present and a Badger has been well filmed on this.
During the week a Tawny Owl has been calling away on calm nights and a Fox was barking all night on Thursday. The fields are now so wet the Sheep have been put in the stables to dry out their feet.

I think whatever happens with the weather tomorrow I need to venture out !

male Brambling has remained in the garden with a couple of friends

male Siskin