Thursday 7th January - Lockdamn

 Again !!! 

No sooner had the year started and having dared to entertain thoughts of venturing further afield that we have been firmly bolted down again for an unspecified time but probably until March and at least until the powers of the land believe a sense of control over this invisible virus has been achieved. Not that there's anything wrong with garden birds and birds to be seen on foot from the house, but inland muddy woodland in January will definitely not do much to accumulate any significant bird list.

Yesterday turned out to be a mainly cold and wet day with a constant drizzle, combined with what felt like me pulling a muscle in my lower back whilst of all things topping up the bird food from a feed bin. Today had a better feel although an icy frost remained for most of the day and a lingering mist stayed for the most part there were patches of bright sunshine. Providing I keep the bird food going the birds are still there in the garden. The highlight over the last couple of days has been a female Blackcap. Overwintering birds are known to be regular garden visitors, but this is the first Winter bird I've had here so it goes to the the top of my list. It seems happy feeding on a few halved windfall apples wedged in the shrubs and on the remaining Callicarpa berries which have probably just achieved a perfect ripeness.

Otherwise a Brambling today was the first seen since before Christmas along with the c25 Chaffinches, 15 Goldfinch and 4 Greenfinch and 3 Bullfinch. I have only seen 3 or 4 Siskin and currently they remain feeding in the Alders rather than the bird feeders. 2 Marsh Tits visit regularly and c20 Redwing are still around,mainly feeding in the Ivy covering some of the trees in the Gully. I had a waddle around the fields today but if my back improves sufficiently hope to be back for a longer walk from tomorrow.

Robin

male Blackbird

Pied Wagtail - one of 3 visiting, looks like a first year bird

Blackcap in Callicarpa bush

Blackcap

Female-type