Kingfisher

Last time I wasn't absolutely certain what I saw as it passed me so quickly. However while walking the dog this morning there was no doubt at all that it was indeed a Kingfisher. It came out from under a small bridge a short distance in front of me and flew upstream away from me. I saw the bright blue body momentarily as it was caught in the morning sun. Wonderful!

Weekly Report

Main highlights this week;

There seems to be a few more Siskins visiting than before.

The elusive Blackcap put in a brief appearance yesterday morning so he is still around! His habits are very similar to the Dunnocks who are also fairly shy birds. They emerge from the undergrowth in neighbouring gardens and common land and come into our garden through the gaps in the fence to feed on a ground feeder which is actually sitting on an old bench.

Not had many Starlings for a while but I've noticed 2 or 3 in the garden since I put out some new fatty balls!

New sightings out and about this week consist of a pair of Dippers on the riverside and a couple of Treecreepers in nearby woodland. Unfortunately I did not have my camera handy on either occasion.

Riverside

Mallards

Grey Heron

Pair of Goosanders

OK, I confess, these were not taken in my garden! I have started dog walking my mother's new Miniature Schnauzer pup and as she is only 4 months old her walks are restricted to 15 minutes along the nearby riverside. Apart from 2 Herons and a pair of Goosanders I have also seen a Grey Wagtail and caught a brief glimpse of a Kingfisher as it flashed past me. There is also a large population of Mallards resident all year round.

Weekly Report

Sick Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Wood Pigeon


Not much to report from the garden this week. I haven't seen the Blackcap for several days and this morning I found a sick Chaffinch which was only able to fly a very short distance at a time. I have made a new friend in a young male Blackbird which took sultanas from my hand when I went out to fill the feeders today.

Sprawk is back!

Didn't see him but found this compelling evidence on the roof of the bird table which is a favourite plucking post. Looks like the remains of a Siskin. :<(

Weekly Report

Our resident Robin.

Blackcap can just about be seen in middle of photo.

Our resident Robin again.

Resident female Blackie.

Nothing of note seen this week apart from the usual visitors. The Blackcap has not been scared away by the icy freezing conditions we have experienced this week and can still be seen most days. The Siskins are still around and a Coal Tit has popped in now and again. No activity to report at any of our boxes yet either. We have two Blue Tit boxes one of which was occupied a couple of years ago and two boxes suitable for Great Tits or Robins. There are a large number of Blackbirds around also, many of which are visitors to these shores and they are always waiting for their sultanas every morning.

Gotcha!

(click to enlarge)

Woody paid a return visit to our garden today and I was lucky enough to spot him on the feeder. I managed to grab my camera and get some shots of him through the kitchen window.

More from the back catalogue.

(click to enlarge)

Not much activity in the garden this past week though the Blackcap has now shown up again following his temporary absence which unfortunately coincided with the Big Garden Birdwatch.

I have once again had to look out photos from last summer. These were taken last August at our local Agricultural Show. The birds shown are a Kestrel, Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Buzzard. The Golden Eagle in particular was difficult to photograph as it got quite spooked by my camera.