18th January - More Garden Birds...

The berries on the tree outside the house have remained so far through the winter, but with the forecast of a cold snap at the end of the week I felt there was a chance that they might finally attract some interest.  It wasn't what I had hoped for, but every year I enjoy the sight of the Redwings feeding on the berries.

As the gloom cleared there could be seen movement in the tree, and as it became lighter the Redwing started to appear

The Redwing would fly in, gorge on the berries, and then fly back to the bushes.  There were about twenty birds present and appeared to take it in turns to feed.  Waiting and watching for their chance

While not having the beautiful subtle colours and plumage of the Waxwings, they have a beauty all of their own.

And there is always the berry in the beak moment

The cold weather produced a lot of activity around the feeders in the garden.  This stunning Goldfinch

The three Blackcaps, two males and a female.  The female would take her chance when the males were not around, while the males appear to have settled on sides of the garden, and are very aggressive towards any birds that come close to the feeders.

The goldfinches being the target of most of the attacks

The last of the birds to arrive in the garden are te Starlings.  While the summer breeding plumage is a mixture of metallic petrol colours. the winter plumage is dominated by light buff tips to the feathers that produce a spotted plumage just as impressive.

A few more Redwing pictures

Last weekend it was the Lesser Redpolls, this weekend we had two stunning male Siskins

The cold snap looks like continuing through the month although with temperature rises.  This will bring more birds to the garden, hopefully some interesting ones to.

I have recently turned to Instagram, and will use this site to post pictures from around the village.  If you are interested please follow me at #mrchrisrose.cr