Saturday, December 10, 2011

Winter?

What a shock this morning to get up and find this -



The views above are the front and back from our house. Snow was falling quite steadily and was wholly un-forecast. Last night was a cold -2 with a clear full moon.

The usual Saturday morning walk around the coast path was mostly quiet but a few birds were moving south over head - 56 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 27 Skylark, 1 Greylag and 16 Cormorants. A Red throated Diver was close in on a heavy swell.

In the garden, birds flocked to be fed, with Tree Sparrow numbers increasing to 19+ birds now. Here are a couple of feeder shots. I make no apologies for another Tree Sparrow pic. Great little birds. Both male and female Great spotted Woodpeckers visited the peanuts too.

Tree Sparrows - a bit of Meerkat about them?

As busy as the Metro Centre...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That`s exactly why i wanted some snow, Stewart. Hopefully bring something more than Collared Doves into the garden.

Warren Baker said...

The Sparrowhawk is where Stewart ?? My feeders used to get that busy once :-)

Ragged Robin said...

Lovely views from the front and back of your house Stewart. No snow here (yet). Great to see tree sparrows doing so well in your area.

Anonymous said...

Jackdaws raid my feeders, Ho Hum! Had two great Waxwings nearby today so some consolation.
Dave E

Stewart said...

Dean - You can have ours! Its gone today though, phew.
Warren - We get quite regular visits. Collared Doves have been taken recently with only a cloud of feathers on the lawn as proof...
RR - Cheers. I have some more boxes for the Tree Sparrows to nest in this coming spring. I must get them up!
Dave - You must get Tree Spugs at Widdrington! They breed in every tree on the lane :)

Anonymous said...

Yes Stewart (10+) and I shouldn't complain even had brambling last week but the Jackdaws are costing me an arm and a leg.

Actually one of the Jackdaws showed a nice neck collar so I'll try and get some photos.

Stewart said...

I get 12+ Jacks, a few Rooks, 9 Woodpigeons, 2 Pheasants and 3 Collared Doves before I can seen any nice birds! Greedy gets!

Midmarsh John said...

How wonderful to see so many Tree Sparrows together. I feel lucky when I get three or four at the feeders.