Snowy morning in the garden

Awoke to a scattering of light snow and spent an hour birding the garden. A jay was an unusual visitor as I watched great, coal and blue tits at the feeder. Carrion crows, jackdaws and rooks moved overhead as a blackbird enjoyed the windfall apples. Several starlings, along with a greenfinch also fed on the peanuts and a brightly plumaged male chaffinch scavenged in the flowerbeds for pieces of nut that had been spilt.

Fieldfares and redwings headed south, whilst collared doves, numbering up to 8 roosted in local trees.

Photos here show the highlight of the time, a goldcrest feeding rapidly in a conifer. Unfortunately, the light was poor so not a great shot, but a pleasing record all the same. Other photos depict the jay, again in very grey conditions.

22nd November

A walk in cold but bright conditions this morning. I enjoyed great views of a common buzzard being mobbed, as usual, by the local crows. House sparrows appear to have arrived in Chapel Lane in good numbers (50+) whilst overhead a pied wagtail called. A kestrel was seen towards Bush Wood whilst crows and jackdaws filled the airspace between Bush Wood and Lordship Farm. Redwings and plenty of fieldfare were witnessed at the golf club where I enjoyed a restorative pint of guiness. A green woodpecker flew over the 9 hole course and parties of long tailed tits were witnessed on several occasions. A single yellowhammer was heard along the Ridge Path north of Bush Wood but noted that last year's golden plover flock has yet to arrive in these fields. Something to keep an eye on in the New Year. In all 22 species were counted.

Photos attached show hawthorn against the clear sky, a flock of crows and jackdaws a a pair of jackdaws leaving Bush Wood

For Ellen's mum

A walk around the Ash Valley Golf Course and the Ford on Sunday 16th November produced more of the same. Both green and great spotted woodpeckers were observed south of the village, but not much else of note. Good numbers of winter thrushes along with small flocks of finches, especially goldfinches. Several skylarks called overhead.

Photos show a greenfinch, several views in Caley Wood and a splendid dewy cobweb. The fungus found in Caley Wood is probably a wood blewit , a good eating mushroom, with the taste of veal. However, I am not too hot on mushroom identification, so tend to leave alone unless 100% confident of the i.d.

Last Tuesday I delivered my talk at the Village Hall and well attended it was too. A special mention to Ellen's mum who is an eager reader of this diary. Many thanks for your enthusiasm.

1st November wander

My first walk for a while, due to work, inclement weather and increasing darkness was made on the 15th November. A wander up to Millennium Wood gave a few sightings, with fieldfare and redwing being prominent. A great spotted woodpecker was observed at Millennium Wood, but on the whole a quiet walk with little of note. Goldcrests called frequently as I came along Hoecroft Lane; they appear to be around the village in small flocks at present. Maybe the harbingers of a cold winter?

Photos here show a distant fieldfare, local grey squirrel and two shots from the local woodland