Garden Delights

A prolific number of birds were either seen in or from the garden during a 2 hour vigil this afternoon. At 2pm I glanced out of the window and could see a pair of magnificent Bullfinch perched in the flowering Cherry, again after the buds. I raced upstairs, retrieving my camera in the process and was just getting set up when a Magpie and A Jackdaw flew in causing the Bullfinches to fly right. I decided to wait and didn't have to wait long before the female Bullfinch came back and start feeding on the Cherry buds, I was able to obtain a few pictures in slightly better light than their previous visit.

She visited again at 3pm and 3.15pm for a few minutes each time and feeding right at the very front of the tree on the last occasion.  Both birds flew in at 3.50pm for their final visit of the day. It was especially pleasing to see these scarce birds as they are difficult to see and even harder to photograph. I'll post the pictures later on in the weekend.

It was pleasing to note that up to 6 House Sparrow (3 males and 3 females) were feeding from the fatballs put out. A bird that was formerly a great scarcity seems to have been lured in with the cold weather in December and they've remained ever since. A Hedge Sparrow was also present and a pair of Robins were also seen.Up to 3 Chaffinches (2 males & 1 Female seen also). A male Greenfinch came briefly to feed from the sunflower feeders. The Tit family were represented by up to 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit & a visiting party of 5 Long- tailed Tits, preceded by a singleton. 

Early on during the watch I heard the "chuckling" of an overflying Fieldfare flying east. Later on a Redwing perched up in the middle tree at the back of the garden when a dog walker walked past. a Single Song Thrush was perched in the large bush beyond the garden. Up to 4 Blackbirds seen in the garden today. 2 Wood Pigeons were seen on the garden and a fine Stock Dove was walking around on the Fallowfields ground before flying off to Parkhill Hotel grounds.

A Green Woodpecker flew from Fallowfields over to Parkhill Hotel ground and I witnessed this bird repeat this feat 30 minutes later. later on I saw an overflying great Spotted woodpecker flying north. 2 rabbits were seen on Fallowfields including a male Pheasant too.