Long-Tailed Tits Reward in the Burial Ground.

 A grey and cold day today but I needed to get out to reach my 20 mile weekly waling target - sad, I know!!  I settled for a multi-lap trip round the woodland burial ground.  I was delighted to find the long-tailed tit pair gathering feathers to line their nest and the local chiffchaff was vocally buzzing about - either that or there are about 4; not sure which.  I was pleased to get some photos of buff-tailed bumble bee feeding on the backthorn despite the low temperatures.

To view large, please click on an image.

Chiffchaff

Beautiful Afternoon Light at the Feeding Station.

I had planned to go to my winter feeding station at Lindsey Tree Services Woodyard this morning in order to check on the feeders and do some photography.  As it was dull, however, I opted to stack our new load of firewood and then packed myself up with some lunch and then went down for a couple of hours this afternoon.  The grey skies cleared to leave beautifully golden winter light - fabulous.  All the usual suspects were visiting frequently and the woodpecker came down three or four times but didn't stay to feed.  The most amusing occurrence was the sight of a moorhen trotting through and then back again; not something I expect to see at the feeding station.  It was noticeable that the hazel catkins or lambs tails are now lengthening and beginning to open up, suggesting that Spring is not far away, although I have no doubt that we have plenty of winter weather to come yet.

To view large, please click on an image.

Blackbird, female

Blue tit

Chaffinch, male

Great Tit

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Log Tailed Tit

Log Tailed Tit

Moorhen

Robin