I have never seen so many birds in my garden (what am I missing by being at work all day)?  On top of the usual Goldfinches, Blue Tits, Coal Tit, Sparrows, Dunnocks, Wren, Robin, Great Tits, Collared Doves, Woodpigeons, Starlings and numerous Blackbirds I had two Long Tailed Tits arrive (a first for my garden).  I had put out apples and pears on Monday hoping some Thrushes may appear.  Low and behold  two Song Thrushes arrived and paid numerous visits throughout the day.  As if this wasn’t enough excitement some Redwings appeared at the front of my house.  I was struggling to get decent photographs of them.  I had opened my bedroom window, pulled the curtains to and knelt on the floor, but the light was poor and they nearly always had branches in the way .  However later in the afternoon they decided to visit the back garden and I did manage a number of shots.  Just as I was thinking what a super day it had been,  I looked up and there must have been at least 3 dozen Field Fare in the tree at the back of my garden.  Next thing about a dozen swooped down onto my lawn.  I had a really hard job trying to get single shots of them.  This has all aided my recovery and unfortunately I feel I will have to return to work tomorrow.  What will I be missing?  Here are just a few of the shots I took.  I should add they were taken through glass from the kitchen.

plenty of bird’s around on a walk to shipley boat railway bridge and back, the following were seen.

feildfare(50+),rewing(30+),blackbird,starling(50),goldfinch,great tit,wood pigeon,magpie,black headed gull,chaffinch,crow,teal(12 on the erewash),mallard,kingfisher,moorhen,wren,blue tit,snipe(on the erewash),kestrel,green woodpecker,robin.

Cold Front Cooper has been leaving everyone a bit chilly and I felt it today, I’m just glad we aren’t in central Europe. The ducks out on the lake were feeling it too.

I took a few photos across the ice, a family or two of Great Crested Grebes were out and about, and close, as well as Coots, Moorhen, Mallard, Canada Geese, Mute Swans and Black Headed Gulls. The fishermen were having to smash ice holes like eskimos, but no seals popped up to see them

This Grebe is swimming uphill, how strange! Check your tripod’s level kids!

From there I headed on up Shipley Hill, where the wood was brimming with Redwing, creeping through leavefall is almost impossible, and they were moving on when I was well out of photographer range and so I decided to lie in wait for them to come back closer. Of course they didn’t. Its amazing how well that camouflage works in woodland, sometimes I could see the ground moving with leaves being overturned but no birds were in sight. Several times I checked to see if there were no birds in the area in front of me before moving on and then flushed twenty or so, they were almost invisible. I had to make do with a Song Thrush who was more obliging.

Up at Shipley Hill I knew it was still pushing it for Snowdrops, they were out but not quite flowering, perhaps when the sun reached them they might. I took a few shots regardless and lost a lens cap, keep an eye out for it if you’re up there – I scoured the ground for 20 mins and couldn’t find it when I realised it wasn’t in my pocket.

Next stop was at the hide, and I arrived to find two people in there, unusual. So, a bit further away than normal (despite the offers to steal their prime spot) I took some shots of the tits visiting the feeders. Jays, Long Tailed Tits, (male) Great Spotted Woodpecker all strayed within eyesight but not within camera range. Otherwise Coal Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Mistle Thrush and Blackbird where the birds keeping us entertained.

After winning the cookie competition hands down, I retreated, only to return for my tripod like a wally ten minutes later.

A cracking stroll and please give me some critique on the photos, positive or negative I can take it

Jim

wood pigeon,collared dove,blackbird,song thrush,house sparrow,redwing(20),blue tit,fieldfare(50),goldfinch(6) with alesser redpoll,magpie,robin,starling,great tit,black headed gull,long tailed tit,dunnock,moorhen,green woodpecker(2),chaffinch,bullfinch.

went after the l,t,tits but they werent playing bit to quick , but theres allways

next time but a few photos from the morning, plenty of hot coffee and warm clothing

hope you enjoy

mick ccoal titblue titwillow tit

the old faithfull robingreat tit

all busy feeding , the long tailed tits showed up but where very quick  missed them but enjoyed the morning

all the best every one

mick c