January part 4

31st At last a Kingfisher!!!

The most brilliantly coloured of all British birds. found on rivers or by the sea if food is scare in the winter. they swallow fish head first and will also eat beetles and dragonfly larvae, nymphs and tadpoles. Lays 6-7 glossy white eggs in a hole in the river bank.

20th Jan 2010

20th - Heard the eerie sounds of a fox during the night.
31st - 2 Robins in the garden as they were not fighting I think they maybe a pair.
At 4:30 we set off to see a local starling roost. Their flight was mesmerizing and beautiful.

16th Jan2010

16th - The snow has gone. The male pigeon is courting the female, he puffs up his chest then bows down in front of her as he fans out his tail. Sadly she flies away.
Collared doves are also feeding in the garden.

Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) Our largest pigeon. Lays two or three clutches of eggs from March onwards. Eats everything in my garden!

January diary 2010

Blackbird (Turdusmerula)

1st - January. "Yule has come and Yule is gone,
                      and we have feasted well;
                      Now Jack must to his fail again,
                      and Jenny to her wheel."
The year starts cold and frosty, the leaf edges are glistening in the sun. The garden is visited by 2 male Blackbirds who are eating the pyracantha berries with their beautiful golden bills. One is dominant as he keeps chasing off  the other one. A browner female looks on.
  The Blackbird plays a major role in the dawn chorus.
They lay 4-6 greenish blue eggs and eat worms, snails, grubs,insects and fruit.

5th - Its snowing! The large flakes are settling on the ground.

There are 3 Field fares(Turdus pilaris) in next doors garden eating the rose hips. Winter visitors arriving in October they are members of the Thrush family (Turdidae) like Blackbirds. Staying until May they eat worms, grubs, insects and berries.