February 2012

1st Frosty start feeling cold all day. Big garden birdwatch this weekend - My count: 2 robins, male and female blackbirds, 2 bluetits, great tit, cole tit, 5 starlings, 2 longtailed tits, 1 dunnock, 2 goldfinch.
I also did the bird watch with school. - our count: 5 magpies, 31 young black headed gulls, 1 robin, 4 ravens, 2 blackbirds, 1 heron, 2 herring gulls.
4th The robin is chasing all the birds out of the  garden protecting his territory. I've cleaned all the feeders and snow is forecast. a great tit and blue tit waste no time in going to the feeders and the male and female blackbird are eating the pyrancantha berries oh and a wren flutters around in the undergrowth.

     Jenny Wren

Of all the birds that rove and sing,

Near dwellings made for men,

None is so nimble ,feat and trim

as Jenny Wren.

with pin- point bill and tail a-cock,

So wildly shrill she cries,

The echoes on their roof-tree knock

And fill the skies.

Never was sweeter seraph hid

Within so small a house-

a tiny inch-long, eager, ardent,

Feathered mouse.

Walter de la Mare

5th Snow did arrive but melted quickly but it did bring all my usuals into the garden.

11th Coldest night of the winter A pair of robins has been in the garden most of the day.

February 2012 part 2

24th -26th Somers Wood Caravan Park Meriden
We arrived at 6pm and were immediately struck by the noise of bird song which greeted us as we awoke in the morning. During breakfast  we watched blue and great tits investigating the nest boxes.

Dunnocks searched for food on the ground.

Both male and female black birds tilt their heads to one side listenning for food.

Longtailed tits now in pairs  zip around from feeder to feeder.

Magpies, chaffinch, and pigeons are also around in abundance.

The pair of buzzards give us tantalising glimpses throught he trees. Andrew is still trying to get 'the shot'.

I think this one is pretty good.
Squirrels chased through the branches of the trees, ravens flew around and a mouse scurried under the covering of leaves.

Early on sunday morning Andrew saw a great spotted woodpecker.

On an afternoon walk I saw the first butterfly and bee of the year and only my 2nd goldcrest...

... and some beautiful pussy willow and catkins.

 Crocus and snowdrops are in full flower.

 

A robin came really close to feed on mealworms.

 It is said the robin gave its name to the first postmen who wore red tunics.

As we were packing up to leave a mistle thrush came flying through making a rattling/chattering call before landing on a tree. Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

Lives in open woodland were there are tall trees for nesting. They feed on insects like beetles and earthworms but will also eat fruit and seeds. Nesting begins in February they lay 3-5 eggs.