Winter thrushes – redwing, fieldfare and, less obviously, an influx of blackbirds, also from Scandinavia have been in evidence around the village.

In our garden the tits have been getting a lot more competition from finches around the feeders. Chaffinches are around most of the time and goldfinches are on the increase. There has also been an occasional greenfinch and even one brambling. Bullfinches have also been in evidence although not on the feeders.

There’s not been much sign of sparrowhawks lately in our garden but one village resident has witnessed one having a wash in the birdbath in his garden for about a quarter of an hour! (The sparrowhawk was in the birdbath not the resident).

RP   18/12/15