This afternoon I spent a few hours at Titchfield Haven. With the weather so cold I fully expected the scrapes to be frozen and I was not disappointed. I walked up the West side first and after bumping in Dave Ryves I came across the same five Barnacles that Tony had earlier. They were now in the middle of the reserve showing from the Meadow Hide. I am guessing they were pushed off the canal side fields by the gas guns which were firing all afternoon. A few Redwing and a single Fieldfare were in the gardens backing onto the reserve. Two other birds featuring prominently were Jays and Goldfinch. The scrapes were pretty uneventful to say the least. As I walked to the Spurgin hide I could picture the Bittern that had just emerged from the reeds to preen in front of the hide, the Water Rails feeding along the reed margin. Reality kicked in soon after I entered the hide when I discovered I had a Shelduck and a Woodpigeon for company. I nearly gave the new Pumfrett hide a miss as I had scanned from the Meon Shore and had nothing but a few Gulls to occupy me. Glad to say I did venture in and I was rewarded with some great views of at least twelve Snipe feeding in front of the hide. A stock Dove alighted briefly but before I could focus the camera the Carrion Crow below had pushed it away.

Barnacle Geese, (three of five), Titchfield Haven, 31 Jan 2010

Snipe, Titchfield Haven, 31 Jan 2010

Another Snipe, Titchfield Haven, 31 Jan 2010

And Another

Carrion Crow, Titchfield Haven, 31 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

   I had a total of eighteen species visit the garden this morning for my one hour of participation in the RSPB’s Garden Birdwatch.  The highlight was a female Blackcap that remained perched in a tree long enough for me to regret not having my camera to hand, to then eventually decide to go and retrieve it, take it out the bag and actually get a record photograph.  Also worthy of note, although not on the submitted list because it was a flyover, was a Little Egret South. 

Female Blackcap, garden – 31 Jan 10

   In the afternoon I went for a walk along the Titchfield Canal path.  I normally park at Titchfield but today I opted to park along the Meon Shore so that I would get an opportunity to look for the three Velvet Scoter offshore.  Unfortunately, on my arrival the tide was very high and The Solent a little choppy and I was unable to pick out the ‘Velvets’.  However, on my return to the car the tide had dropped significantly and consequently I had a much better field of view.  A quick scan of The Solent revealed scores of Great Crested Grebe that were in three separate groups and the three Velvet Scoter.  I was fortunate enough to witness the birds (male + 2?) fly West for several hundred metres and land directly in front of my position during my brief spell with my scope in the penetrating westerly wind. 

Barnacle Goose, Titchfield Canal – 31 Jan 10

Barnacle Goose, Titchfield Canal – 31 Jan 10

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)

Popped down to Gosport in search of Waldo this morning. Waldo is the over-wintering Ring-billed Gull that has been present at Walpole Park for the last four or five years. It may even be longer than that. The bird is a native of North America and really should be on the other side of the Atlantic but who needs Florida when you have the run of Gosport? When I arrived I could see that the near lake was still frozen over. The far lake was ice free but had a Model Yacht club in attendance, so the majority of the Gulls present were on the ice on the near lake. It did not take too long to find the Yank. The bird spent the majority of its time just stood on the ice. Even when the Black-headed Gulls departed for the next pack of bread the Ring-billed remained. The only time it moved was when the ice it was standing on gave way. The Gull plopped into the water and was shocked into a brief flight to alight back onto the ice. It happened several times as I watched and each time the Gull looked rather startled as it crashed through the ice.

Ring-billed Gull, Walpole Park, Gosport, 31 Jan 2010

Showing diagnostic leg colouring

Ring-billed Gull, Walpole Park, Gosport, 31 Jan 2010

Ice breaking. Quite clearly not a class 1

Teetering again

Ring-billed Gull, Walpole Park, Gosport, 31 Jan 2010

Basking in the glow of Halfords

Steve Copsey

    Despite work commitments onboard HMS DAUNTLESS this morning I still got the opportunity to connect with the ‘redhead’ Smew that has been reported at Blashford Lakes HWT for the last two days.  I had to wait forty-five minutes for the bird to show from behind cover on the eastern side of Rockford Lake but it was well worth it because the sighting represented a Hampshire Tick and I got to meet up with Steve.  Although always distant from the western shore of Rockford Lake the Smew, which was significantly smaller than the other wildfowl, did fly closer towards our position when a number of birds got spooked by a couple of people who were walking along the shore of the lake.  After watching the bird for half an hour I headed for the screen that overlooks the northern end of Ivy Lake from where I got good views of the three female Red-crested Pochard one of which had much paler plumage. 

    On my return home I went for a mid-afternoon stroll along Fareham Creek. 

Moorhen, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10

Moorhen, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10.  (Same bird)

   The highlight was a Kingfisher that favoured a small channel from an outflow opposite Salterns Lane. 

Kingfisher, Salterns Quay, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10

   Also worthy of note were seven displaying Goldeneye and a Grey Wagtail. 

Female Goldeneye, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10.  (Initially just the one bird)

Male and four female Goldeneye, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10.  (Then five more from upstream)

Goldeneye, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10.  (Then a second male appeared)

Two male and five female Goldeneye, Fareham Creek - 30 Jan 10.

Good birding,

 Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)

Had a cracking morning around the Blashford Lakes complex. The main aim of the morning was to find the Redhead Smew that has been on Rockford for the last few days. If seen this would be a new Hants bird for me. I was at the reserve early on and met up with Barry Stalker, as usual nice to put a face to the name, who had just seen the bird. Unfortunately it had chosen that minute to disappear down a tree lined channel out of site. Half an hour later we were joined by Colin Allen and another birder and within a few minutes the Smew was re-located (large sigh of relief) fishing near to where Barry last had it. The bird was still pretty elusive and quite often disappeared into the overhanging Scrub.

Smew, Blashford Lakes, 30 Jan 2010

I then spent another hour or so around the reserve primarily in the woodland hide as usual hogging the opening window for Redpoll, Siskin and Brambling shots. Happy to say I had my fill and only hogged for about half an hour!! I know the shots from the Woodland Hide can look a little staged but my Mum and Dad always appreciate them.

Lesser Redpoll, Blashford Lakes, 30 Jan 2010

I then met up with Tony Tindale and Dave Wallace who were over at Rockford. Tony needed the Smew for Hampshire as well so again another happy smile when we got back on the bird. As we watched the bird it moved out more into the centre of Rockford, and gave better views before taking up its normal position nearer to the over hanging scrub. I then popped over to Harbridge to check on the Bewick’s Swans. Happy to see 14 birds together in the river side fields. Nine adults with five juvenile if I remember correctly. No joy with the Great White Egret although it was seen earlier in the morning.

Bewick's Swans, Harbridge, 30 Jan 2010

Bewick's Swans, Harbridge, 30 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

Had an hour or so on the front at the Haven this afternoon in a biting northerly wind. Whilst there I bumped into Dave Wallace and together we scanned the Solent for any birds. We initially came across a flock of 12 Great Crested Grebes rafting quite a distance out. Then we noticed a darker Looking bird slightly closer to us. After we both had good views if rather distant through Dave’s scope we were both happy with Common Scoter. We then had a second Common Scoter approximately 400 metres from the first this bird being closer again but still too far for any photographs. Another raft of around 40 Great Crested Grebes was also in the vicinity. We then picked up three dark birds together and we hoped that they would be the Velvet Scoter that had been seen yesterday. Happy to say they were. I think it was two males and a female. The white eye patch of the males stood out quite well but the bill was not that yellow so maybe they were young birds. All three showed a white speculum that was easy to pick out as they rode over the swell.

Common Scoter, Largo Bay, 6 Mar 2008

Velvet Scoter, Dornoch Bay, 12 Mar 2008

Both the above pictures were taken in a digiscoping phase I went through briefly. Whilst travelling around Scotland in 2008 I took around 300 digiscoped images. These two were about as good as it got.  End of my short digiscoping career. After that I have pretty much stuck to the DSLR. But who knows I may have another dabble in the future.

Steve Copsey

Had a walk with friends this afternoon along Meon Shore, managed a little birding in-between the crowds. A single Dunnock feeding on the beach was rather unusual nearby a Pied Wagtail and a Stonechat were doing likewise. Offshore the wintering Great-crested Grebe flock numbered around sixty birds. As we walked past the Haven all the Gulls on the river took to the air but I could not see the cause.

Dunnock, Meon Shore, 24 Jan 2010

Dunnock, Meon Shore, 24 Jan 2010

Dunnock, Meon Shore, 24 Jan 2010

Great-crested Grebes, approx 100M offshore, 24 Jan 2010

Titchfield Haven looking north from the sea front, 24 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

Had a walk around the Ranvilles Lane loop after work this afternoon, managing to catch the last of the afternoon sun. Along the lane is one field that stands out at the moment. It had sweetcorn in last season, but I don’t believe the crop was harvested. Subsequently all the ears of corn are now spread around the stubble of the field. It has been attracting Corvids for months with Jackdaws and Rooks most prominent. Woodpigeon as you would expect have been taking their share as well. However, it is the Skylark that I have been watching for the last few weeks. Usually around 30-50 are present feeding among the stubble. Again as with Mark Rolfe having Woodlark during the cold snap I had a good long look at all the Larks present today but still no sign of Wood. I’ll keep looking though one is going to turn up. Thrushes had joined the throng today around 140 Redwings and Fieldfares were in the field with a 70% bias in favour of Redwing.

Redwing, Ranvilles Lane, 18 Jan 2010

Skylark, Ranvilles Lane, 18 Jan 2010

Skylark Flock, Ranvilles Lane, 18 Jan 2010

Redwing on the move, Ranvilles Lane, 18 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

Managed to get a couple of walks in today around the local area. This morning I did a loop of Hook with Warsash with Sid Lawrence and then this afternoon I took my youngest son Jake down the canal path to check out the floods. This mornings walk was the usual loop with the usual birds. The park and woodland areas produced plenty of Redwings and very good numbers of both Blue and Great Tits.  Not sure if the latter two species have moved into the area in greater numbers due to the colder weather of the last few weeks but we saw many flocks numbering hundreds of birds. The harbour held the standard waders, mainly Dunlin, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover. Plenty of Turnstone and Oystercatchers on the stony areas. The only area of disappointment was the scrape which despite being unfrozen was still pretty much devoid of Wildfowl save a dozen or so Shelduck. I’m guessing most of the birds present before the freeze have since headed to the Haven and that’s where they have stayed. After sampling Sid’s delicious coffee we moved down the beach, unfortunately the Bittern which seems to have taken up residence chose that moment to fly across the scrape in full view. Dipped on this bird three times in as many weeks;  plenty of winter left yet though. Still a good walk was had and the dogs had a run out.

Dunlin (a rather scruffy looking individual), Hook Harbour, 17 Jan 2010

Dark-bellied Brent (some of the c600), Hook Links, 17 Jan 2010

This afternoon myself and Jake walked down a sodden canal path. The fields between the canal and the river were the wettest I have ever seen them in 14 years. No sign of the Bewick’s. I think they have moved to pastures new. Plenty of wildfowl on the floods, mainly Wigeon and Teal. Also good numbers of Coot feeding on freshly flooded land near the fence. Each time someone walked by they would all bolt back to cover, and then slowly move out again. Had the Barn Owl again today. This time in one of its favoured roosting spots.

Titchfield, 17 Jan 2010

Great Cormorant (in breeding plumage), Titchfield Haven, 17 Jan 2010

Grey Heron, Titchfield Haven, 17 Jan 2010

Coot Run, Titchfield Haven, 17 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

Myself and Tony spent a few hours this afternoon walking along the Titchfield canal path. Primarily to hopefully re-locate the two Bewicks Swans that have been frequenting the area recently. We knew they had not been reported for a day or two but work and other commitments prevented us from getting down any sooner. Unfortunately we dipped on the Swans but still had a pleasant afternoon. Still plenty of Thrushes down the canal path. They seemed to have mainly moved out of the local gardens but over the course of the walk we probably saw in the region of 3-400 birds. Any fields that held horses were the most popular and we (Tony actually) had peak counts of 73 Redwings in one horse paddock followed shortly after by 110 Fieldfare in another. Canada Geese were also present in good numbers. The bird shown below is an old favourite. I first remember seeing this bird back in at least 2003. I reported it to Ralph Hollins for his Nature Notes website and I remember him telling me that it had been around the area for a while before that. Not actually sure what this birds condition is. I would say albino but the eye is not red, partial albino? Maybe leucistic, I believe this is a white form of an animal but I’m not 100%.

Canada Geese, Titchfield Haven, 15 Jan 2010

Ducks were also around in good numbers especially the top field floods. This area held c350 Wigeon c200Teal as well as lesser numbers of Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard and Shoveler. Most unusual were 6 Pochard on the top flood. This body of water is usually too shallow to support diving duck, but they were certainly diving today. Throughout the walk waders were well represented by Black-tailed Godwit c200 and 50-60 Snipe. 11 Curlew flew into one of the damp pasture fields as we counted the snipe present. Now was that we or Tony.

Curlew, Titchfield Haven, 15 Jan 2010

I mentioned in yesterday’s entry that Mark Rolfe had seen two Woodlark during the morning, both from and then in his garden which is just around the corner from mine. A cracking and unexpected garden tick. Unfortunately I did not catch up with the birds but Mark kindly sent me a few shots over he had taken. Hopefully they will stick around the area. When I returned home from work today I had to replenish all the apples I had placed in the garden as at least two Fieldfares have joined the Blackbird half dozen and demolished them. No Blackcap yet but there is at least one around the area.

Woodlark, Mark Rolfe's garden, 10 Jan 2010   (photo - Mark Rolfe)

Woodlark, Mark Rolfe's garden, 10 Jan 2010 Showing a BTO ring   (Photo - Mark Rolfe)

Blackcap feeding in the Fieldfare Crab Apple Tree, Fareham, 10 Jan 2010  (Photo - Mark Rolfe)

Steve Copsey

   Unfortunately despite the freeze it has been work as normal onboard HMS DAUNTLESS as the ship is prepared for an intensive period of sea trials.  Today though I had the whole day off and I decided to visit Hill Head where I hoped to connect with the female Red-crested Pochard that Steve spotted earlier in the week.  Although I was in luck there was no sign of the male or second female that was reported yesterday. 

Female Red-crested Pochard, Hill Head Harbour - 10 Jan 10

   Also present during my forty-five minute visit, in addition to the resident Fulvous Whistling Duck, was a single Golden Plover on the shingle foreshore to the East of the Yacht Club that was joined briefly by one of the numerous Fieldfare. 

Fulvous Whistling Duck - Hill Head Harbour - 10 Jan 10

   The weekend also saw the arrival of my first ever Fieldfare in the garden.  On my return home from work yesterday morning there were two birds in different hawthorn trees feeding on the remaining berries.  Today a single Fieldfare was regularly seen feeding on cotoneaster berries and a Song Thrush also put in an appearance. 

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)

Spent a pair of hours this afternoon walking around the local area. I mainly stuck to the housing areas to see if I could find any unusual birds around. I had seen that during the morning Mark Rolfe had a couple of Woodlark in his garden. Our gardens are only 100 metres or so apart as the Lark flies but I had no luck with that species. I did have a Meadow Pipit though, feeding on the grass bank under a conifer hedge just around the corner on Wild Ridings. Redwings and Fieldfares were again very much in evidence. I passed by the Crab Apple Tree on the Navy married patch and the single Fieldfare was still holding on. Still plenty of fruit on the tree so that bird will do fine.

Still holding the tree

Towards the A27 I counted half a dozen Fieldfare and maybe 15 Redwings feeding on a Pyracantha bush. I also noticed a larger than usual number of Black-headed Gulls perched on the house roofs around the estate. No doubt benefiting from the extra scraps thrown out.  I did notice yesterday at Asda that the bird food section was proving as popular as the bread aisle with only a bag of peanuts left, so I guess people are doing their best.

Black-headed Gull, Fareham, 10 Jan 2010

Back in my own garden I had sliced up several apples and spread them over the lawn. These proved to be very popular with the local Blackbirds; about half a dozen birds have set up territory around the garden and when they are not feeding, they are perched sentinel like on the pergola and wall tops ready to drive away others in need. This morning alone I saw a female chase away a Robin a Pied Wagtail and a Redwing over the space of twenty minutes. As well as the sliced apple on the lawn, I had spiked some others on top of the pergola and a few bushes around the garden. When I returned home for a brew my wife informed me that a Fieldfare had been feasting on one of the spiked apples and this bird was now chasing the blackbirds off. Those who live by the sword…….

Fieldfare feeding on a spiked apple half, My Garden, 10 Jan 2010

Redwing in my garden, 10 Jan 2010

That said I had spread the food around enough so that all birds had a decent meal during the day. The Fieldfare feeding on the spiked apple halves finished off one completely and had nearly finished a second by the time dusk fell. Hopefully the bird will return tomorrow and bring along a Blackcap!

Fieldfare feeding on a spiked apple half, My Garden, 10 Jan 2010

Pied Wagtail eventually geting on the food. My Garden, 10 Jan 2010

I must have watched the Snipe and Water Rail for nearly two hours but I thought I’d better be on my way down to the front. The first thing I noticed was the lack of people, only a few diehards were enjoying the peace. The second thing that I noticed was how different the beach looked with a good covering of snow; right down to the last high tide mark.

Meon Shore, 8 Jan 2010

Around 120 Brents were feeding on the tide line but little else save a few Gulls. I made my way to the harbour to look for the Black Redstart which I saw briefly as it flitted over to the far bank. I immediately noticed a few diving ducks in the harbour making the most of the rising tide to feed near the sluice gates. Seven Tufted, a Common Pochard and among them was a female Red-crested Pochard. I know there has been a sudden influx of these birds to the south coast over the last few days, probably from the north but I'll hedge my bets in case it has dropped in from over the channel!

Red-crested Pochard, Hill Head Hbr, 8 Jan 2010

I popped in the visitor centre and let them know about the Pochard as it was not on the board and the few people who were around the Haven got on it. Plenty of birds feeding in the gardens c40 House Sparrow and lesser numbers of Reed Bunting and Dunnock. I left the Haven and after viewing the shore where plenty of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone were feeding I walked into Stubbington. It was on the way to Stubby that I came across many Redwings feeding in the larger gardens. The shots taken are a few entries back with the Fieldfare.

Pied Wagtail picking up discarded Duck food from the harbour viewpoint, 8 Jan 2010

Reed Bunting, Haven Visitor Centre, 8 Jan 2010

Ringed Plover, Hill Head, 8 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

The canal was proving to be a saviour indirectly as well. Due to the heavy snow further north now melting, the canal was overflowing in several places, along with the more normal man made overflows. These flows as they passed through the adjacent meadows caused the snow to melt and expose the damp pasture underneath. In the shot below the results of one of the man made floods can be seen. The areas that were clear of snow had the effect of concentrating the birds wishing to feed within them.Many species were making the most of the opportunity to feed. Lapwings and Meadow Pipits were present along the full length of the canal, but both were far outnumbered by Snipe. I would estimate 120-150 birds as I walked down to the coast. I had 43 at one time in the field viewed from the gate above. All were feeding in the snow free channels that criss crossed the field. I also had 5 Water Rail on the day list. Unfortunately 4 were just squeals from cover but I struck lucky with one as I was enjoying a coffee overlooking the same field as the Snipe. Below are some of my favourite shots of the day. I apologise for the number but I have already left too many out.Lapwing, Titchfield Canal Path, 8 Jan 2010Snipe coming in to feedSnipe, Titchfield Haven, 8 Jan 2010Four of the manyWater Rail, Titchfield Haven, 8 Jan 2010Water Rail, Titchfield Haven, 8 Jan 2010Water Rail and Snipe for size comparisonI think I've just been clocked !!

Steve Copsey

The Titchfield Canal was proving to be a lifeline for a number of birds today. I walked from the village of Titchfield down to the seafront. During the transit I came across five Chiffchaffs. These birds often over winter along the canal edges and this year is no exception. All were feeding within inches of the canal itself. Mainly using the dead Reed and sedge stems to look for invertebrate food. Several times I saw birds land on the water weed getting wet in the process but all the chiffchaffs seen did seem to be finding food.

Chiffchaff, Titchfield Canal, 8 Jan 2010

Dozens of Meadow Pipits had moved out of the fields and just like the Chiffchaffs; they were using the same dead stems to look for the same food. I also saw Cettis, Wrens and Great Tits doing the same. Several large flocks of Tits were also encountered in the bank side scrub.

Meadow Pipit, Titchfield Canal, 8 Jan 2010

A full days walking had me covering plenty of ground from Fareham down to Titchfield then down to the Haven and round into Stubbington before walking home. The first call was the Crab Apple tree where I had the Fieldfare yesterday. As I approached the tree I saw a Fieldfare chase out a smaller Thrush. After a few moments the Fieldfare returned to carry on feeding. I am guessing this is the same bird as yesterday, now complete with territory. It could be a life saver as there is still plenty of fruit on the tree to see the bird through these harsh times. I was never going to see Redwing in this tree but I did catch up with plenty over the 6 hours I was out. Again pleased to get some shots of the Redwings as it is a bird I have ben trying for this winter.

Fieldfare, Fareham, 8 Jan 2010

Still Feasting

Redwing, Hill Head, 8 Jan 2010

Same bird after finishing off what I thought was a slug.

Redwing in the horse fields off Old Street Stubbington, 8 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

Walking back to my house from Titchfield Village led me through the Navy married patch of Hardcourt Road. As I passed one house, I spotted a single Fieldfare in what I am pretty sure was a Crab Apple tree. I approached quite gingerly but the bird seemed quite unconcerned and carried on feeding. It could not eat the fruit whole but appeared to concentrate on one particular piece whilst I watched. Very pleased with this sighting as it enabled me to capture my first decent shots of this cracking species. I will pop past this tree tomorrow in the hope of Redwing!!

My wife booked the family a half term break in Singapore next month so I am now thinking about tropical birding whilst all around hereis frozen. Strange.

Fieldfare, Fareham, 7 Jan 2010

2

3

4

Steve Copsey

Managed a couple of hours walking and birding today around the local patch, as the car is still firmly locked in by the snow and ice. I initially walked down Ranvilles and into Crofton Cemetery and then later in the afternoon I popped down to Titchfield calling in at the top of the canal path and also Titchfield Cemetery. Plenty of Tit flocks moving around the area usually consisting of Blue, Great and Long-tailed. Overhead I had a few parties of Redwing, Fieldfare and Skylark. A Little Egret near one of the ditches of Ranvilles Lane was a surprise; obviously using the unfrozen water as impromptu feeding area. When I walked into Titchfield I came across quite a few waders on the river bank. The river was in flood due no doubt to the volume of snow further north. Stretches of the grass bank and adjacent meadow had been washed clean of the snow and Black-tailed Godwit c80, Snipe x9 and a few Lapwing were taking advantage. Happy to see a Water Rail out in the open. Unfortunately it was on the far bank so a little distant but worth a record shot. Also a pair of Great-spotted Woodpeckers were chasing each other around in what looked like early courtship play.

Robin, Crofton Cemetery, 7 Jan 2010

White on White, Little Egret, Ranvilles, 7 Jan 2010

Blackbird making the most of stable manure, Titchfield, 7 Jan 2010

Distant Water Rail, Titchfield, 7 Jan 2010

Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe by the Meon, Titchfield, 7 Jan 2010

Greater-spotted Woodpecker, Titchfield, 7 Jan 2010

Steve Copsey

With more snow in my area of Fareham than I have seen since I moved down 16 years ago I thought the garden would receive a few extra visitors today. Nothing completely out of the ordinary although Song Thrush and Redwing are normally very scarce; no doubt these two species were driven in by the weather. A pair of Pied Wagtails are also not the most common. As you would expect the commoner birds were also out in force. Around 30 Goldfinch were taking turns on the sunflower hearts whilst ignoring the Niger seed. A dozen or so Greenfinch would push the Goldies off the feeder every so often but the Goldfinch were always the quicker to return. Dunnocks, Blue Tits and a Robin are all usual suspects. I think I had 9 different Blackbirds feeding on scattered suet pellets. At least 6 at once, although as usual certain birds became dominant and were driving the others away. Fortunately I had enough food for all.

Goldfinch and Greenfinch sharing the hearts for once

Female Blackbird grubbing for suet pellets

Goldfinch waiting its turn on the feeder

Male Blackbird

Robin, (slashers favourite)

Rabbit utilising available resources.

The last picture was taken by my brother Mark or his fiancee Helen. They live in Rural Aberdeenshire. Which is definitely Rural with a capital R. They have had feet of snow cover for the last three weeks and the rabbits are that thin they can squeeze through the mesh surrounding his bird table. By the way this bird table has three foot legs!! I did tell them that it never snows in Hampshire.

Steve Copsey