Monday 6th. February 2012

I was confined to barracks today , awaiting the delivery that failed a while back . With a temperature somewhat higher than expected , a slow thaw has been evident all day , and the road is now drivable . Just before lunch , things brightened up with a bit of milky sunshine , so as it is only 5 minutes away , I spent a short time back at the Cotoneaster bush near the farm lake . On arrival there was no sign of birds on the bush , but what was noticeable was the amount of birdsong , especially Chaffinches in full song . Looking at the bush , there were very few berries to be seen , just a few around the branches almost touching the ground . Eventually the odd Fieldfare arrived , and when there were enough to feel confident , they flew down , not onto the bush , but onto the snow covered

ground underneath the bush , and proceeded to feed on the berries that had fallen . But , the fact that

they were on the ground , and that the owner's cat and dog were wandering around the garden , meant

that didn't stay long at all , and when they did leave , there was no sign of them returning . After lunch , I watched the ones around the back gardens , and whilst doing so , saw two flocks of about 30/40 Fieldfares , fly over , seemingly not interested in the berries next door .  Three Greenfinches

came to the feeders , to took possession of the seed , and didn't let the third get anywhere near it .
Whilst watching the Greenfinches , a movement in the Callicarpa bush signalled our first positive

Blackcap sighting in the garden this Winter , as before Christmas we had a 'maybe' , it was so quick , but this time I managed to get a few shots of this male from the back bedroom window . Mind you ,

by the time I took them , chased downstairs and out into the car port , he had had his feed of berries from the bush and was gone . Hopefully he will return in the next few days , now that he knows where the berries are . Whilst out , I had a walk down the back garden and got a couple of shots , a

Fieldfare that was eating what must be a totally rotten apple in one back garden , and a Redwing that

was just about to fly into the same tree .
I'm glad to say that the delivery arrived mid afternoon , so hopefully I'll get out tomorrow .