Sunday 28 February 2010

Siskins and Snow Go

I didn't see a single Siskin at all today. I wonder whether the 3 Siskins who have been with us for the past week or so have joined the huge flock which appeared yesterday and have now gone? All the snow has disappeared too apart from tiny patches in the the shade. Oh there's still plenty on the mountain tops. Moel Siabod is still looking incredible as it towers above the village.

Saturday 27 February 2010

THE DAY OF THE SISKINS

I looked out from the kitchen window and couldn't believe my eye's. There were Siskin's everywhere. A big flock had descended on the garden, what a fabulous sight. I think its the Niger Seeds which has drawn them to here. On a completely different note, the Holly is beautiful right now and seems to be growing many more places this year. Thank you for all the suggestions for the mysterious humps in the field. Its definitely not dogs but its still a baffler.

Friday 26 February 2010

Blue Tits Galore

The blue tits have been out in the garden having so much fun playing and chasing. This one was just about to peck the backside of the Siskin, just for the fun of it. These where squabbling over the remainders of the bread from my egg and soldiers I had for lunch. The others were trying to get the best Suet Square spot for eating. Such fun to watch.

Thursday 25 February 2010

Snowdrops

The final bits of snow were melting away today. So I quickly snapped a few last photo's of the snowdrops surrounded by snow. The moon was up early again and was high above the house by mid afternoon. The bushes and tree's were full of bird song today. So much so I thought we had a visit from a flock of birds from somewhere else but no it was just our regulars singing their heads off. I even braved the cold and opened the window to listen to them.

The melt

Wednesday 24 February 2010

The melt

Well I think I over estimated the extent of getting snowed in. Even though last night we had 6 inches of snow in just over an hour, by the time I woke up this morning it had virtually all gone. The sun was warm and strong which made a perfect day for a walk. One of the fields I passed near my house has the most unusual mounds. I think they may be Ant hills but I've never seen a Green Woodpecker there so I suppose they may just be tufts of grass or grown over mole hills? I can't get close enough to really tell as they are fenced off. If anyone knows, I'd be keen to know exactly what they are. This afternoon the moon was out very early. Our three Siskins are still here too. The tree's in the garden were full of birds today, singing beautifully. Although there had been a big melt this morning there was still some snow in the garden. I was looking at all the different tracks in the snow including this Cat track when I spotted this other unusual marking. It caught my eye as it looks just like a love heart with something in the middle. I haven't a clue what made it or how.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Even more snow

It's still snowing. I am glad I stocked up on bird food as I don't think we'll be getting the car out again for a while. I do love this time of year now all the birds are starting to get their wonderful breeding plumes. Just look at the colour on this Male Black Birds beak and eye rim, its stunning.
The woodpeckers have been around so I'm still trying to get my 'in flight' photo's. They are getting better but not quite what I'm dreaming off. Oh I have to mention my wonderful camera shop. Knowing my poor baby was broken they have kindly lent me one of theirs. How kind is that! So a BIG THANK YOU to Cambrian Photography in Colwyn Bay. So so kind. Back to the birds, the Siskins are still here. Had three here today enjoying the Niger Seeds.

Monday 22 February 2010

Ball of feathers


Ball of feathers

Sunday 21 February 2010

More Snow


Wow, wasn't expecting this much snow again. What a fantastic winter we're having. This photo is the lane to the house taken by Alan as I decided to stay warm, tucked up inside today.

Saturday 20 February 2010

Lazy Moo Me

I got up sooooo late today that the sunshine had gone behind the house and left the feeder in darkness. So not to be beaten I dug out all my favourite unusual feeders and put them on the line further up the garden. I thought it would be fun to see which feeders the birds preferred etc. Well I don't know if it was the food they preferred or the feeder but the square suet feeder won by miles, as usual. Second came the long ironwork fat ball holder. The only down side with this one is you need to leave the balls in the net bags which as I'm always saying I've not got a problem with but I do take them out when there's a choice. I saw this Robin enjoying a left over pancake today and then flew of sharpish when a Great tit appeared wanting a bit. I watched the Buzzards behaving strangely aswell. There was one on top of the high crag behind our house and he dived, much like a Perguin Falcon, all the way to the river, calling as he did. He was like a bullet. Then a minute later he flew gently back up the hillside, stopping for a rest in several trees on his way up. One of the Siskins was here again today but as you can see he was on the feeder which was in the shade by the time Lazy Moo Me got up. And after taking this photo I realised I needed to clean the water dish, no wonder the birds were using the old one up the garden today.

Friday 19 February 2010

Moles Rising

What a funny day weather wise. I woke up and everywhere was white but it wasn't snowing. Then it did start snowing but all the snow on the ground disappeared then the opposite happened. Bonkers it was. Anyway, today we had a visit from TWO Siskins. We've never had two male Siskins in the garden before so that was a lovely surprise. The male Sparrow was feeding on the fat balls today, not seen him for a while. The three crows were feeding on the ground in next door garden. They still not been brave enough to come to the feeder. Finally a Nuthatch. He was busy finding the fallen sunflower seeds from the feeder. Oh I saw the farmer watching the mole hills today. He showed me how to see a 'Mole Rising' a while ago which is amazing. Mole Rising is when you can actually see them kick the earth up on a mole hill. He uses it to shoot the moles but I use it to watch them with delight. Occasionally you get to see the mole. That's only ever happened to me once but the 'Rising' you can almost set your watch by, literally.

Thursday 18 February 2010

Pancakes

Last Sunday just before we went away, the garden was full of male Chaffinches. A whole flock of them had descended with hardly any females to be seen. Today I looked out and there were lots of females here too. In fact we have loads of Chaffinches full stop, they've even out numbered Blue Tits today, I reckon. All three Robins were in the garden today enjoying the remainders of yesterdays pancakes. The Dunnocks were here too but more interested in the sunflower seeds.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Been Away

Bit of a spur of a moment decision; I've just spent 3 lovely days in Suffolk with my friend. The weather down there is like being in a different country. I left there this afternoon in blazing sunshine, too warm to wear a coat even. Came back through driving rain and got back here to snow! Its dark now so will be back to posting tomorrow again as usual.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Bernie's Back


Its been over 2 months since we've seen any squirrels in the garden but I'm so happy to tell you that Bernie has appeared, totally out of the blue this afternoon. She still has her thick fur coat but does have quite an ugly injury to her ear. It looks healed up so probably happened just after she left us during the cold spell. Oh its so nice to have her back. The garden has felt bare without the mammals about. I wonder how long it will be before the Hedgehogs come out of hibernation? Th mole has been digging again this morning much to the Black Birds delight as he sat on top of the fresh earth waiting for juicy worms to appear. One of the female Black Birds was stuffing herself with the peanuts. All three crows are still about and becoming quite vocal now. I wonder where they will nest this year? They spend so much time in the trees at the top of the garden, it would be wonderful if they built a nest there.The Robins were playing on the old garden furniture today, we still have the same three. And finally here's the nuthatch with a sunflower seed in his mouth.