"Theres snow business...."

Like snow business.

More snow, these were taken at the arboretum yesterday, couldn't drive into new fancy, but did walk in to feed birds, and again today.

The Song Thrush is a lovely bird.

The Nuthatch was back and forth like a mad thing.

This Grey Wagtail is a skittish little thing.

Another secretive little thing is the Treecreeper.

I couldn't resist another Robin.

In this weather the birds need all the help they can get, don't forget to put out some scraps for them.

The weather has changed.

Snow again, proper amounts of it. Looks like it could be here for a day or two more. My trip to New Fancy was early enough to miss the worst of it so birds fed and a few photo's obtained.

Those of you with a trained eye will see that I have over exposed the whites in this pic of a Blackbird, I am still learning and realistically this is the first proper snow I've had to work with.

I did at least realise before I got this pic of the Robin. Yet again I was amazed at how much effort they put into seeing each other off rather than just feeding.

Then the resident Hawfinch appeared, she is resident at the moment at least.

There were other birds there, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, and a fleeting Brambling which didn't stop.

It was then back home as the snow had started to fall heavily and I wanted a warm coffee.

I fed up my garden feeders and waited to see what came. The usual suspects started to show soon enough,

Female Blackbird.

Chaffinches, an unusual visitor to my garden, There were 5 or 6 at one time. Weather must be bad for them to come.

Another Robin and I was back to burning out the whites, it's easy to forget. I had been doing birds sat on my shed roof so had changed the settings. Lessons are being learnt.


My garden Robins are always fun to watch, they are quite aggressive towards the other birds too.

Next were three Starlings, they are keen to eat everything thats put down.

My little Robins were battling the elements, bless 'em.

There was one character who was loving the snow, my little Westie Roxy.

It sticks to her fur though so she brings it in. I've enjoyed practicing in the snow, still got lots to learn, but It will get there eventually.

New Fancy

You will all be aware that I have been feeding the birds at New Fancy since Nov. I've been amazed at the number of people who have been there watching or photographing the birds.

The main attraction has been the Hawfinch, There have been two on occasions but largely it has been one, a female.

I know people have often travelled some distance to see the birds.

Personally my favourites are the Brambling, I love the differing colours.

I have met some very nice people up there, yesterday was no exception, I met Jenni, we chatted for some time about the birds. Jenni kindly offered some money towards the food costs, I tried to decline it but she insisted. It was what she said that pleased me the most, she said that she enjoyed being up there and appreciated my efforts. That summed up what the feeder station has become for me. It's a small effort but it is great knowing that it is appreciated. It brings joy and that, in this day and age, can't be bad.

It would be nice if the Forestry Commission could do something similar, using some of the car parking fees at Mallards Pike and other spots to fund it, or maybe even sponsorship from local businesses involved in the Forest.

Just an idea.

Little Grebe- missed chances.

I spent two or three hours this week taking pictures of the lovely Little Grebe. I have shown a couple of pics on here earlier. However what I desperately wanted to do was catch the moment when this bird dives under the water.

However it turned out to be more difficult than I expected. Here are my efforts.

No missed it that time.

and again,

and again, but perhaps this time.

My best effort, looks like a hairy "Jaws" coming towards me doesn't it?

So I changed my attention to something a lot easier and more delicate.
I loved this, and spent a little time watching it float around.

Not the best effort photographically, but it isn't all about "the shot" its about appreciating the beauty that is around us.

I'll keep trying with the diving shots.

More doorstep.

Another day of mixed weather, a commitment with my son and a desire to watch Starlings roosting meant a day of grabbed opportunities.

Cannop ponds gave me some opportunities.


The Coots and the Little Grebes were very active.

They were catching little fish for fun.

A female Mallard was lovely.

A drive on the outskirts of Ross found two Herons together on a field. Here is one of them.

More stuff on the doorstep, isn't life brilliant.