February's Feathered Friends

Here's a catch-up of the bird activity in our garden in February, including many photos taken by David.  There was snow around 10th Feb and again from 22nd, and the temperatures mainly very cold.

First mention is of a bird never seen in our garden before - the Reed Bunting.  We've had a few females (photo) and one male, whose head feathers are getting darker as the month progresses.

Yellowhammers have come in too - newcomers again, and the linnets continue to fly around and land in the trees in large numbers (50) (see photo), with a dozen or so coming to drink from our top pond.

The Goldfinches have been feeding on the teasels (5 in this photo) as well as the feeders, 15 at one sighting.

There is at least one male Blackcap (photo, with black cap) and two females (with brown caps) overwintering.  They are happy on the feeders and the bird table.  We're looking forward to hearing their beautiful song in the spring.

Sweet little Long Tailed Tits have been visiting.  Our favourites, with their delicate pink, white & black plumage.

The 3 Jays have been seen from time to time, one of them peeping out of the conifer in this photo.

The local family of Pheasants pace up and down, the male often looking like he can't remember how to get out of the garden.  2 males & 4 females seen.  Also a pair of Red-legged Partridges have visited.

And the Blackbirds are still here in big numbers.

Other birds seen in the garden in February were: House Sparrows, Hedgesparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Robins, Starlings, Magpies, Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons.



House Sparrow

Hedgesparrow

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Robin

Starling

Collared Dove

Thanks for the photos, David.