Being the beginning of the month, its that time to count all the birds I see, and hear.Obviously not everything on my patch can be seen, so its more of a guide to the population of different species, when looked at over a long period. The WOODPIGEON is almost always the most common species (248), but the ROOK wasn't far behind (223), a large flock fed in the paddocks at migrant alley, along with 41 JACKDAW, 24 CARRION CROW and 80 STARLING. At the other end of the scale just singles of GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, KESTREL, and GREENFINCH (unusual) were seen. The SISKIN flock had dispersed, leaving just 2 (thats because I took my camera out to get some shots of them). The winter Thrushes also had moved on, just small groups were scattered - 23 FIELDFARE and 13 REDWING in all. Nothing much out out of the ordinary was recorded, but 5 species were added to the month, 49 now.

Below are some pics of birds seen in the garden today. (got a new camera for xmas -trying it out!)

Blackbird

Robin

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Starling

Chaffinch

The first walk of the new year and the weather was a little unkind. Thick fog blanketed the area, and so limited the number of species that were recorded to 43, although that isn't a bad tally. As is nearly always the case, the first day of a new month brings a species not seen in the previous month, this time it was a REED BUNTING, a smart looking male atop the hedgerow on the golf course. Bird of the day was the LITTLE GREBE, still on the lake, a good species to get on the year list. The siskin flock was still in the alders along the stream, and as I scanned it for Redpoll I was almost glad I didn't see one !! Nearby in the College campus carpark, is a patch of weedy ground and yesterdays linnets were re-located, joined by one other. The bird song had increased early on, with ROBIN, SONG THRUSH, MISTLE THRUSH, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST and STOCK DOVE all singing.