The very cold frosty, and sometimes snowy weather continues to be a problem over my patch. Very little bird activity is being noted, except at my garden feeders, where plenty of Finch's and Tits continue to feed.

I did get some broken visits to my patch, one was whilst walking home from work, when I was pleased to see my second SNIPE of the month fly over the College grounds. I had another 1 hour visit between snow showers, I walked round the Greenhouse Complex grounds, and through the small copse, but little was seen, apart from a flock of 20 GOLDFINCH'S, a glimpse of a SPARROWHAWK and views of the KESTREL as it tried to find something to eat in the harsh conditions.

Later in the afternoon I met up with a fellow birder over at the Lake area, we set of for the edge of the wet woods and into Marchants field for a spot of Skywatching, which turned out to be quite productive, FIELDFARES were moving through the area, as well as REDWING and the usual WOODPIGEONS and JACKDAWS, but a sighting of another two SNIPE was very welcome - 3 for the day, thats an all time peak count! Another sighting made the trip out in the freezing cold more bearable when the years first GREY LAG GOOSE (56) flew over. As it grew nearer dusk we watched the gathering of the LINNETS as they formed up to go into roost, probably over 100 birds were seen, and the Kestrel was nearby hoping, maybe, to snack on one!

Below are some snowy scenes from around my patch

A couple of inches of snow fell overnight, making for a very picturesque patch, but it makes it less likely that I'm going to find anything new out there.

As I walked back from work, across Migrant Alley this afternoon, it was as bleak as I could ever remember it, cold, snowy and birdless - even the Robin has stopped singing. So with that in mind, and the fact that the lake is frozen solid, I thought I'd stay in and watch the garden feeders for the couple of hours of daylight that were left. Who knows maybe something special might drop in,a Brambling, or a Blackcap maybe ?

In the event neither turned up, but 15 other species did, all species that I would expect to see, and in good numbers too. So here's a few photo's of some of the regulars that visited. Lets hope tomorrow the weather eases a bit, Ive got a lot of catching up to do on the species list!

First bird is a GREAT TIT
Then a COAL TIT

Next is the ROBIN

Then a big fat WOODPIGEON

Below is a Mix of HOUSE SPARROW, GREENFINCH, GOLDFINCH and a GREAT TIT, all on the sunflower hearts. Ive just had a delivery of another 50kg, just in time, as I only had a days supply left!

Next bird is a Goldfinch

Lastly, a Greenfinch, there under bellies really do shine out in the snow.