Local patch

Blackbird collecting food

Chaffinch coming into breedng plummage

Greenfinch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Jay

I have heard of blackbirds nesting and laying in London as early or as late as December, whichever way you look at it, but I was still a little surprised to find this male blackbird collecting food so early, or maybe it isn't really; just unexpected. A couple of images of our 'common' finches, annoyingly I have 100+ photographs of Goldfinch at the same time but the contrast was just too great and they all look rubbish. A great deal of patience and I clocked our popular Great Spotted Woodpecker, the female this time, while just as I left this Jay turned up! 

Newton Marsh has been very quiet. Distant views of the Merlin on his perch, the Buzzards appear to have moved on, the Mute Swan is sat on her nest, Mallards have nested, Lapwings doing their thing, about 70 Black-Tailed Godwits out in the distance and that's about it. Again the water is much higher than usual and considering the little rain, appears to be artificially high... it appears to be preventing the Godwits and other waders from using the pool near the road, which they have always done in the past few years, feeding on the snails and the like, as the water is simply too deep for them.

Locally the Grey Wagtails have not been seen for a day or two, but that might be me, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler singing away from the depth of the cover, as with Blackbirds, Robin and Wren. The Moorhen keep trying to nest but I have yet to see them brood in over ten years or more, I put it down to Mink. Grey Heron have been about and a Sparrowhawk high over. Looks like Spring is here.