Snow then rain

Hello

A challenging day for wildlife and humans alike today with up to four inches of snow overnight and this morning and now plenty of rain for the next 24 hours and cold too!

Much of the morning was spent clearing the snow several times to provide a feeding area for the birds flocking to the garden, a good job I have recently been to Eyebrook Bird Foods to replenish our stocks!

The feeders at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station, Pitsford Reservoir were empty this afternoon, despite me filling them completely on Tuesday - Robins, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings came down almost to my feet as soon as I broadcasted the Rutland Mix blended food! Before that I trudged through the snow at Harrington Airfield and cleared the snow at the feeding areas with Dunnocks and Robins following me at every step! Their persistence paid off with a bucket of mixed food to consume. A pair of Grey Partridge were the only birds of note - a swirling flock of Fieldfares found very little to feed on - one individual defended some rotting rose hips - the only obvious berries left.

Single Barn Owls were at Stortons Pits and in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today, the female Ring-necked Duck was visible from the causeway car park at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yesterday and today the Pink-footed Goose remained at Wicksteed Park with Greylag Geese.

Between four and six Stonechats were at Sywell Country Park today and a snowy Stanford Reservoir held two Stonechats (both fresh birds in) and a Lesser Redpoll.

Regards

Neil M

Reed Buntings.

Yellowhammer.

A couple of 'through the window'
images from the garden today - sorry
about the poor quality!