A lot of gardening yesterday afternoon from the front gave 3 species of raptor, with a Kestrel over mobbed by Crows, a Buzzard low over and curiously left alone, and a Sparrowhawk diving into the Western sun.

A Linnet was a new flyover sighting for this lockdown. Flying away from Gorse Hall rather than towards it. 

Greenfinch were doing their proper display flight around the tops of the firs. A lovely accompaniment to the weeding.

Today a little bonus when I realised I can see the corner nest of the Rooks at Asda in Ashton, so another addition.  Very enjoyable few minutes watching them fly up onto the lamppost near Lidl. Distant Chiffchaff heard too.

With forgetting to add Common Gull to the list, that takes the lockdown 2 garden list to 39 species, with Chiffchaff heard only.

Hoping to make 40 before next Monday's finish. Have failed to hear any Common Scoter over despite a few attempts, and still no Mallard. Lighter nights now, so going to put in a few sessions from the top bench after work. Fingers crossed for an Osprey.

 

There are worse ways to be woken up each morning at 6 than by a song thrush. No need to set my alarm these past few weeks. Mistle Thrush somewhere near too.

Wren, Goldcrest and Bullfinch still around, plus the more common regulars.

Badger is visiting regularly, but a few dogs getting in via the Badger hole now too. Any tips to prevent this gratefully received. 

Might start a dog breed list? 

Keeping fingers crossed for a Song Thrush nest this year. One singing for almost 3 hours none stop this morning from 6.30-9.30. Then came for food and drink in the garden. Was joined by another and they proceeded to chase each other around for a long while. Later saw one shooting out of next doors' tall conifers. Who knows?

Goldcrest and Wren still very vocal.  Wren on the table out the back this afternoon about a meter from the patio doors. A nice distraction from Microsoft Teams.

Had a lovely chilled afternoon in the garden today. Scanning in the direction of Manchester produced a new bird species for lockdown with a Peregrine fly past. Finally a much sought after new addition and always a delight to see. This brings the new garden total to 36 species. Spring is definitely soon upon us as garden highlights included: Blue Tits displaying Goldcrest singing Chaffinch calling 2 Goldfinch Greenfinch And a bee zipping by

Less of an opportunity to look out recently but a Lesser Black Backed Gull on the roof today was a nice surprise. Put up 2 new nestboxes, so will be keeping an eye out for investigating birds.

Bird numbers have reduced greatly since last weekend, but have upped to 35 species with a Song Thrush this morning in the chill. Bullfinches still regular though which is nice.

Camera trap caught the Thrush at the feeding station, along with our first Badger and Wood Mouse of the second lockdown. 

Pictures of the images below. 

A beautiful fox graced us with its presence at 10.30 this morning.

In addition:
1 wren
A Sparrowhawk flew through the garden at 9.45

No new birds after the additions to the last few days, but another Sparrowhawk attempt at 11.30. How the Wood Pigeon evaded it I'm not sure. 

Wren very active when the rain arrived, and a Starling over the back garden was unusual. See from the front, but rarely at the back despite the food source.

Finally a Greenfinch over this morning. 

Nice couple of Badger scrapes at the top too this morning, with a couple of prints in the snow. Broke the ice in the corner of the pond by the look if it.

Lockdown 2 garden birds up to 33 now. 

All feeders scrubbed and filled in time for Big Garden Birdwatch next weekend. 

Cracking Sparrowhawk double  yesterday. Female zoomed through low at 9am, and later a male at 3.30pm. Both missed but not sure how as plenty of birds around. 

Also had a very raggedy Heron right over, and 2 Cormorant again out the front.

Not a lot of variation currently although did have 2 Cormorant overhead together this afternoon. 

Bullfinch remain at 4, male Chaffinch seems to be by himself now. 

Crows cawing from the back trees, whilst the Woddpigeons rollercoaster around them.

Sparrowhawk sat in the back tree this morning. I swear as soon as I moved 1mm for a better view it saw me move and flew.

4 Bullfinch now. Great Tit's seem to be getting a bit tetchy with each other. 

Nuthatch grabbing seeds and disappearing into next doors run down shed presumably to cache them.

Wood Pigeons getting amorous. 

Does the sun still exist?

Couple of Herring Gulls over were a rarity this afternoon. Presumably heading towards Audenshaw Reservoirs