Garden birds in pictures and a smoking Rook?

We've had quite a lot of rain (yes, again!) and this meant that a lot of the bird seed germinated in record time in the planter. Luckily I've a few eager gardeners; always ready to dig deep to get out the seed.
Female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs


not that she doesn't find to grab a quick bite from the seed above ground.




Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus


Great Tit, Parus major


At the beginning of this week, north western winds brought the temperature down to about -4 in very early morning, bringing two Thurshes into the garden, looking for food, a male Blackbird which I normally see out on the bits of grass on the council estate. And a Song Thrush which appears at different times of year, to see what's cooking.
I guess that with the frost, their usual breakfast was temporarily out out reach, it wasn't long before they could start foraging on the ground again.

Song Thrush, Turdus philomelus




Robin, Erithacus rubecula



male House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

I had spread soaked bread and out mainly for the Corvids. and this Wagtail, which feeds up after the kids have gone back inside again (together with the Rooks, Jackdaws and Hooded Crows) had spotted this apparently; quickly descending on our side of the fence. It will soon relocate to the planter, although I was surprised that it did not follow the other ones( Tits, Sparrows, Dunnock, and others) which were feeding at the time. Last year it was fighting them all off to get its share. Won't be long now, I guess.
Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba





(Adult) Rook, Corvus frigulega


(Juvenile) Rook. C. frigulega


(Juvenile) Rook.
Rooks use smoke to rid themselves of parasites in their plumage. They will stand above a smoking chimney. It has also been observed that a Rook will pick up a smoking cigarette butt in its beak, and wave this underneath its wings. This picture of my juvenile reminded me of that, although it was not a cigarette it had found in my planter.


Dunnock, Prunella modularis


A female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, showing off her beautiful green back, usually hidden underneath her wings.


And two more Blue and Great Titmouse.



The Blue Tit which was in competition with my Wren for a spot of wood, then moved on to sit on a dead branch and moving upwards, started feeding on the many Insects underneath the rim of our garbage bin.