Not a good start for this birder's birding year

Although 2009 looked promising on the first day in January with frequent visits of the little Goldcrest, I have not seen it since, and I fear the worst.

i've been sprinkling these little green Get Off My Garden crystals lately, after I'd spotted a grey feline around the garden. These crystals do seem to disappear on me though, and I've had to reapply them on a regular basis. I knew beforehand that you'd need to possibly reapply after showers, but even the calm weather seems to suck them up into the overhanging cloud which had shielded us from the Sun for so long it seems.




The next day, I wasn't around really; I was fast asleep trying to catch up on some shut-eye. Did not make me feel much better really, as I ended up with a very bad cold. And of course just as the weather is nice and calm, albeit still overcast.
The garden is very quiet, just the Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Pied Wagtail and Dunnock, together with a number of Jackdaws, Rooks and JJ.

Perhaps the birds are feeling the gloomy mood which is hanging around me, too?

Still, I wish you all a happy 2009.

Goldcrest and Robins

Ever since my first visiting Goldcrest, and when I did manage a photo of this lovely creature, I've been wanting to get another one.

I can safely say that I've been almost as restless as the bird itself, afraid I'd miss the opportunity to photograph this lovely little creature.

When taking a break from my dishes, so that one bit could dry before the turn of the last bits, I spoted it on its way out, and, looking at the clock, it had been bang on time too, 1pm. So I did not think it would return this afternoon.

Well it did, to my surprise, and although it did not really sit still, this is the best I could do.


The annual Robin fights have started again. Last week two went head to head and it will be a bit calmer next spring, with only two Robins claiming this food source, after I found my third Robin last week.

In spring this year I observed three Robins on my wall.

It is best to understand when you start with picture number one, then go to the next by pressing the right arrow on your keyyboard. This way you can keep looking at the monitor and then you see the small position changes in the birds probably best.

We've now arrived at the usual roster where one Robin comes in to feed, and as soon as it leaves, number two flies in.
Robin One and Two: I don't know which produced it, but every year sees one beautiful young Robin. One of the most beautiful chicks on earth.



One of the Chaffinch females.