Winter light on Blue Tit

After late February's cold and relentlessy wet weather we now have bitterly cold but sunny March days. The wind is from the North and the threat of a snow flurry never far away. Still, at least we are now getting some sunshine and on the continent they really are still in the grip of winter. My son George, returned from Koblenz today, and there was freshly fallen thick snow in Germany and Belgium.

Back in the garden - spring is trying to show signs of promise. My first Bumble Bee was seen yesterday, Chaffinches and Blackbirds are battling over territories, a pair of Robins exchange centipedes strengthening the bond and the pond has plenty of Newt activity.

Blue Tits have started to return and rebuild last year's nests in the boxes. Having now depleted the hedgerows of berries, Redwings and Fieldfares in the pasture field, are now fattening up on Earthworms in readiness for their Northward bound return to Scandinavia and Russia. Interestingly our 'garden' Fieldfare is still very much with us, feasting on a 'gift' apple a day at the bottom of the garden.

Redwings foraging in the pasture field

Fieldfares are numerous in the pasture field at the moment, but I think this bird is still the same one that has been visiting for Apples since Christmas.