In the garden.. ..out in the woods

A garden female Yellowhammer.

 For the last two weeks, from dawn to dusk, two Little Egrets have been feeding on flies and earth worms in fields behind the garden and on Saturday, they were joined by two additional birds. So the grand total of four birds together, is something of a Shadoxhurst record.

In the pasture behind the garden, our adaptable Little Egrets sift invertebrates amongst the Horse Dung.

Two large scoops of seed is feeding 6 Pheasants, 1 Red legged Partridge, and a mixed flock of 60 plus Finches, Buntings and Sparrows in the garden. Our Yellowhammer flock is averaging at about 8 birds, and I'd expect numbers to pick up before spring arrives in earnest. A single Reed bunting has tagged along with them too. Two Fieldfares are still arguing over split Apples on the lawn, whilst dozens of Redwings run between horses hoof's and Egret feet in the pastures behind the garden.

Accompanying a drumming GS Woodpecker, a Song Thrush is singing away at 6.15 most mornings. Sitting high in our front garden Larch, and not that far from our bedroom window, it might be time for him to move along and try another garden soon?

OUT IN ORLESTONE FOREST

Common Buzzard

 An hours walk through the back of Faggs Wood and then to the near-by Coniferous plantation on Capel road, revealed few birds of note,  but Buzzards were displaying in pairs over both woods. The odd pair of Siskins whizzed over, and a great many Redwings were feeding on the woodland edges. The garden was the easy winner today!