here we go again

the opening chords of this year's natural symphony

no show

and someone who didn't bother to turn up for bird count weekend, a male bull finch looking very smart.

my turn now

 

Just in time for RSPB bird count weekend, the woodpecker returned. Otherwise only the usual suspects turned up apart from a solitary mistle thrush.

frost beard

The best example yet of this strange phenomenon. 

And the eerie light on a snowy Kit Hill this morning.

snow falls

and so it snowed a few inches, enough to bring everything to a slippery halt. The quick thaw allowed some colour to creep through the white.

white feathers

a male chaffinch with unusually white tail feathers, suitable for a snowy day. The male chaffinches are at their smartest now as the competition for mates begin. This one although very colourful was quite timid and easily chased away by other males