Showery with cold northerly wind.
Dog walking this morning showed plenty of birdlife but nothing unusual. The chimney Jackdaws seem to be busy bringing sticks so are obviously intent on nest building there again. Magpies and Jays always let you know when they are about as do the Crows and Ravens which are always to be seen in the fields to the rear of home.
There do seem to be many more Song Thrushes about at the moment but they are much shyer than the Blackbirds which abound. Two Mistle Thrushes seen again on the local football pitch. If I keep walking they usually stay on the ground but if I stop to have a better look they take off and head for tall trees somewhere close at hand. Long Tailed Tits seem to have paired off because I no longer see these in large groups, only pairs. Blue and Great Tits are still plentiful especially on the feeders which abound round the village. Wood Pigeons, I believe are already nesting but Collared Doves will be following shortly.
Robins, Wrens and Hedge Sparrows all seem to be plentiful, especially in the garden. They all can be heard singing almost all day long. The local Buzzards can also be heard calling away during most of the day. If you step outside the door you can mostly hear a Buzzard calling. House Sparrows are also plentiful but mostly at the other end of the road.
The highlight of the day came this afternoon when a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew into the Whitebeam tree at the roadside in our Garden. What a delight, the first I have seen for some years.