Next Door to Old Moor

We went dog walking today around a man made lake and a network of paths just down the road from Old Moor... don't know the name of the place. It was a little muddy and very very windy and I wasn't out birding but I did see...
Pochards (about 30), Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan (quite a few flying around and landing, great to watch), Cormorant and best of a all a Kingfisher.

Old Moor's poor relation? Well it's big, it's free and who knows who might "pop over the fence"... plus I can take the dog.

Garden Bullfinches

4 Bullfinches in the garden today! (2 pairs). We had a regular pair for a while las year but then they disappeared. More recently we've had a pair turn up now and again... but 2 pairs at once! Fantastic.

Snow

The best (or worst depending on your point of view) snow of the year has fallen overnight and very lovely it looks too. My local patch looks particularly lovely today as you can see in the photo below. I've put plenty of food in the garden as I always do but it was interesting to see how quickly the birds turned up to feed today. Straight away the garden was swarming with (and this was a 5 minute look)...
Robin, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Wren, House Sparrow, Long Tailed Tit and even a Jay.

The Jay I've only ever seen feeding once before, most finches are rare in our garden and Collared Doves usually turn up mid-afternoon, not first thing. All in all it shows a covering of snow will effect birds eatings habits into a sudden panic of grabbing what food is available, presumably as most natural sources are hidden under snow.

IDing Thrushes

Is it a Song Thrush or a Mistle Thrush? A classic beginners question which I finally put to rest today having have a great view of a Song Thrush on my patch today... his spots point "sort of up" and his counter part "sort of sideways". That's the key!

Brown Knowle Woods Woodpeckers

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported to be in this small woodland but my 2 visits so far have failed to spot it. I did however see Chaffinch, various tits and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker... close but no cigar.

Garden Wren

A Wren visited the birdtable today... not a rare bird but a rare visitor to our garden.
My persistant feeding is clearly reaping it's rewards.

More Long Tailed Tits in the Garden

After yesterdays new tick, 2 Long Tailed Tits fed in the garden today.

Long Tailed Tit in the Garden

One Long Tailed Tit appeared in the garden today for the first time feeding from the suet cake and the table.

Walsden Canal, West Yorkshire

A wet wander along the canal revealed Mallard, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Graylag Goose and Goosander who showed an excellent view in flight.