The snow that fell last night for several hours finally fizzled out by late morning. Mind you, you’d think after that length of time we would have had more than 1in. Throughout the rest of the morning the slow thaw began with slush just about everywhere. I dread to think what state the untreated roads and pavements are going to be like tomorrow, as the temperatures are set to drop to minus 3C tonight.
More Snow
At least this changeable weather hasn't put the birds off and today was all about Fieldfares. I’d seen at least one bird in the village this winter and today in the street a pair landed in the road opposite the house. Where the snow had melted, they had come down to drink from a puddle. Shortly after, one of them landed in the plum tree behind the house and I just managed a photo of it before it flew off. Later the same or another Fieldfare was seen flying east over the estate at low level and as the sun set another bird landed in the Silver Birch behind the house.
Fieldfare
Fieldfare in Flight
In the back garden the number of Starlings is increasing with at least a dozen on the feeders. The resident Robin seems to pick these times to come into the garden. Not sure why, unless its safety in numbers. There are quite a few cats about and a Sparrowhawk is never to far away, so it could be that.
Starling
Overhead 3 Black-headed Gulls circled over the shops and having seen 7 Common Gulls at Liden Lagoon at the weekend, I guess it wasn't that surprising to see 3 wheeling their way over the rooftops here in Nythe.
As the light really began to fade and dusk fell a female Chaffinch landed in the plum tree and after a brief preen flew off towards the recreation fields.
Female Chaffinch in the fading light