Nythe

Frosty and sunny start to the day, by 1:00pm the temperature had risen to a high of 2C, with a wind-chill factor of –5, really bitter. At first light a Heron passed over the house, followed by a few Pied Wagtails, which had just left their roost at the Patheon pharmaceutical company along Dorcan Way. Must have a warm roof.

Two more ticks for my 2013 garden bird list. The newbies being a Hedge Sparrow and pair of Blue Tits, which flew in and checked out the nest box. One stuck its head in, had a quick look around and flew off into the Leylandii at the back of the garden. That now brings the garden total to a grand total of 9 - Starling, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Magpie, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Blue Tit and Hedge Sparrow (Also known as Dunnock).
 

Hedge Sparrow

The Starlings were on the feeders early this morning and now have a taste for mealworms. These were originally put out for the resident Robin. I say resident, I’ve heard it singing daily in the neighbours garden, but for some reason it still hasn’t been in ours this year. Not sure why!

 

Starling

The sun was out all day and as the afternoon drew to a close, a few large gulls started circling overhead. Not sure why, but you can guarantee there will be one or two Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and a Common Gull arriving at this time in the village. And sure enough all four species arrived at 3:30pm flew around the rooftops of the shops before heading off.