January 15
Up to 25 birds for the year, when a male sparrowhawk landed on the dish of the feeding station.
He sat there a while before flying off.
January 16
We get male great spotted woodpeckers regularly on the feeding station. It was nice to see a female this afternoon.
A flock of long-tailed tits visit several times a day, including a very late dusk appearance. You can set your clock by it.
They’re difficult to count, as they’re constantly on the move.
There were at least 11 though.
January 22
A sparrowhawk in the garden this morning. It swooped in and the birds disappeared.
It waited though, hidden in a bush, for their return.
When they did it swooped again but once more, nothing.
It turn just carried on in flight and left the garden.
January 27
The regular sparrowhawk back in the garden on two occasions this morning.
It swoops, misses birds and then hides in bushes waiting for them to return.
Saw a feral pigeon in flight, which takes me to 26 for the year.
I also count wildflowers and came across three species in bloom while working in the front garden: daisy, primrose and snowdrop.
January 28
The 27th bird of the year, when a calling green woodpecker flew across the garden being pursued by a gull.
Cleaning the garden pond, came across several great diving beetle larvae.
Sitting in the living room, I could see two big birds above the valley.
I went upstairs for a better view and had excellent views of a pair of peregrine falcons for a minute or so.
That ends the month with 28 birds.
There was also a raven in flight across the valley.