Having lunch, looking out at the rain through the kitchen window here in Blaenpennal a flock of 20 Redwing alighted on an ivy clad tree, feeding on the berries, they then moved down on to the ground in the middle of field but could not see what was attracting them. This day last week in the evening a flock of about 40 Fieldfares settled in some hollies at the top of the field, wonder if both species know of some impending severe weather conditions!
Meanwhile, on the feeder a male Great Spotted Woodpecker, nothing unusual about that except that instead of the back of the head and the vent being bright red they were a distinct orange.
Seem to have a large number of Goldfinches joining the clamour at the feeder recently and just these last couple of days several Lesser Redpolls whilst worming on the mole riddled lawn a Mistle Thrush, there must be a nest close by as the pair are quick to discourage the presence of any Corvids.
In a break in the weather yesterday Brenda managed to ring 24 birds covering 9 different species including the first Chiffchaff of the season. On the margins of the lake we disturbed a Jack Snipe, another first for Blaenpennal.
Alan Lyne