Hide & Seek - Howard Jones

Cold and frosty morning accompanied by some bright sunshine seemed ideal for a wander across the border into Hampshire and a visit to Blashford Lakes. Lots of birds but all of a common variety although enough to keep me busy for a few hours.

Met in the car park by this male CHAFFINCH

it was quickly on to the first nut-feeder which was attracting GREAT TIT,

COAL TIT,

many more CHAFFINCH, both male (top) and female

along with the first NUTHATCH of the day.

Lots of birds at the Woodland Hide where the GREAT TITs were keeping very much to the bushes,

while the resident PHEASANT was as ever showing very well.

There were at least another 3 NUTHATCH here

but probably most numerous were LESSER REDPOLL,

followed by GOLDFINCH,

the odd COAL TIT and

GREENFINCH

NUTHATCH back again, surprisingly

only a single SISKIN here

and a couple of DUNNOCK foraging the leaf-litter.

LESSER REDPOLL were joined by

c5 BRAMBLING

and another SISKIN as I left the hide.

Also there was a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

which just capped a day of common but most welcome woodland birds.